One last shock

OMAHA -- So much for predictability.

The last race of the swimming trials tonight hardly went to form. Peter Vanderkaay of Club Wolverine (Mich.) won the 1,500-meter freestyle in 14 minutes 45.54 seconds, well below his personal best of 14:52.56. Taking second was Larsen Jensen of USC's Trojan Swim Club in 14:50.80.

Erik Vendt accounted for the biggest shock as he placed fourth in 15:07.78, a whopping 23 seconds off his personal best. He came out of retirement for one last push and won't be swimming in any individual events in Beijing but will be on a relay.

He was asked about his level of disappointment.

"Oh, yeah, this is what I've been training for all year," Vendt said. "I just didn't get it done today."

Said Jensen: "I figured going out a little quicker really wouldn't be that difficult and it really didn't feel that difficult. I don't know why I really faded at the end. That's the race I can second-guess, I suppose."

-- Lisa Dillman

Photo: Peter Vanderkaay reacts to his winning time in the the final of the 1,500 freestyle. Credit: Donald Miralle / Getty Images