Florida State Men Finish Third At ACC’s, SOFLO’s Tyler Sell Swims Lifetime-Best

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 26, 2011

Florida State senior Rob Holderness made history and enabled the Seminoles to finish third Saturday night at the Atlantic Coast Conference Swimming and Diving Championships at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center.

Holderness became the first FSU swimmer to sweep the breaststroke events at an ACC meet.

After winning the 100-year breaststroke on Friday, Holderness won the 200-yard breaststroke in 1:55.34 Saturday night.

“I think I was a little too excited and took the race out a little too fast,” Holderness said. “But I was able to hold on. I can’t be disappointed with the result or the time.”

FSU finished with 511.5 points to edge Virginia Tech by three points for third place. A fourth-place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay (2:54.71) by Robby Hayes, Trice Bailey, freshman and local Florida Gold Coast swimmer Paul Murray and Mark Weber helped to clinch FSU’s finish.

Freshman Tyler Sell of the South Florida Aquatic Club turned in a career-best performance in the 1,650-yard freestyle to finish sixth in 15:12.78. Sell was able to gut out a steady pace in his ACC conference meet debut mile swim.

Earlier in the meet, Sell was second in the bonus consolation heat of the 500-yard freestyle to finish 18^th in 4:28.05 and 30^th in the 200-yard

freestyle in 1:41.51.

“Tyler’s mile really got us started this evening,” FSU coach Neil Harper said. “After that swim we were able to really build.

“The diving points really kept us in it so we had a chance,” Harper said. “We needed to beat Virginia Tech by three places and we beat them by four so it is just a memorable performance to take home third.”

Holderness and Robby Hayes earned All-ACC honors.

“I am really proud of our seniors for leading from start to finish. We really swam out of our minds tonight.”

Virginia won the men’s crown with 820 points, a 232-point margin over North Carolina. It was the Cavaliers fourth straight ACC team title, 12^th in the last 13 years and 14^th title overall.

Pac-10 Championships

In a close team race, No. 1-nationally ranked Stanford lived up to its ranking by winning the women’s team title with 1,567.5 points. Cal-Berkeley was second with 1,545.5 points. Southern Cal was third with 1309.5.

SOFLO’s Caroline Kuczynski, an Arizona State sophomore, was fourth in the 100-yard butterfly in a best time 52.52. Her seed time was 53.11 and her prelim time was 52.85, the fifth fastest seed.

Kuczynski was also 17^th in the 200-yard butterfly in a best time 1:56.78 (bettering her seed time of 1:59.79) and 31^st in the 500-yard freestyle in

4:56.57. She swam the third leg of the 400-yard freestyle relay that finished sixth in 3:19.92.

Arizona State finished sixth with 780 points.

Sun Belt Championships

University of Denver swept the men’s and women’s team titles at the Sun Belt Swimming and Diving Championships.

The men’s team won with 1,009 points and women 924.5 points.

Western Kentucky women’s team, with SOFLO’s Krista Mantay, a senior and Courtney Marx, a freshman, finished second with 795 points. Florida International was fourth with 391.5 and Florida Atlantic University was fifth with 291.

Florida Atlantic University’s men’s team, with SOFLO’s Gabriel Pena and Anthony Fermin, finished third with 694.5 points.

Mantay won the “B” final and finished ninth overall in the 1,650-yard freestyle in a best time 17:17.91, was 15^th in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:54.88 and 15^th in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:05.00. Her mile seed time was 17:59.79.

Marx qualified for her first conference championship final in the 200-yard butterfly in which she finished eighth in 2:06.56 after swimming 2:04.26 in prelims. She was also 12^th in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:07.76, 20^th in the 100-yard butterfly in 57.56.

Fermin was tenth in the 50-yard freestyle in 21.18, 12^th in the 100-yard butterfly in 51.20, 14^th in the 100-yard freestyle in 46.78 and anchored

FAU’s 200-yard freestyle relay (1:21.73).

Pena was tenth in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:04.66 and 13^th in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:09.87. Pena also swam 1:59.37 in a 200-yard individual medley time trial.

Big 10 Championships

Michigan won the men’s crown with a 74-point margin over Indiana Saturday night at the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.

The Wolverines won with 678 points for its 35^th Big Ten title and three of the last four conference titles.

Michigan junior Daniel Madwed won the 200-yard butterfly by a body length to win in 1:41.70, a Big Ten meet and conference record as well as Aquatic Center record. Madwed also won the 200-yard freestyle Friday night.

Olympic diver David Boudia of Purdue swept the 1- and 3-meter and platform events. He broke his own Big Ten and conference record on platform.

Michigan coach Mike Bottom was named Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Highlights of the meet can be seen on the Big Ten Network on Sunday, March 6 at 10 a.m.

Big 12 Championships

University of Texas held off a late-charging Texas A&M to win the women’s team title by 17 points, 948-931 at the Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships in Austin, Tex. on Saturday night.

The Aggies overcame a 94-point deficit on the final day of competition.

Texas A&M freshman Breeja Larson finished second in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:08.33, which has only been bettered four times in school history, all by 2010 NCAA 200 breaststroke champion Alia Atkinson of SOFLO.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO Girls Rule Pool, Roger Capote Double Winner At Developmental South Division Meet

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 26, 2011

The South Florida Aquatic Club captured five individual girls’ titles at the Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental South Division Championships Saturday night at the Academic Village Pool in Pembroke Pines.

After winning the mile on Friday night, Stephanie Mlujeak, 12, won the girls’ 11-12 100-yard backstroke in 1:13.52, a Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics qualifying time. She swam 1:12.91 in morning prelims.

Maya Hirian, 12, won the girls’ 11-12 50-yard freestyle in 29.87, a FGCJO time bettering her prelim time of 30.17.

SOFLO girls swept three of the four age group divisions in the 200-yard freestyle.

