Janet Evans Sparkles in 2 Tokyo Swim Events

Janet Evans, who took three gold medals at the Seoul Olympics, easily won the 400-meter individual medley at the Pan Pacific swimming championships today, then helped the United States to victory in the 800-meter freestyle relay.

The American swimmers continued to dominate the competition, winning six of nine events for the second day in a row.

In the individual medley, Evans beat runner-up Lin Li of China by about 10 meters and set a meet record with a clocking of 4 minutes, 39.38 seconds, breaking the 4:44.45 mark set by Erika Hansen in 1985.

Evans, of Placentia, then pushed the freestyle relay team to a meet-record 8:03.33 clocking and a whopping 20-meter victory at the 50-meter Yoyogi National Olympic Swimming Pool. Evans teammed with Mitzi Kremer, Stacy Cassiday and Julie Kole.

American men won four of the five finals.

Dave Wharton out-dueled fellow American Eric Namesnik to capture the 400-meter individual medley in 4:16.14, to Namesnik’s 4:17.02.

American Brent Lang edged Australian Andrew Baildon to win the men’s 100-meter freestyle with a time of 49.56 seconds to Baildon’s 50.03.

Richard Korhammer of the United States led all the way in capturing the 100-meter breast stroke in 1:02.95, beating fellow American Rich Schroeder.

Australia’s Michael McKenzie won the 800-meter freestyle, taking the lead after 300 meters and holding on to edge American Dan Jorgensen. McKenzie was timed in 7:58.99, and Jorgensen at 8:01.29.

The American men, anchored by Doug Gjertsen, won the 800-meter freestyle relay in 7:20.87, and easily beat Canada, which was clocked in 7:25.13.

China’s Zhuan Yong came from behind to win the women’s 100-meter freestyle in 55.68.

Canadian Keltie Duggan led all the way and won the 100-meter breast stroke in 1:09.79, edging American Tracey McFarlane.

The four-day championships continue through Sunday.