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Twice as nice Thompson tops Torres again, sets record in 100 free
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Jenny Thompson clinched the title of fastest American woman -- and headed on to Sydney. Thompson turned away Dara Torres for the second time at the U.S. Olympic swim trials, and also left Amy Van Dyken in her wake while setting a national record in the 100-meter freestyle Monday night. "I was pleased to get a best time in such a high-profile situation," Thompson said. "I was practicing as a dress rehearsal for Sydney. I managed the noise of the crowd well and I know it'll be 10 times louder in Sydney." Torres led by a split-second at the turn but Thompson pulled away in the final 25 meters for a time of 54.07 seconds, eclipsing the record of 54.27 she set last month. Torres touched second at 54.62, while 1992 gold medalist Ashley Tappin of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Van Dyken finished 3-4 in a star-studded final to earn another trip to the Olympics as members of the 400 free relay. "This is probably my last go," said Thompson, who has won five gold medals and a silver at the Olympics -- but never an individual title. "I just wanted to make sure I covered all my bases and did everything right." Torres, 33, has earned two spots on the Olympic team after ending her seven-year retirement in July 1999. But her legs cramped and she won't get another chance against her former training partner. Thompson withdrew from the 50 free, which begins Tuesday, because she already has a full racing schedule for Sydney. She also defeated Torres in the 100 butterfly and will swim in at least two relays. "My legs gave out on me at the 75 (meter) mark," Torres said. "I don't know if it was the hard training I did up to this point, but there's going to have to be adjustments made in the next four weeks. I got out of the pool and I almost fell down." In 1996, Van Dyken was the first woman to win four gold medals in an Olympics. After two shoulder operations, she resumed training in March and came to the trials trying to catch up with Thompson and Torres. "Seven months ago, my arm was in a sling and I was basically a shot in the dark," Van Dyken said. "This is a great way to end my career, to make this Olympic team." She'll go against Torres again in the 50 free and looks forward to the 400 relay. "We really have the potential to break a world record," Van Dyken said. "I'm excited to be with Jenny and Dara, who are such legends." Kristy Kowal of Athens, Ga., broke the eight-year-old American record in the 200 breaststroke, finishing at 2 minutes, 24.75 seconds to make up for a devastating setback three days earlier. Obviously relieved, Kowal pumped her fist toward the crowd at the Indiana University Natatorium, having eclipsed the record of 2:25.35 set by Anita Nall at the 1992 trials. In a twist of fate, Nall announced her retirement a day earlier because of health problems. Kowal, 21, joined University of Georgia teammate Courtney Shealy on the Olympic team and posted the second-fastest time in the world this year in the 200 breast. "Thank you for not losing faith in me," said Kowal, who missed the team in the 100 breast by one-hundredth of a second. Amanda Beard of Tucson, Ariz., who won a gold and two silver medals as a 14-year-old in Atlanta four years ago, showed her career is back on track by finishing second in 2:26.79 to claim the second ticket to Sydney. Beard held the lane marker and shook with excitement after looking at the scoreboard. Having traded in her teddy bear for body piercings and tattoos, she once again resembled the adorable youngster who charmed Atlanta. "I was not really expecting to make it back," said Beard, who slumped in the world rankings and took a sabbatical after 1996. In a race that went according to plan, world record holder Lenny Krayzelburg breezed to his second spot on the Sydney squad by winning the 200 backstroke at 1:57.31, while 17-year-old Aaron Peirsol of Irvine, Calif., took the second berth at 1:57.98. But Krayzelburg came up well short of his record time of 1:55.87, continuing a trend that marked the trials through the first six days. While several U.S. marks have fallen, the Americans are still looking to make their first dent in the world record book with the Sydney Games a month away. "I promise you I'll be better in Sydney," said Krayzelburg, who first made the team by winning the 100 backstroke. There were no surprises in the 200 individual medley, either. Tom Dolan doubled on the Olympic team, following up his victory in the 400 IM with a winning time of 2:00.81. Tom Wilkens, his chief rival, was second at 2:01.38. "It's not the best event for me," Dolan said. "It's a little unnatural. It's nice to win and hope to go a lot faster in September." Gary Hall Jr. of Phoenix streaked through the 50 freestyle, leading eight qualifiers into the eight-man final at 21.91 seconds, less than three-tenths of a second off the world record held by his Russian rival, Alexander Popov. Hall went 21.93 in the morning preliminaries, breaking Matt Biondi's 8-year-old record of 22.12 in the trials. Then, he went even faster in the evening. Ian Crocker, the first product of a Maine-based program to make the trials, showed he's more than a mere oddity. He took down Biondi's 1988 trials record in the 100 butterfly with a preliminary swim of 52.82. Crocker also was the top qualifier in the evening semifinals at 53.07. Lindsay Benko of Los Angeles led the 200 backstroke semifinals at 2:13.24. Brooke Bennett, the defending Olympic and world champion from Plant City, Fla., went into the final of the 800 free with the fastest time, 8:32.84.
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