Kennedy picks up silver medal in 100 freestyle at Grand Prix

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Avon’s Madison Kennedy concluded a great weekend of swimming at the Arena Grand Prix in Charlotte Sunday with another medal and another visit to the podium. Kennedy finished second in the 100 meter freestyle with her time of 54.93 seconds, just off the pace set by six-time Olympic medalist Allison Schmidt, who won the race in 54.65 seconds. Schmidt won the 400 freestyle and was second in the 200 freestyle.

Kennedy had an outstanding weekend, too. She was second in the 50 freestyle on Saturday with her best time ever in the event, was a member of SwimMAC’s winning 400 meter freestyle relay and finished 10th in the 100 backstroke.

Kennedy had a good start Sunday and was second after 50 meters but an outstanding second 50 meters by Schmidt (27.83 seconds) helped her pull away from the field. Kennedy had a time of 26.51 in the first 50 meters and 28.42 in the second 50 meters.

In 2013 here at the Grand Prix in Charlotte, Kennedy tied for second in the 50 freestyle and was sixth in the 100 free. The Charlotte Grand Prix is the fifth of six Grand Prix swim meets, which provide the nation’s best swimmers with six opportunities to face top-flight competition on U.S. soil. The series concludes June 19-22 with the Arena Grand Prix at Santa Clara (California).

With her best time ever, Kennedy takes 2nd in 50 free at Charlotte Grand Prix event