Mesa, Ariz. - SwimMAC Elite's Katie Meili '13CC celebrated her birthday in style on Thursday, April 16 at the 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series Mesa, by grabbing a victory in the 100 breaststroke. In a meet that featured a number of the swimming world's big names, including gold medalists Michael Phelps, Ryan Lotche and Katie Ledecky, Meili put together an outstanding performance to stand along the best.

In the prelims, Meili powered for the fastest time of the morning by over two seconds.  Her time of 1:07.16 is her fastest of 2015 and now pushes her ranking to ninth in the world. Both her prelims and finals swims were within the top-10 in the world. In the finals, Meili hit the wall at 1:07.26 in the finals for the win, topping Jamaican record-holder Alia Atkinson (1:08.01) and American stalwart Breeja Larson (1:08.60).

Meili returned to deliver another impressive swim in the 200 breastroke on Friday, April 17. With a personal-best time of 2:28.53, Meili clocked in with a runner-up finish in a neck-and-neck race with Breeja Larson.

“I was very happy to go best times in the 100m and 200m beaststrokes this weekend, especially considering it is a mid-season meet, “ said Meili. “I've been working on details in practice and it was nice that everything came together. I'm excited to use the momentum from this weekend into the rest of the summer and I'm looking for ward to representing Team USA at the Pan American Games in July.”

 Courtesy of Swim Swam