Katherine De Barros, 10, won the girls’ 10-and-under 200-yard freestyle in 2:35.34, bettering her prelim time of 2:41.99.

Natasha Testa, 12, won the girls’ 11-12 200-yard freestyle in 2:18.75.

Gabriella Fawaz, 15, won the girls’ 15-18 200-yard freestyle in 2:18.31.

Roger Capote, 15, led SOFLO boys with two victories.

Capote won the boys’ 15-18 100-yard breaststroke in 1:11.04, bettering his prelim time of 1:11.32 and won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:56.22, also bettering his prelim time of 1:56.68.

The three-day meet ends on Sunday with two prelims (8 a.m., 11:30 a.m.) and one finals session (6 p.m.). More than 400 swimmers and 16 teams are competing.

SATURDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

100-yard backstroke: 10-and-under, 1. Stephanie Rodriguez, FFSC 1:21.56; SOFLO: 2. Karla Jimenez 1:22.50, 4. Ann Montgomery 1:24.00, 6. Monica Cordero 1:27.36, 8. Kelly Cifuentes 1:28.14, 10. Camila Alvarez 1:29.90, 13. Alexandra Crespo 1:34.95, 15. Catalina Grant 1:37.52, 16. Natalia Rossi 1:38.02, 18. Daniela Ache 1:40.55, 19. Melanie Stahl 1:41.35, 22. Isabella Saker-Leftkowitz 1:43.91, 23. Annita Huang 1:44.31. 24. Mika DeGracia 1:48.43, 26. Catalina Lizarazo 1:49.13, 27. Natalie Simm, Unattached SOFLO 1:51.33, 28. Elise Larin 1:52.15; 11-12, 1. Stephanie Mlujeak, SOFLO 1:13.52, SOFLO: 2. Alani Carrasco 1:14.32, 3. Bianca Monti 1:14.53, 5. Cristina Villegas 1:16.10, 6. Lillian Calero 1:18.08, 8. Megan Damon 1:20.09, 9. Julia Montgomery 1:21.21, 12. Caitlin Coote 1:25.83, 13. Alisa Huang 1:32.76, 14. Lauren Simm 1:33.21, 15. Valentina Diaz 1:34.94, 16. Diana Secada 1:35.81, 17. El Garrison 1:37.90, 19. Gabriela Fernandez 1:47.02; 13-14, 1. Whitney Johnson, MAC 1:08.14, SOFLO: 6. Maria Fernandez 1:12.21, 8. Jessie Cordero 1:15.16, 10. Hannah Doyle 1:17.31, 17. Viv Calero 1:18.58, 18. Melany Freiria 1:20.50; 15-18, 1. Vanessa Aycart, DRSC 1:11.64; SOFLO: 4. Gabriela Llave 1:25.01.

50-yard butterfly: 10-and-under, 1. Juliana Talamo, FKSC 36.43, SOFLO: 2. Vanessa Mesa 38.78, 10. Isabel Shashaty 47.60, 19. Isabella Saker-Leftkowitz, Unattached-SOFLO 52.94, 21. Natalia Rossi 55.03; 11-12, 1. Julia Talamo, FKSC 31.54, SOFLO: 5. Natalia Valderrama 32.99, 8. Bianca Monti 33.28, 9. Cristina Villegas 33.64, 14. Stephanie Mlujeak 35.48, 28. Zariya Harris 41.93; 13-14, 1. Megan Wells 31.94, SOFLO: 6. Johmi Vargas 33.37, 7. Astrid Rigau 33.71, 8. Jessie Cordero 33.77, 10. Emily Neville 35.13; 15-18, 1. Fernan Tilkian, GRSC 31.98.

100-yard breaststroke: 10-and-under, 1. Kiera Angelo, FKSC 1:34.00; SOFLO: 2. Katherine DeBarros 1:34.72, 5. Vanessa Mesa 1:40.38, 12. Elise Larin 2:02.96, 13. Anabel Vazquez 2:03.26, 14. Natalie Simm, Unattached-SOFLO 2:08.02; 11-12, 1. Ariel Paillere, FFSC 1:22.69, SOFLO: 2. Alani Carrasco 1:23.20, 6. Lillian Calero 1:26.73, 7. Natasha Testa 1:27.00, 19. Melanie Alicea 1:37.76, 22. Linda Mylly 1:44.57, 23. Valentina Diaz 1:47.20, 24. Diana Secada 1:56.55; 13-14, 1. Mashli Sanchez, ASC 1:20.63; SOFLO: 5. Maria Fernandez 1:23.78, 6. Emily Neville 1:26.07, 8. Vivi Calero 1:28.52, 12. Melany Freiria 1:39.11; 15-18, 1. None.

50-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Juliana Talamo, FKSC 32.05; SOFLO: 2. Karla Jimenez 32.53, 4. Nicole Venema 33.04, 5. Katherine deBarros 33.06, 10. Ann Montgomery 35.80, 11. Kelly Cifuentes 35.47, 14. Alexandra Crespo 36.42, 16. Monica Cordero 37.22, 17. Catalina Grant 37.28, 22. Camila Alvarez 38.91, 25. Annita Huang 39.28; 11-12, 1. Maya Hirian, SOFLO 29.87; SOFLO: 8. Megan Damon 31.12, 19. Zariya Harris 32.52, 25. Caitlin Coote 34.66, 26. Alisa Huang 34.68, 28. Lauren Simm 35.43; 13-14, 1. Jordan Gullage, MAC 27.47, SOFLO: 3. Monica Rodriguez 28.17, 7. Emily Neville 28.77; 15-18, 1. Lauren Bromfield, Flying Fish 28.20; SOFLO: 5. Gabriella Fawaz 29.40, 8. Gabriela Llave 32.04.

