Swimmers shine in swimming events: Santa Clara International Grand Prix – Part 12
After the immaculate efforts of Natalie Coughlin and Randall Bal in the 100m backstroke, Women’s 200m Individual Medley (IM) became the centre of attention of the spectators.
The crowd enjoyed scintillating efforts of all participants in the former events and was eager to see the furious battle in the upcoming events.
The seventh event of the session was 200m IM, where Caitlin A Leverenz stifled hopes of her opponents and occupied the title of the discipline. She stayed prominently ahead of her opponents throughout the discipline and reached the finishing end for gold
medal.
The 21-year-old Leverenz enjoyed a considerable lead over her challengers and hit the finishing wall with the timing of 2 minutes and 10.81 seconds.
Her title claiming effort remained almost one second away from the meet record of 2 minutes and 09.53 seconds, made by Ariana J Kukors of FAST Swim Team. She was also 1.47 seconds behind the US Open mark of 2 minutes and 09.34 seconds, set by Julia Smit
of Stanford during 2009.
Subsequently, her fantastic effort missed the world record of Ariana Kukors of USA with a difference of almost four seconds, as she posted a time of 2 minutes and 06.15 seconds at the 2009 Rome World Championships.
The gold medallist was followed by Madeline J Dirado, who stayed nearly three body lengths apart and secured silver medal of the discipline with an effort of 2 minutes and 13.70 seconds.
The silver medallist was chased by Kate E Dwelley, who remained 2.44 seconds apart and hit the finishing blockade for bronze medal by producing a time of 2 minutes and 16.14 seconds.
Fourth position of the discipline was secured by Mikaela S Macklin, who remained almost one second apart and posted a time of 2 minutes and 17.38 seconds.
In the meantime, Scott W Weltz dominated the equivalent event in Men’s category. the 25-year-old Weltz faced tough battle from his following swimmer but managed to outperform him over the finishing end for gold medal.
With his astonishing pace, he cruised his way towards the finishing end for the crown of the event with the timing of 2 minutes and 03.31 seconds.
His alluring effort remained nearly six seconds behind the meet record of 1 minute and 57.76 seconds, made by Michael Phelps of Club Wolverine in 2006.
He was nearly nine seconds apart from the US Open mark of 1 minute and 54.56 seconds, set by Ryan Lochte of Daytona Beach in 2009. His effort was also 9.31 seconds behind the American and world record of 1 minute and 54.00 seconds, owned by Lochte from the
2011 World Championships in Shanghai.
The gold medallist remained 0.02 seconds faster from Joshua C Prenot, who settled on the finishing end as second position holder by producing a time of 2 minutes and 03.33 seconds for silver medal.
Third position of the discipline was secured by Miguel Robles Castro of Mexico, who stayed 1.90 seconds slower from overpowering the second position holder and finished his race with an effort of 2 minutes and 05.23 seconds.
The bronze medallist was chased by Benjamin S Hinshaw, who was only 0.16 seconds slower from his preceding swimmer and ended his swim in fourth best place by producing a time of 2 minutes and 05.39 seconds.
To be continued in Part 13.
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