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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:43 p.m., Saturday, July 5, 2008

Swimming: Margaret Hoelzer sets world record in 200 backstroke

Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — Margaret Hoelzer has set the ninth world record of the U.S. swimming trials, winning the 200-meter backstroke in 2 minute, 6.09 seconds.

The 25-year-old got a great surge off the wall heading into her third lap, then closed strong to beat the record of 2:06.39 set by Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry in February.

Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Beisel, a rising star in American swimming, rallied to take the second Olympic spot in 2:06.92. Hard-luck Hayley McGregory finished third again, matching her finish in the 100 back and denying her a berth on the Beijing team.