"Winning the Grand Prix Series is one of my top accomplishments," DeScenza said after her final event of the Series, a gold-medal swim in the 200m fly. "I'd like to thank my family, friends, coaches and sponsors. I planned to go to most of the Grand Prix meets this year but it wasn't until after the first few stops that I realized I had the opportunity to win."
This is the second year that prize money has been offered to the winner of the Grand Prix Series. Last year, Michael Phelps took home the prize and DeScenza was the runner-up. The series kicked off Nov. 14, 2008 in Minneapolis, Minn., and included meets in Long Beach, Calif., Columbia, Mo., Austin, Texas and Charlotte, N.C.. The final stop was this weekend in Santa Clara, June 11-14, 2009.
"We are happy to have had another successful Grand Prix Series this year," said Mark Schubert, USA Swimming's National Team Head Coach and General Manager. "Mary did a fabulous job and proved that she's a strong competitor in multiple events. This is our second year with prize money and we are pleased with the competitiveness that is has created amongst swimmers competing in the Series."
Swimmers earned points for each medal earned at a Grand Prix meet. Gold medals were worth five points, silver earned a swimmer three points and bronze medals were worth one point. The standings integrated male and female participants.
