Arena Grand Prix Turns Into Gauge For World Trials

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

May 12, 2013

While Anthony Ervin, Jessica Hardy and several other swimmers are right where they want to be six weeks out from the world championship trials, Ryan Lochte got a wakeup call during the Arena Grand Prix Charlotte UltraSwim that ended on Sunday at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center.

For the second straight night, Ervin, an Olympic gold medalist, topped a talented field to win the 100-meter freestyle in 49.14, a day after winning the 50-meter freestyle.

Ervin went out in 22.9 in the 100-meter race and had a full body length on the field that included three other Olympians, before coming home.

“No surprise there in the first 50,” Ervin said. “I knew if I was going to win I had to have my best performance in the race. I just decided to go for it, deal with pain and pay for it later.

“I was feeling the water and momentum on the way out,” Ervin said. “On the way back, what was water turned into stone.”

Chase Kalisz, 19, of Bel Air, Md. knocked off Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley. Lochte, 28, the world record holder and three-time Olympic medalist in the event started tiring late in his race much like the rest of his races in the meet.

Kalisz won in 1:59.66, two days after winning the 400-meter individual medley and just 1/10th of a second off his best time. Lochte was third in 2:01.56. Kalisz overtook Lochte on the breaststroke leg and coasted on the freestyle leg.

“I just tried to stay within reach of everyone in first half, attack the breaststroke and swim as hard as I could coming home,” Kalisz said. “Ryan is the best swimmer ever in the 200 IM. We are in different parts of our training. To go that time now I am happy with it.”

Just fifteen minutes after the IM, Lochte competed in the 200-meter backstroke against a strong field and finished third after struggling to come off the wall. Bolles swimmer Ryan Murphy won the race with great turns and momentum coming off the final wall. He finished in 1:59.93. Lochte’s time was 2:00.80.

“I think because Ryan just had the 200 IM I had a little extra on the last 50,” Murphy said. “I didn’t really change my race strategy. I just try to get out fast and push the last wall as hard as I can. I have been working on killing the last wall while keeping my speed.”

Said Lochte, “This is my time to get in gear. I still think I can make worlds. I just have to get back to work.”

Other individual winners were:

Connor Jaeger, 1500-meter freestyle, 15:02.68.

Kathleen Baker, 200-meter IM, best time 2:14.46.

Megan Romano, 100-meter freestyle, 55.24.

Kaitlin Harty, 200-meter backstroke, 2:10.38, best time by four second. “I have no idea where that came from,” Harty said.

Chloe Sutton, 800-meter freestyle, 8:25.88, edging out Venezuela’s Andreina Pinto, 8:25.93.

The Grand Prix Series resumes May 30-June 2 in Santa Clara, Calif.

DIVING

Chinese divers won all four events on the final day of the AT&T FINA USA Diving Grand Prix to sweep the meet on Sunday at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.

U.S. Olympic medalist Troy Dumais took a silver medal in the 3-meter springboard event. Dumais was the only U.S. medalist on Sunday.

American Murphy Bromberg, competing in her fist senior international final, placed fourth on women’s platform.

The U.S. team now heads to Tallahassee for the World Championship Trials, May 15-20.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK

Anthony Irvin, Arena Grand Prix, Charlotte UltraSwim, Diving, Lochte, rodmat, RYAN LOCHTE, Sharon Robb, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4soflo, USA Swimming

May 13, 2013

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Ervin Wins Splash & Dash; Hardy Wins Third Event At Arena Grand Prix

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

May 11, 2013

Playing catch-up for most of the race, ageless Anthony Ervin won the 50-meter freestyle Saturday night at the Arena Grand Prix Charlotte UltraSwim.

Ervin, 31, of California Aquatics won the splash and dash in 22.01, holding off Marcello Chierighini (22.09) and reigning Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones (22.16).

The men’s field featured five Olympians. Only 15/100ths of a second separated the top three finishers.

Ervin, the top morning qualifier in 22.43, caught Jones, who had the best start of the field at the end of the race and held off Chierighini who was charging fast.

