INDIANAPOLIS - The largest ever crowd in the US, outside the Olympics, were in attendance tonight: 11,488 fans packed the arena to cheer on America's best. Ten finals were contested, with some of the largest margins of victory coming in the women's 200 back and the men's and women's 400 frees. The crowd was electric and the swimmers were thrilled to be a part of such history.

Women's 100 Free Final
Former long course world record holder in this event, Libby Lenton (AUS), was the class of the field. She led from start to finish, clearing almost a body-length to win in 52.67, a new US Open record. In for silver was Josefin Lillhage (SWE) with a 53.56 just ahead of Marleen Veldhuis (NED) in 53.88. "I feel great," said Lenton after her win. "It was my first individual world medal; that was really exciting for me. The crowd was really great. They really draw in the energy."

Women's 200 Back Final
Fifth place finisher from Athens in this event, Margaret Hoelzer (USA) took the lead from the first 50, moved off the 125, and had a body length and a half at the 150 turn. Each stroke pulled her farther ahead in the winningest margin so far this week. She touched just off her best in 2:05.84. Well back in second was Tayliah Zimmer (AUS) with a 2:08.05 to Melissa Ingram's (NZL) 2:08.54. Zimmer was thrilled to win her first international medal. "It's so exciting and I'm having fun here. I just had to be confident. I knew I'd done the work, and I'm so happy with it."

Women's 50 Fly Final
In the final meet of her career Jenny Thompson (USA) refuses to be forgotten. She burst onto the international swimming scene right here in Indianapolis in 1989 when she won gold in the 50 free at the Pan American Games. To book end her story, she has won gold again, this time in a near best time of 25.89 ahead of world record holder Anna-Karin Kammerling (SWE) who touched in 26.02. Libby Lenton (AUS) picked up the bronze, her second medal of the night, in 26.53. It was a tight race until Thompson pulled away in the final 10 metres with the 11,000 plus crowd pushing her on. As she exited the pool to thunderous applause, her fans began to chant, "Jenny, Jenny," it was a fitting tribute, but not to be outdone by the standing ovation she received as she was awarded her medal. "I'm really pleased with that. It's a great way for me to start the meet, and I just want to keep the ball rolling with the golds for the US. It's so easy with the fans the way they are. They were chanting my name, so it was very easy to get excited."

Men's 200 Breast Final
Brendan Hansen (USA) made it two for two in winning tonight's race in a new Championship Record of 2:04.98. He won the 100 last night and continued to dominate the field, getting a full body length on Jim Piper (AUS) who touched second. However, Piper's moment was short-lived; he was DQed for a false start. That moved his countryman Brenton Rickard (AUS) into the silver medal spot with his 2:08.34, just ahead of Vladislav Polyakov (KAZ) in 2:08.26, who now has two bronze medals from these championships. Mike Brown (CAN) moved up to 4th spot with his best time of 2:08.49.

Men's 400 Free Final
Yuri Prilokov (RUS) with his windmill stroke and high turnover led from start to finish, building a 2 body length lead by the end to win in 3:40.79 over Chad Carvin (USA) who earned silver in 3:43.77. But it was his countryman, Justin Mortimer (USA), who had the crowd on edge yet again with his come from behind finish to win bronze in 3:44.77. Mortimer had the same finish last night as he anchored the 4x200 to victory. "It's so early in the season," said Carvin. "I just wish I could've stayed with the Russian. He was right next to me, in perfect position for me, but the pace was just a little too heavy for me. But, I'm happy with a silver. I wish I could've come up with a gold for the crowd. I could hear them, but it's just too early in the season." Carvin along with women's 400 silver medallist Sarah McLarty both won last month's 1 mile open water Tiburon event, paying out USD$10,000 each for first place.

Women's 400 Free Final
Kaitlin Sandeno doesn't want to be called the female Michael Phelps, but she certainly knows how to win like he does. She went 4 for 4 golds by winning tonight in 4:02.01. In a change of strategy for Sandeno, she went out strong in 2:00.89 and came home in 2:01.12. In for the silver was her teammate Sarah McLarty (USA), who was 4th in this event at the US Olympic Trials. This is McLarty's first international competition, but she touched in a best time of 4:04.49 ahead of last night's 800 free champion Sachiko Yamada (JPN) who finished well off her best time in 4:04.64.

"Oh my gosh!" said Sandeno after the roar of the crowd. "The fans go nuts and the kids ask for so many autographs. It is overwhelming because we are not used to it, being swimmers. It's like being rock stars of Indianapolis. The city has been so welcoming. We love it and we appreciate it so much. I am so happy with my performances. It has been a lot of heart and confidence, and I just wanted to have a great time here."

Men's 50 Free Final
At 34, Mark Foster (GBR) was 5 years older than his nearest competitor and 12 years older than the youngest. But age hasn't slowed Britain's newest World Champion. Foster led off the turn and used his long reach to touch first in 21.58. In for second spot was Stefan Nystrand (SWE) in 21.66 and tied for the bronze was Nick Brunelli (USA) and Nicholas Santos (BRA) in 21.71.

Foster's win is bitter sweet for the veteran swimmer. This summer he was left off the British Olympic Team when he failed to swim under the qualifying time at the British Trials. He petitioned for a berth, citing the fact that he'd been under the time previously, but was unsuccessful in his appeal.

Women's 100 IM Final
Defending Champ Martina Moravcova (SVK) was out in front at the 50, but it was all Brooke Hanson (AUS) once the breaststroke was on. She pulled a full stroke ahead into the 75 wall before sprinting to the finish in 1:00.01. Her teammate Shayne Reese (AUS) had a great free split to come in for the silver in 1:00.92 to Moravcova's 1:00.95 for the bronze. Amanda Beard (USA) was fifth before being DQed.

Men's 200 IM Final
Olympic silver medallist in this event, Ryan Lochte (USA) qualified in lane 8, but was in the lead at the half way mark. On the breast leg, Thiago Pereira (BRA) moved into the lead and despite a push from Lochte on the free, Pereira held on for the gold. It was almost a 2 second drop from his best when he touched in 1:55.78 to Lochte's 1:55.86. Oussama Mellouli (TUN) finished strong to pick up the bronze in 1:56.23.

Women's 4x100 Medley Final
It came down once again to a US v Australia battle. First up Haley Cope v Sophie Eddington with Cope touching first in 59.18. Then Tara Kirk v Brooke Hanson with Hanson splitting 1:05.25. The fly leg was Jenny Thompson v Jessica Schipper with Thompson the victor with a 57.42. The free leg would tell the tale: Kara Lynn Joyce v Libby Lenton. Lenton was coming off a win in the 100 free earlier tonight so she had the mental edge, but Joyce looked great heading into the final turn. Then tragedy stuck for Joyce who totally missed her final turn, gliding into the wall and coming out half a body length behind Lenton. All Lenton had to do was get to the wall. She did so with the fastest free split of all time: 52.05, which was good enough to propel the Aussies past the world record. Their final time broke Swedan's record in 3:54.95 to USA's 3:55.68. Swedan had to be content with the bronze and the loss of their world record.