Phelps Wins Fifth Olympic Berth at U.S. Swim Trials
7/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
OMAHA, Neb. C The United States Trials for swimming continued on Saturday (July 5) with University of Michigan men's swimming and diving volunteer coach Michael Phelps improving to five-for-five in Trials finals and earning another Olympic bid with a victory in the 100-meter butterfly.
Phelps remained with the pack through the first turn, sitting in second after 50-meters. Coming into the final half of the pool, Phelps found another gear and cruised ahead of the pack to reach the wall first with a time of 50.89. Sophomore Chris Brady(Wilmington, Del./Mount Pleasant) was the next highest Maize and Blue finisher, coming in fifth with a 52.66 performance despite being in third place after 50 meters. Alumnus Davis Tarwater (2003-06) clocked in at 52.83, finishing eighth despite a strong start off the blocks.
Seven past and current Wolverines took to the water for the 1,500-meter freestyle heats during the morning session. Peter Vanderkaay (2003-06) posted the highest finish of the U-M representatives, securing the third seed in Sunday's (July 6) final with a time of 15:06.24. Senior Alex Vanderkaay(Rochester, Mich./Adams HS) narrowly missed a finals bid, finishing ninth with a 15:24.32 showing. Freshman Tyler Clary(Riverside, Calif./Riverside Poly), sophomore Adam DeJong(Holland, Mich./Holland) and junior Matt Patton(Matthews, N.C./Butler) finished in the top 30, scoring 25th, 26th and 30th, respectively. Junior Gunnar Schmidt(Scottsdale, Ariz./Arcadia) placed 40th and senior Johnny Austermann(Huntington Woods, Mich./Berkley) came in 62nd place.
The Trials conclude Sunday (July 6) with the 1,500-meter freestyle finals. Television coverage willbegin at 7p.m. Eastern time on NBC.
RESULTS
Men's 1,500-meter Freestyle Heats 1. Erik Vendt, CW 14:50.24 3. Peter Vanderkaay, CW/U-M 15:06.24 9. Alex Vanderkaay, U-M 15:24.32 25. Tyler Clary, U-M 15:40.05 26. Adam DeJong, U-M 15:40.09 30. Matt Patton, U-M 15:41.25 40. Gunnar Schmidt, U-M 15:47.81 62. Johnny Austermann, U-M 16:01.97 Men's 100-meter Butterfly Finals 1. Michael Phelps, CW 50.89# 5. Chris Brady, U-M 52.66 8. Davis Tarwater, CW/U-M 52.83
Men's 50-meter Freestyle Finals 1. Garrett Weber-Gale, TXLAST 21.47#^ # U.S. Olympic team qualifier ^ American record
Players Mentioned
