Stars shine at Grand Prix
Taking the blocks for day two of the Missouri Grand Prix, the stars of the competition did not disappoint. Three-time Olympic medal winner Katie Hoff won the 200 meter individual medley and 400 meter freestyle. Those were Hoff’s first two wins of the meet, after she was barely touched out by fellow U.S. National Team member Mary Descenza in the 200 free on Friday.
The Grand Prix is also U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte’s first competition since a four-month break from the pool following Beijing. While the times are not “Olympic-esque,” Lochte has had little trouble thus far with the competition. Friday night, the six-time Olympic medalist won the 400 IM, then followed that up with two more wins on Saturday. In the final heat of the 200 IM, stacked with two fellow National Team members, Eric Shanteau and Alex Vanderkaay, Lochte turned in a time of 2:00.59. And he ended his night by winning the 100 backstroke.
The highlight of Saturday, however, was Fred Bousquet’s swim in the 50 free. Bousquet, who swam for France in the games this summer, set a Mizzou Aquatics Center and Grand Prix record in the event. His time of 21.59 clipped that of Cesar Cielo’s last year in the race.
For many of these athletes, this weekend is not about results. Many are coming off extended breaks, and are just getting back into their rigorous routines. For them, this weekend is more of a benchmark to see where they are in their training, and where they need to be for the next big meet.
But the fans still love the show. After the meet, a crowd of young admirers, both fans and competitors, swarmed around Hoff. She patiently signed autographs, posed for pictures, and even passed along her medals from the day to a couple lucky young ladies. Lochte and other National Team members did the same. And with two more days of competition, there should be a few more medals to go around.