I want to steal a baby spider monkey and bring it home with me. They are so cute. But I hear they are naughty little things. They were watching our practice today (and trying to break lights of the roof, aren’t they cute?!). In typical tourists fashion everyone whipped out their cameras for the photo opp. (Of course I didn’t have my camera!) So that was my entertainment for the morning. Speaking of animals, we went to the Singapore zoo the other night. We took a night tram ride and saw amazing animals. I have never been to a zoo and have never seen such huge animals so close. It was unreal. To see an elephant right next to us was crazy but my favorite was probably the hippo. It was a fun team activity except it was hot and humid. I was sweating and I wasn’t even doing anything. I don’t care for that too much.

We take off tomorrow for Bangkok. I think everyone is getting anxious to get this meet started. We have been here for awhile now, but it’s good we were because I feel like I am just now getting over the jet lag.

Before we take off we have the traditional rookie skits taking place tonight. Anyone who’s first national team meet is this one has to perform a rookie skit. There is about 23 rookies so we have 5 skits taking place. It should be very entertaining. It’s crazy to think I did my rookie skit in 1999. Ya, my teammates have pointed out how old I am getting. (Thanks guys).

Other than animals and skits, not too much is going on. Pretty low-key here, just preparing to race. My boyfriend Harry Potter and I have been spending a lot of time together. I don’t know what I would do without him.

Next stop, Bangkok!!

Erik Vendt took down a 20 year old US Open record with time of 7:49.75 for the men’s 800 Free championship title. Club Wolverine teammate Peter Vanderkaay followed with a best time and silver medal in 7:53.93. Trojan Swim Club’s Larsen Jensen closed out the top 3 in 7:57.79.

Stanford’s Ben Wildman-Tobriner snatched the championship title in a loaded 50 Free field with a time of 21.80. Cullen Jones took home the silver medal with 21.82. Sun Devil Aquatic’s Nick Brunelli claimed 3rd in 22.05.

2004 Athens Games silver medalist Ryan Lochte claimed victory in 1:56.95. Eric Shanteau of Longhorn Aquatic touched the wall next in 1:59.56, while Nate Cass of Stanford notched a time of 2:02.09 for bronze. Brendan Hansen turned in a time of 2:02.89 to score 5th place.

North Baltimore’s Katie Hoff bested the field in 2:10.62 for the gold. Caitlin Leverenz of El Dorado Aquatics took the silver in 2:12.32. Stanford’s Julia Smit closed out the top 3 in 2:12.99.

Ben Wildman-Tobriner leads all qualifiers into the 50 Free final after his blistering 21.94 race. Sun Devil Nick Brunelli finished in 22.01 and reigning National Champ Cullen Jones 3rd in 22.23. The field will also include South African sprint superstars Roland Schoeman (22.38) and Ryk Neethling (22.53) as well as Longhorn Garrett Weber-Gale (22.81)

Dara Torres continued her impressive comeback in claiming the top seed for the women’s 50 Free championship final. She was the only swimmer under 25 seconds (24.91). Jackie Vavrek secured the second seed in 25.67, followed by Lacey Nymeyer and Sam Woodward, who posted identical times of 25.70. Jessica Hardy also advanced to the ‘A’ final with her 25.85 effort. Megan Romano completed her 1-lap sprint in 26.63.

Without World Record Holder Michael Phelps in the field, Longhorn’s Eric Shanteau turned in the morning’s fastest 200 IM time of 2:01.74. Geoff Rathgeber of SoNoCo put up the next qualifying time of 2:03.03. Tyler Clary (2:03.35) and Swim Star Ryan Lochte (2:03.36) also move on to the championship final. Breaststroke specialist Brendan Hansen will also race after his 2:03.71 swim.

Katie Hoff posted an impressive 2:12.56 in her 200 IM heat to score the top seed going into finals. Julia Smit’s 2:15.33 was the second fastest time followed by El Dorado’s Caitlin Leverenz (2:15.64). Others in the championship final include Kathleen Hersey (2:16.05) and World Champs team members Ariana Kukors (2:16.62) and Whitney Myers (2:16.99). Tara Kirk also raced the 200 IM during the morning heats and finished in 2:21.70.

Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics team of Whitney Myers, Susana Helms, Lacey Nymeyer,and Jenny Forster captured the championship title in 8:08.42 followed by Jessi Cole, Anna Miller, Kelly McNichlos, and Mary Descenza of Athens Bulldogs Swim Club claimed 2nd in 8:08.80. Club Wolverine’s ‘A’ squad of Katie Carroll, Margaret Kelly, Hannah Smith, and Allison Schmitt finished 3rd in 8:10.41.