U.S. Swimming Long Course National Championships : Shaw, Bentley Set American Breaststroke Marks

Amy Shaw of Mission Viejo and Steve Bentley of Fountain Valley, a USC student swimming for Concord Pleasant Hills, set American records in the 200-meter breaststroke races during the second day of the Phillips 66/U.S. Swimming Long Course National Championships.

Shaw had broken the American record in the morning during preliminary heats with a 2:30.77 that beat the 2:31.15 set by Susan Rapp in winning the silver medal in the 1984 Olympics, and she lowered her record to 2:29.78 in the final.

Bentley swam a 2:15.30 to break the record that Steve Lundquist set in this pool during the national long course meet of 1983.

Shaw’s record swim was the first of the evening, and she predicted more. “This is really a fast pool,” she said. “I think there’s going to be more, too. Everybody seems to be up for this meet.”

Bentley caught the feeling. “The excitement for this meet was set in the first meet yesterday when Janet Evans set the world record in the first event. I felt the blood go through me then, and I said to myself, ‘I’m going to do something, too.’ ”

Great swims for both Shaw and Bentley, who gave credit, too, to the fast Clovis West High School pool.

Overall, times were very fast. But the American world record-holders who swam Tuesday didn’t take full advantage of the opportunity. Matt Biondi, who swam the fastest 100 meters in the world this year, was just a drip or two away from his own world record. A couple of other stars, though, seem to be saving themselves for ’88.

Biondi, who himself took some time off after his Cal competition ended, said that he was anxious to see how he would swim after a short break and a different training regimen. “I was a little disappointed, because I’m always going for the world record. But you can’t expect every time you get in the water to set a world record.”

Biondi’s world record is 48.74, set at the national long course meet in Orlando last summer. Tuesday, he beat Craig Oppel of UCLA with a 49.34 in the final.

But Betsy Mitchell, the world record-holder in the 200-meter backstroke, finished seventh in the final, which was won by Andrea Hayes.

Mitchell explained: “I think the best way to swim fast in the Olympics next summer is to take this summer off. I came out to play, see my friends, take a physical break.

“I came to dabble and mingle. Finishing seventh in no way shakes my confidence.”

Rick Carey, the American record-holder in the 200-meter backstroke, finished third behind Scott Johnson and Dan Veatch.

Carey, who holds the world record in the 100-meter backstroke, hasn’t been at the top of his game since the Olympics but, at 24, he’s still ranked among the top 10 in the world.

Mary T. Meagher, the world record-holder in both the 100- and 200-meter butterfly events, is really taking the time off. She’s not even dabbling in the water. She’s working this meet as a press aide, leaving Melanie Buddemeyer to win the 200-meter butterfly in 2:12.27

Pablo Morales, the world record-holder in the 100-meter butterfly who also holds the American record in the 200-meter butterfly, finished fourth in the 200 behind Melvin Stewart, Bobby Patten and Bil Stapleton. Stewart’s 1:58.13 was the fastest time in the world this year.

Jenna Johnson, the American record-holder in the 100-meter freestyle, was touched out by Dara Torres. Torres finished in 56.14 seconds, Johnson in 56.34.

Torres’ time was the fastest in the world this year.

Shaw’s American-record time ranks her No. 2 in the world this year.

Jens-Peter Berndt also swam a year’s best of 2:01.53 in the 200-meter backstroke, but he didn’t win the event because he wasn’t in the final heat. Because this national meet is being used as a qualifying meet for two national teams, foreign swimmers are being bumped out of the final heat. Berndt, who defected from East Germany, is still awaiting American citizenship.

Tom Jager, a graduate of UCLA, also was not in the final heat after missing by a bit in the preliminary heat in the morning. His time of 59.69 in the consolation heat would have placed him fifth, good for a spot on the Pan Am team.

His best event is the 50, though. And that will be contested Thursday. He and Biondi have been passing that world record back and forth. Biondi holds the record

With his change in training, more weight work and less aerobics, Biondi has added speed. “I was really pleased with the way I went out in that first 50,” Biondi said. “I’m sure the weight work had to do with that. I think it will make a difference in my 50. The 200 (today) will be the trick.”

Biondi said that while he’s swimming and hearing all the cheering, he’s never sure whether he’s on a record pace or it’s just a good race.