Arsenault Takes 200 Free in Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, May 27. Samantha Arsenault is a name to watch at the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials. The 18 year-old, who swims for the Greenwood (MA) Swim Club and trains in "the oldest pool in New England," handily defeated several top-notch swimmers in the 200m freestyle during Day 2 of competition at the Cadillac Challenge Series meet in Ann Arbor.

Arsenault clocked 2:01.38 for the double century, more than two seconds faster than Diana Munz, Cristina Teuscher and Kaitlin Sandeno.

Sandeno came from behind on the freestyle leg to edge Teuscher in the 400 IM, 4:45.19 to 4:45.33.

Kristy Kowal had the 100m breaststroke all to herself, putting up an impressive 1:08.68, almost two seconds faster than Amy Balcerzak (1:10.48), her closest pursuer.

Lea Maurer and B.J. Bedford butted heads again in the 100 back, with Maurer roaring from behind to negative split her race and win in 1:02.91 to Bedford's 1:03.80. Maurer was four tenths back at the 50 (31.08 to 31.47) but poured it on to overtake her rival shortly after the turn and pull away.

Ashley Tappin won the 100m butterfly in 1:00.33, ahead of 15-year-old Mary Descenza of the Academy Bullets at 1:01.10. Descenza swam 1:00.43 in prelims.

Tom Malchow completed his sweep of the butterfly events when he downed Dod Wales in the 100 meters, 54.31 to 55.08. Malchow was well behind at the turn, splitting 25.92 for his first lap, butr he came roaring back with a 28.39 split for the second 50. Fourteen year-old Michael Phelps was fourth in 55.78.

Neil Walker squeezed out a win in the 100 back, edging Tate Blahnik 55.65 to 55.72. Jarrod Marrs easily took the 100m breast (1:04.10). Tom Wilkens annexed the 400 IM in 4:22.50, more than three seconds ahead of Robert Margalis, while his Santa Clara teammate Adam Messner swam off with the 200 free (1:51.76).

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