Evans Regains 800 Freestyle World Record

Janet Evans of Placentia regained the world record in the 800-meter freestyle Tuesday at the U.S. Swimming Indoor National Championships at Orlando, Fla.

Evans, a junior at El Dorado High School who is competing for the Fullerton Aquatics Swim Team, was timed in 8 minutes 17.12 seconds, breaking the record of 8:19.53 set by Akne Mohring of East Germany last August.

The world record has now changed hands three times in the past nine months after standing untouched from 1978-87.

Evans was the first to break the mark last July with a time of 8:22.44 at the U.S. Swimming Long Course National Championships at Clovis, Calif. Mohring swam the race in 8:19.53 a month after Evans’ swim and held the mark until Tuesday.

The world record of 8:24.62 was held by Australia’s Tracey Wickham from of 1978 until 1987.

“I wasn’t planning to break the record,” Evans said. “I just wanted to do my best time. But, I knew if I swam a smart race I was capable of breaking the record.”

Evans currently holds world records in the 400, 800 and 1,500. She is the first United States’ swimmer to hold records in three events since Debbie Meyer in 1968.

“This record is more special than the other ones, because I had it once, had it taken away and got it back,” Evans said.

Debbie Babashoff of Fountain Valley finished second in Tuesday’s race, 21 seconds behind Evans.

In the men’s competition, Artur Wojdat of the Mission Viejo Nadadores won the 800-meter freestyle with a time of 7:57.59. Mariusz Podkoscielny of the Nadadores finished third with a time of 7:58.71.

The U.S. Swimming Indoor Championships, which features more than 1,000 swimmers from 247 teams, continues through Saturday.