LONDON -- Early on Tuesday morning, the U.S. team of Charlie Houchin, Matt McLean, Davis Tarwater and Conor Dwyer had the fastest time of 7:06.75 in the 4x200 meter relay heats, easily clinching a berth in the finals.
Houchin and Tarwater are both University of Michigan swimmers. The Wolverine duo was then replaced by stalwarts Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in the finals.
France's squad of Jeremy Stravius, Gregory Mallet, Amaury Leveaux and Clement Lefert came in second with a time of 7:09.18. Germany advanced in third and Australia was fourth.
Later that night in the 4x200 final, at approximately 4 p.m. eastern, Phelps broke the Olympic medals record with his 19th as the United States romped to a dominating win.
The United States team of Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Ricky Berens and Phelps on the anchor leg won in 6:59.70. France took the silver in 7:02.77, while China was third in 7:06.30. Phelps now has 15 golds, two silvers and two bronzes.
