Coughlin kicked things off in the 100m freestyle, besting a field that included National Team teammate Dana Vollmer (Granbury, Tex.) by more than a second and a half. Coughlin led by over four tenths at the turn, and used a second-half split of 27.90 to easily win gold with a time of 54.12. In second was World University Games Team swimmer Emily Silver (Bainbridge Island, Wash.) with a time of 55.70. Olympian Vollmer was third in 55.77.
In the women's 200m breaststroke, Australian world record-holder Leisel Jones shattered the 10-year-old meet record by more than three seconds with a time of 2:24.46. Olympic silver-medalist Tara Kirk (Bremerton, Wash.) also bested the former meet mark with a second-place finish of 2:26.64 while U.S. Pan American Games teamer Caitlin Leverenz (Tucson, Ariz.) finished third in 2:26.95. In the men's 100m breaststroke, World Champion Hansen set a new meet record with a gold-medal-winning time of 1:01.29. Hansen was chased down the stretch by Australia's Brenton Rickard but touched second in 1:01.60. U.S. Olympian Scott Usher (Grand Island, Neb.) finished third in 1:02 flat.
Phelps swam one of his many specialties in the 200m fly, setting a new meet record with a time of 1:56.05, and besting the field by more than two seconds. The two-time Olympian never trailed, opening a lead of over 1.4 seconds by the turn. Australia's Nick D'Arcy was second in 1:58.32, while Santa Barbara swimmer Patrick Cary was third in 1:59.98.
The women's 400m freestyle saw a neck-and-neck battle between Longhorn's Jessica Rodriquez (Chuluota, Fla.) and Club Wolverine's Hayley Peirsol (Irvine, Calif.). Peirsol led up until the final 50 meters, when Rodriquez swam a final split of 29.91 to win gold in 4.11.21. Peirsol touched second in 4:12.51, while Japan's Kanako Miyabe was third in 4:13.14.
Coughlin earned her second win of the night in the 100m fly with a time of 58.45. Vollmer got off to a slight lead after the first 50, but Coughlin pulled ahead in the final 10 meters to win her second gold of the evening. Vollmer finished second with a time of 58.50 and National Teamer Mary Descenza (Naperville, Ill.) was third with a time of 59.44.
In other meet action, Canada's Brent Hayden topped the men's 200m freestyle, which was swum without reigning world record-holder Phelps. Hayden's time of 1:48.76 was just four-tenths better than Club Wolverine's Chris DeJong (Holland, Mich.) who was second. Canada's Brian Johns finished third in 1:49.34. Pine Crest Swimming's Bradley Allen won the 400m IM in 4:20.59, followed by National Team member Eric Shanteau (Lilburn, Ga.) who was second in 4:23.23. Arizona State's CJ Nuess was third in 4:23.40.
The Toyota Santa Clara International Invitational continues Saturday with the prelims and finals in the women's 400m I.M., 100m breast, 200m free, 100m back and 800m free relay. On the men's side, races will be contested in the 100m fly, 400m free, 200m back, 50m free, and 800m free relay.
About USA Swimming: As the National Governing Body for competitive swimming in the United States, USA Swimming formulates the rules, implements policies and procedures, conducts national championships, disseminates safety and sports medicine information and selects athletes to represent the United States in international competition. USA Swimming has more than 300,000 members nationwide and sanctions more than 7,000 events each year. For more information, visit USA Swimming on-line.
