ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Fourteen-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps came within a half second of the U.S. record in the 200-yard individual medley on Saturday, winning in 1 minute, 40.58 seconds in the Maryland swimming championships at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Phelps had been scheduled to swim in two events Saturday, but chose to drop out of the 500 freestyle to concentrate on the 200IM after swimming a 1:43.99 in his qualifying heat.
Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte set the U.S. record of 1:40.08 in the 2007 Short Course Nationals, with Phelps finishing second in 1:41.32.
Lochte won gold medals in the 200 backstroke and as a member of a relay team at the 2008 Olympics.
Phelps is scheduled to swim in the 200 butterfly on Sunday as planned.
