Santa Clara Invitational: Brenton Rickard, Brent Hayden, Ariana Kukors, Kirsty Coventry Post Meet Records

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SANTA CLARA, California, June 14. THE final evening of swimming at the Santa Clara Invitational featured some dominant swims, but none more commanding than Kirsty Coventry's impressive swim in the women's 200 back.

Meanwhile, Brenton Rickard, Brent Hayden and Ariana Kukors also posted some meet-record performances to claim part of the televised spotlight.

The meet is part of the USA Swimming Grand Prix series.

Women's 200 fly
Athens Bulldog Mary DeScenza utilized a strong back half of the race to win by a body length with a 2:08.78. The win proved to be just the icing on the cake for DeScenza's Grand Prix series triumph.

"I am just happy to go under 2:10, it was a great race," DeScenza said. "I love getting out there, and racing these kids. I had some Olympians in this field."

Kathleen Hersey claimed second in the event with a 2:10.29, just edging Tucson Ford's Alyssa Anderson (2:10.36).

Men's 200 breast
Australia's Brenton Rickard demonstrated just how much better he was than the rest of the field this evening with an incredible triumph. Swimming in open water, Rickard ripped off a 2:10.37. The swim broke Brendan Hansen's meet-record of 2:10.62 set last year.

"Absolutely, happy with the time," Rickard said. "Usually, in season, I'm going 2:11 or 2:12. I don't feel old, but so many of my teammates are 18 and 19 when they are talking about school days."

Canada's Scott Dickens finished a distant second with a time of 2:14.52, while Mission Viejo's John Criste took third in 2:15.35. Adam Klein of Auburn claimed fourth just behind in 2:15.54.

Women's 50 free
With Lara Jackson scratching due to illness after tying Julia Smit for the top prelim time of 25.76, California's Madison Kennedy burst right through the open door of opportunity with a winning time of 25.29.

"Not taking more than three breaths like usual was key for me tonight," Kennedy said. "I am actually going to the World University Games, so that is going to be my first international meet."

SwimAtlanta's Amanda Weir grabbed second-place honors with a time of 25.33, while Smit wound up taking third in 25.43.

Men's 100 free
After winning a title each of the past two nights, Michael Phelps began his attempt for a double this evening. Canada's Brent Hayden had other ideas as he went out quick and held off Phelps, 48.49.

"I was really excited, Michael is such a great competitor," Hayden said. "Anytime I can get up and race him is such an honor. That was the fastest I've ever been in season."

Phelps wound up taking second in 48.87 after turning on the afterburners during the final 15 meters.

"I felt [last night] this morning," Phelps said. "I need to recover as fast as I can. I think we have an idea of what we want to do, but we have to get the practice down."

California's Nathan Adrian completed the top three in 48.94. All three times beat Lyndon Ferns' meet record of 48.98 set last year.

Women's 200 IM
In a star-studded finale, KING's Ariana Kukors dominated the affair from start to finish with a winning time of 2:10.88. The time shattered the meet record of 2:13.82 set by Caitlin Leverenz back in 2007. The performance, within the top 15 of all time, almost came within a second of Katie Hoff's American record of 2:09.71.

"I really have [used not making the Olympic team as motivation]," Kukors said. "I've tried to make everything perfect. It's made me a stronger person and swimmer. Just taking the opportunity and racing my heart out. I am really exciting. This was an amazing field. I was just so excited to get in and race."

Smit continued her strong evening with a second-place effort of 2:12.36, while world-record holder Stephanie Rice grabbed third in 2:12.84 still in obvious heavy training mode after coming down from altitude training in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Men's 200 IM
Canada's Brian Johns cruised to victory in the sprint medley event as Johns topped the finale in 2:01.25.

"I am pretty satisfied with that," Johns said. "After Beijing, I took some time off to think about things. I am really looking forward to building on my successes."

Tucson Ford's Jack Brown finished second in 2:02.37, while Australia's Stephen Parkes claimed third in 2:03.90.

Women's 200 back
Swimming next to Australia's Meagen Nay, Kirsty Coventry remained on the other side of the lane en route to the fastest time in the world this year with a 2:06.99. The time also stands as the sixth-fastest time ever. The effort smashed Elizabeth Beisel's meet record of 2:11.01 set in 2008.

"I'm just in hard training right now, and trying some different techniques," Coventry said. "Tonight was just to go out as fast as I could and see if I could hang on. The U.S. is like a second home for me."

Nay completed her second-place readout with a time of 2:08.61, while Beisel checked in with a third-place 2:12.86.

Men's 100 back
It is a rarity for Michael Phelps to suffer a pair of losses, but that's just what happened this evening. There's not much shame when losing to Ryan Lochte, though. Lochte owned the event from the get go with a winning time of 54.15. That performance came close to Phelps' meet record of 54.03 from last year.

"I am finally getting my speed back," Lochte said. "After this meet, I feel pretty good. I have about three more weeks left until nationals. I'll be ready."

As always, Phelps turned on the afterburners coming down the back half en route to a second-place finish of 54.31.

"I am pleased with my meet," Phelps said. "Yesterday's 400 free took a lot out of me. I'm happy with the 100 free and 200 fly, but would like to be faster in the 100 back. I am ready to get home, though. I haven't been to my house in six weeks."

Australia's Ashley Delaney completed the podium with a time of 54.41.

Women's 800 free
Australian youngster Katie Goldman posted a personal-best effort of 8:34.81 to win the women's distance event. Longhorn's Amber McDermott placed second in 8:36.85 for a personal-best time of her own. Teammate Kelsey Ditto rounded out the top three in 8:37.19.

Men's 1500 free
Canada's Ryan Cochrane held off a late charge by Australia's Robert Hurley to claim the men's distance finale, 15:06.70 to 15:07.08. Australia's Ryan Napoleon snatched the final podium spot with a third-place 15:16.66.

Relays
The Australian foursome of Meagen Nay, Leisel Jones, Stephanie Rice and Belinda Parslow won the women's 400 medley relay in 4:04.97. The Aussie men's team of Ashley Delaney, Brenton Rickard, Sam Ashby and Kenrick Monk won the men's 400 medley relay in a meet-record time of 3:39.48. The time broke the mark of 3:40.55 set by the Aussies in 2007.

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