By John Lohn
OMAHA, Nebraska, July 4. FOR nearly 19 years, Janet Evans has held the world record in the 800 freestyle, her time of 8:16.22 standing the test of time. That standard might be on life support, particularly with the way Katie Hoff has looked this week. The again, maybe it will be Kate Ziegler who gives the mark a run.
Ziegler and Hoff grabbed the top-two qualifying positions for tomorrow night's final in the 16-lap freestyle, as they won their respective heats in easy fashion. Neither woman extended unnecessary energy, but still managed to dip below 8:30. Ziegler, the two-time defending world champion and second-fastest woman in history, won her heat in 8:29.39 to take the top seed. Hoff, looking to qualify for Beijing in her fifth individual event, was timed in 8:29.91 in winning her heat.
Kelsey Ditto was the other heat winner during the preliminaries as she qualified in the third slot with a mark of 8:34.14. She was followed in the fourth position by Chloe Sutton, who went 8:35.58. Sutton will represent the United States in the first open-water swimming event in Olympic history. That race will be a 10-kilometer grind.
Tying for fifth were Leah Gingrich and Caroline Burckle, who has qualified for Beijing as a member of the 800 free relay. Both women were timed in 8:35.86. Rounding out the field for the final were Laurabeth Guenther (8:36.79) and Katie Carroll (8:37.65). Guenther earned her spot despite not being in the circle-seeded heats.
Video Footage Removed Due to NBC Restrictions
Go to Swimming World's 2008 Olympics Landing Page for the most comprehensive coverage of the meet on the Internet.
