Lezak Erases Doubts at Swimming Meet

Before the 100-meter freestyle Sunday, Jason Lezak had more important things to worry about than racing Sabir Muhammad, one of the nation’s top swimmers, at the Speedo Grand Challenge in Irvine.

Such as whether he could keep up in the race.

But Lezak shocked even himself on the final day of the meet, winning the race in 51.99 seconds at the Heritage Park Swim Complex.

“I was really surprised at my time,” Lezak said. “Sabir is a really good freestyler and I knew it would be a tough race. But I’ve always been a competitor and I hate to lose.”

Lezak, a two-time Big West Swimmer of the Year at UC Santa Barbara, ended his college swimming career in March at NCAA Championships.

So with very little training the last three months, the former Irvine High standout was concerned about his race against the top qualifier, Stanford’s Muhammad.

“I took a month off after NCAA. And since then, I’ve been trying to get back into it. So I haven’t been working out that much. And after I swam prelims [this morning], I was feeling pretty tired,” Lezak said.

Muhammad, who ended the meet with three victories, finished second by 0.1 seconds.

Rigo Guillerme of Mission Viejo won the 100 breaststroke in 2:26.67.

Juan Veloz, who swims for the Mexican national team but trains with the Mission Viejo Nadadores, won the 200 butterfly in 2:06.65.

In the 1,500-meter freestyle, Andrew Schmit of San Diego Heartland won in 16:37.44.

In the women’s events, Staciana Stitts, 16, of the Irvine Novaquatics defeated teammate and Olympian Amanda Beard in the 200 breaststroke, winning in 2:37.09. Beard, a silver medalist at the Atlanta Games, was third in 2:37.30.

Amber Drake of Pasadena won the 100 freestyle in 59.20.

Jamie Cail of Golden West Swim Club won the 800-meter freestyle and the 200 butterfly. The Marina High junior won eight events at this meet.

Her time of 8:50.46 in the 800 eclipsed Victoria West’s 1996 record by more than 15 seconds.

Cail, 17, won the 200 butterfly in 2:20.90.