USA Swimming Grand Prix, Stanford: Natalie Coughlin Shines on Day One

STANFORD, California, April 4. THE first night of swimming at the USA Swimming Grand Prix held in Stanford featured several pool records. Additionally, Natalie Coughlin popped a big time in the 100 free from the consolation heat.

Women's 800 free
Susana Escobar led throughout the entire race as she clocked a time of 8:38.65 to win the distance event. She knocked off Andie Taylor, 16, of King Aquatics. Taylor placed second in a time of 8:42.08, while Julia Smit took third in 8:44.36.

Men's 1500 free
Daniel Delgadillo cruised to victory in the men's metric mile with a time of 15:30.79, while teammate Luis Escobar finished second in a time of 15:39.34. Lucas Azevedo of Sun Devil Aquatics placed third in 15:58.53.

Women's 100 free
After not waking up enough to get herself into finals during prelims with a surprising time of 57.14 to take ninth, Natalie Coughlin of California Aquatics demolished the consolation heat with a time of 53.94. That performance was just half-a-second off her American record time of 53.40. Coughlin's time also smashed Emily Silver's pool record of 55.56.

In the championship heat, Amanda Weir of Swim Atlanta surfaced with a win in 55.33, while Kim Vandenberg of Team Bruin took second in 55.72. Dana Vollmer rounded out the top three in 56.23.

Men's 100 free
Veteran Jason Lezak of Rose Bowl Aquatics, claimed the title in the sprint event with a time of 49.53. Gabe Woodward of Bakersfield Swim Club placed second in 49.69, while Andy Grant took third in 49.88.

The rest of the top eight featured some top names as Klete Keller (49.90), Jason Dunford (49.99), Nick Brunelli (50.25), William Copeland (50.47) and Fernando Silva (50.74) made up the rest of the heat.

Women's 200 breast
Megan Jendrick broke the pool record of Leisel Jones in the longer distance breaststroke even when she touched in 2:25.36 for the win. That readout cleared the 2:26.00 set by Jones last summer. Keri Hehn grabbed second place with a time of 2:27.30, while Adriana Marmolejo placed third in 2:29.73.

In another swift consolation heat victory, Ariana Kukors posted a time of 2:29.71 that would have put her third in the big final.

Men's 200 breast
Henrique Barbosa eclipsed the pool record in the men's 200 breast with a time of 2:14.00. That effort surpassed the previous pool record of 2:14.52 set by Julien Nicolardot in 2004.

John Criste placed second in a time of 2:15.69, while Martti Aljand rounded out the top three with a time of 2:16.31.

Women's 200 fly
Kim Vandenberg's pool record of 2:11.08 from 2004 didn't stand a chance as four swimmers cleared the standard. Tanya Krisman finished the championship heat with the record when she hit the pad in 2:08.64.

Elaine Breeden (2:09.84), Vandenberg (2:09.89) and Joanna Maranhao (2:10.45) all touched the wall under the pool record as they finished second through fourth.

Men's 200 fly
Pat Cary of Trojan Swim Club cruised in the men's 200 fly with a winning effort of 2:01.03. Javier Hernandez was his closest competitor with a second-place 2:03.75, while Josh Charnin-Aker placed third in 2:04.23.

400 medley relays
North Coast's contingent of Anna Pold, Jessica Schmitt, Tanya Krisman and Kendyl Stewart won the women's event in 4:19.52. Men's results were unavailable at press time.

Andie Taylor

Adam Hinshaw

Angela Duckworth

Kim Vandenberg

Amanda Weir

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