U.S. Olympic Trials: Brendan Hansen Threepeats 100 Breast

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OMAHA, Nebraska, June 26. BRENDAN Hansen, who took time off from the sport before returning last year, raced to his third victory in the men's 100 breaststroke at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. Hansen used a sub-minute 59.68 for the win to become just the second man ever to threepeat an event at Trials.

Hansen's time, which stands fourth in the world this year, put him in elite company as only Gary Hall Jr. had previously won three straight titles at a Trials. He became the first man to do so back in 2004 when he defended his 1996 and 2000 titles in the men's 50 free. Janet Evans, Eleanor Holm and Mary T. Meagher are the three women to have accomplished the feat. Hansen can now turn his attention to London, where his top target is stopping Kosuke Kitajima from a threepeat of his own in the 100 breast, but of the Olympic gold variety. Kitajima is vying to win three straight Olympic crowns in both the 100 and 200 breaststrokes.

Trojan's Eric Shanteau provided another veteran to the Olympic team, previously making the team in 2008 while fighting cancer. The cancer-free man is now looking to improve on his 10th-place finish in the 200 breast back in Beijing.

Kevin Cordes, who blasted an American record in the short course yard event at NCAAs this year, wound up third in 1:00.58, while Scott Weltz claimed fourth in 1:00.68. Mark Gangloff, who made the Olympic team behind Hansen the past two Trials with second-place finishes, missed his bid for a third-straight 100 breast spot with a fifth-place 1:00.74. Mike Alexandrov (1:00.76), Clark Burckle (1:00.81) and Marcus Titus (1:00.94) also swam in the finale.

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