Coughlin leads list at Evans

For those who don’t think history can be made at low-key summer swim meets in non-Olympic years, there is real, live precedent in Southern California.

Last month at Mission Viejo, U.S. distance star Kate Ziegler broke the oldest mark in the sport, in the 1,500-meter freestyle, which had been held by swim legend Janet Evans. Ziegler went nearly 10 seconds faster than the record set by Evans in 1988.

Then there’s the meet named after Evans herself. In 1999, South African Penny Heyns had an exceptional two days racing in the pool at USC.

First, she broke the world record in the 200-meter breaststroke, then held by Rebecca Brown. One day later, Heyns twice went under her own world mark in the 100 breaststroke, once in the morning preliminaries and again at night.

It’s highly doubtful that even a lesser version of history will be repeated at the Janet Evans Invitational, which is today through Sunday at USC. Ziegler, for instance, won’t be there, and Heyns has long been retired.

Still, there will be no shortage of U.S. Olympians on hand, starting with Natalie Coughlin, the five-time medalist in Athens (two gold). Coughlin’s last meet was the recent event in Santa Clara, Calif. She was limited to one day of action but won two individual races and later added a relay victory.

The Evans meet starts with finals in the men’s and women’s 800 meters. Finals tonight through Sunday are at 5 p.m., with the morning preliminaries starting at 9.

Other Olympians set to be at the meet are Klete Keller, Larsen Jensen, Tara Kirk and Carly Piper. USC Coach Dave Salo won’t be there because of a conflict with the Pan American Games, the same as a couple of other swimmers.

U.S. world champion team members Ben Wildman-Tobriner, Jessica Hardy, Kim Vandenberg, Whitney Myers and Lacey Nymeyer are also scheduled to compete.

One of the key races, on Saturday night, could be the men’s 50 freestyle, featuring Wildman-Tobriner, winner at the worlds, against South Africans Roland Schoeman and Ryk Neethling.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com