Janet Evans Regains World 800-Meter Freestyle Record at Meet in Florida

Janet Evans of El Dorado High School in Placentia regained the world record in the 800-meter freestyle Tuesday at the United States Swimming national indoor meet in Orlando, Fla.

Evans, who is competing for the Fullerton Aquatics, was timed in 8 minutes 17.12 seconds, breaking the record of 8:19.53 set by Akne Mohring of East Germany last August.

Evans 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.

“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.”

Last July at the United States Long Course meet, Evans set the record in the 800-meter freestyle with a time of 8:22.44. A month later, Mohring broke it.

“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 in 7:58.71.

More than 1,000 swimmers from 247 teams are competing in the meet, which continues through Saturday.