Ryan Lochte Sets US Open Record on Day 4 at 2009 USA Swimming Nationals

Two-time Olympian Ryan Lochte set the U.S. Open record in the men's 200m I.M. with a time of 1:54.56 on the fourth day of the 2009 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships. "I just wanted to take it out fast but smooth and hold on for dear life," Lochte said. "At the very end, you've just got to put your head down and race. I feel like I can go a second faster. I'm going to try to put it all together in Rome and see what happens."

Eric Shanteau (Lilburn, Ga.), who qualified for the World Championship team earlier in the week with a second-place finish in the 100m breast, will join Lochte in the 200m I.M. in Rome, as he posted the second-fastest time of 1:56.00.

Olympian Nathan Adrian (Bremerton, Wash.) took home his second gold of the meet, winning the men's 100m free with a time of 48.00. David Walters (Yorktown, Va.) finished second in 48.17, just barely out-touching Garrett Weber-Gale (Milwaukee, Wis.), who was third in 48.19. Matt Grevers (Lake Forest, Calif.) finished fourth with a time of 48.27. Cullen Jones (New Brunswick, N.J.) finished fifth in 48.31 and Ricky Berens (Charlotte, N.C.) was sixth in 48.44. With the swim, the top six finishers in the event qualified for the U.S. World Championships Team.

Elizabeth Beisel (Saunderstown, R.I.) earned her berth to World Championships with a gold medal in the 200m backstroke. The 2008 Olympian came from behind on the last lap to pull out the win in a time of 2:08.80. Elizabeth Pelton (Baltimore, Md.) qualified to compete in her third event in Rome when she swam a time of 2:09.19 for the silver.

The women's 200m fly saw a strong performance from 2008 Olympian Kathleen Hersey (Atlanta, Ga.). Hersey took the lead in the final 50 meters to win gold in 2:06.44. National Teamer Mary DeScenza (Naperville, Ill.), who was in third place going into the last lap, claimed the second-place spot with her strong finish, to place second in 2:07.13. Both swimmers were named to the World Championship Team.

Competition concludes Saturday with the women's 100m free, 200m breaststroke and 800m free, as well as the women's 200m fly and 800m free, as well as the men's 200m back, 200m breast and 1500m free. Prelims will begin at 9 a.m. ET, and finals will begin at 6 p.m. ET.

• Meet Schedule
• Psyche Sheets
• Meet Results
• Meet Webcast and TV Schedule
• Meet Pool: IUPUI Natatorium
• USA Swimming National Events Information
• 2009 Swimming World Championships
• USA Swimming 2009 World Championship Team
• USA Swimming World Championship Team Qualifying Procedure

The USA Swimming 2009 ConocoPhillips National Championships and World Championship Trials are being held at Indianapolis' IUPUI Natatorium from 7 July through 11 July. The 2009 World Champs are in Rome 17 July through 2 August.