Gators Beisel and Lochte Clinch Dual Titles in 400 IM to Close World Championships
Sunday, July 31, 2011 | Men's Swimming & Diving
The eight-day 14th FINA World Championships closed Sunday for approximately 17 swimmers, as Gators Elizabeth Beisel and Ryan Lochte each captured gold medals in the 400-meter individual medley. UF swimmers represented over nine different countries at the international meet as two Gator coaches, Gregg Troy and Martyn Wilby, supported UF's representation in the United States and Cayman Islands, respectively.
Beisel captured her first individual world title in the 400 IM after she clocked in at 4:31.78 to set a new textile (non-polyurethane suits) best in the event. Her time surpasses the previous textile best mark of 4:32.89, set by Katie Hoff at the 2007 World Championships, by a whole second and puts her atop of the Florida record books. The Gator sophomore breezed by the pool of competitors, winning by more than two seconds as Great Britain's Hannah Miley checked in at 4:34.22 for second place and Australia's Stephanie Rice took home bronze with a time of 4:34.23.
Following the race the 18-year old sophomore told reporters, “My strategy is really just not to worry too much. It was a very good surprise, and I just try to do my best to win medals.”
The victory marks Beisel's third gold medal in international competition over the past year, as she also won the 400 IM and 200 backstroke at the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, Calif.
Former UF swimmer Stephanie Proud of Great Britain and Gator Sarra Lajnef of Tunisia also competed in the 400-meter individual medley, touching in 4:48.31 and 4:51.89 to finish 24th and 29th overall, respectively.
Gator great Ryan Lochte continued to excel in Shanghai with yet another gold-medal winning performance in the men's 400-meter individual medley. With his 400 IM title, Lochte leaves Shanghai with five gold medals and a new world record in the 200-meter individual medley. He became only the second man to have won both the 200 and 400 individual medley titles in consecutive championships (2009 & 2011 FINA World Championships) alongside Hungary's Tamas Darnyl.
The former Florida All-American controlled the race from start to finish, winning in 4:07.13, more than four seconds ahead of second place, American teammate Tyler Clary, who clocked in at 4:11.17.
Lochte was named the male swimmer of the meet, after he became just the fourth man to win at least five gold medals in a single World Championships.
The illustrious World Championship games marked the last major international swimming meet before next year's Olympic Summer Games in London.
While Florida student-athletes of the past and present wrap up competition from the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, the 2011 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championship is set to kick off Tuesday, Aug. 2. Check www.GatorZone.com for results from Stanford University's Avery Aquatic Center, as more Florida athletes take to the pool Aug. 2-6.
Universal Sports will carry the competition live August 2-3, beginning at 9 p.m. ET. It will also be broadcast on NBC on August 6, from 4 pm-6pm and August 7, from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. ET, with re-airs each night on Universal Sports, slated at 8 p.m. ET. All sessions will also be webcast live on www.usaswimming.org/nationals.
EVENING SESSION RESULTS
Men's 400-meter individual medley (finals)
Ryan Lochte (United States), 1st, 4:07.13
Women's 400-meter individual medley (finals)
Elizabeth Beisel (United States), 1st, 4:31.78
MORNING SESSION RESULTS
Men's 400-meter individual medley
Ryan Lochte (United States), 1st, 4:11.89, (advances to finals)
Women's 400-meter individual medley
Elizabeth Beisel (United States), 1st, 4:34.95 (advances to finals)
Stephanie Proud (Great Britain,) 24th, 4:48.31
