Lochte, Phelps set up lone showdown at US Olympic trials

Posted June 30, 2016 7:00 am

By BETH HARRIS

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps set up their lone showdown at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials by qualifying first and second in the 200-meter individual medley Thursday.

Lochte had the top time of 1 minute, 58.05 seconds in the preliminaries. He emerged from the pool limping as a result of the groin injury he sustained on the first day of trials last Sunday. It has hampered his performances throughout the week. He has been getting treatment and tweaking the way he swims to compensate.

Phelps was second fastest in 1:58.95 on his 31st birthday. His 7-week-old son, Boomer, sat on his mother's lap in the stands during his heat.

Lochte and Phelps advanced to the 16-man evening semifinals, along with Austin Surhoff, the son of former major league baseball player B.J. Surhoff. He was fifth fastest in 2:00.26.

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