Lochte beats Phelps in 200 IM at US nationals

Ryan Lockte, left, and Michael Phelps look on after the men's 200-meter individual medley final at the U.S. nationals of swimming, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, in Irvine, Calif. Lockte won and Phelps took second in the event. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Ryan Lockte, left, and Michael Phelps look on after the men's 200-meter individual medley final at the U.S. nationals of swimming, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, in Irvine, Calif. Lockte won and Phelps took second in the event. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

By Associated Press August 10, 2014 4 min read

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) – Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps, a couple of Olympic champions on the comeback trail, got a step closer to finding their form.

Lochte beat Phelps to win the 200-meter individual medley at the U.S. national championships Sunday night, leaving Phelps winless in four races at his biggest meet since coming out of retirement.

They weren’t in their usual lanes in the center of the pool. Those spots go to the fastest qualifiers.

Lochte was in lane two and Phelps was in lane six. They couldn’t see each other either, with Phelps breathing toward the stands and Lochte the other way.

Still, the race came down to the two old rivals, with Phelps chasing Lochte for a change.