Franklin wins 100 backstroke in Texas; Phelps a scratch
Missy Franklin makes her start in the finals of the women’s 100-meter backstroke at the Longhorn Aquatics Elite Invite swimming event. AP
Missy Franklin won the 100-meter backstroke Sunday (Monday Manila time) to close an up-and-down weekend at the Longhorn Elite Invitational, and Michael Phelps skipped the final in his last event.
Franklin had also easily won the 200 backstroke and twice finished second to Allison Schmitt in the Austin, Texas event. She finished with a time of 1 minute, 0.50 seconds in the 100.
Phelps was a scratch in the 200-meter individual medley final, his fourth event. He was fifth in the preliminaries with a time of 2:05.89.
The 18-time Olympic gold medalist won the 100 freestyle Friday (Saturday Manila time), but was fourth in the 200 free and second in the 100 butterfly.
Top swimmers also were competing in Arena Pro Swim Series events in Indianapolis and Santa Clara, California. The Olympic Trials run from June 26-July 3 in Omaha, Nebraska.
At Indy, three National Team members won their third events of the weekend.
Melanie Margalis took the 200 individual medley in 2:11.25. Jay Litherland came from behind to win the men’s 200 IM in 1:59.93. Leah Smith’s time of 8:24.87 gave her the 800 freestyle title.
Olympian Connor Jaeger won the 1,500 freestyle to follow up a 400 freestyle win.
In California, Australia’s Jessica Ashwood’s time of 8:18.14 in the 800 freestyle was the year’s second- fastest time in the world.
Brazilian Thiago Pereira won the men’s 200 IM in 1:57.77, the third-best time in the 2016 world rankings.
