Mary Descenza Tops the List for $20,000 US Swimming GP Award After Two Meets

National Teamer Mary Descenza topped the 2007-08 Toyota Grand Prix Series’ leaderboard this weekend, having accumulated 41 points from the Minnesota and Southern California Grand Prix meets. After the Minnesota stop, Descenza trailed Olympian Ryan Lochte in second place with 19 points. However, the two-time national champion picked up an additional two gold and four silver medals to bring her 22 points closer to the grand prize of $20,000 to be awarded at the Omaha Grand Prix, June 5-8.

Close behind is Club Wolverine’s Kaitlin Sandeno with 36 points. Sandeno posted 13 points with two golds and a silver in Minnesota before doubling her gold hardware in Long Beach to bring her from sixth place into second.

While Michael Phelps has only competed at one stop in the series, the two-time Olympian scored 28 points at the Southern California competition to take over third place. Phelps picked up 25 of his 28 points with five gold medals in Long Beach. The remaining three points came from a silver medal in the 100y breaststroke.

Swimmers earn points for each medal earned at a Grand Prix meet. Gold medals command five points, silver three and bronze one. The standings integrate male and female participants, and will recognize the swimmer with the highest cumulative point total.

With six meets remaining in the Grand Prix Meet tour, continue checking back to see who overtakes the lead in pursuit of the grand prize.

1. Mary Descenza - 41 pts
2. Kaitlin Sandeno - 36 pts
3. Michael Phelps - 28 pts
4. Matt Grevers - 27 pts
5. Ryan Lochte - 26 pts
6. Jessica Hardy - 23 pts
7. Rachel Komisarz - 19 pts
8. Peter marshall - 17 pts
9. Davis Tarwater - 16 pts
10. Kara Lynn Joyce - 15 pts