200-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Katherine DeBarros, SOFLO 2:35.34; SOFLO: 2. Nicole Venema 2:36.80, 3. Karla Jimenez 2:42.40, 4. Ann Montgomery 2:49.13, 5. Kelly Cifuentes 2:53.57, 7. Catalin Grant 2:56.31, 8. Isabel Shashaty 2:56.38, 9. Camila Alvarez 2:57.96, 10. Alexandra Crespo 2:58.83; 11-12, 1.  Natasha Testa, SOFLO 2:18.75; SOFLO: 4. Bianca Monti 2:22.95, 7. Maya Hirian 2:27.45; 13-14, 1. Loana Nardoni, Hialeah 2:09.01; SOFLO: 2. Monica Rodriguez 2:10.77, 7. Johmi Vargas 2:20.31; 15-18, 1. Gabriella Fawaz, SOFLO 2:18.31.

100-yard individual medley: 10-and-under, 1. Kiera Angelo, Florida Keys 1:20.52; SOFLO: 6. Nicole Venema 1:30.01; 11-12, 1. Julia Talamo, Florida Keys 1:12.25; SOFLO: 2. Natalia Valderrama 1:12.62, 3. Alani Carrasco 1:13.25, 6. Maya Hirian 1:16.27, 7. Cristina Villegas 1:16.36, 9. Lilli Calero 1:18.24.

BOYS

100-meter backstroke: 10-and-under, 1. Alessandro Pascali, MAC 1:18.30, SOFLO: 2. Matthew Liang 1:19.13, 12. Brandon Iglesias 1:41.18, 16. Pablo Ziehm 1:53.22, 17. Ethan Hew 2:04.96; 11-12, 1. Joaquin Utz, Flying Fish 1:08.96; SOFLO: 3. Matthew Menocal 1:15.41, 9. Nicolas Raimont 1:26.62, 10. Tyler Gibson 1:28.49; 13-14, 1. Miguel Madeira, Miami Dade Aquatic Club 1:04.72; SOFLO: 6. Diego Rodriguez 1:08.98, 7. Teddy Sandoval 1:10.33, 9. Tomas Legaspi 1:13.59; 15-18, 1. Blake Manganiello, AK Sharks 1:00.08; SOFLO: 4. Jacob Walters 1:04.98.

50-yard butterfly: 10-and-under, 1. Sebastian Roa, MAC 35.95; SOFLO: 3. Matthew Liang 38.29; 11-12, 1. Andres Solares, MAC 31.84; SOFLO: 4. Andres Lares 33.44; 13-14, 1. Nelson Diaz, Unattached-SOFLO 28.12; SOFLO: 3. William Perry III 29.37, 5. Ryan Capote 30.13, 6. Edward Kon 30.20, 7. Andres Menchaca 30.42; 15-18, 1. Rodrigo Simoes, Gulliver Swim Club 28.07; SOFLO: 7. Daniel Lee 29.58, 8. Josh Coote 29.73.

100-yard breaststroke: 10-and-under, 1. Alessandro Pascali, MAC 1:35.12; SOFLO: Nonel 11-12, 1. Joaquin Utz, Flying Fish 1:19.93; SOFLO: 3. Federico Maeso 1:25.37, 4. Matthew Cooper 1:31.59; 6. Tyler Gibson 1:35.47, 7. Marco Crespo 1:42.36, 8. Mathew Delvalle 1:43.61;  13-14, 1. Alejandro Santos, North Miami Swim Team 1:11.40; SOFLO: 2. Diego Rodriguez 1:12.26, 4. William Perry III 1:13.76, 5. Teddy Sandoval 1:16.50, 9. Juan Saldana 1:19.11; 15-18, 1. Roger Capote, SOFLO 1:11.04; SOFLO: 5. Jacob Walters 1:14.93.

50-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. David Montana, MAC 32.52; SOFLO: 6. Leonardo Mateus, Unattached-SOFLO 34.45; 11-12, 1. Andres Solares, MAC 29.18; SOFLO: 9. Jack Davies 31.77, 10. Matthew Cooper 33.86; 13-14, 1. Miguel Basalo, MAC 26.19; SOFLO: 3. Ryan Capote 26.75, 9. Juan Saldana 27.43, 10. Nelson Diaz, Unattached-SOFLO 28.29; 15-18, 1. John Worthley, Devilrays SC 24.62; SOFLO: 2. Roger Capote 24.85.

200-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Alessandro Pascali, MAC 2:30.93; SOFLO: 6. Leonardo Mateus, Unattached-SOFLO 2:51.74; 11-12, 1. Daniel Simon, C 218.61;SOFLO 2. Andres Lares 2:19.27, 5. Jack Davies231.87, 7. Miguel Hernandez 2:41.73, 8 Matthew Cooper 43.87, 9. Nicolas Raimont 2:47.19, 10. Mathew Delvalle 2:52.67; 13-14, 1. Robert Matias-Saez, Rockway 2:05.34; SOFLO: 7. Stefano Dioguardi 2:12.68, 10. Tomas Legaspi 2:24.31; 15-18, 1. Roger Capote 1:56.22; SOFLO: 5. Jacob Walters 1:59.05. 

100-yard individual medley: 10-and-under, 1. Jonathan Rodriguez, Unattached 1:24.50; 11-12, 1. Pablo Luchau, AK Sharks 1:11.98; SOFLO: 2. Federico Maeso 1:12.94, 3. Rodrigo Rodriguez 1:13.34, 6. Matthew Menocal 1:14.46.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO Has Big Opening Night At Area 3 Developmental Championships

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 25, 2011

South Florida Aquatic Club won five of eight events on opening night of the Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental Championships Friday night at the Academic Village Pool in Pembroke Pines.

Javier Menchaca, 15, Stephanie Mlujeak, 12, Hannah Doyle, 14, Gabriella Fawaz, 15, and William Perry III, 14, were individual champions, including three career-best time swims.

