Australian Long Course Championships: Several Near National Records

SYDNEY, Australia, March 21. THE fifth day of swimming at the Australian Long Course Championships featured several close calls with national records, including one held by Ian Thorpe.

World-record holder Sophie Edington opened the evening with a swift time of 27.89 in the women's 50 back. The time challenged her global standard of 27.67. Emily Seebohm took second in 28.17, while Belinda Hocking placed third in 28.30.

Andrew Lauterstein just missed his Commonwealth record of 51.12 with a 51.13 to win the men's 100 fly. Adam Pine placed second in 52.24, while Matt Jaukovic took third in 52.56.

Libby Trickett cruised in the women's 50 free with a time of 24.23 for the win. Meanwhile, Cate Campbell snared second in 24.70 as she continues to endure a hip injury that should require surgery. Marieke Guehrer finished third in 24.87.

Brenton Rickard topped the men's 50 breast in 27.68, while Christian Sprenger took second in 27.89 and Karl Wurzer placed third in 28.88.

Leisel Jones clocked a quick time of 1:06.10 to win the women's 100 breast, while Tarnee White touched second in 1:06.99. Sarah Katsoulis rounded out the top three in 1:07.01.

Ashley Delaney eased through the men's 100 back with a winning time of 53.28, while Hayden Stoeckel finished second in 53.98. Robert Hurley completed the podium in 54.56.

Bronte Barratt earned the women's 400 free crown in 4:08.59, while Ellen Fullerton turned in a 4:09.06 for second. Blair Evans wound up third in 4:09.72.

Leith Brodie challenged Ian Thorpe's Australian record in the men's 200 IM with a time of 1:59.73, but came up just short of the 2003 mark of 1:59.66. Tommaso D'Orsogna collected second in 2:01.43, while Stephen Parkes finished third in 2:01.56.

Hocking bounced back from her third-place finish in the 50 back to win the women's 200 back in 2:08.85. Meagen Nay, the Australian record holder with a 2:08.09, took second in 2:09.90. Edington wrapped up third in 2:11.68.

The foursome of Trickett, Felicity Galvez, Andrea Patrulescu and Jessica Ashwood won the women's 400 free relay with a 3:42.90 as Trickett leadoff in a strong 53.36.

In semifinal action, Ashley Callus paced the men's 50 free in 21.75, while Matthew Abood (21.89) and Eamon Sullivan (22.00) grabbed the second and third seeds.

In multi-disability events, Prue Watt won the women's 50 breast in 38.33, while Blake Cochrane took the men's 50 breast in 37.94. Nerice Holland completed the evening with a 4:46.69 to win the women's 400 free.

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