Pair of American Records Nearly Set at American Short Course Championships

By Jason Marsteller

AUSTIN, Texas, February 24. A pair of American records withstood ferocious runs at the American Short Course Championships in Austin, Texas as Ian Crocker and Kate Ziegler both took aim at the 100 and 1650 free standards, respectively.

Women's 100 backstroke
15-year-old Mary Beck of Longhorn kept rolling when she edged out teammate Kirsty Coventry in the 100 back by .18 seconds. Beck touched in 1:54.31, which approached Natalie Coughlin territory for 15-year-olds as the National Age Group record in the event is 1:53.45 set by Coughlin in 1999.

Meanwhile, Coventry took second place in 1:54.49, while Longhorn completed the medal sweep with Eliza Wycliffe taking third in 1:55.46.

Men's 100 backstroke
David Cromwell of Longhorn claimed first in the 100 back with a time of 1:40.99, while Auburn's Doug Van Wie took second in 1:42.54. Cromwell's teammate, Craig Chapman, rounded out the top three in 1:44.52.

Women's 100 freestyle
Longhorn made it three-in-a-row as Tanica Jamison led wire-to-wire for a win in 49.66. Meanwhile, 15-year-old teammate Samantha Tucker came from behind for second in 50.12, tracking down Courtney Monsees of Santa Clara, who placed third in 50.40.

Mary Beck, who went 49.77 in prelims, elected to scratch the event.

Men's 100 freestyle
Ian Crocker continued his stellar meet, this time coming up just short of the 100 free American record of 41.62 set by Anthony Ervin on March 30, 2002. Crocker clocked a 41.68 to win the event ahead of Jason Lezak, who clocked a 42.75 for second. Neil Walker of Longhorn completed the podium with a 42.88.

Women's 1650 freestyle
In another close call, Kate Ziegler of The Fish finished a mere three seconds off her American record time of 15:37.17 with a winning effort of 15:40.71. Not bad for someone a month out from her taper meet. She actually stood under AR pace through the initial 1,300 yards.

16-year-old Nikki White of Longhorn placed second in 16:27.59, while Laure Costella of Stanford picked up third in 16:43.41.

Men's 1650 freestyle
Taylor Smith of Santa Clara claimed victory in the distance event for the men in 15:28.76, while Jeff Smith of Auburn took second in 15:31.34. Alexy Belyy of Cal State Bakersfield wound up third in 15:31.34.

Women's 200 breaststroke
16-year-old Jessie Schmitt of North Coast took home 200 breaststroke gold with a time of 2:14.23 as she led from start to finish in the race. Alison Soelter of Texas finished second in 2:15.07, while Christine Creek of Arizona State claimed third in 2:16.14.

Men's 200 breaststroke
Eric Shanteau of Longhorn hit the wall first in 1:56.55, while John Criste of Novaquatics placed second in 1:57.43. Finishing a distant third, Mitchell Johnson of SMU turned in a 2:01.86.

Women's 200 butterfly
17-year-old Tanya Krisman of North Coast pocketed gold in the 200 fly with a time of 1:58.64, while Noelle Bassi of Harvard placed a bit behind with a second-place time of 1:59.89. Jacqueline Lacey-Martin of Texas took third in 2:01.25.

Men's 200 butterfly
Jayme Cramer of Southeastern registered an impressive time of 1:42.84 to cruise to victory in the 200 fly ahead of second-place Dave Donaldson of Texas (1:46.67). Trailing them both, Nate Clark of SMU wound up third in 1:47.93, touching out fourth-place finisher Mark Dylla of Aces (1:47.95).

Aaron Peirsol scratched the night session after putting up a top-prelim time of 1:45.64.

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