By John Lohn and Dana Lawrence Lohn
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, August 3. ALREADY the silver medalist in the 400 and 800 freestyle events this week, Katie Hoff moved up a position Friday night to capture the national title in the 200 freestyle. Hoff took control on the second lap, moving ahead of Dana Vollmer (Cal Aquatics), and cruised to a U.S. Open-record time of 1:57.57.
"The 200 has always been a good event for me, and I feel like I'm getting better in the 400 and 800. This 200 was about racing strategy – placing myself in the right part of the lane. And Kate [Ziegler} and I love racing each other, so the energy is very positive," said Hoff. Ziegler and Hoff were roommates at the recent World Championships, perhaps a prediction of future roommate accommodations in Beijing.
Hoff covered the opening 50 meters in 28.02, second to only Vollmer. But, the North Baltimore star had the lead at the 100 and remained ahead of the field into the wall. It was Hoff's second championship of the week, complementing her crown in the 200 backstroke. At the World Champs earlier this year, Hoff was the fourth-place finisher.
A member of the United States' world-record owning 800 free relay, along with Natalie Coughlin, Lacey Nymeyer and Hoff, Vollmer touched in 1:58.53 for second place. Vollmer held off a hard-charging Kate Ziegler, the champion here in the 400 and 800 freestyles and the world-record holder in the 1500 free. Ziegler (The Fish), who wants a spot on the Olympic 800 free relay, turned in a time of 1:58.66.
Two other women crashed through the two-minute barrier, as Mary DeScenza (Athens Bulldogs) picked up a fourth-place finish in 1:59.79. She was followed in the fifth position by Nymeyer (Tucson Ford Dealers), who was timed in 1:59.84.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
