Alia Atkinson wins Women’s 100m breaststroke gold: Day three – Santa Clara International Grand Prix
Alia S Atkinson of South Florida Aquatics won gold medal of the Women’s 100m breaststroke on day three of the 2012 Santa Clara International Grand Prix in California on Sunday, June 3.
The Santa Clara is the concluding stage of 2012 USA Swimming Grand Prix Series, which provides an opportunity to top-class players to compete with each other before the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The 23-year-old Atkinson showered her expertise in the double lap breaststroke discipline and proved her mettle for gold medal of the event.
With her commendable start and utter determination, Atkinson faced no trouble in securing top spot on the podium and shattered hopes of her competitors, who were eyeing the title of the event.
Her immaculate pace placed her considerably ahead of her opponents and she touched the finishing end for first position with the timing of 1 minute and 08.45 seconds.
The gold medallist was followed by Kate Haywood of Great Britain, who remained 1.23 seconds apart and stepped on the medal rostrum for silver medal with the timing of 1 minute and 09.68 seconds.
The second position holder was chased by Katlin N Freeman of Santa Barbara Aquatics, who was just 0.31 seconds apart and tapped the finishing blockade with the timing of 1 minute and 09.99 seconds.
The bronze medallist remained 0.54 seconds faster from Laura A Lindsay of Canton City School, who settled on the finishing end as fourth position holder with the timing of 1 minute and 10.53 seconds.
The 22-year-old Lindsay was trailed by Lisa M Blackburn of T2 Aquatics, who was 1.01 seconds apart and emerged on the finishing blockade as fifth best finisher with the timing of 1 minute and 11.54 seconds.
Similarly, Blackburn enjoyed an advantage of nearly half body length over Elizabeth A Smith of Unattached-PC, who secured sixth finest spot of the discipline by reporting a time of 1 minute and 11.91 seconds.
Seventh position of the discipline was secured by Dani Carrillo Avilez of Mexico, who posted 1 minute and 12.49 seconds.
In addition, the session ended after the completion of all planned events.
Article By: Mark Cuban