Menchaca won the boys’ 15-18 400-yard individual medley in a career-best 4:38.04. His seed time was 4:52.58.

SOFLO girls swept the mile distance event.

Mlujeak won the girls’ 12-and-under 1,650-yard freestyle in a best time of 20:32.08. Her seed time was 22:20.01.

Doyle won the girls’ 13-14 1,650-yard freestyle in 20:40.15 and Fawaz won the 15-18 1,650-yard freestyle in 20:37.29.

Perry III won the boys’ 13-14 1,650-yard freestyle in a best time 18:54.02. His previous best was 20:28.76.

The three-day meet continues on Saturday. More than 400 swimmers and 16 teams are competing. Three sessions are scheduled, two prelims at 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

FRIDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

400-yard individual medley: 13-14, 1. Jordan Gullage, MAC 5:13.62.

1,650-yard freestyle: 12-and-under, 1. Stephanie Mlujeak. SOFLO 20:32.08; 13-14, 1. Hannah Doyle, SOFLO 20:40.15; 15-18, 1. Gabriella Fawaz, SOFLO 20:37.29; SOFLO: 2. Belinda De La Torre 20:48.89.

BOYS

400-yard individual medley: 13-14, 1. Alejandro Santos, North Miami 4:50.17; SOFLO: 3. Teddy Sandoval 4:58.50, 4. Juan Saldana 5:06.35, 5. Edward Kon 5:09.48; 15-18, 1. Javier Menchaca, SOFLO 4:38.04; SOFLO: 3. Roger Capote 4:52.63, 4. Josh Coote 5:22.47, 5. Daniel Lee 5;23.75.

1,650-yard freestyle: 13-14, 1. William Perry III, SOFLO 18:54.02; SOFLO: 2. Alexander Viloria 19:31.69, 4. Austin Iglesias 20:39.59; 15-18, 1. Daniel Angeles, North Miami 18:48.74.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

Busy Weekend For SOFLO Swimmers In Davie And Pembroke Pines

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 24, 2011

South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers and coaches are staying busy these days.

And this weekend is no different.

SOFLO swimmers will compete in two developmental meets Friday through Sunday in Pembroke Pines and Davie.

The Comets will host the Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental Meet at the Comets’ Academic Village Pool.

More than 100 talented SOFLO swimmers based at the Comets pool, led by Stephanie Mlujeak, William Perry III, Jack Davies, Teddy Sandoval and Carly Swanson will compete.

The Comets meet features 437 athletes and 16 teams including Miami Swimming, Metro Aquatic Club of Miami and AK Sharks.

The meet gets under way on Friday at 4:30 p.m. with the 400-yard individual medley and 1,650-yard freestyle events.

Another 100 SOFLO swimmers, based at the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, will compete at the FGC Area 2 Developmental Meet at the Davie Nadadores’ home pool at the Nova Southeastern University Aquatic Complex.

With 468 swimmers and 11 teams, it is the largest meet Davie has hosted.

The Coral Springs contingent is led by Catharine Cooper, Delaney Biro, Amanda Kopas, Gus Cohn, Brian Arnaud and Kyle Desrosiers.

Like the Comets meet, action begins Friday at 4:30 p.m. with the 400-yard individual medley and 1,650-yard freestyle.

Among teams competing are host Davie Nadadores, Fort Lauderdale Aquatics and Heritage Aquatic Team.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

hhtp://www.swim4soflo.com

Masters Compete In Dixie Zone Championships Fort Lauderdale Masters Challenge This Weekend

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 24, 2011

The first of four Dixie Zone Championships will be hosted at the 18^th Fort Lauderdale Masters Challenge that gets under way Friday at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.

The short course yards meet is the first of four championships held throughout the U.S. Masters Swimming Dixie Zone.

The others are long course meters in Sarasota, short course meters in Charlotte, N.C. and open water in Fernandina Beach.

The three-day meet begins Friday with the 1,000-yard freestyle individual event and 800-yard freestyle and mixed freestyle relays.

GOLD, one of the state’s top masters swimming teams, features swimmers from a large region including Comets and Coral Springs Swim Club masters. More than 200 swimmers and 23 teams are entered.

Among the GOLD lineup is Evelyn Salama, in her first major meet since the masters nationals in Puerto Rico.

The 37-year-old mother of two from Pembroke Pines is competing in only her third year of masters swimming and has been a fast learner, medaling and swimming career-best times at two major national meets.

Other top GOLD swimmers in the field are Celia Devanney, 53, and Lars Ferron, 55, of Coral Springs Masters, Edileide Marinheiro, 42, Peggy McDonnell, 55, Cav Cavanaugh, 75, Barbara Protzman, 56, and Timothy Shead, 58.

IF YOU GO

What: 2011 Dixie Zone Championships 18^th annual Fort Lauderdale Masters Challenge

When: Friday-Sunday

Where: Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, 501 Seabreeze Blvd.

Schedule: Friday, warm-up 5 p.m., meet 6 p.m. (1,000 freestyle, 800 free relay, 800 mixed free relay); Saturday, warm-up 10 a.m., meet 11 a.m. (400 IM, 200 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 200 medley relay, 100 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 100 butterfly, 200 mixed free relay, 500 freestyle); Sunday, warm-up 8 a.m., 1,650-yard freestyle 9 a.m., meet 11 a.m. (200 IM, 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 free relay, 200 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, 200 freestyle, 100 IM, 50 butterfly, 200 mixed medley relay).

Admission: Free. For information call 954-828-4580.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

ASU’s Kuczynski, FSU’s Sell Ready For Conference Meets

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 23, 2011

Stanford, the top women’s team in the nation, is favored to defend its title at the Pac-10 Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships which begin Wednesday in Federal Way, Wash.

The nationally No. 1 ranked Cardinals are hoping to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 2004-05. Coach Lea Maurer’s team is also seeking its 18^th conference title since 1987.

