SWIMMING / WOMEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS : U.S. Record Falls in 100 Butterfly; Stanford Leads

Arizona’s Crissy Ahmann-Leighton lowered the American record Friday in the 100-yard butterfly to 52.36 seconds at the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.

Ahmann-Leighton, 20, of Benson, Ariz., broke the record of 52.42 set by California’s Mary T. Meagher in 1987.

“I’m still in shock. That record has been looming at me for a year,” Ahmann-Leighton said.

Defending champion Janel Jorgensen of Stanford finished second in 53.39, with UCLA’s Kristin Stoudt third in 54.04.

Freshman Summer Sanders of Stanford, who set an American record in winning the 200 medley Thursday, won the 400 medley in 4:05.19. The 18-year-old from Roseville, Calif., was less than a second slower than the American record of 4:04.63 by Tracy Caulkins in 1981 without being seriously challenged.

Sanders was first at every turn as she defeated defending champion Janet Evans of Stanford, 1989 NCAA champion Erika Hansen of Texas and 1990 runner-up Amy Shaw of Texas.

Stanford, which ended Texas’ streak of five consecutive championships in 1989, had the team lead with 461 points. The Lady Longhorns were second at 455, with Florida third with 247 heading into today’s final seven events at the Indiana University Natatorium. Cal, which saw its 400 freestyle relay disqualified, was at 210.