Megan Romano kicked off night four of the U.S. Open with her third win of the meet in the women’s 200m freestyle. Her winning time of 1.57.54 was a meet record, overtaking the previous 1:58.81 mark. The meet, taking place at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis, runs through August 11, 2012.
In second was Chelsea Chenault with 1:58.41, and third was Sarah Henry with 1:58.55.
Romano and Chenault led the field at every turn for the entirety of the race, though the competition was close. It was not until the final 50 meters that Henry grasped third.
Romano’s previous wins include the 100m free (53.92) on August 7 and the 200m back (2:09.08) on August 8.
“I held back a lot this morning,” Romano said of her preliminary swim. “I wanted to not hold back. It was a fast group. I think four of us were under the record.”
The first four finishers, Romano, Chenault, Henry and Catherine Breed (1:58.62) were indeed all under the meet record mark.
Michael Klueh won his second event of the meet in the men’s 200m free with 1:48.63. Klueh was the winner of the men’s 400m free (3:49.20) on August 8. Klueh was followed by Michael Wynalda in 1:49.05, and Matthew Barber in 1:49.97.
Kenneth To led the swimmers at the first 50 meter turn, while Klueh touched third. Klueh gained speed in the second 50 meters, putting distance between him and the field at the 150 meter turn. As the field tightened in the final 50 meters, Klueh retained his lead, while Wynalda and Barber accelerated to take second and third.
“I wanted to be a little bit more controlled, but went out slower than I would have liked,” Klueh said. “It was aesson. It’s been a long summer. I swam well, but I would have liked to have done better.”
“I’m moving to Ann Arbor to train with Club Wolverine and the team and coaches there,” Klueh said of his future training. “I think that will really help me reach my full potential.”
Emily McClellan won the women’s 100m breast in 1:07.43. She out-touched second place Laura Sogar (1:08.18) and third place Ellyn Baumgardner (1:08.25).
Baumgardner was first off the blocks, touching first at the 50 meter turn. McClellan was close behind her and was able to take the lead in the last 50 meters. Sogar also powered on, touching second.“
This morning was a little rough; I felt a little off,” McClellan said of her transition from the 200m breast race on August 8 to the 100m breast race tonight. “You have to pace yourself more in the 200m breast. I focused on getting my first 50m out strong, and the finals brought me home.”
The men’s 100m breast was championed by Mihail Alexandrov with a time of 1:00.03. He was trailed by Kevin Cordes with 1:00.47 and Cody Miller with 1:01.11.
Alexandrov and Cordes led one-two during the race. Though they held a lead, it was slight. The field was tight during both turns. It was in the last 50 meters that Miller took third from John Criste.
“I wanted to go a little faster than this morning,” said third place Miller. “I haven’t looked at my split times, but I know my second 50 was faster. That’s where I ran people down. I wanted to break 1:01, but I dropped two seconds from my best time.”
Miller was not without his fair share of adversity.
“The right goggle came down when I dove,” said Miller. “I had a feeling they weren’t glued to my face when I was on the stand. I wear contacts, and I couldn’t see out of my eyes the whole time. I guess it was good.”
In her second win of the night and fourth meet win overall, Megan Romano took first in the women’s 100m back with a time of 1:00.37. Lauren Quigley took second in 1:00.50, and Noriko Inada took third in 1:01.35.
Romano held a slight lead during the entire race, followed by Quigley at each length. Jessica Fullalove was third at the 50 meter turn, but was surpassed by Inada in the final 50 meters.
“It’s rough,” Romano said of her double. “The 200m free and the 100m back are usually on the same night, so I’m used to it. But it’s still rough.”
“I have the 50m free tomorrow,” said Romano. “It’s the fun one. I’m going to do a lot of warm down, eat a healthy dinner, and get a lot of sleep.”
Kyle Owns won the men’s 100m back in 54.45, out-touching Jacob Pebley with 54.49 and Eugene Godsoe with 54.82.
Godsoe was out to an early start, touching first at the 50 meter turn. In the final 50 meters, Pebley and Owens swam out, with Owens out-touching Pebley by four-hundredths of a second.
“I was out a little slow but I brought it back,” Owens said. “I was able to out-touch Pebley who is an up-and-coming star; he’s going to be awesome.”
“Since I did so well in the 100m free [Owens placed fourth in finals on August 7] --- and I’ve never been known for sprinting --- coach might want me to do some sprint freestyle,” Owens said of his upcoming year at Auburn University.
Sticking with the 100m back? “That’s my baby,” said Owens.
Australia and Great Britain gained significant distance from the field, going one-two in the women’s 400m medley relay with 4:08.26 and 4:08.98, respectively. Minnesota Aquatics took third in 4:11.20.
Australia swept the top two spots of the men’s 400m medley relay, with their “A” team coming in at 3:40.07 and their “B” team in at 3:40.94. Ohio State took third in 3:43.99.
Competition continues Saturday with the 50m free, 200m IM, women’s 1500m free, and men’s 800m free. For more information on the U.S. Open visit www.usaswimming.org.