Benko Heads Field in Women's 200-meter Freestyle Semifinals -- July 9, 2004

By John Lohn

LONG BEACH, Calif., July 9. Supporting her status as the finest 200-meter freestyler in the United States, Lindsay Benko posted the fastest time of the semifinals in her pet event, clocking 1:59.36, a time that easily outdistanced Kate Dwelley (2:00.80) in the first semifinal heat.

Kaitlin Sandeno, qualified for the Olympics in the 400 individual medley and 400 freestyle, grabbed the second-fastest qualifying time, as she captured top honors in the second semifinal with a time of 1:59.68. Dana Vollmer, who had the top prelim time, finished just behind Sandeno in 1:59.87.

Kara Lynn Joyce, known more for her ability in the sprint freestyles, turned in a time of 2:00.02, good for the fourth seed in tonight's final. Carly Piper (2:00.27) notched the fifth slot and was followed by Dwelley in sixth, Rachel Komisarz (2:00.84) in seventh and Rhi Jeffrey (2:01.06) in eighth.

PREDICTION: Benko takes first in her prime event while Sandeno nails down her third Olympic bid. Look for Vollmer to land a relay spot and for Jeffrey to move up from eighth.

Women’s 200m Freestyle
200m Nage Libre Femmes

WR 1:56.64 VAN ALMSICK Franziska Berlin (GER) 3 AUG 2002 GER
AR 1:57.41 BENKO Lindsay Barcelona (ESP) 24 JUL 2003 USA
US 1:58.02 POLL Claudia Los Angeles (USA) 15 JUL 2000 CRC
TR 1:58.65 HAISLETT Nicole Indianapolis (USA) 2 MAR 1992 USA

BENKO Lindsay USA 76 1:59.36 1. q 0.81 1 4 1:28.67 58.07 28.13
SANDENO Kaitlin USA 83 1:59.68 2. 0.32 q 0.68 2 5 1:29.55 58.71 28.41
VOLLMER Dana USA 87 1:59.87 3. 0.51 q 0.73 2 4 1:29.11 58.30 28.08
JOYCE Kara Lynn USA 85 2:00.02 4. 0.66 q 0.77 2 8 1:29.44 58.74 28.14
PIPER Carly USA 83 2:00.27 5. 0.91 q 0.84 2 3 1:29.86 58.95 28.52
DWELLEY Kate USA 89 2:00.80 6. 1.44 q 0.80 1 7 1:30.28 59.16 28.36
KOMISARZ Rachel USA 76 2:00.84 7. 1.48 q 0.71 1 3 1:30.42 59.77 28.81
JEFFREY Rhi USA 86 2:01.06 8. 1.70 q 0.79 1 5 1:30.66 59.49 28.51

LANNE Colleen USA 79 2:01.31 9. 1.95 1 0.74 1 6 1:29.60 58.25 27.84
MCLARTY Sara USA 83 2:01.33 10. 1.97 2 0.68 1 2 59.65
BLACKMAN Candace USA 86 2:01.42 11. 2.06 0.72 1 8 1:30.55 59.59 28.29
HILL Elizabeth USA 85 2:01.54 12. 2.18 0.79 2 2 1:30.10 59.50 28.77
KELLER Kalyn USA 85 2:02.29 13. 2.93 0.75 2 7 1:31.74 1:00.51 29.39
HOELZER Margaret USA 83 2:02.37 14. 3.01 0.84 1 1 1:30.53 58.88 28.15
MASON Emily USA 82 2:02.81 15. 3.45 0.73 2 1 1:30.79 59.26 28.42
MEDINA Lauren USA 83 2:04.50 16. 5.14 0.78 2 6 1:31.89 59.85 28.83