By Beth Harris
The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - Ian Crocker set a world record in the 50-meter butterfly and the United States avenged an earlier loss to Australia with a victory in the women's 400 freestyle relay at the Short Course World Championships on Sunday.

The Americans won two of five finals, giving them 16 wins in 28 events so far. The meet ends today.

Crocker touched first in 22.71 seconds, lowering the old mark of 22.74 by Geoff Huegill of Australia at the 2002 championships. It was the American's second gold medal in the 25-meter temporary pool.

Brooke Hanson of Australia won the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley, tying the record for most golds at a short course championships with five. American Kaitlin Sandeno won four golds.

"I never thought it would be five gold medals. I'll go to bed a happy girl tonight," said Hanson, who has one event remaining. "Anything can happen and I proved that."

Jenny Thompson anchored the victorious 400 free relay in her final meet before retirement. Amanda Weir, Kara Lynn Joyce, Lindsay Benko and Thompson won in 3 minutes, 35.07 seconds.

Thompson held off fast-closing Swede Therese Alshammar, whose 100 split of 53.20 was quicker than Thompson's 53.75 effort. Aussie anchor Shayne Reese swam 53.82 over the final 100.

"I'm so honored to be a part of this race, especially to swim with Jenny in her last relay race. She's been such an inspiration to us all," said Benko, who handed off a slight lead to Thompson. "We had a lot of confidence with Jenny anchoring our team."

Thompson and Joyce were on the 400 medley relay team that finished second to Australia's world record time in Saturday's final.

Crocker turned and checked the scoreboard, then raised both arms, acknowledging the cheers of 8,421 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse.

"I was under water so long, I really couldn't hear the crowd," he said. "I botched up the turn a little bit. There are always things you can work on. No race is perfect."

Crocker won a gold medal at the Athens Olympics after Michael Phelps gave up his spot in the 400 medley relay final so Crocker could make up for a poor swim in an earlier race. Crocker swam the fly leg and helped the Americans to a world record. Phelps shared the gold after swimming in the prelims.

Phelps won the 200 free at this meet before withdrawing Friday because of a back injury.