Phelps wins 200-meter individual medley at Charlotte UltraSwim

Phelps swim to victory in 200 IM at Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Michael Phelps left Charlotte UltraSwim with three medals in four individual events, one narrow loss, and a new sense of motivation.

Phelps wrapped up the weekend by winning the 200-meter individual medley, an event he hadn’t competed in since last summer, by holding off Eric Shanteau in a final test of endurance at Mecklenburg Aquatic Center.

“I wanted to separate myself from Eric in that first 100 meters,” said Phelps, who finished second Saturday in the 100-meter backstroke to Nicholas Thoman. “We were going to see where we were in terms of fitness right there, and we found out in the first 25 meters.

“This weekend gives me motivation, more than anything,” said Phelps, who called his weekend “not great, not terrible.”

“I’ll be the first to admit my training isn’t where it should be.”

Emily Brunemann, a five-time NCAA champion at Michigan, won the women’s 1,500 long-course freestyle, topping Olympian Chloe Sutton by 6 seconds with a swim nearly 12 seconds faster than her seed time.

“She’s lighting it up this year,” said Brunemann of Sutton. “There were many girls in my heat who were very fast. You love to have that kind of competition in the pool. Swimming against the best brings out your best, and nothing will push you more than good competition. You just want to be the best that day, be the first to put your hand on the wall.”

Sutton, who set a meet record in the 800 long-course freestyle Friday, finished nearly 9 seconds ahead of 16-year-old Taylor O’Brien.

University of North Carolina alum Josef Kinderwater won the 800 freestyle in 8 minutes, 12.46 seconds.

Peter Vanderkaay, after winning two individual events, competing on a relay winner and finishing second twice, captured the USA Swimming Grand Prix Series title and its $20,000 purse. Vanderkaay, swimming for Club Wolverine of Michigan, said he wanted to save most of the winnings and donate some to charity.

Justine Mueller, swimming with SwimMac Carolina, edged Dagny Knutson in the 200 IM.

Missy Franklin, 15, beat Elizabeth Beisel in the 200 meter backstroke. Franklin, who at age 12 made her first Olympic trial cuts, wound up higher on the podium than she expected Sunday as the youngest swimmer in the event.

“It was really exciting,” said Franklin, swimming for the Colorado Stars. “I didn’t expect that finish. I just went out to have fun, and keep up a good pace.”

Multiple world-record holder Ryan Lochte beat Italian Sebastiano Ranfagni and American Matt Grevers to capture the 200 backstroke.

“I haven’t raced this much in a long time,” Lochte said. “It’s just about getting up on the blocks, no matter what kind of environment or competition, and giving your best. That’s what it call comes down to.”