U.S. Olympic Trials: Comeback Kid Anthony Ervin Still Alive, Posts Trials Textile Best

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OMAHA, Nebraska, June 30. ANTHONY Ervin, the 2000 Olympic gold co-medalist, back in the sport after an extended retirement, raced to the top seed in the men's 50 free finals with a Trials textile best at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.

Ervin, who tied Gary Hall Jr. for the 2000 Olympic gold medal with 21.98s at the time, raced to the top seed in the splash-and-dash tonight with a sterling 21.74. That swim eclipsed Hall's Trials textile best of 21.76, which he used to dispatch Ervin at the 2000 Trials in Indianapolis, 21.76 to 21.80. Ervin's lifetime best heading into tonight had been that 21.80. He vaulted to a third-place tie with James Magnussen in the world rankings this year with one more swim to come. The only two swimmers faster this year have been Cesar Cielo (21.38) and Bruno Fratus (21.70).

Nathan Adrian is looking for a sprint freestyle sweep after winning the 100 free earlier in the meet. He tied with Josh Schneider in semifinal 1 with matching 21.81s. Schneider finished 16th in the event in 2008, and is looking for his first Olympic bid, while Adrian already has an Olympic gold medal to his credit as a prelim swimmer for the 2008 men's 400 freestyle relay.

Jimmy Feigen (21.89), Cullen Jones (22.08), Jason Schnur (22.11), Matt Grevers (22.24) and Adam Small (22.25) will also vie for the Trials title. Defending champion Garrett Weber-Gale, who won in 2008 with a 21.47, faltered with a 14th-place 22.53.

The Finalists:
Anthony Ervin — 21.74
Nathan Adrian — 21.81
Josh Schneider — 21.81
Jimmy Feigen — 21.89
Cullen Jones — 22.08
Jason Schnur — 22.11
Matt Grevers — 22.24
Adam Small — 22.25

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