World Short Course Champs, Day Five Finals: Flash! Medley Relay Lives Up To Hype As the Texas/Lezak Juggernaut Breaks World Mark

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, October 11. OVER our shoulder we could hear the announcers on the live ESPN2 telecast hyping the final race of these championships. And they were right to do so.

The American team is exactly the same quartet that won in world record time both in the Athens Olympics and the 2003 Barcelona long course world championships.

We are watching workman drain and tear down the Frank E. McKinney Jr. Memorial Pool on the floor of Conseco Arena here in Indianapolis after the final night of swimming. In reflecting on the meet hosted so well by this town that set new standards in its long history of hosting major Olympic sport events, we appreciate the fact that possibly the best was saved for last.

Whether it was an accident of the schedule or whether the sustained energy of the crowd in this place contributed, the fact is that this relay was a great way to wrap-up a memorable meet. We got a world record that will top off the memory of everyone here.

The USA relay members had won eight – I said eight – world titles this week, including at least one by every member of the team. Two broke world marks (Peirsol – 200 backstroke; Crocker – 50 butterfly), a third was selected as the male swimmer of the meet for his triple (Hansen – 50, 100, 200 breaststrokes) and, arguably, the pivotal leg on the relay was eventually turned in by the fourth member (Lezak).

Every leg on the USA swim was the fastest in the field.

Tonight Old Record
Peirsol :51.35 :51.28
Hansen :57.42 (2nd in history) :57.82
Crocker :49.76 (2nd in history) :48.62
2:38.53 2:37.18

At this point, tonight’s squad trailed the Texas NCAA swim by 1.35. Texas was anchored by Garrett Weber-Gale, a quality athlete who was a finalist at the Olympic Trials in the 100 freestyle, in :47.66. Lezak had won a close race for the world championship in the 100 freestyle earlier in the session at :47.97. It appeared the quest for this record was done.

But nobody told the crowd and their energy seemed to invest new adrenaline in an otherwise fatigued Lezak. After his 100 win, Lezak told the press, “I am definitely exhausted. I didn’t train a whole lot coming into this. It’s taking its toll.”

But tonight, after splitting :25.33 over the final 50 to win a pitched battle for an individual world championship, Lezak sped home on the relay in :24.56. With a split of :46.56 Lezak hit the wall at 3:25.09, busting the old relay record of 3:25.38.

It may be understatement to say the crowd was going nuts. What a finish for the meet.

Australia won silver at 3:29.72 and Russia the bronze at 3:32.11.

Aussies Matthew Welsh with a :51.53 backstroke and Brenton Rickard with a :58.12 breaststroke probably had next best legs in the event.

— D. Scott

Ian Crocker behind the blocks
(Photo: M. Collins)

Jason Lezak celebrates after winning the 50 free at the 2002 LCM Nationals

Aaron Peirsol looking sharp Before Opening Ceremonies. (Bet his hair still looks messed up under that hat)

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