Hansen sets world record in 100 breaststroke at Olympic Trials
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Texas-ex Brendan Hansen (2001-04) broke Kosuke Kitajima's world record by almost half a second and crushed the field in the 100 breaststroke by a full body length, blazing to a 59.30 on Thursday at the Olympic Trials. Hansen's performance earns him a trip to Athens and a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Hansen, who found did not qualify for the Olympic roster in 2000 after third-place finishes in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, will swim what is considered to be his strongest event, the 200 breaststroke, on Saturday. Former Longhorn Tanica Jamison (1999-2003) finished sixth in the 100-meter butterfly final, completing her first of five events. Jamison is slated to race in the 200 IM and the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle. In semifinal competition, Texas-ex Aaron Peirsol (2003-04) took one step closer to a berth at the summer games by posting the top time (54.22) in the 100 backstroke heading into the 100-meter finals Friday night. Former Longhorns Scott Goldblatt (1998-2001) and Nate Dusing (1998-2001) turned in qualifying times in the 200-meter freestyle to be held Friday evening. Goldblatt placed third behind Michael Phelps and Klete Keller with a time of 1:49.03, while Dusing clocked 1:49.24, good for sixth. Josh Davis (1991-94), a triple-gold medalist in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and a double-silver medalist in the 2000 Sydney games, finished 16th in the semis and did not advance to the final. He will compete in the 100 freestyle on Saturday. NBC will carry live coverage of the Olympic Trials Friday, July 9 (7-8 p.m. CT) and Sunday, July 11 (7-8 p.m. CT) and taped coverage of the event on Sunday, July 18 (12-2 p.m. CT).
|
|
