Ariana Kukors dominates Women’s 200m IM prelims: Day four – 2012 NC Charlotte UltraSwim
Ariana Kukors of Bolles School-FL dominated the qualification rounds of Women’s 200m Individual Medley (IM) on fourth day of the 2012 NC Charlotte UltraSwim at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in Charlotte on Sunday, May 13.
The 22-year-old Kukors served notice of her talent in the four-lap IM discipline and made her way to the final round as top contender for gold medal.
With her epic start, Kukors gained a marginal lead over her challengers in the beginning and entered the final round by submitting a time of 2 minutes and 13.27 seconds.
With her fastest qualification effort, she remained just 0.07 seconds ahead of Elizabeth Pelton of T2 Aquatics-FL, who qualified into the playoff as second best finisher by reporting a time of 2 minutes and 13.34 seconds.
Pelton was trailed by Caitlin Leverenz of Una CAL-PC, who stayed 1.54 seconds slower and tapped the finishing end as third position holder with an effort of 2 minutes and 14.88 seconds.
Fourth best qualifying position of the discipline was secured by Melanie Margalis of Saint Petersburg, who stayed 0.97 seconds slower from her foregoing finisher and posted a time of 2 minutes and 15.85 seconds.
On the other hand, Ryan Lochte of Daytona Beach-FL conquered top qualification spot in the Men’s equivalent event. The 27-year-old Lochte stayed prominently faster from his fellow swimmers throughout the discipline.
With his commendable efforts, he enjoyed an advantage of almost half body length over his strongest challenger and posted a time of 2 minutes and 02.08 seconds for first position.
His scintillating effort was trailed by Eric Shanteau of Trojan Swim Club, who stayed 0.55 seconds apart and clocked a time of 2 minutes and 02.63 seconds for second position.
Shanteau was chased by Sebastien Rousseau of Gator Swim Club, who settled on the finishing blockade as third position holder by reporting a time of 2 minutes and 02.91 seconds.
Rousseau was followed by Conor Dwyer of Lake Forest SC-I, who finished fourth in 2 minutes and 03.13 seconds.
Furthermore, these finalists will face each other in their respective playoffs to secure top spot on the podium.
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