Nathan Adrian wins 100 freestyle at US nationals to complete sprint sweep

Adrian wins 100 free at US nationals

IRVINE, Calif. — Nathan Adrian won the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. national championships on Friday night with the second-fastest time in the world this year.

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.

Ryan 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 minutes, 7 seconds, second-quickest in the world behind Jiao Liuyang of China.

Teresa Crippen was second in 2:07.89.

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.