“I have been training really hard,” Ervin said. “I wasn’t expecting to put down a best-in-season time like that. I felt real rough this morning. Tonight I wanted to feel that speed and swim better. It felt like the pool was doing the work for me. I have confidence in my training. I am just excited about my finish.”

Olympian Jessica Hardy, 26, of Trojan Swim Club, won her third event of the meet in the 50-meter freestyle. Racing against three other Olympians in the field, Hardy overtook early leader and hometown favorite Madison Kennedy to win in 25.09.

Kennedy and Megan Romano tied for second in 25.12. It was a best time for Romano.

“That was a blast, one lap is the distance to race,” Hardy said with a smile. “Sprinting is fun. It was a great show from everybody in the race.”

In other championships events Saturday night:

Andreina Pinto, 21, of Gator Swim Club won the 200-meter butterfly in 2:12.40.

Singapore Olympian and national record holder Joseph Schooling, 17, competing against one of the youngest men’s field, won his second event of the meet in the 200-meter butterfly in 1:57.79. Four other teenagers were in the final.

“I was pretty pumped for my race,” Schooling said. “I jumped on that second 50 too much and that third 50 started hurting. I am going to race my hardest this summer. Everyone races for best times. If I get a best time in any of my events I’ll be happy.”

Romano, 22, of Athens Bulldogs won the 100-meter backstroke in 1:00.83. Davie Nadadores’ Carolina Colorado was fourth in 1:01.73.

Andrew teDuits, 19, swimming unattached won the 100-meter backstroke in 54.43. Ryan Murphy, 17, of Bolles was third in 54.49 and Ryan Lochte, 28, was sixth in 55.48.

Chloe Sutton, 21, of Mission Viejo won the 400-meter freestyle in 4:09.10.

Connor Jaeger, 22, of Club Wolverine won the 400-meter freestyle in 3:48.77.

Annie Zhu, 18, of North Baltimore won the 200-meter breaststroke by 1/100th of a second in 2:27.16. She caught early leader Laura Sogar of Bluefish who was second in 2:27.17.

Mike Alexandrov, 28, of Trojan Swim Club won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:13.60.

Dana Vollmer, 25, swimming unattached, won the 50-meter butterfly in 26.18. Claire Donahue, 24, of Western Kentucky, a frequent visitor and trainer with the South Florida Aquatic Club, coming back from surgery, was second in 26.77. Davie’s Carolina Colorado was fourth in 27.24.

Marcelo Chierighini, 22, of Auburn won the 50-meter butterfly in 23.72. Cullen Jones was second in 24.03.

DIVING

David Boudia, competing in his first meet since winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, took a silver medal on the 10-meter platform Saturday at the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix in Fort Lauderdale. China swept all four gold medals awarded on Saturday in the men’s 10-meter, women’s 3-meter, men’s 3-meter synchro and women’s 10-meter synchro. “I’m glad to be competitive with the Chinese at this stage,” Boudia said. American Amanda Burke was fifth on 3-meter. The meet concludes on Sunday with the women’s 3-meter synchro, men’s 10-meter synchro, men’s 3-meter and women’s 10-meter.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, South Florida Aquatic Club

Anthony Ervin, Arena Grand Prix, Charlotte UltraSwim, COMETS, COMETS SWIM TEAM, Florida Gold Coast, Jessica Hardy, Lochte, Pembroke Pines, rodmat, RYAN LOCHTE, Sharon Robb, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4soflo, USA Swimming

May 12, 2013

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Hardy Sweeps Breaststroke, Breaks Meet Record In Charlotte

Written by Sharon Robb

May 11, 2013

Olympian Jessica Hardy won the sprint breaststroke double Friday night at the Arena Grand Prix Charlotte UltraSwim at Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center.

Hardy won the 50-meter breaststroke in a meet record 30.71, just out-touching Tennessee swimmer Molly Hannis in 30.72.

She won the 100-meter breaststroke in another close race against Hannis in 1:07.03 to 1:07.39.

“Breaststroke is fun,” Hardy said. “It definitely takes the pressure off after swimming only freestyle at the Olympics. I know that my fall-back stroke is a solid stroke now.

“I’m having fun with both of them and I am enjoying it again. I am hoping to swim breaststroke at the Olympics next time.”

