Missy Franklin and Matthew Grevers claim 200m backstroke gold: Day two – USA Swimming Grand Prix
Missy Franklin and Matthew Grevers served notice of their extraordinary talent by claiming gold medals of 200m backstroke in Men’s and Women’s class on day two of the Austin Grand Prix at Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on Saturday, January 14.
Austin is a three-day event and second juncture of the seven-leg 2011-12 USA Swimming Grand Prix Series.
Franklin of Colorado Stars-C dictated terms to her competitors in the four-lap backstroke discipline. With her laudable efforts, the 16-year-old Franklin shattered hopes of her challengers and finished her swim in a fastest time of 2 minutes and 08.18 seconds
for gold medal.
Her dazzling effort remained nearly three seconds ahead of her closest opponent, Georgia Davies, who won silver medal of the event. The 21-year-old Davies remained 2.92 seconds behind Franklin and reached the podium for second position by completing her
swim in a time of 2 minutes and 11.10 seconds.
The silver medallist experienced strong resistance from Kendyl L Stewart of North Coast Aquatics in the backstroke race. The 17-year-old Stewart was just 0.50 seconds away from overwhelming the efforts of Davies and acquired bronze medal of the event by
posting a time of 2 minute and 11.60 seconds.
Shortly after the Women’s event, the spectators enjoyed ruthless efforts of Ford Aquatics-AZ’s Grevers in Men’s 200m backstroke. The 26-year-old Grevers proved his mettle for gold spot by concluding his swim in a time of 1 minute and 57.76 seconds.
With his astonishing effort, he remained 1.20 seconds ahead of his following swimmer, Ryan F Murphy of BSS-FL, who appeared on the finishing end with a timing of 1 minute and 58.96 seconds for silver medal. Murphy was trailed by Ryan S Lochte of DBS-FL,
who failed to maintain his fastest qualification spot and occupied bronze medal of the swim with an effort of 1 minute and 59.53 seconds.
The crowd acknowledged gruelling efforts of all contestants while the session ended after the completion of all listed events in Men’s and Women’s category. In addition, the position holders were called upon the medal rostrum for their unconquerable efforts
at the medal ceremony of the championship.
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