Phelps Swims Fastest 200-yard Freestyle in History

By John Lohn

AUSTIN, Texas, March 3. HE never ceases to amaze.

Michael Phelps, Mr. Olympia, added another American record to his resume Thursday night when he popped a 1:32.08 performance in the 200-yard freestyle at the American Short Course Championships at the University of Texas.

Phelps' time erased the 1987 American standard of Matt Biondi, who owned the mark at 1:33.03. Phelps also recorded the overall record in the event, as his time bettered the 1:32.22 swim of Arizona's Simon Burnett during the Texas Invitational in December.

After strolling through the preliminaries in 1:35.91, Phelps blasted through the championship final. Splitting 44.85 at the midpoint of the race, Phelps finished well ahead of Nick Brunelli (1:34.96).

Phelps also won the 400 individual medley, where he produced a time of 3:42.74. Tom Dolan holds the American record of 3:38.18, from the 1995 season.

Now representing Club Wolverine, Phelps has certainly proven that he's prepared for next month's World Championship Trials in Indianapolis. Last summer, Phelps won eight Olympic medals in Athens, including six of the gold variety.

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