Atkinson Interview, 2014 Arena Grand Prix Orlando, 100 breaststroke Winner

VIDEO EDIT – COLEMAN HODGES

VIDEO CAPTURE – GMM

WOMEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE – REPORTED BY JARED ANDERSON

A tightly-bunched top 4 coming out of the preliminaries turned into a tight group of three trailing Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson. The Olympian cruised out to an early lead, going 1:07.15 to take the event, looking smooth and powerful the whole way. Blue Fish pro and former Texas star Laura Sogar was second (1:09.00) followed by a pair of SwimMAC-ers, Katie Meili (1:10.00) andMicah Lawrence (1:10.04).

A pair of athletes from T2 followed them up – they were Justine Mueller and Ashley Wolter. The youngest A-finalist, 17-year-old Hungarian Fanni Ferenczi, took 7th.

The B final went to German Theresa Michalak, who has been training with the Florida Gators in Gainesville. Michalak is a high-profile signee with the Gators, and though her current eligibility is still uncertain, her 1:11.84 (only a second or so off her best) had to be a good sign for Florida coach Gregg Troy, whether she starts competing with the Gators this post-season or further down the road.

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DanishSwimFan
10 years ago

1.07.15 is a very good time for this early in the season. It looks as though she is ready to have a great year after a rather disappointing 2013 in long course, although she was good in SCM.

She certainly looks very happy with her time 🙂

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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