Ed Moses Breaks 100m Breast World Record

Courtesy US Swimming
The Jamail Texas Swim Center crowd was treated to quite a show tonight, as history was made when Ed Moses (Burke, Va./Curl-Burke) touched the wall in 1:00.29, setting a World record in the 100m breaststroke. The Olympic silver medalist broke the record set by Russian Roman Sloudnov (1:00.36, June 2000). Moses' swim guaranteed him a spot on the World Championships team.

"I could tell by the crowd's reaction how well I did," said Moses. "I just wanted to touch the wall and hear the crowd. After this morning, I knew I had a great shot at [the world record]. I've been close for over a year."

The excitement didn't end there, as Jarrod Marrs (Baton Rouge, La./Curl-Burke) and Anthony Robinson (Houston, Tex./Stanford) tied for second with a 1:01.39. With a World Championships berth on the line, a swim-off was required at the end of the evening. Robinson touched first in the second contest, earning the trip to Japan.

Kaitlin Sandeno of Lake Forest, Calif., and the Nellie Gail Gators was the first to make the World Championships team after finishing first in the 400m Individual Medley. Sandeno touched in 4:42.98, just ahead of Auburn's Maggie Bowen. Bowen makes her fourth national A team, and her first trip to World Championships.

"It was cool to be first to make the team," said Sandeno. "It's great to touch the wall first."

The second event of the night saw Robert Margalis, a 19-year-old from St. Petersburg, Fla., hold off some veterans to win the 400m freestyle. His 3:48.72 was just ahead of Chad Carvin of Mission Viejo. Carvin swam a 3:49.47, and secured a spot on his seventh national A team. Carvin won his 15th national title yesterday in the 800m free.

"I'm really excited about [World Championships]," said Margalis. "It will be my first National A Team trip."

Natalie Coughlin (Concord, Calif./Terrapins) and Mary Descenza were the final women of the night to make the World Championships team. Coughlin won the 100m fly in 59.38. Descenza, a 16-year-old, made her first senior national team tonight.

Coughlin comes off of an exceptional NCAA meet, winning three events (100y and 200y back and 100y fly), setting four American records (100y and 200y back, 200y and 400y medley relay) and being named Swimmer of the Year.

"I'm pretty tired," she said of her hectic schedule. "This is my spring break, and I've had a long season. My goal was just to make the team. It doesn't matter in what. I did [make the team] and I'm happy."

The top two finishers in each event earn a spot on the World Championships team, headed to Fukuoka, Japan. The next two in each event can qualify for the World University Games' team, provided they meet age and college enrollment criteria. WUGs will be held in Beijing, China.