This time, Phelps in Crocker’s wake Former Cheverus star wins 100 butterfly

MONTREAL – For the last two years, everyone at the pool was chasing Michael Phelps.

Now, he’s the one playing catch-up.

Phelps was soundly beaten Saturday in his final individual race of the World Swimming Championships. Up ahead, American rival Ian Crocker broke his own world record in the 100-meter butterfly.

“Every thing that has happened this week is a wake-up call,” Phelps said. “It’s all going to be used for motivation.”

Crocker, a graduate of Cheverus High School in Portland, turned a much-anticipated rematch with Phelps into a rout, reversing their roles at the Athens Olympics. This time, Crocker was the one celebrating a victory, while Phelps could only offer a congratulatory handshake across the ropes and settle for silver.

“It was definitely my goal to break the record,” Crocker said. “When you’re racing against Phelps, you always have to assume it’s going to take a world record to win.”

It wasn’t needed, but Crocker broke the record anyway in 50.40 seconds – easily beating his previous mark of 50.76 from last summer.

“He’s insane in a good way,” teammate Aaron Peirsol said. “It’s amazing someone so sedate can create so much power at the drop of a hat.”

Also Sunday, the U.S. 400-meter relay team of Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Crocker and Jason Lezak finished first with a time of 3:31.85.

Phelps finished second to Crocker in the 100 fly in 51.65.

“I haven’t trained much fly this year,” the runner-up said. “But I don’t want to use that as an excuse. That was a horrible swim for me.”

The teammates were virtually even off the blocks, but Crocker already had a sizable lead when their heads emerged from the water. He was about a half-body length ahead at the turn, and Phelps couldn’t manage one of his patented charges in the final 50 meters.

With arms pumping furiously, Crocker stretched out his advantage all the way to the wall to defend his title from the 2003 world championships.

While Phelps has won four golds medals and, now, a silver at these championships, he’s not happy with his performance. He failed to qualify for the final of one race, was a disappointing seventh in another and won’t get a chance to swim in Sunday’s 400 medley relay final after losing to Crocker.

Phelps’ last swim in Montreal will be a morning preliminary. Clearly, this isn’t the same athlete who dominated the 2003 worlds in Barcelona (five world records) and last year’s Olympics (six golds, eight medals overall).

Phelps has won two of his golds on relay teams, so Australian Grant Hackett – with three medals and his best event to go – is likely to win the most individual medals on the men’s side.