USA Swimming Grand Prix, Columbia: Ous Mellouli Doubles Up -- February 20, 2011

MAJALAH AKUATIK INDONESIA. COLUMBIA, Missouri, THE final night of long course racing at the USA Swimming Grand Prix in Columbia featured a versatile double by Trojan's Ous Mellouli.

Mellouli ripped off a 15:01.65 to win the men's 1500 free, and jump well into the lead in the world rankings. Heerden Herman had the previous top time in the world with a 15:07.73 from last month. Arturo Perez Vertti finished a distant second in 15:48.44, while Dynamo's Matias Koski, 16, touched third in 15:55.06.

Mellouli doubled up with a range-demonstrating win of 50.15 in the men's 100 free. Ricky Berens took second in 50.62, while Matt Grevers wound up third in 50.65. Notably, Jason Dunford clocked a 49.89 during prelims, but scratched finals. 

Trojan's Markus Rogan joined Ryan Lochte as the only sub-2:00 times this year in the men's 200 IM. Rogan charted a 1:59.49, just behind Lochte's world-best of 1:59.26 set at the Austin Grand Prix last month. Swim Ontario's Andrew Ford finished second in 2:03.34, while Robert Margalis claimed third in 2:03.78.

SwimMAC's Nick Thoman became just one of four men under 2:00 this year in the men's 200 back with a winning time of 1:59.68. Tyler Clary (1:57.31), Ashley Delaney (1:58.68) and Jacob Pebley (1:59.19) are the other three. Swim Ontario's Tobias Oriwol finished second in 2:01.06, while Charlie Houchin placed third in 2:02.14.

Trojan's Jessica Hardy moved to fourth in the world rankings in the women's 100 free with a 54.66. Femke Heemskerk (54.12), Aleksandra Herasimenia (54.28) and Camille Muffat (54.62) have also been under 55 seconds. SwimAtlanta's Amanda Weir placed second in 55.25, while Kara Lynn Joyce nabbed third in 55.48.

Mission Viejo's Chloe Sutton, the defending Grand Prix circuit champion, topped the women's 800 free in 8:34.55. Parkland's Gillian Ryan, 15, placed second in 8:49.18, while Amber McDermott claimed third in 8:52.08.

In an exciting finish, Whitney Myers touched out Trojan's Rebecca Soni, 2:17.42 to 2:17.92, for the women's 200 IM title. South Florida's Julie Stupp wound up third in 2:18.60. Kathleen Hersey clocked a 2:17.72 during prelims, but scratched the finale.

Dynamo's Kylie Stewart, 14, cruised to victory in the women's 200 back with a triumphant time of 2:13.88. UCSC's Katy Murdoch earned second in 2:15.06, while Oakland's Annie Harrison, 16, placed third in 2:16.53. Dominique Bouchard posted the fastest time of the day with a 2:11.29 during prelims, but scratched finals. (SWIMWORLDMAGAZINE)