Feb. 20, 2008
Complete Results
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Mizzou Aquatics Center, home of the nationally-ranked Tiger men's and women's swimming and diving teams, once again played host to a range of Olympians and other members of swimming's elite this past weekend at the Missouri Grand Prix. Spectators at the four-day event, the third in the 2007-08 Toyota Grand Prix Series, witnessed a pair of world and American records fall as well as a U.S. Open record.
Five-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin followed up fellow American Michael Phelps' world record-breaking performance from a year by smashing her own world record in the 100 back. The 25-year-old touched in 59.21 to lower her former world record in the event by .23 seconds. Coughlin did not compete in the event's final.
Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry also had her time in the spotlight at the meet. The 24-year-old Olympian, who claimed gold in the race at the 2004 Athens games, clocked a 2:06.39 to break an 18-year-old world record. Coventry also captured a win in the 100 back in a time of 59.47.
Up-and-coming American sensation Katie Hoff, who arrived in Columbia boasting the world record in the 400 IM and the American record in the 200 IM, was also in attendance at the star-studded meet. On Saturday, the 18-year-old finished the 400 free in a time of 4:02.20 to break a two-decade old American record set by Janet Evans at the 1988 Summer Olympics. This was the oldest standing American swimming record. Hoff returned to the pool a day later to set another American record in the 200 free in a time of 1:56.08. At meet's end, the Towson, Maryland, native had tallied five victories in her six races.
Another American, two-time Olympian Erik Vendt, closed out the weekend with a U.S. Open record in the 1500 free (14:47.59) on Monday.
Eight-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps, who crushed his own world record in the 200 fly at the event last year, won four of the seven events he entered. His 2008 meet win count included the 200 free (1:45.71), 100 fly (51.52), 200 fly (1:53.31) and 400 IM (4:14.08). He also posted a career-best time of 1:02.57 in the 100 breast.
A host of Mizzou swimmers also took part in the Missouri Grand Prix. On the men's side, junior Ted Harris recorded a top-20 finish in the 100 breast in a time of 1:07.29. Classmate Jake Hoffmann followed suit in the 200 back in a time of 2:09.22. Fellow junior Gilad Kaufman finaled in the 100 fly, finishing 23rd overall in a time of 56.39. Redshirt freshman Cameron Sellers posted a 1:54.68 to take 23rd in the 200 free.
Junior Erin Yeager posted the highest finish among the Tiger women, clocking a 2:42.71 to take 16th in the 200 breast. Sophomore sensation Colleen Gordon raced a 4:23.94 in recording a top-20 finish in the 400 free. Freshman Lauren Lavigna swam a 2:22.67 to earn a place in the top-20 in the 200 back.
"It was great to have that many elite athletes here in Columbia, Mo.," said Mizzou Head Coach Brian Hoffer. "I was pleased with the turnout and proud of the way our athletes swam."
Next up for the Tigers is a date with their conference counterparts at the Big 12 Championships, set to take place in Austin, Texas, Feb. 27-Mar. 1.
