Torres erases Hardy’s just-set record

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OMAHA -- Jessica Hardy of Long Beach predicted that her freshly minted American record in the 50-meter freestyle, of 24.48 seconds, would not have a long shelf life at the U.S. swimming trials tonight.

‘It’s going to go down right now,’ she said after her semifinal swim in which she set the record.

And wouldn’t you know it. Forty-one-year old Dara Torres, sufficiently motivated, lowered it in the next heat, to 24.38.

‘I’m very competitive and I saw her time,’ Torres said. ‘I felt pretty good. I didn’t feel like I was hit by a freight train like I was this morning.’

Torres, who on Friday night qualified for her fifth Olympic team by winning the 100-meter freestyle, said she got about four hours of sleep because of a series of crank calls. An afternoon nap, though, was rejuvenating.

There is speculation Torres could drop the 100 freestyle and not swim it in Beijing. She said she would make the decision after the final of the 50 free on Sunday night.

‘I’m just worried about the 50 and we’ll see what happens then,’ she said.

-- Lisa Dillman