U.S. Olympic Trials: Michael Phelps Turns in World-Leader to Lead 100 Fly Semis; Ryan Lochte Completes Third Swim in an Hour

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OMAHA, Nebraska, June 30. MICHAEL Phelps, who already became the only person with three different career Trials threepeats with his 200 IM win earlier in the night, set himself up for a fourth Trials title this week at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials with a world-leader in the 100 fly.

Phelps smashed the field with a 51.35, jumping ahead of Milorad Cavic for the top time in the world this year. Cavic had previous owned the pacesetter with a 51.45. Phelps is the two-time defending Olympic champion in the event, and won the 2008 Trials title after taking second to Ian Crocker in 2004. Should he win the title, it would be his fourth of the meet and 13th of his career. Phelps and former training partner Katie Hoff tied Shirley Babashoff for the most Trials titles in a single meet with five in 2008. Babashoff first accomplished the feat with a quintet of crowns in 1976.

Tyler McGill qualified second in 51.88, just off his fifth-ranked season best of 51.87 set during prelims. He took second at last summer's nationals in the event, and is looking to improve on his fourth-place finish in the event in 2008.

Tom Shields, an all-everything swimmer at the NCAA Championships for California this year with three NCAA titles in the short course yard pool, qualified third in 51.89 and is looking to build on his collegiate success this year.

Davis Tarwater, who placed third in the 200-meter fly in 2008, made the finale in the shorter distance event with a fourth-seeded 51.95, while Tim Phillips earned fifth in 52.17. Phillips wound up 20th in the event last time around.

Ryan Lochte tied with Eugene Godsoe with matching 52.47s in his third swim in 58 minutes, which included an awards ceremony. Earlier in the night, Lochte won the 200 back tonight, and took second to Phelps in the closest finish in 200 IM history at Trials. Giles Smith earned the final transfer spot into finals with a 52.52.

The Finalists:
Michael Phelps — 51.35
Tyler McGill — 51.88
Tom Shields — 51.89
Davis Tarwater — 51.95
Tim Phillips — 52.17
Ryan Lochte — 52.47
Eugene Godsoe — 52.47
Giles Smith — 52.52

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