Action is underway on the penultimate day of US nationals at Irvine in California and relay hero of 2008 Jason Lezak claimed lane 4 for the 100m free final in 48.92, off a 23.14 split. No others below 49 as yet, either side of Lezak David Walters (49.01) and 50m champ Nathan Adrian (49.07 off 23.50). Following through were Garrett Weber Gale (49.14) and Ryan Lochte (49.17). Last through: a shared 49.56.
The 200m 'fly for women will go with Teresa Crippen in lane four after a 2:09.15, world medallist of 2007 Kim Vanderberg on 2:09.36, Kathleen Hersey on 2:09.45, Rachel Naurath on 2:09.65 and last through inside 2:10 teenager Mary Mohler in 2:09.87. The cut: 2:10.87, and another tight battle in prospect.
Olympic champion Michael Phelps aimed for US title No51 and passage towards a world-title 200m medley battle in 2011, after skipping medley in 2009, by claiming lane 4 for the Irvine final in 1:59.13. The other sub-2-minute qualifier was Tyler Clary, on 1:59.52, with world champion and record holder Ryan Lochte third through in 2:00.69 ahead of Phelp's Baltimore teammate Patrick Todd, on 2:00.91. Eric Shanteau sealed the final in 8th on 2:01.43.
Elizabeth Beisel led the way in the 200m backstroke, on 2:10.25, Morgan Scroggy on 2:11.07, Melissa Franklin on 2:11.17, the cut for the top 8 2:13.12, among those locked out former world champion Margaret Hoelzer.
