Junior Nationals
March 22, Orlando

At the national-level meet attended by teams from across the country, Alia Atkinson (16) and Krista Mantay (16) were the only two from the Comets who qualified to participate. Nonetheless, the duo managed to rack up achievements that larger teams would envy.

For instance, Alia won two events, the 50 breaststroke (28.61) and 100 breaststroke (1:01.78) which both set new national records! In all Alia scored 53 points from three events she qualified to swim in finals. That placed the Comets 19th in the meet and was more than any other women's team from the entire Florida Gold Coast.

Krista, who qualified for the meet at sectionals was ecstatic just to be there. Its hard to back-up one amazing performance by another less than a week later, but Krista did manage to go a best time in her 500 freestyle (5:03.65) and gained valuable experience by participating in a meet of this magnitude.

Alia Atkinson and Krista Mantay enjoyed
their down-time in between sessions
and provided moral support for each other
throughout the high-pressure meet.

2005 Junior National Team

Alia Atkinson 50 breast (1st), 100 breast (1st), 200 IM (6th) 7 team records
Krista Mantay 500 free (1.27 seconds)

Alia Atkinson, standing proud after receiving her 1st place medal for the 100 breaststroke. Alia set a new national record, beat over 142 of the nation's top athletes, and came within tenths of a new FGC record.