SOFLO’s Juan Vallmitjana Named To USA Swimming Southern Zone Select Camp

By Sharon Robb
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 27, 2024—Juan Vallmitjana is among three Florida Gold Coast swimmers and 112 of the nation’s top age group swimmers selected to USA Swimming’s 2024 Zone Select Camps.

Vallmitjana, 14, a freshman at NSU University School, is enjoying an outstanding season with his club team South Florida Aquatic Club. Vallmitjana will join Allison Kelly of Jupiter Dragons Swim Team, Gus Castilho and Tessa Broedell of North Palm Beach Swim Club on the Southern Zone select camp roster.

To optimize opportunities for athletes, the two camps will each select athletes from two zones. One camp will host athletes from the Western and Central Zones (May 30-June2) while the second camp will include the Eastern and Southern Zones (June 6-9). This year, athletes were selected from 86 different clubs and 37 Local Swimming Committees.

Each camp consists of 28 female (aged 12-13) and 28 male (aged 13-14) swimmers from the qualifying period. Athletes were selected automatically from USA Swimming’s SWIMS times database in each age group and gender per Olympic event.

“We are excited to work with all four Zones to provide a unique experience for athletes around the country,” USA Swimming Senior Director of Team Services, Coach, and Athlete Development Mariejo Truex said. “Camps like this help provide opportunities for the next generation of athletes, shaping their experiences as they progress in their swimming careers and beyond.”

During the three-day camps, athletes will participate in four in-water workouts and several classroom sessions covering various topics.

This year, Potomac Valley Swimming and Southern California Swimming are sending the highest number of athletes to their respective camps. Nation’s Capital Swim Club, Rockville Montgomery Swim Club and SwimMAC Carolina rank the highest amongst individual clubs, sending a total of four athletes each.

Expanded from last year, USA Swimming will offer a home coach track for athlete coaches at the Zone Select Camps. Eligible coaches can accompany their athletes to the camp and take advantage of a separate track consisting of educational opportunities, connections with USA Swimming staff, and networking with other coaches from across the country.

“The home coach track will provide a special opportunity for coaches to learn, connect, and network with others across USA Swimming,” Truex continued. “To provide even more opportunities for coaches across the country, we will offer limited openings for a coach clinic at each location. This two-day clinic will accompany the home coach track to allow coaches to interact with one another and learn in an interactive clinic format.”
SOURCE: USA Swimming

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
http://www.swim4soflo.com