Phelps, Sandeno Double Up on Second Night of Long Beach Grand Prix

LONG BEACH, California, January 13. OLYMPIANS Michael Phelps and Kaitlin Sandeno, both representing Club Wolverine, won two events apiece Saturday night at the Toyota Southern California Grand Prix of Swimming. Phelps came out on top of the men's 100-yard free and 500y free, while Sandeno took a tough double in the women's 200y butterfly and 500y free.

Phelps' time of 42.43 in the 100y free was just ahead of fellow Olympian Ian Crocker of Longhorn Aquatics (42.88) and Jason Lezak (unattached, 42.92). He also finished ahead of a tough field in the 500, turning in a time of 4:14.57, almost eight seconds ahead of Club Wolverine teammate and American record-holder Peter Vanderkaay, who finished second in 4:22.31. Fran Crippen of Mission Viejo, who was second in the 1000y free Friday night, was third in 4:22.73.

"In the 100, I tried to go out as fast as I could, which still wasn't that fast, but it was my best time ever," Phelps said. "To do that and come back and do a 4:14 (in the 500), I'm pretty happy with that. Kaitlin (Sandeno) and I are both excited, and hopefully we can keep it rolling."

Sandeno's wins in the 200y butterfly and 500y free were her second and third of the meet after winning the women's 1000y free Friday night.

In the 200y fly, Sandeno built a body-length lead on the rest of the field by the 100-yard mark and cruised her way home in 1:54.74. Finishing second was 2007 U.S. World Championships team member Kim Vandenberg of UCLA Swimming, turning in a time of 1:57.46. Yumi So of Swim Pasadena was third in 1:59.48.

Sandeno later returned to the pool for the win in the women's 500y free, turning in a time of 4:42.13. Kelsey Ditto of Longhorn Aquatics, a member of the 2007 U.S. World University Games team, was second in 4:45.26, while open water standout Chloe Sutton of California Capital Aquatics, a member of the 2007 U.S. World Championships team, was third in 4:47.33

Afterwards, the Southern California native was happy with her swims.

"This pool brings back so many great memories," Sandeno said. "It's an environment you always want to swim fast in especially in front of all your family and friends."

In other events, five-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin of California Aquatics had an impressive swim in the women's 100y free, turning in a time of 47.03, more than two seconds ahead of Katherine Raatz of GWSC (49.65). Emma Darlington of Tucson Ford Aquatics and Margaux Farrell of HMST tied for third in 50.43.

Coughlin jumped out to a quick start and built as much as a two-body-length lead heading into the final turn. Her final time was just three-hundredths of a second off her own American record, which she set in 2003.

"I was obviously really happy with that," Coughlin said. "I was not surprised, but definitely happy. I definitely think I could go faster than that. I just don't have much of an opportunity to race (short course yards) anymore."

Olympian and 2007 U.S. World Championships team member Ryan Lochte of Daytona Beach came out on top of one of the other marquee match-ups of the evening, outpacing Olympian Aaron Peirsol in the men's 200y back, 1:40.99 to 1:42.02.

Lochte, the American record holder in this event, established a body-length lead at the 100-yard mark and held off a charging Peirsol in the final 50. Peter Marshall, a member of the 2007 U.S. Pan American Games team, was third in 1:46.88.

Peirsol, also a member of the 2007 U.S. World Championships team, is the world record holder in the men's 200-meter back and has not lost that race since the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

"We all have our strengths and weaknesses," Lochte said. "I guess all those times he beat me, I had to give him one. But you can't swim short course at the Olympics, so I guess I have to learn how to train long course."

In the women's 200y back, Margaret Hoelzer of Auburn Aquatics cruised to a decisive win, finishing more than four seconds ahead of the rest of the field in 1:55.15. Kristin Shickora of ATAC was second in 1:59.36, while Sachiko Yamada of Mission Viejo was third in 2:00.71.

Rounding out the races Saturday night, Juan Veloz of Tucson Ford Aquatics won the men's 200y fly, touching in 1:45.10. Ous Mellouli of Trojan Swim Club was second in 1:45.66, while Davis Tarwater of Club Wolverine, a member of the 2007 U.S. World Championships team, was third in 1:45.91.

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