U.S. national swim team member Mike Alexandrov also swept the 50-meter breaststroke (27.71) and 100-meter breaststroke (1:01.00).

Chase Kalisz won the 400-meter individual medley by seven seconds in 4:15.66. Elizabeth Beisel of Gator Swim Club won the women’s 400 IM by three seconds in 4:41.30.

Olympic gold medalist Allison Schmitt won the 200-meter freestyle in 1:58.76.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Ricky Berens, competing in front of his hometown crowd, was fourth in the 200-meter freestyle in 1:49.50, an event he won last year by beating Michael Phelps.

Berens was reeled in by Matt McLean (1:49.02), Conor Dwyer (1:49.29) and Singapore Olympian Joseph Schooling of Bolles (1:49.47). Schooling won the 100-meter butterfly in 52.33.

Japan’s Junya Koga won the 50-meter backstroke in 25.11. Olivia Smoliga won the 50-meter backstroke in 28.50 and Davie Nadadores Carolina Colorado of Colombia was third in 28.81.

“I would have liked to have been a lot faster than that, but that’s the way it is,” Berens said.

Olympian Ryan Lochte, 28, entered in eight events, finished sixth in the 200-meter freestyle and ninth in the 100-meter butterfly. He told reporters Friday night that his finishes were due to lack of training because of his post-Olympic break that included a reality TV show which continues to dip in the ratings.

“After the Olympics, I needed some time off,” Lochte said. “I was going pretty much twenty years straight without taking a break. I just needed to reboot, to recharge my body. I’ve done that and now I’m back here getting my butt kicked. Hopefully, this is a good wakeup call.”

Olympian Missy Franklin is not competing in the meet this weekend. She is graduating from high school and celebrating her birthday.

The meet concludes on Sunday. Prelims are 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

DIVING

Olympic bronze medalist Troy Dumais advanced into the 3-meter springboard final of the AT&T Diving Grand Prix at Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex. Also, a week after competing in her first senior international meet, U.S. teenager Murphy Samantha Bromberg, 17, advanced into the women’s platform final. Action continues today at the pool.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK

Jessica Hardy. Arena Grand Prix Charlotte UltraSwim, Lochte, rodmat, RYAN LOCHTE, Sharon Robb, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4soflo, USA Swimming

May 11, 2013

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Meet Record Falls On Opening Day Of Charlotte Meet

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

May 9, 2013

U.S. Olympians Katie Ledecky, Chloe Sutton and Connor Jaeger showed why they are among the nation’s top swimmers on Thursday, the opening day of the Arena Grand Prix Charlotte UltraSwim at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center.

Ledecky, 16, the teenage distance sensation, opened the meet with a victory and meet record in the 1500-meter freestyle.

Ledecky won the mile in 16:04.58, second fastest swim in the world and huge time drop. Ledecky’s previous best was 16:24.46. She went 4:11.87 in the opening 400 meters.

“I’m training pretty hard right now,” Ledecky said. “The time was a lot faster than I thought it would be.”

U.S. Olympian Chloe Sutton was second in 16:07.83. Three-time Olympian Kristel Kobrich of Chile was third in 16:08.08.

Stephanie Peacock of North Carolina, after missing the ACC and NCAA Championships, was fifth in 16:33.47 in her first big meet of the year.

Connor Jaeger, 22, of Club Wolverine topped an impressive men’s 800-meter freestyle field in a lifetime-best 7:53.33. The University of Michigan senior negative split the race in 3:58.24 and 3:55.11. It was a seven second time drop for Jaeger.

“I felt like we were out pretty fast, me and Michael Klueh,” Jaeger said. “We’ve been training together. We knew the meet record was just under 8 minutes, so we thought we could go for that. It was a pretty decent race.”

Georgia sophomore Matias Koski of Finland was second in 8:03.05 and Zane Grothe of Auburn was third in 8:04.17. Davie Nadadores’ Alejandro Gomez, 28, was sixth in 8:19.34. Another Florida Gold Coast swimmer, Ryan Rosenbaum, 18, was 17th in 8:39.54.

The four-day meet continues Friday with prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. The meet ends on Sunday.

