Lochte and Beisel Break Records and Earn Gold Again on Third Day of Pan Pacs
Saturday, August 21, 2010 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Former Gator Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.) and incoming freshman Elizabeth Beisel (North Kingstown, R.I.) captured gold medals in the same event for the second day in a row, Friday night at the 2010 Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific championships in Irvine, Calif.
Lochte earned his fourth and fifth gold medals Friday, setting meet records in the men's 200-meter backstroke and men's 400-meter freestyle relay. His record time of 1:54.12 in the 200 back marked the fastest time in the world this year. Joining teammates Michael Phelps, Jason Lezak and Nathan Adrian, the seven-time NCAA champion at Florida (2002-06) helped Team USA cruise to a gold medal in the 400 free relay with a record time of 3:11.74. The time was more than two-a-half seconds faster than second-place Australia (3:14.30). Lochte has now captured a meet-high five gold medals during the first three days of competition: the 200 free, the 400 IM, the 200 back, the 400 free relay and the 800 free relay.
“I felt pretty in-control,” Lochte told USA Swimming. “I tried to hold back in the first 50 and just went from there. It's going good for me. This is just a stepping stone for Worlds next year and then the Olympics. I'm right where I need to be.”
Beisel, who won her first gold medal of the week Thursday in the 400-meter individual medley, captured the gold in the women's 200 back. Her record time of 2:07.83 was also the second-fastest time in school history.
“I've been able to relax a little bit more at this meet,” Beisel told USA Swimming. “Nationals were a little bit more stressful, but this is fun. I was definitely excited to be able to come in first, but it wasn't easy,” that's for sure.”
The US men's swimming team, coached by University of Florida head swimming coach Gregg Troy, is in first place at the end of day three. The US women's squad also is in first place.
Florida Finishes
Men's 200 Back
1. Ryan Lochte* – 1:54.12^
Men's 100 Fly
17. Shaune Fraser* - 53.75
18. Brett Fraser – 54.43
35. Sebastien Rousseau – 54.88
Men's 400 Free Relay
1. USA Swimming (Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte*, Jason Lezak, Nathan Adrian) – 3:11.74^
Women's 200 Back
1. Elizabeth Beisel – 2:07.83^
12. Teresa Crippen – 2:12.04
Women's 50 Breast
16. Sarra Lajnef – 33.50
Men's Team Rankings – Through Friday, August 20, 2010
1. USA – 167
2. Japan – 89
3. Australia – 87
4. Canada - 53
5. Korea - 32
6. Brazil - 28
7. South Africa - 24
8. China - 19
9. New Zealand – 6
10. Papua New Guinea - 1
* Former Gator
^ Meet Record
