Torres and world records highlight trials

OMAHA, July 4 (UPI) -- Michael Phelps and Aaron Peirsol equaled world records Friday and Dara Torres qualified for her fifth Olympics at the U.S. Swimming Trials in Omaha.

Ryan Lochte, meanwhile, swam two races within less than half an hour and finished second in both to two of the sport's most dominating performers.

Peirsol defeated Lochte by .02 of a second to win the 200-meter backstroke. Peirsol tied Lochte's world record time of 1:54.32, setting up another duel at the Beijing Olympics next month.

Phelps followed by tying his own world record of 1:54.98 in the 200-meter individual medley. It was his fourth victory of the trials with one more event remaining on his schedule.

If Phelps does compete in five individual events in Beijing, he will have a chance at a record eight gold medals because he will also be on three relay teams.

Lochte finished second to Phelps in the individual medley in the time of 1:55.22.

Torres, at age 41, then became the oldest American swimmer to earn an Olympic berth by winning the women's 100-meter freestyle in 53.78. She will become the first swimmer from the United States to compete in five Olympics, having already won nine medals.

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