USA Swimming Nationals: Michael Phelps Dominates Men’s 200 Back With Third-Fastest Time Ever; US Open Record

By John Lohn

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, August 1. A few months ago at the World Championships, Michael Phelps was a wrecking machine, setting five world records while mining gold on seven occasions. Wednesday night, he continued his jaw-dropping ways by challenging the world record in the 200-meter backstroke, an event that wasn't part of his World Champs program.

In the lead from the start, there was never a doubt whether Phelps would snag another national title, even with world-record holder Ryan Lochte in the field. The question was whether Phelps would knock off Lochte's world record of 1:54.32. Ultimately, Phelps finished just shy, thanks to a time of 1:54.65. It's the third-fastest time in history, behind the global mark and a 1:54.44 by Aaron Peirsol. It was also a U.S. Open record.

Phelps has been the third-fastest performer in the 200 back for several years, but has often had to bypass the event in international competition. At the 2004 Olympic Trials, Phelps qualified in the event for Athens, but decided to scratch it from his program. In his near-record swim, Phelps turned in splits of 27.23, 55.73 and 1:25.13.

Phelps' Club Wolverine teammate, Chris DeJong, was the silver medalist in 1:56.75, ahead of the 1:57.43 of David Cromwell (Longhorn Aquatics). Meanwhile, Lochte was fourth in 1:59.11, but was obviously not full of gas after having won the 400 individual medley earlier in the night. Fifth place went to Patrick Schirk (Big Cat) in 1:59.86.

Click here to view event results PDF file.

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