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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 10. MICHAEL Phelps has some company in the 1:54 club now that Daytona Beach's Ryan Lochte threatened his world record, but settled for his U.S. Open record in the men's 200 IM.
Lochte led wire-to-wire with 24.78 and 53.45 splits through the first 100 meters before clearing world-record pace at the 150 with a 1:26.88. Lochte did not have the freestyle to clear Phelps' global mark of 1:54.23. He did, however, put together a 1:54.56 for the second-fastest time ever. The swim beat Phelps' U.S. Open record of 1:54.80 set at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials.
"I just wanted to take it out smooth, but fast and hold on for dear life," Lochte said. "Just had to get out there and get in clear, clean water. At the very end, you have to put your head down and race."
Longhorn's Eric Shanteau touched second in 1:56.00 to demolish his previous personal best of 1:58.05, while Club Wolverine's Tyler Clary claimed third in 1:57.25.
Lochte and Shanteau's times beat Darian Townsend's effort of 1:57.03 for the top time in the world this year. Shanteau also moved into third all time ever with his 1:56.00. He moved in front of Laszlo Cseh of Hungary, who owns a 1:56.52 set at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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July 10, 2009 Lochte Rocks. He'll break Phelps' record in Rome. And he was wearing the same suit as Phelps wore last year when he set the record. Awesome. And I can't wait to see him take on Peirsol in the 200 Back. Wow. Submitted by: spineman
July 10, 2009 Agree, spineman, and I do hope he can break Phelps record in Rome because that will provide more mental fuel for Phelps when he gets back to that event; and keep the rivalry going, hopefully for another 3 years.
Peirsol will likely be a bit fresher both physically and mentally tomorrow; I think it's too close to call and it will come down to race strategy and mental game. With Peirsol's improved speed and confidence, Lochte can't let him get too far ahead anymore.
Shanteau now makes it tope 3 performers all from U.S.A. I knew he could catch Clary on breast but wasn't sure he'd hold on and pass him on the free like that. Assuming he can get some good rest tonight he should be under 2:09 tomorrow and make the team in his 3rd event. Submitted by: liquidassets
July 10, 2009 Yeah, liquidassets, you're right about Shanteau. Incredible performance, considering his battle with cancer. He looked so strong at the end, it makes you wonder whether he could even do a low 2:08.
And I agree about Lochte. I think he could reel Phelps back into the 200 IM by next year, which is fascinating since Phelps had sounded like he was done with the individual medley.
Same with Peirsol, his rivalry with Lochte could keep him in the game until 2012, too.
Submitted by: spineman
July 10, 2009 Yeah, liquidassets, you're right about Shanteau. Incredible performance, considering his battle with cancer. He looked so strong at the end, it makes you wonder whether he could even do a low 2:08.
And I agree about Lochte. I think he could reel Phelps back into the 200 IM by next year, which is fascinating since Phelps had sounded like he was done with the individual medley.
Same with Peirsol, his rivalry with Lochte could keep him in the game until 2012, too.
Submitted by: spineman
July 11, 2009 How does the USA select it's entrants for the 50m events other than the free if those events are not contested at the trials? Submitted by: m.j.h
July 11, 2009 How does the USA select it's entrants for the 50m events other than the free if those events are not contested at the trials? Submitted by: m.j.h
Reaction Time responses do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions
of Swimming World Magazine or SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.
Reaction Time is provided as a service to our readers.
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