U.S. World Champs Trials, Day 2 Finals: Coughlin Takes Top Spot in 100 Back; Moss is a Surprising Second

By John Lohn
Photos by Peter Bick

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 2. ONE finish was expected, the other was a stunner. Yet, Natalie Coughlin and Jeri Moss are headed to the same place this summer: Montreal.

During the last few years, Natalie Coughlin has been untouchable in the 100 backstroke, as she's been the only woman to break the minute barrier and is the reigning Olympic champ. So, when Coughlin won her pet event at the World Championship Trials, clocking 1:01.08, it was far from a shock.

Coughlin, the world-record holder at 59.58, posted the only sub-30 split on the opening lap, going out in 29.71. Comfortably covering the final lap, Coughlin continued to separate from the competition.

As for the second-place finisher, well, that's where the surprise came from. In sixth place at the turn, Moss had a spectacular finish to touch second in 1:02.30, just ahead of Lauren Rogers (1:02.36). Heading into the final, Moss was the fifth-fastest qualifier.

Hayley McGregory, third in both back events at last summer's Olympic Trials, was fourth in 1:02.42, followed by Margaret Hoelzer in fifth (1:02.69).

Event 7 Women 100 LC Meter Backstroke
==================================================================
World: W 59.58 8/13/2002 Natalie A Coughlin, Cal/USA
American: A 59.58 8/13/2002 Natalie A Coughlin, Cal/USA
U.S. Open: O 59.58 8/13/2002 Natalie A Coughlin, Cal/USA
Oly Trials08: T 1:04.59
Meet Cut: 1:05.39
Name Age Team Prelims Finals FINA
==================================================================
=== A – Final ===

1 Coughlin, Natal 22 California Aquat 1:02.41 1:01.08T 962
r:+0.52 29.71 1:01.08 (31.37)
2 Moss, Jeri 20 Irvine Novaquati 1:02.99 1:02.30T 906
r:+0.70 30.34 1:02.30 (31.96)
3 Rogers, Lauren 17 Terrapins Swim T 1:02.66 1:02.36T 904
r:+0.63 30.08 1:02.36 (32.28)
4 McGregory, Hayl 19 U. of Texas/Long 1:02.70 1:02.42T 901
r:+0.59 30.11 1:02.42 (32.31)
5 Hoelzer, Margar 22 Auburn Aquatics/ 1:02.49 1:02.69T 889
r:+0.68 30.21 1:02.69 (32.48)
6 Smith, Marshi 20 Unattached/U of 1:03.14 1:02.74T 887
r:+0.81 30.28 1:02.74 (32.46)
7 White, Brielle 21 U Of Virginia/PD 1:03.21 1:02.82T 884
r:+0.68 30.66 1:02.82 (32.16)
8 Kukors, Ariana 15 King 1:03.35 1:03.28T 865
r:+0.73 30.90 1:03.28 (32.38)

=== B – Final ===

9 Smit, Julia 17 Three Village Sw 1:04.05 1:03.54T 854
r:+0.73 31.71 1:03.54 (31.83)
10 Smart, Lauren 15 Team Charlotte 1:03.79 1:03.70T 848
r:+0.69 30.86 1:03.70 (32.84)
11 Vaziri, Leila 19 Indiana Univ. 1:03.85 1:03.81T 843
r:+0.58 31.17 1:03.81 (32.64)
12 English, Lauren 15 Cougar Aquatic T 1:03.58 1:03.89T 840
r:+0.68 30.69 1:03.89 (33.20)
13 Axtell, Andrea 18 Longhorn Aquatic 1:03.75 1:04.04T 834
r:+0.52 31.32 1:04.04 (32.72)
14 Marik, Melissa 16 Naperville 1:03.65 1:04.20T 828
r:+0.60 31.04 1:04.20 (33.16)
15 Ferritto, Elain 19 U. of Texas/Uppe 1:04.03 1:04.23T 827
r:+0.62 31.42 1:04.23 (32.81)
16 Arnold, Kathari 19 Ucla/Orinda Aqua 1:03.61 1:04.56T 814
r:+0.59 31.06 1:04.56 (33.50)

=== C – Final ===

17 Bishop, Brooke 18 Stanford Univ. 1:04.19 1:03.63T 851
r:+0.60 30.78 1:03.63 (32.85)
18 Crippen, Teresa 14 Germantown Acade 1:04.51 1:03.84T 842
r:+0.67 31.54 1:03.84 (32.30)
19 Haupt, Sarah 21 Penn State Unive 1:04.33 1:03.90T 840
r:+0.64 30.46 1:03.90 (33.44)
20 Iversen, Caitli 16 Greenwood Tiger 1:04.38 1:04.04T 834
r:+0.63 31.06 1:04.04 (32.98)
21 Volcan, Erin 21 Irvine Novaquati 1:04.73 1:04.25T 826
r:+0.78 31.26 1:04.25 (32.99)
22 Lahey, Kristen 17 RallySport Aquat 1:04.78 1:04.73 808
r:+0.70 31.23 1:04.73 (33.50)
23 Smith, Kelsy 18 Marlins of Ralei 1:05.03 1:04.98 799
r:+0.66 32.32 1:04.98 (32.66)
24 Pease, Lara 18 Irvine Novaquati 1:04.77 1:06.17 756
r:+0.85 31.84 1:06.17 (34.33)

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

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

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x