Cullen Jones Shatters American Mark In 50 Freestyle At U.S. Olympic Trials

Omaha, NE (AHN) - Cullen Jones topped the preliminaries and at the same time broke the American record in the men's 50-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Trials on the Fourth of July.

Jones, the first black swimmer to break a world record at the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships, clocked 21.59 Friday at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, lowering the eight-year-old American mark of 21.76 set by Gary Hall, Jr. at the 2000 U.S. trials in Indianapolis.

World champion Ben Wildman-Tobriner trailed with 21.68 followed by two-time defending Olympic champion Hall in 21.89. Jones' latest record is the seventh-fastest time in history.

After landing third place in the 100m free Thursday night, Jones is already assured of an Olympic spot as a relay swimmer on the national team headed for Beijing this August. But he said he will try to improve in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, world record holder Ian Crocker topped the 100m butterfly with 51.52 after being disqualified for a false start in the heats of his previous event, the 100m free. Olympian Michael Phelps came in second in 52.21

In the other preliminaries, Kate Ziegler leads the pack with 8:29.39 into Saturday's 800m free final, while Katie Hoff came in second in 8:29.91.