Miscellaneous

During FINA-sanctioned quality control checks, Arena found that certain Powerskin carbon-pro suits have reduced air permeability making the suits non-compliant with FINA rules. Arena has withdrawn the approval codes of the Powerskin carbon-pro models and replace them with a new version that complies with FINA’s guidelines. As of Tuesday, it became mandatory for all swimmers to use the new carbon-pro Mark 2 swimsuits which carry valid codes according to FINA regulations. Athletes competing in both the Charlotte meet and Masters Spring Nationals in Indianapolis were being allowed to exchange their suits at no costs with Arena reps on site…

Britain’s Olympic bronze medalist Tom Daley was forced to drop out of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix diving event in Fort Lauderdale after injuring his elbow while training. The 18-year-old is still expected to compete in this summer’s world championships…In Thursday’s opening action of the Fort Lauderdale diving meet, Olympic gold medalist David Boudia advanced into Saturday’s 10-meter final and U.S. teammate Amanda Burke advanced into the women’s 3-meter final. As expected, China dominated and had all the top qualifying spots. The meet continues Friday with men’s 3-meter and women’s 10-meter events.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK

Arena Grand Prix, Charlotte UltraSwim, Chloe Sutton, Connor Jaeger, David Boudia, Diving, Katie Ledecky, rodmat, Sharon Robb, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4soflo

May 10, 2013

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AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, Issue 237: Bradley Named FSU Coach; SOFLO’s Oliver Most Valuable Swimmer

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

May 8, 2013

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Tiffany Oliver has a new head coach.

Former Florida Gold Coast swimmer and 1993 St. Thomas Aquinas alum Frankie Bradley returned to his alma mater this week as newly-named head coach of Florida State.

Bradley graduated from FSU in 1997 and started a journey of building an impressive resume that included coaching jobs at Indian River State College, South Carolina and Auburn before returning to FSU.

“I’m thrilled,” Bradley said. “I’ve spent a number of years coaching and I’ve always thought that coming back to Florida State would be awesome. I got the call last week and it was incredible. I’m excited to lead the program.”

Bradley has been one of the most sought after college coaches for several jobs. Bradley replaces Neil Harper whose contract was not renewed after fourteen seasons.

Bradley will be faced with rebuilding the men’s team which graduated three of the four members of their Atlantic Coast Conference record-setting freestyle relays. The men’s team have several top freshmen coming in including Aruba Olympian Jemal Le Grand of Davie Nadadores and Sagemont.

The women’s team, led by SOFLO’s Tiffany Oliver, a double ACC sprint champion, lost top butterflier, Elizabeth Pepper to a transfer. The women’s team has top recruit Chelsea Britt coming in.

Bradley has worked with Olympians Mateo De Angulo of Colombia, Gideon Louw of South Africa, Marcelo Chierighini of Brazil, Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace of the Bahamas, and American Micah Lawrence.

While at St. Thomas, Bradley was a state champion in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1992 and six-time high school All-American. He was a four-year letterman at FSU which including an ACC title in 1995 in the 200-yard individual medley.

Oliver Named Top Swimmer

SOFLO’s Tiffany Oliver, who grew up with the Comets program and is now finishing her junior year at Florida State, was named the Seminoles’ Most Valuable Swimmer for the women’s team.

Oliver won the 50- and 100-yard freestyles at the ACC Championships. She qualified for the NCAA Championships and earned All-American honors in the 50 freestyle and 800 free relay.

Oliver holds the FSU records in the 50 and 100 freestyle and as a member of the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle relay teams.

“Tiffany really came into her own this year,” said associate head coach Andy Robins after the Seminoles annual awards banquet. “She was such a key asset for us in so many events.”

Charlotte Grand Prix

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte, gold medalists Ricky Berens, Cullen Jones, Conor Dwyer, Jessica Hardy and Allison Schmitt head the field for the Arena Grand Prix that begins Thursday in Charlotte, N.C. With 30 swimmers, Charlotte-based SwimMac Carolina is expected to dominate. The meet will serve as a preparation meet for the 2013 Phillips 66 National Championships and World Championship Trials in Indianapolis, World University Games and World Championships.

