Janet Evans Invitational Continues to Roll Through Third Night

LOS ANGELES, California, July 14. THE Janet Evans Invitational kept on rolling strong during the third night of long course meter competition at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Erin Reilly grabbed the first title on offer for the night with a time of 1:59.89 as she touched out teammate Dana Vollmer, who placed second in 1:59.95. Ashley Chandler helped Cal Aquatics to a top-three sweep in 2:00.55.

"I was concentrating on going out that first 100 and get into my rhythm, and then use that to build into the second half of the race," Reilly said. "I knew Dana would be right there at the end, so I just wanted to race that last 50. It was fun to be up (on the medals podium) with all my teammates."

In the men's 200 free, Robbie Renwick of Scotland snagged the title in 1:48.60, while Tucson Ford's Adam Ritter finished second in 1:49.42. Meanwhile, Klete Keller rounded out the top three in 1:51.41.

Rebecca Soni, representing Trojan Swim, cruised in the women's 200 breast with a five-second triumph when she touched in 2:25.66. Scotland's Kerry Buchan provided the closest competition with a second-place 2:30.75. Notably, Natalie Coughlin posted an impressive fifth-place 2:33.57 in another off-event swim.

Australia's Robert McDonald hit the wall in 2:17.71 to win the men's 200 breaststroke ahead of Trojan Swim's Miguel Molina, who took second in 2:18.87. New Zealand's Glenn Snyders closed out the podium with a third-place 2:19.68.

Jessica Hardy, typically a breaststroker, showed some sprint freestyle prowess when she won the 50 free in 25.39. In the event, she touched out Stanford's Brooke Bishop (25.53) and Tucson Ford's Courtney Cashion (25.65).

"I'm elated," Hardy said. "I did not expect that at all from this meet. I'm not experienced in any sprint free events. I don't really like swimming the 200 breast, so I'm taking on more sprint events to keep my coaches from putting me in that. So far it's working, and I'm dropping time every time I do it. It's fun, and I'm having a blast with it."

Nick Brunelli of Sun Devil Aquatics, on the comeback trail after shoulder surgery, overcame a deep field in the men's 50 free. He posted a 22.49 to defeat 2007 world champion Ben Wildman-Tobriner, who took second in 22.55. Meanwhile, South Africa's Roland Schoeman, the 2005 world champion in the 50 free, placed third in 22.63.

"The shoulder's an afterthought, really," Brunelli said. "There's nothing getting in my way now, and that's a good feeling to have. I haven't had (that feeling) in a long time."

The longer distance 400 IMs served as the final individual events of the day. New Zealand's Helen Norfolk grabbed a four-second victory with a time of 4:44.57 over the 400-meter race, while Scott Lathrope touched out Michael Hulme, 4:27.87 to 4:28.08, for the men's 400 IM win.

Special thanks to USA Swimming for contributing to this report.

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