Schoeman qualifies first in 50 freestyle

By SCOTT PITONIAK

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece - Former University of Arizona swimmer Roland Schoeman of South Africa established himself as a strong candidate for a third medal at these Olympic Games by swimming the fastest time in the men's 50-meter freestyle semifinals Thursday night.

Schoeman had a time of 21.99 seconds, .08 ahead of Australia's Brett Hawke. The other five finalists in order of finish: Jason Lezak (USA), Salim Iles (Algeria), defending champion Gary Hall (USA), Oleksandr Volynets (Ukraine), Stefan Nystrand (Sweden) and Duje Draganja (Croatia).

Earlier this week, Schoeman picked up a gold medal as part of South Africa's 100-meter freestyle relay team and a silver in the 100-meter freestyle.

South Africa's Lyndon Ferns, a current University of Arizona swimmer who was eliminated in the semifinals, believes Friday night's race for gold could turn into a two-man duel between Schoeman and Hall.

"I would think they would have to be the favorites,'' said Ferns, who was on the medal-winning relay team. "I think it's going to take at least a 21.9 to win it.''

Schoeman declined to comment until after the finals.

Hall, of Phoenix, did not appear pleased with his time of 22.18, which tied him for fifth fastest in the semis with Volynets and Nystrand. Asked his strategy for the finals, Hall said: "Dive in, swim a length and then touch the wall first - pretty simple.''