Schmitt wins 200-meter freestyle at U.S. National Championships

BY ED WRIGHT
Aug. 5, 2010, 8:15 a.m.

  Two years after winning an Olympic bronze medal and two years away from a potential gold rush at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Canton's Allison Schmitt added a national title to her long list of accomplishments Wednesday afternoon in Irvine, Calif.

  Fueled by a spectacular final 50-meter push, the tall, smooth-stroking Canton native out-touched Dana Vollmer to win the 200-meter freestyle event at the ConocoPhillips National Championships.

  Although she was the U.S. record holder in the event heading into the race, it was Schmitt's first-ever victory at the U.S. National Championships.

  Schmitt's time of 1:56.84 is the second-fastest in the world this year.

  With the win, Schmitt qualified for a spot in the event on the United States' Pan-Pacific team.

  To view a video of the race and a post-race interview, click:
 

http://www.universalsports.com/video/assetid=4d0519e4-1727-435b-97ce-48d8f0644771.html