The Pac-10 field boasts four of the top 10 teams in the nation. Joining Stanford are No. 4 California, No. 6 USC and No. 7 Arizona.

With four returning PAC-10 champions looking to defend their conference titles, Arizona State will also be a formidable opponent in the women’s field.

SOFLO’s Caroline Kuczynski, an ASU sophomore, will open competition in the 200-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relays on Wednesday night.

Kuczynski is ranked in her individual event, the 100-yard butterfly, No. 9 in the Pac-10 and No. 26 in the NCAA in 53.11. She is seeded eighth in  the meet.

Kuczynski is also entered in the 500-yard freestyle (4:50.64), 200-yard individual medley (2:07.54) and 200-yard butterfly (1:59.79).

The event is being held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center through Saturday.

Atlantic Coast Conference Championships

After a successful run by the women, Florida State’s men with SOFLO’s Tyler Sell, a freshman, will now take their turn at the Men’s ACC Championships at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center.

“We’re excited to get to this point because we’ve waited all season for the ACC Championships,” FSU coach Neil Harper said.

“The men’s team has had this on their calendar for awhile and the atmosphere is always great. We’re excited to compete against Virginia, North Carolina and the rest that the ACC has to offer.”

Matt Shead, one of five seniors on the team, along with the rest of the team planned to wear For Coach Michael’s Fight t-shirts to honor SOFLO and six-time Olympic coach Michael Lohberg, who is battling aplastic anemia. Lohberg has worked with both Sell and Paul Murray, former local swimmers and is well-liked by FSU swimmers.

Two current SOFLO swimmers, Doug Ramos and Alex Rodriguez have committed to FSU.

The meet begins on Wednesday with the 200 medley and 800 freestyle relays and ends Saturday.

Big Ten Championships

Minnesota has won nine conference titles including five since 2000, the most of any team.

Among team favorites are No. 9 ranked Michigan, No. 11 and defending champion Ohio State, No. 14 Indiana with SOFLO’s Nicholas Schwab, a redshirt sophomore; No. 15 Gophers, No. 20 Purdue and No. 25 Iowa.

The meet begins on Wednesday and runs through Saturday at the University Aquatic Center. Highlights will be aired on the Big Ten Network at 10 a.m. on March 6.

Elsewhere, ESPNU will broadcast the Southeastern Conference Championships, the men will air on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. and the women on March 1 at 4 p.m.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

Miami, Nova Southeastern Make History; Florida State Finishes Third

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 21, 2011

Florida State, with SOFLO’s Tiffany Oliver and Ashley Hicks, finished third at the Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships Saturday at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center.

Oliver finished her freshman year with a sixth place in the 100-yard freestyle in 49.58.

The Seminoles finished out the meet with a fifth place finish (3:21.84) in the 400-yard freestyle relay with Oliver leading off.

The Seminoles earned four All-ACC honors and broke two schools records on the final day. The Seminoles finished with 417 points.

“The girls that swam tonight really made the most of their opportunities,” FSU coach Neil Harper said. “We fought off Virginia Tech, Miami and Maryland to hold on to third which is a big thing for us.”

The diving team, one of the nation’s best coached by former local diver Patrick Jeffrey, finished the meet with three more All-ACC honors and two school records.

“We ended on a good note and we still have some things to swim for this year,” Harper said. “I’m really proud of the girls banding together and swimming strong on the last day.”

Virginia took a 34-point lead after the last individual event and won the 400-yard freestyle relay to clinch the women’s team title for their fourth straight ACC title and ninth overall in school history.

Virginia won with 776 points and North Carolina was second with 734.

University of Miami, with SOFLO’s Dana Hatic, earned its highest finish ever at ACC’s with a sixth place finish and 349 points.

“This week was a giant leap for this program,” UM coach Christie Shefchunas said. “We definitely taken it to another level and we plan to stay here. Now we just wait to see if we get an invite to NCAAs for our “B” cuts and look forward to being in Austin, Texas in four weeks.”

Hatic, a junior, picked up an NCAA “B” cut time in the 200-yard breaststroke touching the wall in a UM season-best time of 2:15.47.

Southeastern Conference Championships

After a week of record-breaking performances, University of Florida finished second among the men’s and women’s teams at the Stephen O’Connell Center.

The defending women’s team fell short of the University of Georgia, 720-678 and men’s team finished second to Auburn, 799-782.

“I am extremely proud of the way both of our teams competed throughout this entire week,” Florida coach Gregg Troy said. “We left a couple of points on the board, but we also had some outstanding performances that qualified performances that qualified us for the NCAA Championships in several events.”

The Gators ended the meet with 14 conference titles (10 men, four women), five SEC records and seven school records.

Gators diving coach Donnie Craine, a Stranahan High graduate, was named SEC Women’s Diving Coach of the Year for the third time.

NSU Men Win First Conference Team Title

Nova Southeastern University won the inaugural Sunshine State Conference Men’s Swimming Championship in its first collegiate season.

NSU totaled 956.5 points during the four-day competition that ended Sunday at the Central Florida YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando. NSU won with a 213-point margin.

Tampa, with SOFLO’s Les Moore, finished second with 743.5.

NSU’s Jorge Ospina won Male Swimmer of the Year. On the final day of competition, Ospina won the 200-yard butterfly with an NCAA Division II “A” standard time of 1:47.84.

Ospina amassed 60 points to earn the meet’s top honors. NSU teammate Armin Hornikel earned an “A” standard in the 200-yard breaststroke with a second place time of 2:01.83.

Moore made the 200-yard butterfly championship final where he finished eighth in 1:55.11 bettering his prelim time of 1:55.14. He was sixth in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:07.29 bettering his prelim time of 4:07.55.

