By Phillip Whitten<\/p>\n
December 2. DAY TWO of the Texas Invitational was much like Day One: times were very fast and the University of Arizona continued to dominate both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s events.<\/p>\n
Nation-leading times were recorded in seven of the eight individual events contested this evening; only the men\u2019s 100 back failed to produce a national #1 performance.<\/p>\n
Men\u2019s Events<\/b>
\nArizona got the ball rolling with a convincing win in the 200 medley relay, touching in 1:25.93. Simon Burnett, the British freestyle import, led off with a 21.86 backstroke leg, giving the Wildcats a big lead over USC, and the Cats never challenged. The Trojans were second in 1:27.13.<\/p>\n
USC\u2019s Ous Mellouli continued his brilliant swimming, winning the 400 IM in a nation-leading 3:43.66, almost five seconds ahead of Michigan\u2019s Peter Vanderkaay. Yesterday, these same two men battled it out in the 500 free, with Mellouli winning as both men recorded 4:12s.<\/p>\n
Arizona\u2019s Simon Burnett, winner of the 50 free yesterday, put Arizona back on top with a very fast 1:33.57 in the 200 free. He was pushed all the way by Michigan\u2019s Vanderkaay, swimming back-to-back events. Burnett touched in 1:33.57 to Vanderkaay\u2019s 1:33.97 the nation\u2019s top two times this season, with Michigan\u2019s Davis Tarwater third in 1:34.99.<\/p>\n
Arizona\u2019s Ivan Barnes then ripped the field with a stunning 52.87 \u2013 easily the #1 NCAA time this year — to take the 100 breast. USC\u2019s Misi Flaskay was second in 53.73. Barnes split 24.94 \u2013 27.93.<\/p>\n
In the only event that did not produce a #1 time, Texas Aquatics\u2019 Aaron Peirsol, the world champion and world record-holder for 100 meters backstroke, eked out a victory in the 100 yards back. Third at the 50, Peirsol did not pass Arizona\u2019s Albert Subirats until the final 10 yards. At the wall it was Peirsol, 47.34, with Subirats at 47.48.<\/p>\n
With its unparalleled depth in the middle distance events, Michigan breezed to victory in the 800 free relay in 8:22.76. USC, anchored by Mellouli\u2019s 1:34.40, was a distant second at 6:28.54.<\/p>\n
Women\u2019s Events<\/b>
\nThe Arizona women began Day 2 just as their men did: with a 1.2-second win over USC in the 200 medley relay, 1:39.81 to 1:40.97.<\/p>\n
Andrea Wiesner of Wisconsin broke up the Arizona-USC monopoly of the individual events by taking the 400 IM in 4:14.25, with Pacific\u2019s Ja-Neil Bragg right behind at 4:15.33. However, Arizona\u2019s Whitney Myers recorded a national #1 time in prelims with her 4:13.25, then scratched the final.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s 200 free produced an exciting three-way battle, as the lead changed hands several times. Arizona\u2019s Lacey Nymeyer had used the third 50 to build up a lead, then held off a strong challenge from Hawaii\u2019s Mela Schlanger to win, as Whitney Myers faded slightly. Nymeyer touched in 1:45.73 to Schlanger\u2019s 1:45.96 and Myers\u2019 1:46.06, the #1, 2 and 3 times thus far this season in collegiate swimming.<\/p>\n
USC freshman Rebecca Soni swam a lifetime best and a national #1 time of 1:00.35 to take the 100 breast. Arizona\u2019s Erin Siepen was a full second behind, 1:01.37, to finish second.<\/p>\n
The Wildcats\u2019 Jenna Gresdal uncorked a crowd-pleasing 52.63 to turn away a strong challenge from ASU\u2019s Catlin Andrews (53.90) and win the 100 back, as the two Zonies recorded the nation\u2019s top two times of the 2005-06 season. Gresdal split 25.47 \u2013 27.16.<\/p>\n
USC and Wisconsin battled head-to-head for over 600 yards before the Trojans pulled away to win the 800 free relay in 7:15.33. Wisconsin touched in 7:17.34.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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