Phelps the sprinter qualifies for finals in 100 free, backstroke

Phelps qualifies for finals in 100 free, back

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Michael Phelps qualified for the finals of the freestyle and backstroke at 100 meters at the Santa Clara International Grand Prix.

Phelps was timed in 50.07 seconds for the 100 free, his seventh-fastest overall heading into Sunday night’s final. That was 73-hundredths of a second slower than leading qualifier Brent Hayden of Canada, who clocked 49.34.

Olympian Nathan Adrian was second in 49.85, followed by Olympic teammate Ryan Lochte in 50 seconds.

The 100 free and 100 backstroke are new events Phelps is adding to his schedule as he remakes himself into a sprinter for the 2012 Olympics.

Phelps also advanced to the 100 backstroke final, tying Lochte with the fourth-fastest time of 55.46. Matt Grevers, the Olympic silver medalist, led the way in 55.15.