Sunday, May 24, 2009

Peter Marshall's Long Course Return...Deeked

If you look at the results of the men's 100 Back at the Janet Evans Invite, you will see Eugene Godsoe on the top of the results. However, he only won because Peter Marshall was DQ'ed for an unknown reason.

After a poor, tenth-place showing at last summer's Olympic trials, Marshall planned to retire, but first he would travel the world, swimming in the World Cups. While on tour, he set three short course World Records (2 in the 100 Back, 1 in the 50), and he currently holds the Short Course Meters 100 Back American Record, 49.63.

After a winter of short course racing throughout Europe, Marshall swam for the first time Long Course today in the 100 Back at JEI. He ended up winning the event in 54.19. Even though the time was thrown out and the victory taken away, this is extremely significant. While it means very little in the grand scheme of things today (ranking him 20th in the world), it is only 0.09 off his personal best, from the 2004 Olympic trials, when he was outtouched for the second spot in the 100 Back by then-World Record holder Lenny Krayzelburg by 0.04. It was MUCH faster than he swam at trials, and it would have put him into the finals in the 8th spot. He's currently training hard with Dave Salo. Despite the DQ, tonight proves one thing: Peter Marshall is back.

I'll be back with full previews of the World Championships and US Nationals and other huge lead-up meets such as Santa Clara and Paris Open starting Friday (after I finish high school finals).

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