Crocker seeks to put his stamp on swimming

Ian Crocker lowered his 100m butterfly world record at the US Olympic swimming trials on Tuesday.

Ian Crocker lowered his 100m butterfly world record at the US Olympic swimming trials on Tuesday, and said his time of 50.76 was another step toward his goal of breaking the 50-second barrier in the event.

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"It's definitely my goal," Crocker said. "I'd like to make the butterfly as fast as the freestyle event. I'd like to go 49 (seconds) in the butterfly, and I think it could happen soon."

Crocker bettered the 50.98 he set in winning the event at the world championships in Barcelona last July 26. In the process he relegated Michael Phelps to just his second runner-up finish in six events at the trials.

While Phelps's possible bid for seven gold medals in Athens has sparked a wave of interest in swimming Stateside, Crocker said he considered his ambitions in the sport no less serious.

"It has always been my goal in swimming to put my stamp not only on an event, but also on swimming itself," said the mild-mannered 21-year-old from Maine who swims in Texas under Eddie Reese, who will serve as the US Olympic men's head coach.

Crocker appeared to be well on his way to making a mark in Athens, qualifying not only in the 100m fly but also as the second-place finisher in the 100m freestyle.

Reese said that despite his low-key demeanor, Crocker is a tenacious competitor.

"I have a 5-year-old female chocolate lab, and she is a 75-pound lap dog, until someone shoots a duck or a dove," Reese said. "Then she's a 75-pound torpedo that's going to get it before any other dog in the field. That's kind of like Ian."