Ryan Lochte Wins 200m Free at US World Trials, Dwyer Runs Out of Water

Online, July 11, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Holding off a strong late charge by Conor Dwyer (Unattached/NBAC), Ryan Lochte took his first individual gold medal of the Phillips 66 US National Championships in Indianapolis.

Lochte took control of the race early, splitting at the 50 in 24.64, half a second ahead of the rest of the field, which included fellow London Olympians Ricky Berens and Michael Klueh. Lochte opened up close to a body length of a lead at the halfway mark, turning at a 51.65.

Dwyer began to cover some ground in the final 50 metres, reeling Lochte in. Ultimately, he ran out of water and touched second in a time of 1:46.25.

"I don't think I found an extra gear," Lochte laughed after the race when asked where he dug down to close the race, also acknowledging that he expected to be faster in a couple weeks at World Champs.

Filling out the rest of the relay team for the 4×200 squad in Barcelona will be Matt McLean from University of Virginia Aquatics (1:46.78), and Charlie Houchin, from Longhorn Aquatics (1:47.36).

Of note also was Bolles School's Caeleb Dressel, who has been the story of men's freestyle so far this meet. After beating Joe Hudepohl's long-standing 15-16 NAG in the 100m freestyle on the first night of finals, he returned to win the C-final in a two way tie with 17 year od Dynamo Swim Club's Gunnar Bentz. Both touched the wall in a time of 1:49.83, signalling that while their time may not be now, the future of American freestyle is safe.

USA Swimming's Phillips 66 National Championships is being held at the Indiana University Natatorium on the Campus of IUPUI. The competition runs until Saturday, June 29.