Sports

Phelps bests Lochte in thrilling 200-meter freestyle at U.S. Olympic swimming trials

Posted: 6:59 PM Jun 27, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Michael Phelps got back at Ryan Lochte, stretching out to win a thrilling 200-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.

Phelps got off to a stronger start that usual, leading at the first turn and holding the advantage through all four laps Wednesday night. Both swimmers got a big boost off the final turn, with Lochte charging hard to chase down the winningest Olympian ever. But Phelps stretched out his right arm at the wall, touching just ahead of Lochte. The winning time was 1 minute, 45.70 seconds -- five-hundredths of a second ahead of Lochte.

Both will head to London to resume their rivalry at the Olympics.

Phelps had a busy night, hustling to the warmdown pool to get ready for the semifinals of the 200 butterfly.

Missy Franklin is heading to the Olympics, pushing to the wall with a stunning finish to win the 100-meter backstroke at the U.S. Olympic trials and deny Natalie Coughlin a chance to defend her title in London.

The 17-year-old Franklin signaled a changing of the guard in the event Coughlin won at the last two Olympics. Coming back just 20 minutes after the semifinals of the 200 freestyle, she chased down Coughlin on the return lap to win with an American record of 58.85 seconds.

Coughlin started strong and was under world-record pace at the turn. But the 29-year-old couldn't hold off two teenagers. Eighteen-year-old Rachel Bootsma got past the 11-time Olympic medalist, as well, claiming the second Olympic spot in 59.49. Coughlin was third in 1 minute, 0.06 seconds.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)