Emerging from Miromar Lakes after a tough 10 km national championship on Friday, Dan O’Connor and Ashley Twichell recovered just enough to win the Crippen Sunset Mile on Saturday night.

The tribute to fallen superstar Fran Crippen, the Crippen Sunset Mile providing a cash prize, but was open to everyone who wanted to participate in the 79°F (26°C) flat water course in the private community of Miromar Lakes in Fort Myers, Florida.

“It was exciting to win on Friday, but I am exhausted and a little sore,” admitted Twichell who finished ahead of Emily Brunemann and Christine Jennings. “The last 400 meters of the 10K felt so long and that the shore was never going to come. But this race as good and fun.”

And the same situation was for Dan O’Connor, the University of North Carolina distance swimming star. O’Connor has been knocking at the door on the top races and finally took a well-deserved position on the top of the podium.

Photo of Ashley Twichell at the USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Championships by Mike Lewis.

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