Understandably, Michael Phelps is the name most anyone thinks of if you ask them to name an American swimmer, and with her knack for marketing, some fans may also mention Amanda Beard. But by the time the Beijing games may be over start adding Katie Hoff's name to that list as well.Hoff wrapped another spot in Beijing by blowing away the field over the final 200 meters of the 400 freestyle. She had already earned a spot on Sunday by setting a world record in the 400 meter individual medley. Hoff still has the chance to qualify in four more events. With the way she's going, it's hard to bet against her.
In the women's 100 meter butterfly Christine Mangnuson and Elaine Breeder earned spots in the Olympics, while Brendan Hansen and Mark Gangloff earned spots in the men's 100 meter breastroke as expected.
But the most interesting races of Monday night may have been the men's 100 meter backstroke. Randall Bal and Aaron Peirsol came out of the semifinals with the top two times, but Matt Grevers and Ryan Lochte were right on their heels. Heck, nearly anyone in tomorrow's final ranks as one of the top swimmers in the event in the world, but it's a safe bet that some extremely fast times will not be enough to earn spots in Beijing.
The 100 meter backstroke may be the most competitive event in Tuesday's action, but we'll also get a Michael Phelps-Lochte rematch, this time in the 200 meter freestyle.
