Lochte beats Phelps in 200 IM; Adrian wins 100 free at US nationals

Lochte beats Phelps in 200 IM at US nationals

IRVINE, Calif. — Ryan Lochte earned a rare victory over Michael Phelps in the 200-meter individual medley at the U.S. national championships on Friday night.

Lochte touched in 1 minute, 54.84 seconds, with Phelps second in 1:55.94. Their times were the two fastest in the world this year, while Lochte’s time was fifth-quickest ever.

Lochte set the world record at last year’s world championships in Rome, where Phelps didn’t swim the event.

It was Phelps’ first loss this week after winning the 100 and 200 butterflys and the 200 freestyle. He and Lochte will resume their rivalry, along with Aaron Peirsol, in the 200 backstroke on Saturday.

Nathan Adrian won the 100 free with the world’s second-fastest time.

Adrian touched in 48.41 seconds against a strong field of fellow Olympians. He completed a sweep of the sprints, having won the 50 free a night earlier. Adrian’s time trails only Alain Bernard of France, who has swum 48.32.

Lochte took second in 48.83. His final lap of 25.37 was two one-hundredths faster than Adrian, who was quickest off the blocks and into the first turn.

They had already earned spots on the U.S. team for both the upcoming Pan Pacific championships and next year’s world championships in Shanghai.

Jason Lezak, swimming in front of his hometown fans at age 34, tied with Garrett Weber-Gale for third in 48.96.

Olympian Cullen Jones failed to make the championship final, but he won the consolation race in 49.51.

Olympian Kathleen Hersey won the 200 butterfly in 2:07.00, second-quickest in the world behind Jiao Liuyang of China.

Teresa Crippen was second in 2:07.89.

Olympian Elizabeth Beisel won the 200 backstroke in 2:08.50. Melissa Franklin was second.

USA Swimming said Josh Schneider’s protest over the 50 free wouldn’t be decided until Sunday. Schneider and Jones tied for second behind Adrian on Thursday night, but places two through eight were not declared official.

Schneider was entered in the morning heats of the 100 butterfly and 50 free. He failed to show up or scratch out of the fly, which according to the rules meant he was ineligible to swim the rest of the day. However, he swam the 50 under protest.