Erik Vendt cut nearly 10 seconds from his previous personal best time of 14:57.01 set at last summer's U.S. national championships with a winning effort of 14:47.59 in the first heat of the distance event today.
With the swim, Vendt became the second-fastest American in the event, now ahead of Chris Thompson's 14:56.81. Vendt came within two seconds of Larsen Jensen's national record time of 14:45.29 set in 2004.
He also cleared the U.S. Open standard of 14:48.34 previously set by Grant Hackett in 2003, and also obliterated the pool record of 15:27.81 set by Chad La Tourette last year.
Congrats!
While you're waiting...
...for the results of the final day of the Missouri Grand Prix, check out this article from the Detroit Free Press about Erik "test-driving" the new Speedo LZR Racer suit.
