ATLANTA — Maybe it’s time to change things up at the Duel in the Pool.
Again, it was an American rout. Even though the European women posted the fasted short-course time ever in the 400-meter freestyle relay, that was one of the few highlights for the visiting team. The United States more than doubled its opponent in a 181.5-80.5 triumph Saturday.
American star Ryan Lochte said a message was sent with the London Olympics seven months away.
“This is just the start of it,” said Lochte, who won the 200 individual medley. “We’re the team to beat, there’s no doubt about it.”
Britain’s Francesca Halsall and her 400 free relay teammates had plenty of fun, though, holding off a star-studded U.S. squad with Olympic veteran Natalie Coughlin leading off and 16-year-old Missy Franklin, who attends Regis Jesuit High School, on the anchor leg.
Both 200 frees were 1-2-3 American sweeps: Franklin finishing ahead of Dana Vollmer and Katie Hoff, while Ricky Berens beat out teammates Matt McLean and Conor Dwyer.
