Michael Phelps won the 200-meter freestyle and 200 butterfly at the U.S. nationals in Indianapolis last night, earning a trip to the world championships later this month.
Aaron Peirsol created the biggest buzz at the Indiana University Natatorium pool by reclaiming his world record in the 100 backstroke. The Olympic champion trailed Matt Grevers at 50 meters before pouring it on down the stretch to win in 51.94 seconds.
Peirsol became the first person to swim under 52 seconds in the event he has dominated for much of this decade. He has lowered the world record six times.
Peirsol's previous mark of 52.54 set in Beijing was broken by Spain's Aschwin Wildeboer Faber on July 1. Faber swam 52.38 on the backstroke leg of the 400 medley relay at the Mediterranean Games.
Grevers, the Olympic silver medalist, finished second in 53.11, giving himself another crack at taking down Peirsol in Rome.
Phelps held off David Walters in the closing meters of the 200 free and touched in 1 minute, 44.23 seconds. Walters pushed Phelps coming off the final turn, but settled for second in 1:44.95.
Phelps returned later to win the 200 fly in 1:52.76.
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