U.S. Open Swimming Championships : Placentia’s Evans Easily Breaks World Record in 400 Freestyle

Janet Evans set a world record in the 400-meter freestyle Sunday night at the U.S. Open Swimming Championships.

Evans’ time of 4:05.45 bettered the previous mark of 4:06.28, set by Australia’s Tracey Wickham in 1978. It was the oldest swimming record on the books.

The 16-year-old from Placentia was three seconds under Wickham’s mark at the midway point of the race.

Meet records were set Sunday in six events, including the 200-meter individual medley, which was won by Michelle Griglione, of Alexandria, Va., in 2:16.19. It broke the 3-year-old mark of 2:16.44 held by Tracy Caulkins.

In men’s competition, David Wharton of Warminster, Pa., came from behind in the last 25 meters to nip American record-holder Pablo Morales in the 200-meter individual medley. Wharton set a meet record with a time of 2:02.52, with Morales second in 2:02.66.

Tom Williams, of St. Charles, Ill., won the men’s 50-meter freestyle in 22.73. World record-holder Tom Jager failed to advance to the finals, qualifying 13th in 23.54.