University of Tampa won the women’s team title with 932 points. St. Leo College, with SOFLO’s Bianca Muniz, was fourth and NSU finished fifth. Florida Southern’s Mary O’Sullivan won Female Swimmer of the Year. NSU’s Ewa Jamborska earned an “A” standard time in her win in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:16.29.

Muniz qualified for the consolation final in the 100-yard freestyle and finished 16^th in 55.76 bettering her prelim time of 56.92. She also made the consolation final of the 200-yard breaststroke and finished 10^th in 2:41.47 bettering her prelim time of 2:50.27. She was also a member of the eighth place 400-yard freestyle relay.

Louisville Makes History, Sweeps Big East

Louisville men’s team defended its title and the women won their first team title in their short history in the Big East Conference Championships.

The men won by more than 200 points and the women won by 170 points and snapped Notre Dame’s 14-year reign as champions.

Florida Gold Coast swimmer Brendon Andrews won three events and was a member of the Big East record 400-yard freestyle relay team (2:54.04). His sister Sarah was eighth in the 200-yard butterfly in 2:04.95.

SOFLO’s Kevin Bandy of Louisville finished seventh in the 1,650-yard freestyle in a lifetime best 15:39.29. His previous best time was 15:48.68.

He was 14^th in the 200-yard butterfly in 1:51.63 ahead of his brother Kyle of West Virginia, 15^th in 1:51.71. and finished the 500-yard freestyle in 4:28.83.

WVU finished fourth among teams with 470 points.

Seton Hall, with SOFLO’s Ryan O’Shaugnessy, finished sixth. O’Shaughnessy was 12^th in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:02.39, bettering his prelim time of 2:04.60. O’Shaughnessy was tenth in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:51.11, bettering his prelim time of 1:52.04. He was 16^th in the 100-yard breaststroke in 57.03.

Big Ten Three-Peat For Hoosiers

Indiana women’s swimming and diving team, with SOFLO’s Britney Phelan, won their third straight Big Ten Championship and fourth in the last five years.

Indiana finished with 821 points. Indiana freshman Brittney Phelan swam a lifetime-best and NCAA “B” cut time of 2:15.27 to finish 12^th in the 200-yard breaststroke.

No. 16-ranked Michigan, with SOFLO’s Natasha Moodie, was sixth with 367 points.

Moodie, competing in her final conference meet led the way with a sixth place finish in the 100-yard freestyle in 49.38, an NCAA “B” time. Her prelims time of 49.08 gives her the fourth-best career performance in school history in the event. She was second in the 50-yard freestyle in 22.26, a school record and NCAA “B” time.

Moodie led off the 400-yard freestyle that finished seventh in 3:20.88, another NCAA “B” time. She was a member of the winning 200-yard freestyle relay team in 1:29.44, an NCAA “A” time.

Moodie was named to the All-Big Ten team.

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships

SOFLO’s Justin Grigull, a freshman at Iona College, helped the men’s team to a fourth-place finish at the MAAC Championships in Buffalo, N.Y. with 423.5 points. Grigull earned 17 points with a second place finish in the 100-yard freestyle in 1:41.94, an ECAC “A” time.

Grigull picked up another 15 points in the 100-yard freestyle with a fourth place finish in 46.93, an ECAC “A” time. He was second after the first 50 yards in 24.33. Grigull was also fourth in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:38.17, another “A” time. The workhorse was a member of the Gaels’ third place 400-yard freestyle relay that finished in 3:06.42, picking up another 32 points and member of the fifth place 800-yard freestyle relay that finished in 6:55.44. Grigull anchored his team’s fifth place 400-yard medley relay that finished in 3:27.66, also an “A” time. Loyola University men (796) and Marist College women (843) won the team titles.

Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association Championships

Florida Gulf Coast University won its third consecutive CCSA women’s crown Saturday night at the University of Georgia’s Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Ga.

The team won with 879.5 points.

Fourth-year coach Neal Studd, formerly of Florida Atlantic University, earned his third straight Women’s Coach of the Year honors

“I am so excited and blessed that we have won three post season titles in a row,” Studd said. “I am so happy for the team and the girls that started this whole thing with me four years ago. We swam lights out this weekend and it was a blast. My girls worked so hard and they saw that hard work pays off.”

FGCU picked up 13 gold medals, 11 silver and five bronze and won three out of five relay events. Florida Gold Coast swimmers Lindsey Meeder was second in the 1,650-yard freestyle in 17:05.13, Alessandra Cianci was second in the 200-yard butterfly in 2:02.90 and FGC diver Gaby Shaw was fourth in 3-meter diving with 241.80 points.

Despite earning seven NCAA provisional cut times, FGCU will not be competing at NCAAs because of the reclassifying period. The school will be eligible for the 2011-2012 season.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Quintero Double Winner On Final Day Of Florida Gold Coast Invitational

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 21, 2011

SOFLO’s Samuel Quintero finished on a winning note in his home pool.

Quintero, 10, was a double winner at the Florida Gold Coast 14-and-Under “A” Invitational Sunday at the Academic Village Pool in Pembroke Pines.

Quintero won the boys’ 10-and-under 200-yard freestyle in 2:19.03, a Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics qualifying time. He also won the  200-yard backstroke in 2:34.04, bettering his seed time of 2:42.01 and was fifth in the 50-yard freestyle in 30.59, also a FGCJO time.

Juan Lucas, 12, won the 11-12 200-yard backstroke in 2:14.17, bettering his 2:20.96 seed and qualifying for JOs.

Audrey Mason, 12, continued her successful weekend. She won the girls 11-12 100-yard breaststroke in a FGCJO time of 1:13.22, bettering his seed time of 1:15.35. She was also third in the 11-12 100-yard individual medley in an FGCJO time of 1:09.81, bettering her seed time of 1:10.18.

