Amanda Weir set a new course record in the 100-meter freestyle on the last day of the Charlotte UltraSwim. She improved her own 2006 meet record by more than a second with a new time standard of 54.06.

“It felt pretty smooth. I felt like I was back to my old self again. It is nice to be able to finish fast again. I definitely like the 100 a lot better than the 50. The 100 is my baby,” said Weir. 

On June 11-14th, swimmers compete in Santa Clara for the final stop of the USA Swimming Grand Prix series with an opportunity to win $20,000.

Six-time Ironman New Zealand champion Jo Lawn secured a second place finish today with the fastest 13.1-mile run split of the day in one hour, 26 minutes and 36 seconds. She earned success in Orlando clocking in a final time of 4 hours and 24 minutes in the half Ironman race.

“Yes, I am very happy with my performance today, and having the fastest run split of the day is even better. Temperatures were in the high 30 with mid 90% humidity, and one of the hottest races I have ever done…plus 90 % of the run is cross-country just to make it even harder,” said Lawn. 

The USA Swimming Grand Prix series continues this weekend with the Charlotte UltraSwim at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center.

American record holder Mary DeScenza won the 200-meter butterfly in 2:09.25 and remains undefeated in the event in the series.

“It was a little bit tiring out there. Anytime under 2:10 is great for me. We’re in pretty heavy training, and I’m just happy to be out there with the crowd behind us,” DeScenza said.

DeScenza, who leads the overall Grand Prix series, also earned silver in the 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly.

Sprinter Amanda Weir took first place in the 50-meter freestyle in 25.32 and races the 100-meter freestyle sprint Sunday at the Charlotte meet. 

Allison Brennan won the first American gold medal in eight years at a Grand Prix Diving event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She secured the women’s 3-meter diving title competing against a strong field including Olympic medalists. 

“All the divers I go against are talented, and it’s an honor to be up against them. You’re competing against the best in the world, but I can only do what I can do,” said Brennan.

Brennan scored a total of 358.55 points on five dives with a personal best of 76.85 points on her final dive, a reverse 1½ somersault and 2 ½ twists.

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