Missy Franklin Grasps Third National Title With U.S. Open Blast in 200 Back

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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, June 26. COLORADO Stars' Missy Franklin doubled up on the night with a U.S. Open and meet record in her world-record event of the women's 200-meter backstroke at the U.S. Nationals and World Championships. Franklin went out pretty strong at the 100, then cruised her way to victory, potentially saving up a world-record performance for Barcelona.

Franklin ripped off a 2:05.68 to win the distance dorsal this evening, bettering her world-best time of 2:06.33 from prelims this morning. Her effort this evening surpassed Margaret Hoelzer's U.S. Open and meet record of 2:06.09 set in 2008, and also gave Franklin her third title of the meet in three tries. Franklin will be gunning for her world record of 2:04.06 next month at Worlds.

Franklin's future California teammate Elizabeth Pelton made the Worlds roster after a disappointing third-place finish at Trials last year as Pelton blasted a time of 2:06.29 to move to second in the world. Yes, that's right, Teri McKeever could have the top two 200 backstrokers in the world training together starting next year at Cal. That's a big personal best for Pelton, as she previously went 2:07.48 at the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships.

BlueFish's Elizabeth Beisel wound up taking third in 2:07.64 to move to fourth in the world, demonstrating just how scary deep the U.S. is in this event. Longhorn's Sarah Denninghoff earned fourth-place honors in 2:10.16.

Tucson Ford's Bonnie Brandon (2:10.24), SwimMAC's Kathleen Baker (2:10.92), Dynamo's Kylie Stewart (2:11.51) and AquaKids' Clara Smiddy (2:12.27) posted the other finale finishes.

Mission Viejo's Melanie Klaren turned in a time of 2:11.94 to top the B final. That's a full second drop from her personal best of 2:12.94 set earlier this morning.

Hannah Moore took home the C final victory with a time of 2:13.61, just off her lifetime best of 2:13.02 from 2012 Trials.

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