Dec. 19, 2009
MANCHESTER, England -- Two-time NCAA champion and University of Michigan junior swimmer Tyler Clary (Riverside, Calif./Riverside Poly) set a new American record in the 400-meter individual medley (short course meters) on the first day of competition (Dec. 18) at the Duel in the Pool. The United States won the two-day event (Fri-Sat., Dec. 18-19) in commanding fashion, 185-78.
Clary, along with former Wolverines Alex Vanderkaay (2005-08) and Peter Vanderkaay (2003-06), represented the United States at the two-day international event where American swimmers took on the E-Stars, a European all-star team made up of swimmers from Great Britain, Italy and Germany in a short-course event.
Clary touched the wall first in the 400-meter individual medley in a new American-record time of 4:02.02. Ryan Lochte previously held the record with a time of 4:02.47, achieved in 2006. Alex Vanderkaay took third in the event, finishing in 4:05.22.
On the second day of competition (Dec. 19), Clary finished third in the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 1:54.82 with Alex Vanderkaay taking fourth in 1:55.18. In his third individual race, Clary took home fourth-place honors in the 200-meter butterfly, stopping the clock in 1:53.86.
Peter Vanderkaay won two events for the United States, setting a new American record in the 200-meter freestyle (1:42.17). He also won the 400-meter freestyle in 3:35.54, three seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.
The bi-annual Duel in the Pool is a made-for-TV event, designed to showcase the sport's most exciting swimmers in non-Olympic years. This year's Duel takes on a new format with Team USA facing a team comprised of the top swimmers from Great Britain, Germany and Italy. The U.S. team was comprised of the fastest swimmers selected from four meets in 2009 -- the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships, Word University Games, U.S. Open and FINA World Championships.
This was the fourth Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool in the history of USA Swimming. Past Duels were held in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and pit all-star teams from the U.S. and Australia against each other.
The meet will air on NBC, Sunday, Dec. 27, from 2-4 p.m.
Contact: Sarah VanMetre (734) 763-4423
