Lochte Ends Peirsol's 200 Backstroke Winning Streak

Friday, March 30th 2007, 7:53 am

By: News On 6

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) _ Michael Phelps set another world record in the pool Friday night. This time, he needed help from his American teammates, including Ryan Lochte, who outdid Phelps with two world records at the world championships.

Overshadowed by bigger names on the U.S. men's team, Lochte emerged in his own right with a stunning victory in the 200-meter backstroke.

He came back later and joined Phelps, Klete Keller and Peter Vanderkaay for a world-record victory in the 800 freestyle relay, making Phelps 5-for-5 this week with four world records in as many days.

The quartet touched first in 7 minutes, 03.24 seconds, lowering the time of 7:04.66 set by Australia at the 2001 world championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

It was Lochte's second world record of the night to go with his new standard in the 200 backstroke, where he stunningly ended teammate Aaron Peirsol's seven-year winning streak.

``You can say I've had a good night,'' Lochte said. ``These three other guys, and the crowd, and everything just made it happen.''

Phelps swam the leadoff relay leg, getting the Americans under world-record pace on the first of his four laps. For once, though, he couldn't quite manage a world record. His 200 split of 1:45.36 was much slower than the world record of 1:43.86 he set in winning the 200 free Tuesday.

``It was a little bit slower than what I wanted,'' Phelps said.

Australia took the silver and Canada earned the bronze.

As Vanderkaay plowed home far ahead of the developing race behind him, Phelps shouted, ``Come on, Peter!'' Vanderkaay hit the wall and climbed on the deck for a group embrace. Phelps pumped his left arm as the scoreboard flashed `World Record' for seemingly the umpteenth time this week.

Friday night's two world records made it 12 set during the meet, which ends Sunday.

In the 200 backstroke, Lochte notched a world record and a gold medal over Aaron Peirsol, the world's dominant backstroker who hadn't lost a 200 internationally since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

``I still don't think it's true,'' Lochte said. ``I think what that scoreboard says is a lie. I'm in shock.''

Before Phelps joined the relay, he and U.S. rival Ian Crocker faced off in the same semifinal of the 100 butterfly. Crocker, the world-record holder, led all the way and qualified fastest in 51.41 seconds.

Phelps was fifth at the turn and came home third at 51.92. His time was fourth-quickest _ behind Crocker, Albert Subirats of Venezuela and Lyndon Ferns of South Africa _ heading into Saturday night's final.

Crocker is the two-time defending world champion and only man ever to break the 51-second barrier, but Phelps beat him for Olympic gold in Athens.

``It's all about control,'' Crocker said. ``I have to be aware of too much adrenaline.''

Until Friday, Lochte was best known at this meet as the goofball who flashed a gold, silver and diamond-crusted grill in his mouth on the victory stand after the 200 individual medley. His teammates had dared him to wear the accessory created by his dentist in Daytona Beach, Fla.

But he was all business against Peirsol, the world and Olympic champion.

Peirsol was under his own world-record pace through 150 meters. He and Lochte went stroke-for-stroke over the last 50 meters.

``I kind of looked up at the scoreboard to see where I was,'' Lochte said. ``I probably shouldn't have done that, but I saw I was right there with him. I just moved my arms faster and kicked. It's amazing.''

Lochte touched the wall in 1 minute, 54.32 seconds.

That erased Peirsol's old mark of 1:54.44 set at last year's Pan Pacific championships. Peirsol finished in 1:54.80.

Lochte leaped in the water, a huge grin spreading across his face before he and Peirsol embraced across the lane ropes.

``He definitely earned it,'' Peirsol said. ``I didn't have it where I usually have it. This will be a good year for me to be motivated.''

Markus Rogan of Austria earned the bronze.

Peirsol's last defeat in the 200 came at the 2000 Olympics, when he finished second to American Lenny Krayzelburg.

``I remember, I remember well,'' Peirsol said.

It was Lochte's first gold medal in Melbourne, having been runner-up to Peirsol in the 100 back and Phelps in the 200 IM. He played it straight on the medals podium this time, with only a toothy white grin showing.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Lochte was second _ again _ to Phelps in the 200 IM.

Kosuke Kitajima of Japan regained the 200 breaststroke world title he lost two years ago in Montreal. He did so without racing U.S. rival and world-record holder Brendan Hansen, who withdrew from the preliminaries because of a virus.

Kitajima, the current Olympic and 2003 world champion, won in 2:09.80 _ 1.19 seconds ahead of Aussie Brenton Rickard.

Kitajima was under Hansen's world record through 100 meters, but couldn't maintain the pace.

``I challenged myself to break the record more than winning this race,'' he said. ``In that, I am frustrated.''

Loris Facci of Italy took the bronze. American Eric Shanteau, third midway through the race, finished fifth.

Leisel Jones of Australia easily completed a sweep of the women's breaststroke events, winning the 200 by 4.10 seconds.

``That was my goal here,'' she said. ``It means a lot.''

Jones led all the way and her time of 2:21.84 was third-fastest in history. She owns the other two best times, too.

American Megan Jendrick and Kirsty Balfour of Britain tied for the silver in 2:25.94. American Tara Kirk, the 100 silver medalist, was last.

``Every time I'm in Australia I've swam my best, and this is my third time here,'' said Jendrick, the 2000 Olympic champion in the 100 breast. ``Australia is lucky for me.''

Libby Lenton of Australia defeated a loaded field in the women's 100 freestyle, winning in 53.40 _ the second-fastest time in history. It was the Aussie's second individual gold of the meet and third overall.

``It's such an amazing feeling to be part of that race,'' Lenton said.

Marleen Veldhuis, under world-record pace at the turn, took the silver. Britta Steffen of Germany, the world-record holder, settled for the bronze.

American Natalie Coughlin, who was the fastest qualifier, finished fourth. Defending world and Olympic champion Jodie Henry of Australia was sixth.

Cullen Jones of the United States tuned up for Saturday night's 50 freestyle final by qualifying second-quickest in the semifinals. His time of 22.00 seconds trailed Stefan Nystrand of Sweden, who led at 21.99. American Ben Wildman-Tobriner also advanced.