Phelps Among Influential

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian ever with 22 medals, is ranked second behind quarterback Tim Tebow on Forbes Magazine’s list of the Top 10 Most Influential Athletes. He is ranked ahead of several top pro athletes including LeBron James, David Beckham and Peyton Manning. Phelps has done more for the sport of swimming than any other swimmer, male or female, in the history of the sport and Olympics.

FINA Diving Grand Prix

Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex will host 120 divers from 21 countries including 2012 Olympic champions and medalists, for the fourth stop of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix that begins on Thursday and ends Sunday. The meet will help divers fine tune for World Championships in Barcelona. The events include men’s and women’s 3-meter springboard, 10-meter platform and 3-meter and 10-meter synchro. Powerhouse China is expected to dominate. Olympic gold medalist David Boudia will compete in his first major competition since winning two medals at the London Olympics. U.S. divers will be looking to prepare for the May 15-20 World Championship Trials in Tallahassee.

Miscellaneous

Five-time Olympian Dara Torres of Boston and Milwaukee-based Koss have launched a new headphone line for women called Koss Fit Series. The line includes FitClips and Fit Buds…U.S. Masters Spring Nationals get underway on Thursday in Indianapolis. GOLD’s Deb Cavanaugh along with eight other local swimmers will compete in individual events only. The age groups did not work for relays, according to Cavanaugh. The meet ends Sunday.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, South Florida Aquatic Club

COMETS, COMETS SWIM TEAM, Dara Torres, Diving, Frank Bradley, Masters Swimming, MIchael Phelps, Pembroke Pines, Phelps, rodmat, RYAN LOCHTE, Sharon Robb, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4soflo, SWIMMING, Tiffany Oliver, USA Swimming

May 9, 2013

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SOFLO Swimmers Wrap Up Successful Comets FGC Open Invitational

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

May 5,2013

South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers and coaches got a good idea where they are in their long course training for upcoming summer meets.

SOFLO swimmers continued to drop times and turn in Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics and Seniors Championship cut times on the third and final day of the Comets’ FGC Open Invitational at Academic Village Pool.

The big season-ending meets are still three months away but SOFLO swimmers look to be on the right track. The FGC Junior Olympics 14-and-Under Championships are July 12-14 at Plantation Aquatic Complex.

The FGC Senior and Area 1, 2, 3 Championships are July 26-28 at Coral Springs Aquatic Club. Based on this past weekend’s meet and the team’s workout schedule, SOFLO will be ready. SOFLO swimmers turned in at least one or more best times in their events over three days.

Nicolas Rossi, Rafael Rodriguez and Esteban Diaz-Velasco were among SOFLO swimmers that turned in lifetime-bests and won races.

Rossi, 10, won the 200-meter freestyle in a best time and FGJO cut of 2:35.60, dropping from 2:38.15. He won the 100-meter freestyle in a best time 1:13.52, a FGJO cut and time drop from 1:14.97.

Rodriguez, 11, won the 200-meter freestyle in a best time and FGJO cut 2:18.45, dropping from 2:22.64. He won the 50-meter backstroke in a best time 35.59, FGJO cut and drop from 36.69. He won the 100-meter breaststroke in a huge time drop from 1:41.90 to an FGJO cut of 1:25.96 and 100-meter freestyle in a best time 1:04.96, a FGJO cut and time from 1:06.79.

Diaz-Velasco, 14, won the 100-meter backstroke in a best time 1:05.45, a FGJO cut and drop from 1:10.98. He won the 50-meter backstroke in another best time, 30.67, an FGJO cut and time drop from 33.91. He was second in the 100-meter freestyle in a best time 1:00.01, a FGJO cut, dropping from 1:06.69.

Lilli Calero, 13, won and swam a best time 20:05.89 in the 1500-meter freestyle, bettering her previous best of 20:15.14.

In one of the best races of the meet, Kevin Porto, 13, won the 1500-meter freestyle in a best time 18:17.61 (drop from 19:23.73), just edging out teammate CJ Kopecki in 18:17.78 (drop from 20:27.33).

Simon Ortiz, 15, won his age group in the 1500-meter freestyle in a best time 19:17.89, dropping from 20:24.21.

