LIVE Universal Sports Webcast of Meet
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 10. TWO world records have fallen thus far at the USA Swimming National Championships held at the IU Natatorium. The fourth day of preliminary swimming will look to set up some more fast action this evening.
Men's 100 free
California's Nathan Adrian topped qualifying in 48.10, while Daytona Beach's Ryan Lochte claimed second with a swift 48.16. Auburn's Matt Targett placed third in prelims with a time of 48.17.
Longhorn's David Walters (48.46) and Garrett Weber-Gale (48.52) touched fourth and fifth, while Sun Devil's Nick Brunelli took sixth in 48.73. SwimMAC-Carolina's Cullen Jones (48.74) and Longhorn's Ricky Berens (48.83) completed the top eight.
Heavyhitting international swimmers like Cesar Cielo (49.02) and Fred Bousquet (49.42) relaxed during prelims knowing they could only qualify for B finals.
Meanwhile, Michael Phelps scratched from the event after waking up with a stiff neck.
Michael Phelps Press Conference on Scratch
Women's 200 fly
Stanford's Elaine Breeden raced to a 2:07.78 for the top seed heading into finals, while SwimAtlanta's Kathleen Hersey took second in 2:08.69. Athens Bulldog Mary DeScenza claimed third in 2:08.94 to comprise the sub-2:10 crowd.
KING's Andie Taylor qualified fourth in 2:10.57, while Magnolia's Natalie Adams touched fifth in 2:11.14. Tucson Ford's Alyssa Anderson (2:11.27), Bluefish's Alex Forrester (2:11.35) and Express' Adrienne Bicek (2:11.63) comprised the rest of the top eight finishers.
Men's 200 IM
Using an impressive freestyle leg, Daytona Beach's Ryan Lochte raced into the top seed this evening with a 1:57.05. Club Wolverine's Tyler Clary, who led the final heat through most of the race before watching Lochte speed past, qualified second in 1:58.61.
Longhorn's Eric Shanteau (1:59.37) and Tucson Ford's Jack Brown (1:59.94) cleared 2:00 to qualify third and fourth.
Magnus' Nick D'Innocenzo (2:01.43), Longhorn's Bryan Collins (2:01.76), Dallas Mustang Matt Thompson (2:01.82) and Athens Bulldog Robert Margalis (2:02.19) rounded out the rest of the A finalist qualifiers.
Women's 200 back
A pair of Elizabeth's from the Northeast led the way in preliminary qualifying. Bluefish's Beisel paced qualifying with a 2:09.36, while Pelton of North Baltimore touched second in 2:09.72. Germantown's Katie Riefenstahl cleared 2:10 as well with a third-place 2:09.98.
Wisconsin's Maggie Meyer (2:11.80), Germantown's Teresa Crippen (2:11.82) and KING's Margaret Hoelzer (2:11.91) placed fourth through sixth with 2:11s, while Indiana's Ashley Jones (2:12.83) and Curl-Burke's Mei Christensen (2:12.98) claimed seventh and eighth. Longhorn's Hayley McGregory, who already qualified for Rome in the 100 back, finished a surprising ninth with a 2:13.36.
Women's 800 free
With The FISH's Kate Ziegler and North Baltimore's Katie Hoff both withdrawing due to illnesses, Mission Viejo's Chloe Sutton saw the light of an open doorway of opportunity. She will look to take advantage tomorrow night during finals after pocketing the top seed with an 8:29.55 in the distance event qualification. Club Wolverine's Emily Brunemann placed second in 8:33.83 with Sierra Marlins' Haley Anderson finishing third in 8:36.35.
Scarlet's Ashley Steenvoorden (8:36.65), Longhorn's Kelsey Ditto (8:37.55), Auburn's Maggie Bird (8:38.64), Lakeside's Caroline Burckle (8:38.88) and Longhorn's Amber McDermott (8:39.70) completed the rest of the top eight.
Men's 1500 free
Nashville's Jackson Wilcox claimed the top seed in tomorrow's finals by clipped WSY Swimming's Josef Kinderwater, 15:13.72 to 15:13.83, in two separate heats. Delaware's Andrew Gemmell qualified third in 15:14.18.
North Baltimore's Brennan Morris (15:17.39), Seminole's Ian Rowe (15:18.56), The Woodlands' Michael McBroom (15:20.17), Oakland Live Y'ers' Dane Vanderkaay (15:23.42) and Club Wolverine's Charlie Houchin (15:25.82) also earned spots in front of the big crowd at night.
