Born in Moscow, as the granddaughter of a former USSR swimming champion, Liza Kuznetsova showed her prowess Friday at the Southern California Swimming Junior Olympic Championships at the Santa Clarita Aquatics Center, claiming two gold medals (for a total of four, so far).

The Canyons Aquatic Club (CAC) 10-year-old set a new club record in the 200-meter individual medley event, winning with a time of two minutes, 43.88 seconds.

The time was nearly five seconds faster than the old record, set in 2003 by Megan McLaugh, and seven ticks quicker than her personal record.

According to Kuznetsova's grandmother, mother and Canyons Aquatic Club president Ron Mita, her grandfather, Val Yefremov, was named to the 1964 Russian Olympic team.

This pedigree no doubt assisted in her record-breaking effort. But, there was more to it than just genes.

"It's really our coach, Jay Anderson (the team's under-12 coach)," Kuznetsova said. "He's been training us hard. It's a matter of speed and who can hold it the longest."

Kuznetsova was also the 100-meter freestyle champion, as well, with a time of 1:09.92. In addition, on Thursday, the Canyon Country native won the 100 butterfly (1:19.86) and the 200 free (2:30.46).

Another local champion was K.T. Livingstone, claiming gold in the 100 fly (1:04.79). She was also fourth in the 200 I.M. (2:28.45).

"The last 15 meters were the difference," Livingstone said. "It was the end of the race. My legs and arms died (in Friday morning's preliminaries). Then I held on better (Friday night)."

CAC swimmer Matthew Johnson won the boys 11-12 400 freestyle (4:40.03), while teammate Daniel Colvin was another gold medalist in the boys 15-and-over 200 I.M. (2:14.37).

Twin sisters Allison (1:07.37) and Adria Morales (1:07.72) followed each other with second and third-place finishes, respectively, in the 100 fly.

Phillip Wong took home a silver medal in the 11-12 50-meter fly (31.11), followed by bronze medalist Jonathan Morsch (31.44). Tanner Olson was another silver medalist for CAC in the boys 10-and-under 200 I.M. (2:51.96).

The Junior Olympics continues this weekend, concluding Sunday.