WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB
January 14, 2011
Michael Phelps returned to the pool where it all started for him at age 15 to rekindle his competitive fires.
The Olympian had mixed results on the opening night of the 2011 Austin Grand Prix at the University of Texas Jamail Texas Swimming Center. He managed to pull off a win against Ryan Lochte in the 100-meter butterfly in their only head-to-head matchup of the evening.
Phelps, 25, of the North Baltimore Aquatic Club won in 52.55, finishing ahead of Lochte, 26, the world’s most dominant swimmer in 2010. Lochte was second in 53.65 and David Russell, 24, of CAL, third in 53.75.
Phelps is sporting a beard and shaggy long hair hanging out of his swim cap.
“To come here and be able to race these guys gives me a little more fire,” Phelps said. “That’s what I wanted for the rest of the year.”
One of the first things Phelps and his longtime coach Bob Bowman did when they got to the pool was seek out the record board to see if his 10-year-old pool record in the 200-meter butterfly (1:54.92) was still standing.
It was even though a few months later he broke the world record at a different pool when he was 15, the youngest man to set a world record.
That pool record in Austin marked the beginning of Phelps journey to 16 Olympic medals including 14 gold and record eight gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“That was a special one, that was the first one,” Phelps said of his pool record.
Phelps is back to where it all began hoping to rejuvenate his career and stroke in the first long course meet of the year. He is focused on this summer’s world championships in Shanghai and 2012 London Olympics.
“London will be here before we know it,” Phelps said. “It’s time to make sure everything is clicking well and everything is running smoothly.”
Phelps is looking at the races as much for training as competition. It also helps to have Lochte pushing him.
In the opening men’s event, the 200-meter freestyle, the showdown between Lochte and Phelps never materialized after Phelps barely qualified for the “B” final.
Lochte, swimming in Lane 8, won the event in 1:49.25 after barely making the final by 3/100ths of a second in 1:53.81.
“I’m back at the bottom trying to work my way back up,” Lochte said.
Lochte pulled away on the third turn and had a body-length lead. David Walters, 23, of TXLA was second in 1:50.63 and Michael Klueh, 23, of TXLA was third in 1:51.39.
“Our morning swims were very shaky,” Lochte said. “We always love racing each other. If we were together in the same [200 freee], it would have been a really good race.”
Phelps, the American record holder in the event, won the “B” final in 1:49.90.
“The stroke doesn’t feel as good as it should,” Phelps said. “There’s a ton to work on right now.”
Other winners:
Katie Hoff, 21, of FAST won the 200-meter freestyle in 1:58.69. Missy Franklin, 15, of Colorado Stars was second in a lifetime best 1:59.00 and Elizabeth Pelton of North Baltimore Aquatic Club was third in 2:00.07, also a lifetime best.
Haylee Johnson, 24, of UBCD, won the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:10.60. Siri Eva Kristiansen, 17, swimming unattached, was second in 1:11.07 and Romy Landeck, 16, of First Colony was third in 1:12.17.
Hometown favorite Eric Shanteau, 27, swimming unattached in preparation for his move to Los Angeles, won the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:02.35. Kevin Swander, 26, of SwimMAC was second in 1:02.63 and Scott Dickens, 26, of UBCD was third in 1:02.70.
Elaine Breeden, 22, swimming unattached, won the 100-meter butterfly in 59.22, the only swimmer under a minute. Rachel Bootsma, 17, of AQJT was second in 1:01.09 and Pelton was third in 1:01.13.
Julia Smit, 23, swimming unattached, won the 400-meter individual medley in 4:38.83. Nicole Vernon, 17, of DST was second in 4:49.05 and Kathleen Hersey, 20, swimming unattached was third in 4:50.63.
Tyler Clary, 21, of FAST won the 400-meter individual medley in 4:21.17. Jordan Hartney, 22, of UBCD was second in 4:25.45 and Andre Cosgarea, 18, of NBAC was third in 4:26.63.
SMU won the women’s 400-meter freestyle relay in 3:51.90. MAC won the men’s 400-meter freestyle relay in 3:27.06.
The meet continues Saturday with six events. Race footage from the meet is being broadcast live throughout the weekend on www.usaswimming.org/webcasts and on Universal Sports.
Auburn Knocks Off No. 1 Texas Men
Perhaps the No. 6-ranked Tigers were inspired by their winning football team. Trailing by one point, Auburn won the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay, to knock off No. 1-ranked Texas, 125.5-117.5 points Friday in Auburn, Ala. The two teams have combined to win 11 of the last 12 NCAA championships. The Tigers won the final relay, 2:57.12 while Texas finished in 2:59.55.
Lochte Named USOC Athlete of the Month
Ryan Lochte is still piling up honors for 2010. This week he was named United States Olympic Committee Athlete of the Month for December. Lochte capped an outstanding year by winning six events at the Dec. 15-19 FINA Short Course World Championships in Dubai. He was named Male Swimmer of the Meet after winning the 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter individual medley, 400-meter individual medley, 100-meter individual medley, 200-meter backstroke and 4×100-meter medley relay. He also broke two world records, the first swimmer to break an individual world record in the post high-tech suit era. Lochte received more votes than skier Ted Ligety and speedskater Shani Davis for the honor.
Shanteau Moves To Los Angeles
2008 Olympian Eric Shanteau is changing addresses to prepare for the 2012 Olympic trials. Shanteau, who is competing in the Austin Grand Prix, is moving from Austin to Los Angeles to train with the Trojan Swim Club and Coach Dave Salo. Shanteau is preparing to leave within the next two months to train with an elite group of breaststrokers including Olympic gold medalist Kosuke Kitajima of Japan and American Rebecca Soni. Shanteau overcame testicular cancer and is cancer-free.
Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
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