Other SOFLO winners were:

Kelley Heron, 13, 200-meter individual medley, 2:33.58, best time, FGJO, drop from 2:35.45; 100-meter backstroke, 1:11.11, best time, FGJO, drop from 1:13.48; 50-meter backstroke, 33.98, FGJO.

Marcella Marinheiro, 18, 200-meter individual medley, 2:40.32, FGSR. She won the 100-meter freestyle in 1:03.03.

Melissa Marinheiro, 16, 100-meter breaststroke, best time 1:25.57, FGSR, drop from 1:30.81.

Julien Pinon, 14, fresh off his training camp in Europe, 200-meter individual medley, 2:23.45, FGJO; 100-meter freestyle in 56.08, FGJO.

Kyana Castro, 10, 200-meter freestyle, 2:37.88, best time, FGJO, drop from 2:41.21; 50-meter butterfly, best time 36.27, FGJO cut, drop from 39.46.

Delanie Perez, 12, 200-meter freestyle, 2:26.68, FGJO; 100-meter breaststroke, 1:26.11, FGJO; 200-meter breaststroke, best time 3:04.72, FGJO, drop from 3:05.73.

Evelin Jimenez, 17, 100-meter backstroke, 1:17.28, best time, FGSR, drop from 1:37.22.

Isabella Di Salvo, 10, 50-meter backstroke, best time 40.63, FGJO, drop from 42.84; 100-meter breaststroke, best time 1:38.72, FGJO, drop from 1:44.67; 100-meter freestyle, best time 1:13.42, FGJO, best time, drop from 1:19.80.

Annita Huang, 11, 50-meter backstroke, best time 39.05, FGJO, drop from 39.12; 100-meter freestyle, best time 1:09.19, FGJO, drop from 1:10.66.

John Paul Handal, 10, 50-meter backstroke, best time 40.65, FGJO, drop from 42.94.

Jessica Rodriguez, 14, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:21.73, FGJO.

Tyler Gibson, 13, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:25.14.

Jordan Colon, 15, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:14.23, FGSR.

CJ Kopecki, 13, 200-meter butterfly, best time 2:23.29, FGJO cut, huge drop from 2:46.14.

Maria Lopez, 17, 50-meter backstroke, 35.44, FGJO; 200-meter butterfly, 2:28.25, FGSR.

Fernando Quintero, 16, 50-meter backstroke, 31.44, best time, FGSR, drop from 31.76.

Samuel Quintero, 12, 200-meter breaststroke, best time 3:05.79, FGJO, drop from 3:08.27.

Bianca Monti, 13, 100-meter freestyle, 1:05.78, FGJO.

Sam Walters, 12, 50-meter butterfly, best time 34.68, FGJO, drop from 39.78.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

COMETS, South Florida Aquatic Club

COMETS, Comets FGC Open Invitational, COMETS SWIM TEAM, Florida Gold Coast, rodmat, Sharon Robb, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim club, swim4soflo, SWIMMING

May 9, 2013

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SOFLO Dominates Day Two Of Comets FGC Invitational

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

May 3, 2013

The second session of the Comets’ Florida Gold Coast Open Invitational looked more like the South Florida Aquatic Club Invitational.

SOFLO swimmers won all but four of the timed final events on Saturday at Academic Village Pool in Pembroke Pines.

CJ Kopecki, 13, Isabella Di Salvo, 10, Delanie Perez, 12, and Esteban Diaz-Velasco, 14, led the large SOFLO contingent with lifetime-best times and race wins.

Kopecki lowered his best time in the 200-meter freestyle and won the event in 2:10.37, an FGJO cut. His previous best was 2:10.92. Kopecki also won the 50-meter butterfly in a FGJO cut 30.09, dropping from 32.24. Kopecki won the 100-meter butterfly in 1:06.28, a FGJO cut.

DiSalvo won the 50-meter breaststroke in a best time 45.11, a drop from 47.83 and FGJO cut. She won the 100-meter backstroke in a best time and FGJO cut 1:23.75, a huge time drop from 1:30.95. She also won the 50-meter freestyle in a best time and FGJO cut 33.48, dropping from 36.98.

