With Michael Phelps out teammate Ryan Lochte leads 200 IM qualifying at Pan Pacific meet

Phelps out, Lochte tops qualifying at Pan Pacs

IRVINE, Calif. — World record-holder Ryan Lochte has qualified fastest in the 200-meter individual medley heats at the Pan Pacific championships.

The American was timed in 1 minute, 58.03 seconds Saturday. His teammate Tyler Clary was second in 1:58.56.

Michael Phelps dropped out of the heats, with his coach Bob Bowman saying Phelps isn’t in good enough shape to swim two IMs and the 400 medley relay final in one day.

World record-holder Cesar Cielo of Brazil led the 50 freestyle heats in 21.64 seconds, lowering the meet record of 21.84 set by American Cullen Jones four years ago.

American Nathan Adrian, the 100 free winner at Pan Pacs, was second in 21.85. Jones qualified fifth in 22.15. Jason Lezak of the U.S. was eighth-fastest, but didn’t make the final, which is limited to two swimmers per country.

Also missing the final were Eamon Sullivan of Australia, Garrett Weber-Gale of the United States and Roland Schoeman of South Africa.

Two-time Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima of Japan was fastest qualifier in the 200 breaststroke. He was timed in 2:09.23. American Eric Shanteau was second.

World record-holder Christian Sprenger of Australia didn’t make the final, with teammates Brenton Rickard and Craig Calder going faster to shut him out.

Rebecca Soni of the United States and 28-year-old teammate Amanda Beard were the top two qualifiers in the women’s 200 breaststroke. Soni clocked 2:23.97 to Beard’s 2:25.52. Also advancing to the evening final were world record-holder Annamay Pierse of Canada and Leisel Jones of Australia.

The United States had the top two qualifiers in the women’s 50 free. Jessica Hardy was fastest in 24.75, lowering the 15-year-old meet record of 25.03 set by American Amy Van Dyken. Also going under the meet mark was Amanda Weir, who touched in 24.97.

American Kara Lynn Joyce had the third-fastest time, but missed the final. Stephanie Rice of Australia had already dropped out with an injured shoulder.

Americans Ariana Kukors and Caitlin Leverenz were the top two qualifiers in the women’s 200 IM. Kukors led the way in 2:11.44, and Leverenz was timed in 2:11.62.

Katie Hoff of the United States had the eighth-fastest time, but didn’t make the final.