Streamlined News: European Championships Highlights; 40-Somethings Swim 50 Free

PHOENIX, Arizona, May 21. THE European championships began today in Debrecen, Hungary, and though some of the top swimmers are not shaving and tapering in preparation for the Olympics, the competition was not without its high points. The host country went 1-2 in the women's 400 IM, with Katinka Hosszu winning in a very fast 4:33.76 and Zsuzsanna Jakabos second with a 4:35.68. Hosszu's time is a second slower than she swam at the Indy Grand Prix just a week after the NCAAs, while Jakabos moves up to seventh in the world rankings.

Despite a rib injury that forced him to sit out the Charlotte Grand Prix a couple of weeks ago, Fred Bousquet raced at the European championships today in the prelims and semifinals of the 50 butterfly, qualifying fifth for finals. Milorad Cavic, who's moved to Michigan to be with his old college coach Mike Bottom, qualified first with a 23.41.

Former Cal standout Damir Dugonjic has never had much success in the long course pool, but he set himself up for his first major international title by qualifying first in the men's 100 breast semis with a 1:00.64. Fabio Scozzoli, who won silver in this event at worlds, qualified third behind teammate Mattia Pesce. The event had a tinge of sadness over it, as the community still mourns the death of Alexander Dale Oen, who was the reigning European champion.

Paul Biedermann won the 400 free in 3:47.84, just a tenth faster than he was a couple of weeks ago at the German Olympic Trials.

Dara Torres put in one more race this weekend in preparation for the Olympic Trials, winning the 50 free at the Texas Senior Circuit in College Station with a 25.43. Torres, as you may know, is gunning for a sixth Olympic Games appearance.

Torres will not be the only swimmer in her 40s in the 50 free in Omaha. Last weekend Erika Braun earned her place in the event with a 26.32, just seven hundredths faster than the qualifying time, and at 40 years old, will be the third swimmer in her 40s to swim in the Olympic Trials, including Janet Evans. It's a lifetime best for Braun, who swam at Georgia and attended the 1988 Olympic Trials.

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