Brent Hayden Beats Michael Phelps to Win Men’s 100 Freestyle Gold at Santa Clara Grand Prix

SANTA CLARA, California, June 15. WORLD champion Brent Hayden of Vancouver beat American superstar Michael Phelps to win the men's 100-metre freestyle on Sunday at the Santa Clara Grand Prix swimming competition.

Brian Johns of Vancouver and Olympic medallist Ryan Cochrane of Victoria added victories in the men's 200 individual medley and 1,500 freestyle respectively while Scott Dickens of Vancouver notched a silver in the 200 breaststroke and Universite Laval took bronze in the men's 4X100 medley relay.

Hayden led most of the race and clocked a meet record 48.44 seconds for the gold and his third medal of the competition. He also won silver in the 200 freestyle on Friday and bronze in the 50 freestyle on Saturday. Phelps made a second half charge out of lane eight to win the silver in 48.87 and Nathan Adrian of the U.S., was third in 48.94.

It was a big win for Hayden.

"I was really excited and getting that time really put me over the top,'' said Hayden. ‘'It`s great to have that speed at this point in the season and anytime you beat Michael Phelps it's icing on the cake. He is such a great competitor and to race against him is an honour. A few years ago at this pool, he beat me on the turn and tonight I didn't want that to happen again and I had one my stronger turns.''

Hayden's coach Tom Johnson was equally impressed.

"The level of the field was really strong and Brent rose to the occasion," said Johnson. "Anytime you can win a race against Michael Phelps it's a good thing. It's a good indicator and puts him into the mix with just over a month to go before the world championships."

In the men's 1,500 freestyle, Cochrane fended off a charging Robert Hurley of Australia for the victory in 15:06.70. Hurley followed 0.38 seconds behind.

‘'Ryan showed in this race that he's gained a lot of experience,'' said Cochrane's coach Randy Bennett. ‘'He knew what he needed to do to get the win. We were both hoping for a better time and he'll work on being sharper and faster for the trials.''

In the men's 200 individual medley, Johns blasted out of the gates and dominated the field winning in 2:01.25. Jack Brown of the U.S., was second in 2:02.37 and Stephen Parkes of Australia third in 2:03.90.

"I was pretty happy with that race," said Johns, a three-time Olympian, who is coached by Johnson. "My big goal was to get a good backstroke and get that front part of the race faster. It was a step in the right direction for that. I'm taking baby steps right now to get back in the swing of things after taking four months completely off."

Dickens produced an impressive finish to add a silver in the men's 200 breaststroke clocking a personal best 2:14.52. Brenton Rickard of Australia dominated the race winning in a meet record 2:10.37.

"I couldn't ask for much more at this point in the season," said Dickens, also second in the 100 breaststroke Friday. "It is a great boost heading into the world championship trials. I know I have to be stronger in the first half of the race and there was probably another second in me tonight."

In the men's 4X100 medley relay, Universite Laval placed third with Bruno Langlois, Kevin Deret, Adam Szoo and Benjamin Le Maguet.

Canadian finalists in women's competition were Tanya Hunks of Vancouver fourth in the 200 butterfly, Savannah King of Vancouver and Hunks fourth and sixth in the 800 freestyle, Marie-Pier Ratelle of Quebec City fifth in the 50 freestyle, Geneviève Cantin of Quebec City and Katy Murdoch of Calgary were seventh and ninth in the 200 backstroke.

Universite Laval was fourth in the women's 4X100 medley relay with Cantin, Sabrina McKinnon, Pamela Filiatrault and Ratelle.

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