$\"Lilly$

Lilly King and Molly Hannis of the Cali Condors; Photo Courtesy: MIKE LEWIS\/ISL<\/p><\/div>\n

The Condors are a team where the collective reigns, in practice and matches. Living and working together has brought out the best.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been awesome training with this group,\u201d Kelsi Dahlia<\/strong> said via Zoom after the Grand Final. \u201cGirls and guys, we\u2019re a combined team so we train altogether, and it\u2019s been fun to get some new practices, and I\u2019ve just been so impressed with how well everyone trains.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the Grand Final, Dressel led the way with 96 points to claim match MVP award and polish off season MVP<\/a> (463.50). But the Condors placed eight swimmers among the top 25 scorers, six of them women.<\/p>\n

For the season, Lilly King<\/strong> was second in the MVP standings<\/a> at 350 points. Her 87.50 points from the semifinal was the most scored by a non-Dressel this season. Olivia Smoliga<\/strong> finished sixth in the MVP standings with Hali Flickinger<\/strong> 11th and Beata Nelson<\/strong> 15th. And that was despite losing Melanie Margalis,<\/strong> who left after Match 8, when she stood 30th in the MVP standings.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a testament to both coach Jonty Skinner\u2019s<\/strong> juggling of the lineup and the squad<\/a> that general manager Jason Lezak<\/strong> assembled.<\/p>\n

\u201cMelanie had decided even before the season started that she was going to leave, so we all supported her,\u201d Dahlia said. \u201cWe were just challenged to fill her shoes. She has some big shoes to fill, but I think everyone came around and stepped up in huge ways. I\u2019m just so impressed with how everyone performed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nothing epitomized what the Condors did quite like the medley relay, with Smoliga, King, Dahlia and Erika Brown<\/strong> setting a world record<\/a> of 3:44.52, among a bevy of American marks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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These ladies are re-writing the record books ?? pic.twitter.com\/Xiqo8Em43m<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 USA Swimming (@USASwimming) November 22, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n