Lochte edges Phelps in 200 freestyle semifinal

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Ryan Lochte scored another win over Michael Phelps at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, but it was only the semifinals of the 200-meter freestyle.

Their next big showdown is Wednesday.

"Oh, that was the semifinals. It doesn't really matter," Lochte said. "It doesn't matter until the finals. We're great racers, we just want to win. We definitely kicked it in gear the last 50, me and him. We know tomorrow night is going to be a lot faster."

Said Phelps: "It's going to be a tough race."

Lochte turned on an amazing burst of speed on the final lap Tuesday night, going stroke for stroke with Phelps before touching the wall in 1 minute, 46.25 seconds. Phelps finished in 1:47.27, setting up quite a race in the final.

Conor Dwyer, who actually led the semifinal heat through 150 meters, faded to third in 1:47.38.

Lochte beat Phelps in the 400 individual medley on the opening night of the meet, extending his domination over the 14-time Olympic gold medalist.

Lochte also has a strong morning swim in the 100 backstroke, posting the second-fastest time behind Matt Grevers. But the laid-back Floridian doesn't want anything to take away from his next race with Phelps, so he dropped out of the back before the semifinals.

"That actually felt pretty good," Lochte said. "I know I have a lot left, so we'll see what happens."

He said it was his choice to scratch the 100 back.

"I just want to get ready," Lochte said. "I don't want to have to worry about swimming" an extra race.

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