Crescimbeni fails to qualify for 200 fly semis

From staff reports
Published: August 11, 2008

Peruvian swimmer Jose Crescimbeni, who trained in Manassas over the summer, finished third in the his Olympic men’s 200-meter butterfly heat and did not qualify for Tuesday’s semifinals in Beijing.

Swimming in the first heat, which had only four competitors, Crescimbeni finished with a time of 2:02.13. Heat winner Niksa Roki of Croatia was nearly two and a half seconds quicker, but that time was not enough to make the final 16. India’s Rehan Jehangir Poncha finished second in the heat.

American Michael Phelps, returning to the pool after his role in the stunning U.S. victory in the 4x100 freestyle relay late Sunday night, had the fastest qualifying time at 1:53.70. Phelps holds world and Olympic records in the 200 fly. Chinese Taipei swimmer Hsu Chi-Chieh was the final qualifier in a time of 1:56.59.

Crescimbeni was born in Silver Spring, Md., to Peruvian immigrants and later moved to Clearwater, Fla. He followed his coach, Mike Yearwood, to Manassas at trained with the QDD swim team. He will swim collegiately at Florida.