Katie Ledecky swims to a win in the women's 500-yard freestyle during day one of the 2012 Winter National Championships. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

AUSTIN, Texas — Olympian Ryan Lochte barely missed breaking his own American record in the 200-yard individual medley Thursday on opening night of the Winter National Championships.

Lochte won in 1 minute, 40.97 seconds, only 0.89 seconds off his 2007 mark and nearly 4 seconds faster than his time in the morning preliminaries. Alex Lendrum was second in 1:44.24, and Austin Surhoff third in 1:44.39.

Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky won the 500 freestyle in 4:34.53, falling off American-record pace in the second half of the race. Olympian Haley Anderson finished second in 4:36.87, and Leah Smith was third in 4:36.90.

Missy Franklin, who earned five medals at the London Games, finished third in the women’s 200 IM, behind winner Celina Li and Stina Gardell.

Olympian Jessica Hardy won the

50 free in 21.83 seconds. Margo Geer was second at 21.84, and Christine Magnuson third in 21.91.

Olympic backstroke champion Matt Grevers won the men’s 50 in 18.88. Olympian Davis Tarwater was second at 19.36, and Pavel Babaev was third.

The meet continues Friday on the University of Texas

campus.

Tags: 2012 Winter National Championships, Alex Lendrum, Austin Surhoff, Celina Li, Christine Magnuson, Davis Tarwater, Haley Anderson, Jessica Hardy, Katie Ledecky, Margo Geer, Missy Franklin, Pavel Babaev, Ryan Lochte, Stina Gardell

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