Fifth Night of German Nationals is Sizzling

BERLIN, May 26. THE fifth night of the German Nationals was filled with fireworks, as one world record and two national records were taken down. The spectacular swims compensated for a sub-par showing on the fourth evening of action.

In taking top honors in the women’s 50-meter backstroke, Janine Pietsch established a global record with a mark of 28.19. That effort clipped the previous standard of 28.25, set in 2000 by Sandra Volker. Antje Buschschulte touched in second place in 28.50 and Volker notched a swim of 29.51 for third.

For the men, Mark Warnecke and Thomas Rupprath turned in record-breaking performances. Warnecke, a 35-year-old, continued to enjoy a splendid meet. Two days after winning the 100 breast, Warnecke finished first in the 50 breast in 27.44. The swim wasn’t far off the 27.18 world record of Oleg Lisogor. Jens Kruppa was second to Warnecke in 28.44.

As for Rupprath, he blazed 23.59 in the 50 butterfly, plenty faster than the 23.88 posted by Oliver Wenzel for second place. The second-place finisher in the 100 fly earlier in the meet, Rupprath was off the world record of Ian Crocker, which sits at 23.30.

In the men’s 200 freestyle, a trio of athletes dipped under the 1:50 barrier, led by Paul Biedermann. Clocking 1:48.73, Biedermann edged Stefan Herbst, who checked in with an effort of 1:49.26. Lars Conrad placed third in 1:49.85.

Other victories were snagged by Annika Mehlhorn in the women’s 100 butterfly and Janne Schafer in the women’s 50 breast. Mehlhorn hit the wall in 59.31 in the fly, and was followed by Daniela Samulski in 59.61. Schafer claimed first in her event in 31.68, ahead of the 32.06 turned in by Simone Weiler.

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