Missy Franklin Nears Lifetime Best in 200 IM in Federal Way

Editorial coverage sponsored by SpeedoUSA

FEDERAL WAY, Washington, March 17. MISSY Franklin closed down what likely is her final Speedo Champions Series meet under the Colorado Stars banner with a near lifetime best in the women's 200-yard IM.

Franklin crushed her previous meet record of 1:57.70 from 2010 with a sterling time of 1:55.49. That performance just missed her current best time of 1:55.32 from the 2010 short course nationals, and is just the third time she's clocked a 1:55. The other was a 1:55.88 at winter nationals last December. She currently ranks 29th all time in the event with her 2010 time. Jeffco's Alex Malazdrewicz finished second in 2:00.28, while KING's Carolyn McCann earned third in 2:00.42.

Current's Thomas Brewer claimed the men's 200-yard IM title in 1:47.12, while Kenneth Tiltges took second in 1:48.17. Both swimmers beat the previous meet record of 1:48.85 from Jared Markham in 2010. KING's Thane Maudslien checked in third with a 1:49.25.

Pan Pacific gold medalist Christine Jennings captured the women's 1650-yard freestyle title in 16:16.56 while swimming for RallySport Aquatics. DU Hilltopper Lauren Abruzzo touched second in 16:25.08, while Boulder's Amanda Richey took third in 16:36.66. Helena Lions' Peter Kotson cruised to victory in the men's 1650-yard free with a 15:16.85, while DU Hilltopper Carter Griffin earned second in 15:21.00. Jeffco's Martin Wallace wound up third in 15:21.04. Kamehameha's Jasmine Mau turned in a 22.70 to win the women's 50-yard freestyle title, while Scottsdale's Amy Bilquist (22.84) and Victoria Toris (22.85) each went 2-3 in the splash-and-dash finale.

Meanwhile, Scottsdale's Ryan Hoffer lowered his 13-14 U.S. National Age Group record in the 50-yard free with a 20.08 in prelims. That broke his previous record from 20.45 from last December, which had in turn erased Kyle Bubolz's mark of 20.79 from way back in 2001. Earlier in the meet, Hoffer lowered the 100-yard free national age group record with a 44.81. Hoffer returned in finals to lower his mark even further with a 20.02 to take second behind training partner Tyler Messerschmidt. Messerschmidt blitzed a lifetime-best 19.25 in the finale for the win, besting his 19.37 relay leadoff for California at last year's NCAA Championships. Multnomah's Carson Brindle finished third in 20.07.

KING's Hannah Weiss (52.75), Carolyn McCann (1:00.75), Heidi Vanderwel (54.57) and Ashley Sutherland (50.01) downed the 15-18 U.S. National Age Group record in the women's 400-yard medley with a top time of 3:38.08. That swim downed the 2010 Aquajet record of 3:38.56 set by Rachel Bootsma, Abby Duncan, Haile Szews and Tess Behrens.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use