Costella, Barber strong in Janet Evans

Justin Barber and Ryan Costella continued to have outstanding efforts for the Carson Tigersharks in swimming at the Janet Evans Invitational on the campus of USC in Los Angeles.

Lauren Costella has also had a solid effort for the Tigersharks. On Friday, Barber swam to a personal best of two minutes, 8.88 seconds in placing 26th in the 200-meter butterfly.

Barber had an impressive double as he finished in 4:07.98 in the 400 free. Barber was able to negative split the race in which he swam the first 200 in 2:04.1 and the second 200 in 2:03.8.

Tigershark coach Jim Puleo said the key to Barber's race was his first two 100 legs. "Justin had a really great 400," Puleo said.

Puleo said Barber could qualify for the senior national champions in the 400 individual medley today. "He's got a lot of confidence," Puleo said.

On Thursday, Barber swam to a personal best 8:30.22 in the 800 free, placing 15th. He came in seeded 24th in the event.

Ryan Costella had a solid 39th place finish in the 800 free, swimming to a season best 8:49.74.

In the 400 free, Costella finished in 4:16.90. "Ryan Costella put together just a great 400 freestyle," Puleo said.

Lauren Costella placed 11th in the 800 free in 8:56.04 after being seeded fourth. Her 2:24.35 finish in the 200 fly was a better time than she posted recently at the Santa Clara Invitational.

In the 400 free, Costella finished in 4:27.38. She actually swam the first 400 of her 800 faster in the 4:26 range.

But Puleo noted Lauren is "swimming tired" as she has been training hard for the World University Games.

The threesome are staying in dorms that were used as part of the Olympic Village for the 1984 Olympics.