Americans Win Bulk of Titles on Day Two of Santa Clara Grand Prix

SANTA CLARA, California, June 29. AUSTRALIA, Canada and the United States were represented well at the Santa Clara International Grand Prix during the second day of long course meter competition. However, the United States rode the back of some of their finest to garner the bulk of the titles available.

America's Natalie Coughlin opened the night with a time of 54.12 to lead a California Aquatics top-three sweep in the women's 100 free. Emily Silver (55.70) and Dana Vollmer (55.77) placed second and third, respectively, while Shayne Reese of Australia took fourth in 55.82.

Later, Coughlin claimed the 100 fly in 58.45 as she beat Vollmer (58.50) and Athens Bulldog Mary DeScenza (59.44) in the event. Stanford's Elaine Breeden joined the sub-1:00 crowd with a fourth-place 59.63.

Leisel Jones dominated her specialty for the Aussies with a meet-record time of 2:24.46 in the 200 breast to surpass a 10-year-old standard of 2:27.45 set by Samantha Riley in 1997. Stanford's Tara Kirk placed second in 2:26.64, while Cailin Leverenz of El Dorado Aquatics finished third in 2:26.95.

Longhorn's Jessica Rodriguez completed the women's races with a 4:11.21 in the 400 free to take down Club Wolverine's Hayley Peirsol (4:12.51). Japan's Kanako Miyabe, 17, finished third in 4:13.53.

World record holder Brendan Hansen held off a determined Brenton Rickard of Australia, 1:01.29 to 1:01.60, to beat Rickard's 100 breast meet record of 1:01.58 set in 2006. Scott Usher of Boilermaker rounded out the top three in 1:02.00.

Canada's Brent Hayden gave his country a 1-3 finish in the 200 free with a time of 1:48.76, while compatriot Brian Johns placed third in 1:49.34. Club Wolverine's Chris DeJong split the difference with a second-place 1:49.16.

Pine Crest also went 1-3 in the men's 400 IM as Bradley Ally won in 4:20.59 and CJ Nuess took third in 4:23.40. Longhorn's Eric Shanteau picked up second place in 4:23.23.

Last, but certainly not least, superstar Michael Phelps edged his meet record of 1:56.06 set in 2003 with a time of 1:56.05. He beat Australian Nick D'Arcy, who took second in 1:58.32, while Patrick Cary wound up third in 1:59.98.

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