DeScenza Caps Stanford Invitational in Dynamite Fashion

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 23. IS she America’s next Golden Girl? Mary DeScenza certainly is swimming like a superstar, as her results at this weekend’s Stanford Invitational will attest.

A little more than a month after a strong showing at the United States World Championship Trials, DeScenza won five events at the Stanford Invite, including two on Sunday, the final evening of action.

After taking first place in the 200 freestyle (2:01.60), DeScenza bested the competition in the 100 butterfly with an effort of 1:00.18. Those victories complemented earlier triumphs in the 100 free, 200 butterfly and 200 backstroke.

A key player in Georgia’s run to the 2005 NCAA Championship, DeScenza is poised for a spectacular World Championships, slated for the end of July in Montreal. DeScenza is expected to contest both butterfly events and the 200 free, and will play key roles in American relay action.

While DeScenza highlighted the women’s action, Michael Phelps was the headliner among the men, as he won two events for the third consecutive day. Phelps opened with a 54.92 clocking in the 100 back, ahead of the 55.03 by Randall Bal, and capped the weekend with a triumph in the 400 individual medley (4:17.06).

Ariana Kukors completed an individual medley double for the women, as she took first place in the 400 I.M. in 4:48.59. A night earlier, Kukors edged Natalie Coughlin in the 200 I.M.

The men’s 100 butterfly saw Club Wolverine’s Davis Tarwater narrowly defeat Peter Verhoef with a swim of 54.91. Verhoef, representing the Athens Bulldogs, checked in at 54.98. Other winners were Brooke Bishop in the women’s 100 backstroke (1:03.60) and Dominik Meichtry in the men’s 200 free (1:49.95). Jayme Cramer touched second in 1:50.09.

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