SWIMMING LONG COURSE FINALS : Wharton Wins 4th in Row; Evans Is Third

Dave Wharton won his fourth consecutive national title in the 200-meter individual medley Friday night at the U.S. Swimming Long Course Championships, and Janet Evans finished third in the 200-meter backstroke.

Wharton beat Eric Namesnik, 2:01.33 to 2:01.66, as both earned a berth for the world championships in Australia in January.

Evans, swimming her first competitive backstroke at the national meet, was third to Olympian Beth Barr, timed in 2:13.16. Evans (2:13.66) also trailed Janie Wagstaff (2:13.59).

Several other former champions had trouble defending their titles.

Summer Sanders, clocked in a world best of 2:09.46 this year in the 200-meter butterfly at the Goodwill Games, lost in the event to Trina Radke. Radke swam a 2:10.55 to Sanders’ 2:10.88.

Leigh Ann Fetter, the U.S. record-holder in the 50-meter freestyle, lost to Jenny Thompson. Thompson, needing a time under 25.98 to beat Jennifer Boyd for a spot on the U.S. team, won in 25.90, ahead of Fetter’s 25.92.