Charlotte UltraSwim: Michael Phelps Posts Top Five Time; Natalie Coughlin, Katinka Hosszu Break Into Top 10s

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, May 15. THE Charlotte UltraSwim came to a close in North Carolina with several more strong efforts being produced. The meet is taking place in long course meters format.

NBAC's Michael Phelps moved up to fifth in the world in the men's 200 back with a triumphant effort of 1:57.20. He used a strong back half to capture the victory ahead of Daytona Beach's Ryan Lochte, who took second in 1:58.82. Lochte's season best is a 1:57.63 that now ranks eighth in the world. Indiana's Eric Ress completed the top three in 1:59.98.

California's Natalie Coughlin surged to victory in the women's 100 free with a time of 54.19, pushing her to seventh in the rankings and ahead of Jessica Hardy (54.28) as the top American this year. Teammate Dana Vollmer raced to second in 54.30 to better her 11th-ranked season best of 54.36 from March. Colorado Stars' Missy Franklin earned third in 54.60 for 15th in the world rankings.

Trojan's Katinka Hosszu dominated the women's 200 IM with a winning time of 2:12.29. That effort shot her to 10th in the world rankings. Teammate Stina Gardell notched second in 2:14.42, while Elaine Breeden earned third in 2:14.80.

Eric Shanteau ripped off a 1:59.82 for the men's 200 IM title. He improved to 15th in the world rankings with the performance. Trojan's Markus Rogan touched second in 2:00.20, shy of his 10th-ranked season best of 1:59.49 set in February. Club Wolverine's Wu Peng rounded out the podium with a third-place time of 2:01.19.

Mission Viejo's Chloe Sutton nabbed another distance title with a victorious 8:31.20 in the women's 800 free. She eased through the swim as she's been faster with an 11th-ranked season best of 8:29.20 in March. Gator's Andreina Pinto checked in with a second-place 8:33.37 to move to 24th in the world. NBAC's Camryne Morris earned third in 8:39.18.

Franklin won by a full second with a 2:08.36 in the women's 200 back, her first of two podiums on the night. That swim came up short of her third-ranked season-best time of 2:07.96 set back in March. NBAC's Elizabeth Pelton took second overall in 2:09.36 to move to 12th in the world rankings. SMU's Therese Svendsen wound up third in 2:13.27.

Ricky Berens snatched the men's 100 free crown with a time of 49.46, while New South's Scot Robison touched second in 49.90. SwimMAC's Davis Tarwater hit the wall third in 50.19. Badger's Ryan Feeley captured the men's 1500 free with a time of 15:27.04, while Scenic City's Sean Ryan finished second in 15:32.87. Mission Viejo's Joseph Arnold placed third in 15:34.77.

Swim Ontario's Brittany MacLean, Tera Van Beilen, Paige Schultz and Victoria Chan snagged the women's 400 medley relay title in 4:15.94. SwimMAC's Nick Thoman, Nelson Westby, Davis Tarwater and Eugene Godsoe won the men's 400 medley relay in 3:43.27.

The top individual scorers at the UltraSwim won cash prized from Wendy's. Rebecca Soni captured the top check for $20,000 – equal to the entire Grand Prix pointwinner award. Missy Franklin took second place, but the $10,000 award has been donated to water safety efforts so that she can protect her NCAA eligibility. Eric Shanteau took third overall for $5,000.

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