Caitlin Leverenz earns Women's 200m IM title: Day one – USA Swimming Winter Nationals
Caitlin Leverenz of University of California earned gold medal of Women's 200m Individual Medley (IM) on foremost day of the 2011 USA Swimming Winter Nationals in Atlanta, on Thursday, December 1.
The 20-year-old Leverenz, who qualified as the third fastest swimmer into the finals, elevated her swim in the playoffs to reach the podium for gold medal. She faced strong competition from Elizabeth Pelton of UNA T2-FL and Julia Smit of Unattached-PC in
the final round.
Pelton had a considerably faster start that placed her marginally away from her opponents in the first lap. She completed her first lap in a fastest time of 27.86 seconds and remained 0.28 seconds ahead of Leverenz’s 28.14 seconds effort.
Smit surfaced as the third fastest swimmer in the initial lap, as she clocked a time of 28.90 seconds.
The 18-year-old Pelton sustained her fastest spot in the second lap, where she completed her first half of the race in a time of 1 minute and 00.42 seconds. She was trailed by Leverenz and Smit, who completed the equivalent distance with timings of 1:01.57
and 1:02.32 minutes, respectively.
Leverenz showed her expertise in the third lap of the race, where she elevated her pace and became the top contender for gold medal. She ended her third lap in a fastest time of 1 minute and 38.05 seconds.
Pelton failed to sustain her spot and completed her third lap in a time of 1 minute and 39.22 seconds while Smit reported a time of 1 minute and 40.35 seconds for the similar distance.
Leverenz continued her smothering efforts in the final round, where she concluded her swim in a phenomenal time of 2 minutes and 09.39 seconds for gold medal. She remained 0.63 seconds ahead of Pelton, who reached the podium for second position by producing
an effort of 2 minutes and 10.02 seconds.
The third spot of the race was secured by 23-year-old Smit, who remained 1.53 seconds slower and ended her swim in a time of 2 minutes and 11.55 seconds for bronze medal.
Furthermore, the podium finishers collected their medals after the completion of session.
Tags: