PHOENIX, Arizona, January 20. DAY two of the 2008 Toyota Southern California Grand Prix unfolded in Long Beach Saturday, and SwimmingWorld.TV was there to capture interviews with winners and coaches. Click the button on the right to view the 14-minute video.
The evening was dominated by Club Wolverine, and 1992 Olympic gold medalist Mel Stewart talked to winners Davis Tarwater, Michael Phelps, Kaitlin Sandeno and Erik Vendt. Coach Bob Bowman also offered insight into the occasional quadruple workouts his swimmers experienced during their three weeks in Colorado Springs.
Obviously showing they are swimming right through the meet, the three male CW swimmers sported facial hair while posting some fast swims in Southern California. Vendt, who set a new American record in the 1000-yard freestyle Friday, called the look "Spitzian." Phelps swam under 42 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle for the first time in his career, and told Stewart the achievement was better than his win in the 500-yard freestyle
Other winners included Margaret Hoelzer, who won the 200 back despite some brutal training just before the meet. Her coach, David Marsh, talked about Hoelzer's training and how it will lead into the Olympic Trials.
Mary DeScenza, the winner of the 200 back, talked to Stewart about some of the toughest butterfly sets she has done in her career, and Matt Grevers, the men's 200 back winner, made a prediction on the time he could have swum in Long Beach if fully shaved and tapered.
Our highlights from the Long Beach Grand Prix are presented in conjunction with the World Championship Sports Network, the premier destination for Olympic and lifestyle sports.
Check back with Swimming World.TV Monday for highlights from Day three in Long Beach.
