michael phelps

Phelps led all the way in the 200 free and touched in 1 minute, 45.61 seconds — fastest in the world this year — to earn a spot on the U.S. team for the Pan Pacific championships later this month.

“Still slower than I want to be,” the Olympic champion said. “I wanted to step on it in the first 100, then hopefully hold them off coming home.”
Ryan Lochte finished second in 1:47.78, the second-quickest time in the world. It was a two-man race to the finish between the Olympic teammates.

Peter Vanderkaay, the Olympic bronze medalist, was third in 1:46.84.

Phelps was last off the blocks in the 200 fly, but he led all the way again and easily won despite what he called “probably the worst 200 fly I’ve swum in my life in terms of strokes and turns.”
His longtime rival, Ryan Lochte, was second in 1:45.78, and his former teammate at Club Wolverine, Peter Vanderkaay, took third in 1:46.84.

The win also puts Phelps on the U.S. team for the Pan Pacific championships, which will be held in Irvine later this month, the same venue as the ongoing nationals.

In a later race, Katie Hoff, who was raised in Towson, placed third in the 200freestyle behind Allison Schmitt, who won, and Dana Vollmer. Hoff’s time was 1:57.50.

Barely a week ago, Phelps told The Baltimore Sun he was having trouble with his freestyle stroke.

By the time media day rolled around, Phelps and his coach, Bob Bowman, were seeing improvement. But seconds after winning the 200 freestyle, Phelps still was not satisfied.

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In both races, Phelps “chopped” the pool walls, which was fodder to chew on in respect to his performance in upcoming competitions.