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Central Coast sister act falls short of “Gladiators” grand finale 

It was sister versus sister, Central Coast resident against fellow Central Coaster, in a fight of the fittest.

In the end, neither Los Osos resident Lillian Thomasson or her twin, Clinessa Burch of San Luis Obispo, took the top prize at NBC’s “American Gladiators.”

Lillian did make it through the first round of semi-finals in late July, crushing the competition during tough events like “The Wall” and “Snapback.” The 27-year-old concrete artist — weighing in at 5 feet, 9 inches and 140 pounds — even thrashed her own sister during the obstacle course stage known as “Eliminator.”

However, she slipped in the second round of semi-finals.
Tim Oliphant of Branson, Mo., and Dallas gal Ally Davidson were named champions following Monday’s grand finale. They’ll each receive a new car and $100,000.

You can watch the full two-hour season finale at NBC.com for a limited time.

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Photo by Tribune photographer Joe Johnston. That’s Clinessa Burch on the left and Lillian Thomasson on the right.