Janet Evans Invitational: Natalie Coughlin Sets American Record in 200 IM VIDEO INCLUDED; Ous Mellouli Sets U.S. Open 800 Free Record in Prelims

LOS ANGELES, California, June 6. NATALIE Coughlin proved that she is on point heading into the U.S. Olympic Trials as she dropped the American record in the women's 200 IM at the Janet Evans Invitational.

Coughlin hit the wall in 2:09.77 with splits of 27.39, 1:00.66 (33.27), 1:39.80 (39.14) and 2:09.77 (29.97) to clear Katie Hoff's record of 2:10.05 set in 2006 in Irvine, Calif. Coughlin was under world-record pace at the 50, as Stephanie Rice's splits from her global standard of 2:08.92 from March were 28.03, 1:00.56 (32.53), 1:39.24 (38.68), 2:08.92 (29.68).

“I've only done this event twice in the last five years,” Coughlin told USA Swimming. “It was obviously a good swim. I didn't have anything else to swim today. It was the first on the schedule, that's why I swam it.”

Julia Smit (2:13.22) and Elaine Breeden (2:16.82) completed the podium in the amazing race.

During prelims, Ous Mellouli made a triumphant return from his 18-month ban for taking the study aid Adderall, which is a banned substance. As part of a third-place qualification in the 1500 free, where he clocked a 15:50.03, Mellouli broke the U.S. Open record with his 800 split of 7:49.02. Erik Vendt held the previous standard with a 7:49.75 at the 2007 National Championships. Thanks to Reaction Time user laurenish for pointing out the record!

Tamas Kerekjarto had a hard act to follow, but still wound up with the men's 200 IM title in 2:01.76. Teammate Vanni Mangoni finished second in 2:02.48, just holding off Brian Johns, who took third in 2:02.83.

The women's 100 breast was star-studded with plenty of top performers. Jessica Hardy emerged triumphant with a time of 1:07.04, while Tara Kirk took second in 1:07.22. Rebecca Soni placed third in 1:08.22. The rest of the top eight also is worthy of mention as Lindsay Payne (1:08.57), Annamay Pierse (1:08.81), Keri Hehn (1:09.11), Elizabeth Smith (1:10.60) and Sara Nicponski (1:11.88) put on a show.

Damir Dugonjic surfaced from the men's 100 breast with the crown in 1:01.52, while Scott Dickens (1:01.73) and John Criste (1:02.42) rounded out the top three.

Hardy continued her strong meet with a double when she dipped under 25 to win the women's 50 free in 24.98. Emily Silver took second in 25.29, while Madison Kennedy placed third in 25.65.

The men's 50 free proved to be exciting as Jason Lezak touched out Ben Wildman-Tobriner, 22.34 to 22.36, while Dominik Meichtry finished third in 22.47.

Savannah King, 16, held off Tanya Hunks in the women's 400 free, 4:13.57 to 4:13.96, while Lynette Lim, 16, touched third in 4:16.42 to complete individual events for the evening.

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