Perez won the 50-meter breaststroke in a best time and FGJO cut 40.53, dropping from 41.14. She won the 100-meter butterfly in a best time and FGJO cut 1:16.30, dropping from 1:17.45. Perez won the 50-meter freestyle in a best time 31.60, a FGJO cut, dropping from her previous best of 32.36.

Diaz-Velasco, 14, won the 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:20.35, a huge time drop from 2:31.67 and FGJO cut. He was also second in the 50-meter freestyle in a best time and FGJO cut 28.08, the first time he broke 30 seconds. His previous best was 30.09. He was second in the 800-meter freestyle in 10:46.95 in his race debut.

Other SOFLO winners were:

Rafael Rodriguez, 11, 100-meter backstroke, 1:15.56, best time, FGJO, drop from 1:18.36; 100-meter butterfly, 1:15.97, FGJO cut; 50-meter freestyle, 30.80, best time, FGJO, drop from 31.16.

Kelley Heron, 13, 200-meter freestyle, 2:17.48, FGJO cut; 800-meter freestyle, best time 9:42.98, FGJO, drop from 9:46.29.

Amber Hunter, 17, 200-meter freestyle 2:19.99, FGSR cut.

Sara Quintero, 9, 200-meter backstroke, 3:15.91, her first long course meters time in the event.

Annita Huang, 11, 200-meter backstroke, 2:48.61, best time, FGJO cut; 100-meter backstroke, best time 1:19.88, FGJO, drop from 1:22.58.

Samuel Quintero, 12, 200-meter backstroke, 2:41.96.

Fernando Quintero, 16, 200-meter backstroke, 2:28.18, best time, FGJO drop from 2:31.71.

Natasha Testa, 14, 50-meter butterfly, 32.26, FGJO.

Melissa Marinheiro, 16, 50-meter butterfly, 31.04; 200-meter breaststroke, 3:05.33, FGSR; 100-meter butterfly, 1:09.93, FGSR cut.

Marcella Marinheiro, 18, 200-meter backstroke, 2:40.43, FGSR.

Endi Babi, 24, 50-meter butterfly, 27.86, FGSR; 100-meter butterfly, 1:01.34, FGSR.

Brandon Moran, 11, 50-meter breaststroke, 39.56, best time, FGJO, first time breaking the 40-second barrier. His previous best was 43.56; 200-meter butterfly, 2:53.01, FGJO.

Jessica Rodriguez, 14, 200-meter breaststroke, 2:52.53, FGJO; 50-meter breaststroke, 38.56, best time, FGJO, drop from 39.44; 50-meter freestyle, best time 30.54, FGJO, drop from 30.86.

Evelin Jimenez, 17, 50-meter freestyle, 29.22, FGSR.

Daniela Jimenez, 17, 800-meter freestyle, 11:13.15.

Alfredo Mesa, 14, 50-meter freestyle, 27.79, FGJO; 800-meter freestyle, 9:54.53, FGJO.

Tyler Gibson, 13, 200-meter breaststroke 3:03.90.

Jordan Colon, 15, 200-meter breaststroke, 2:45.40, FGSR.

John Paul Handal, 10, 100-meter backstroke, best time 1:26.43, FGJO, drop from 1:32.96.

Kyana Castro, 10, 100-meter butterfly, 1:22.60, best time, FGJO, drop from 1:38.77.

Joseph Lee, 10, 100-meter butterfly, 1:25.31, best time, FGJO, drop from 1:35.04.

Brendan Cassie, 14, 50-meter breaststroke, 38.30, best tie, FGJO, drop from 38.44.

Roger Capote, 17, 50-meter breaststroke, 35.72, FGSR.

Xavier Brown, 18, 50-meter freestyle, 26.54, FGSR.

Alex Monti, 15, 800-meter freestyle 9:43.37.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

COMETS, South Florida Aquatic Club

COMETS, Comets FGC Open Invitational, COMETS SWIM TEAM, CORAL SPRINGS SWIM TEAM, CSSC, Lindsey McKnight, Pembroke Pines, rodmat, SOFLO, swim club, swim4soflo, USA Swimming

May 9, 2013

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