Melissa Marinheiro, 13, swimming unattached for SOFLO, won the girls 13-14 200-yard freestyle in 1:57.88, a Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympic qualifying time. She also won the 200-yard backstroke in 2:12.73, an FGCJO time, bettering her seed of 2:15.66 and 100-yard individual medley in 1:02.58, bettering her seed time of 1:05.56.

Next up this weekend are the Area 2 and 3 Developmental Meets Friday through Sunday at the Academic Village Pool and Nova Southeastern Aquatic Complex.

SUNDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

200-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Adriana Rodriguez, FLA 2:17.76; SOFLO: 7. Delanie Perez 2:28.69, 11. Jennifer Rodriguez 2:31.05; 11-12, 1. Fatimah Westbrook, FLA 2:05.54; SOFLO: 3. Sophia Bucaro 2:07.68, 4. Samantha Stinemire 2:10.58, 14. Alani Carrasco 2:16.00, 18. Stephanie Mlujeak 2:17.87, 22. Natalie Valderrama 2:18.99; 13-14, 1. Melissa Marinheiro, Unattached SOFLO 1:57.88; SOFLO: 3. Leonie Davies 2:02.64, 7. Carly Swanson 2:06.31, 12. Andrea Melendez 2:10.21, 15. Monica Rodriguez 2:15.86.

50-yard backstroke: 10-and-under, 1. Sophia Perez, Miami Dade County Aquatic Club 32.34; SOFLO: 3. Sarah Bucaro 34.74, 8. Hannah Virgin 38.90, 11. Delaney Biro 39.32; 11-12, 1. Rose Smiddy, AK Sharks 32.09;  SOFLO: 2. Kelley Heron 32.17, 6. Isabella Pittinger 34.14, 7. Bridgette Ostan 35.63; 13-14, 1. Natalia Tyson, Wellington Wahoos 30.34, SOFLO: 6. Leysha Caraballo 34.28, 8. Astrid Rigau 34.83, 9. Melany Freiria 36.19.

200-yard backstroke: 10-and-under, 1. Nicole Regueira, MAC 2:53.92; SOFLO: None; 11-12, 1. Jessica Rodriguez, SOFLO 2:19.37; SOFLO: 3. Kelley Heron 2:22.47, 6. Sophia Bucaro 2:29.55, 9. Alani Carrasco 2:39.42; 13-14, 1. Melissa Marinheiro, Unattached SOFLO 2:12.73; SOFLO: 6. Monica Rodriguez 2:25.67, 9. Leonie Davies 2:28.64.

100-yard butterfly: 10-and-under, 1. Sophia Perez, Miami Dade County Aquatic Club 1:08.11; SOFLO: 6. Delanie Perez 1:20.29, 9. Hannah Virgin 1:24.89, 12. Sarah Bucaro 1:29.87; 11-12, 1. Rose Smiddy, AK Sharks 1:04.26, SOFLO: 6. Allison Kopas 1:11.08, 7. Samantha Stinemire 1:12.93, 10. Natalie Valderrama 1:14.19; 13-14, 1. Omaira German, Blue Marlins of Hialeah Gardens 1:00.76; SOFLO: 8. Andrea Melendez 1:06.68, 14. Monica Rodriguez 1:10.72.

50-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Andrea Moya, MAC 28.33; SOFLO: 3. Sarah Bucaro 30.43, 9. Jennifer Rodriguez 32.04, 10. Delaney Biro 32.59; 11-12, 1. Fatimah Westbrook, FLA 26.38; SOFLO: 6. Jessica Rodriguez 28.10, 7. Audrey Mason 28.16, 8. Allison Kopas 28.17, 10. Sophia Bucaro 28.51, 11. Bridgette Ostan, Unattached SOFLO 28.69, 22. Isabella Pittinger 29.86, 23. Alani Carrasco 29.98, 28. Stephanie Mlujeak 30.63; 13-14, 1. Omaira German, Blue Marlins of Hialeah Gardens 25.68, SOFLO: 3. Carly Swanson 27.12.

100-yard breaststroke: 10-and-under, 1. Thea McKenna, Broward Aquatics 1:25.35; SOFLO: 2. Delanie Perez 1:26.81, 5. Jennifer Rodriguez 1:32.93; 11-12, 1. Audrey Mason, SOFLO 1:13.22; SOFLO: None; 13-14, 1. Laryssa Bedley, Davie Nadadores 1:13.22; SOFLO: None.

100-yard individual medley: 10-and-under, 1. Gaia Fella, FLA 1:09.11; SOFLO: 15. Hannah Virgin 1:24.00, 18. Delaney Biro 1:25.98; 11-12, 1. Rose Smiddy, AK Sharks 1:05.41; SOFLO: 3. Audrey Mason 1:09.81, 5. Samantha Stinemire 1:10.78, 8. Bridgette Ostan 1:13.23, 9. Natalia Valderrama 1:14.84; 13-14, 1. Melissa Marinheiro, Unattached SOFLO 1:02.58; SOFLO: 7. Carly Swanson 1:08.96, 15. Leysha Caraballo 1:14.44, 17. Astrid Rigau 1:16.83, 18. Melany Freiria 1:19.50.

BOYS

200-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Samuel Quintero, SOFLO 2:19.03; SOFLO: 4. Jonathan Skarie 2:26.59, 7. Rafael Rodriguez 2:31.14, 14. Matthew Liang 2:42.03; 11-12, 1. Julien Pinon, Broward Aquatics 1:55.28; SOFLO: 2. Alfredo Mesa Jr. 2:01.78, 3. Juan Lucas 2:03.37, 7. Jorge Depassier 2:07.63, 9. Ricardo Roche 2:08.23, 10. Ryan Capote 2:08.99, 12. Nicholas Perera 2:10.05, 15. Kevin Porto 2:11.50, 19. Rodrigo Rodriguez 2:14.34, 20. Alex Monti 2:15.12, 22. Federico Maeso 2:15.72; 13-14, 1. Gabriel Perez, Davie Nadadores 1:52.44, SOFLO: 4. Dylan Sell 1:56.09, 25. Diego Rodriguez 2:04.90, 27. Teddy Sandoval 2:05.73.

