Dana Vollmer was one of the most impressive swimmers in the Austin Grand Prix, held this past week at the University of Texas in Austin, Tex.

Reach For The Wall brings you the week in U.S. swimming one day earlier this week, with highlights from Michael Phelps’ swim in Maryland, the Austin Grand Prix and a feature story on a coach you have to read about.

Michael Phelps sets new record at Maryland event. On Sunday at the Maryland Swim Championships, Michael Phelps set a new American record in the 200 yard butterfly (1:39.65), breaking his old record of 1:39.70, set in 2006. Phelps also took home wins in the 200 yard individual medley (1:40.58) and the 400 yard individual medley (3:39.01).

Phelps competed for his club team, the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, which won the meet with 5,739.5 points. The Naval Academy Aquatic Club came in second place (2,274) and Loyola Bakerfield Aquatic secured a third-place finish (1,801.5).

A complete results document is available online at Maryland Swimming.

Dana Vollmer has impressive final day at Austin Grand Prix. Vollmer, 22, was one of the most impressive athletes on the final day of competition at the Austin Grand Prix. She swam a 54.30 in the 100 meter freestyle, which was the second fastest time in the world, according to Swimming World Magazine. Incredibly, the fastest time in this event was set earlier in the same day by a swimmer in France (54.27).

In the 200 meter butterfly, she dominated the field, finishing more than two seconds in front of second-place finisher, Kelly Nelson (2:15.88). Vollmer completed the event in a time of 2:13.86.

Complete results from the Austin Grand Prix event can be found at USA Swimming.

Natalie Coughlin agrees to a new deal with Speedo. Swimnetwork.com is reporting that Coughlin and Speedo have agreed to terms through 2013. Coughlin, who swam this past weekend at the Austin Grand Prix in Austin, Tex., has been with Speedo her entire career. The article notes that Coughlin is attempting to become the most decorated female swimmer of all time with her eyes set on 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Other American swimmers who are currently with Speedo include Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff and Ryan Lochte.

Donald Watkinds is a swim coach that has seen (and coached) it all. There was amazing feature story out of San Diego this week: If you haven’t heard of Donald Watkinds, you’re going to be impressed with his accomplishments. The Beach and Bay Press reports that he’s coached two Olympians and national record-holders, children as young as five and six years old and disabled swimmers as well.

Watkinds is the first coach to ever hold a USA Swimming-based camp for disabled swimmers.  

U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships to be held at Stanford this weekend. The national synchronized swimming event is scheduled for March 11-13 of this week. Ohio State is the current defending champion of the event.

Reach For The Wall reported on this earlier in the month, and an updated article on the event details can be found at Palo Alto Online.