SWIMMING U.S. SPRING NATIONALS : Martino Wins at 50 Meters

Angel Myers Martino, the only U.S. swimmer to be suspended for a positive steroids test, came away with a victory Sunday night in the women’s 50-meter freestyle on the final session of the U.S. Spring Nationals swimming meet.

In her first major meet since returning from a 16-month suspension from U.S. swimming, the 23-year-old Martino was clocked in 25.88 seconds.

She finished in front of Jenny Thompson, an 18-year-old high school senior from Dover, N.H., who was timed in 26.03.

Martino tested positive for steroids at the 1988 Olympic trials and never got a chance to go Seoul. She denied she took steroids.

“I’m not back in top form yet, but this is a positive first step,” Martino said.

Meanwhile, Janet Evans won her fourth race of the meet, the 1,500 freestyle.

It was Evans’ 28th national championship. Tracy Caulkins, who swam from 1977 through 1984, holds U.S. swimming’s all-time record with 47 national titles.

“How many do I have, 28?” Evans asked. “I don’t think I’ll be around (to break Caulkins’ record).”

Evans, holder of three world records, including the 1,500 at 15:52.10, won in 16:11.22, the 10th-best ever for the distance.

University of Florida freshman Nicole Haislett got her third victory of the meet by winning the 200 individual medley. She also took the 100 and 200 freestyle titles.

The men’s 200 individual medley was won by Dave Wharton, 21, of Warminster, Pa., in 2:01.99. Wharton, a USC senior and former world record-holder in the event, outsprinted No. 1 qualifier Ron Karnaugh, 24, of Maplewood, N.J.

Steve Crocker, 27, an engineer for McDonnel-Douglas, won the 50-meter freestyle in 22.44.

Lawrence Frostad, 24, of Sacramento won the men’s 1,500 in 15:18.40.