CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, June 6. THE second night of the Charlotte UltraSwim featured several strong swims, including a head-to-head battle between Mary DeScenza and Christine Magnuson in the women's 100 fly that produced a meet record. Additionally, Ryan Lochte claimed a pair of titles including one meet record.
Kara Lynn Joyce of Athens Bulldog led her club to a 1-2 finish in the women's 200 free with a time of 1:59.36. Teammate DeScenza placed second in the race with a 1:59.85 as the duo went head-to-head. Joyce led the entire race, but had to withstand a final 50 of 29.94 from DeScenza. Tennessee's Magnuson snagged third in 2:00.60.
Lochte, representing Daytona Beach, had way too much in the tank during the final 50 as he dropped a 26.83 en route to winning the men's 200 free in 1:49.00. He trailed Matthew Owen of Athens Bulldog, 1:21.70 to 1:22.17, heading into the final 50. Owen settled for second in 1:49.70, while Matt McLean of Curl-Burke took third in 1:50.37.
Gemma Spofforth of Gator Swim Club topped Elizabeth Biesel, 15, of Bluefish, 28.85 to 29.49, in the women's 50 back, while Michelle Myers snared third in 29.77. Meanwhile, the men's 50 back was much closer with Patrick Schirk touching out Patrick Murphy, 26.71 to 26.89, while Frazier Miller of Club Paradise in Indiana took third in 27.11.
Notably, the B finals featured some quick swims as Jacque Fessel's 29.75 and Scott Beard's 27.08 would have placed them third in the A final.
The women's 100 breast featured a close call as the top three all finished in the 1:10s. Corrie Clark of Suburban won in 1:10.40, while Jessica Botzum (1:10.72) and Abbie Hoisington (1:10.98) rounded out the top three.
Luca DeMatteis followed in the men's 100 breast with a time of 1:01.88, while Genaro Prono of Pine Crest finished second in 1:03.35. P.J. Sullivan pocketed third in 1:03.49, while Kevin Swander of Club Paradise in Indiana won the B final in 1:03.75.
DeScenza and Magnuson blasted the meet record in the women's 100 fly with DeScenza winning in 58.54. Magnuson finished second in 58.59 as both cleared Martina Moravcova's 2000 record of 59.49. The first and second-place times were both among the top 20 in the world this year. Annie Broom of Athens Bulldog and Alex Forrester of, 16, of Bluefish tied for third in 1:00.66.
"It's my best time by about two-tenths," DeScenza told USA Swimming. "I don't normally go that fast in-season, but I've been training my butt off this year. This is just a trial run for (Olympic) Trials, and I've been getting out there and racing as much as I can. You can't do average times all year, and then expect to go fast at Trials. That's my philosophy this year."
Athens Bulldog kept up the momentum in the men's 100 fly as Peter Verhoef beat out teammate Gil Stovall, 53.55 to 53.61, for the title. Tyler McGill finished just behind in 53.64 for third.
Kaitlin O'Brien stopped the clock in 4:48.73 to win the women's 400 IM, while Elizabeth Shaw of Nova of Virginia took second in 4:53.27. Kathleen Hersey of SwimAtlanta placed third in 4:55.92.
Lochte doubled with a victory in the men's 400 IM when he touched in 4:16.56 to set the meet record. He eclipsed the previous record of 4:18.97 set by Tom Dolan in 2000. Keith Beavers finished second in 4:17.41, also under the former record, while Omar Pinzon took third in 4:22.40.
"If any swimmer tries to go for a record, his focus is in the wrong place from my perspective," Lochte told USA Swimming. "To me, it's just about racing. If you happen to break a record, more power to you. I haven't raced in quite some time, since Short Course Worlds (in April). So it's been about eight weeks. To finally get back and start racing again feels good."