50-yard backstroke: 10-and-under, 1. Guido Dominguez, FLA 33.66; SOFLO: 4. Rafael Rodriguez 38.55; 11-12, 1. Wiley Watson, North Miami Swim Team 30.53; SOFLO: 5. Cristian Rossi 33.03, 7. Collin Burt 36.33; 13-14, 1. Nicolas Medina, Broward Aquatics 27.67, SOFLO: 10. Edward Kon 32.51, 11. Alexander Viloria 32.81, 12. William Perry III 33.92, 13. Austin Iglesias 34.30.

200-yard backstroke: 10-and-under, 1. Samuel Quintero, SOFLO 2:34.04; 11-12, 1. Juan Lucas, SOFLO 2:14.17; SOFLO: 3. Gustavo Valery 2:17.09, 6. Kevin Porto 2:23.30, 7. Ricardo Roche 2:25.32, 8. Carlos Rodriguez 2:28.93, 10. Rodrigo Rodriguez 2:30.69, 12. Federico Maeso 2:39.49; 13-14, 1. Alejandro Vassallo, FLA 2:02.51; SOFLO: 9. Nelson Diaz, Unattached SOFLO 2:21.19.

100-yard butterfly: 10-and-under, 1. Gabriel Munoz, Davie Nadadores 1:12.38; SOFLO: 6. Jonathan Skarie 1:22.10; 11-12, 1. Julien Pinon, Broward Aquatics 1:01.63; SOFLO: 8. Cristian Rossi 1:08.73, 11. Nicholas Perera 1:10.13, 14. Ryan Capote 1:12.49, 15. Jorge Depassier 1:14.10; 13-14, 1. Kryan Nichlany, Broward Aquatics 56.18; SOFLO: None.

50-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Adrian Aguilar, MAC 29.11; SOFLO: 5. Samuel Quintero 30.59, 8. Matthew Liang 32.13, 9. Rafael Rodriguez 32.45; 11-12, 1. Wiley Watson, North Miami Swim Team 24.20; SOFLO: 3. Gustavo Valery 26.14, 6. Alfredo Mesa Jr. 26.92, 7. Ryan Capote 27.03, 10. Carlos Rodriguez 27.46, 22. Federico Maeso 29.09, 25. Nicholas Perera 29.55, 27. Collin Burt 29.72; 13-14, 1. Gabriel Perez, Davie Nadadores 23.14; SOFLO: 3. Dylan Sell 24.76, 7. William Perry III 25.27, 11. Diego Rodriguez 25.92, 17. Teddy Sandoval 26.42, 20. Nelson Diaz, Unattached SOFLO 27.10.

100-yard breaststroke: 10-and-under, 1. Nicholas Grande, Blue Marlins of Hialeah Gardens 1:26.81; SOFLO: 5. Matthew Liang 1:33.24; 11-12, 1. Alberto Gomez, Miami Dade County Aquatic Club 1:11.78; SOFLO: 7. Alex Monti 1:17.06, 10. Cristian Rossi 1:18.03, 13. Gustavo Valery 1:19.64, 16. Ricardo Roche 1:23.94, 17. Alfredo Mesa Jr. 1:24.40, 19. Kevin Porto 1:30.11; 13-14, 1. Yousef Almusallam, Davie Nadadores 1:07.02; SOFLO: 3. Dylan Sell 1:10.56.

100-yard individual medley: 10-and-under, 1. Adrian Aguilar, MAC 1:13.75; SOFLO: None; 11-12, 1. Julien Pinon, Broward Aquatics 1:03.36; SOFLO: 4. Carlos Rodriguez 1:08.42, 12. Alex Monti 1:12.00, 14. Jorge Depassier 1:12.46; 13-14, 1. Fernando Bohorquez, Broward Aquatics 59.43; SOFLO: 13. Diego Rodriguez 1:05.40, 18. Teddy Sandoval 1:08.33, 19. William Perry III 1:08.49, 21. Edward Kon 1:08.91, 23. Alexander Viloria 1:09.68, 24. Austin Iglesias 1:11.42.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com.

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Stupp Makes Third Olympic Trials Cut On Final Day Of Missouri Grand Prix

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 20, 2011

The second time around in swimming is so much sweeter for Julie Stupp.

After eight months away from the pool to re-stoke her competitive fires for another run at the Olympic trials, the South Florida Aquatic Club swimmer was back in championship form at Missouri Grand Prix at the Mizzou Aquatic Center in Columbia, Mo.

Stupp, 24, qualified for four championship finals and made three Olympic trials cut times in the 200- and 400-meter individual medley and 200-meter breaststroke.

The part renewal, part passage and part hiatus turned out to be the winning formula for Stupp.

On Sunday, despite being in the midst of heavy training and broken down, she finished third in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:18.60, her third Olympic cut.

The women’s 200 IM was one of the more exciting races with Whitney Myers out-touching Rebecca Soni of the Trojan Swim Club, 2:17.42-2:17.92.

“I am very happy with my results,” Stupp said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I felt good coming into the meet.”

She was most pleased with her 400 IM which she had trouble finishing at a time trial during nationals. It is the event she made the finals in at the 2008 Olympic trials.

“It was nice to get my Olympic trials cuts out of the way. I kind of forgotten that I had to get those again. It’s just automatic that you think you have them.”

Finishing the races were “the hardest part, but I felt pretty good,” Stupp said. “We went down in yardage but didn’t rest. I was definitely hurting.”

While Stupp took a break from swimming, she wasn’t inactive. After talking with SOFLO head coach Michael Lohberg, she turned to running.

“Michael and I had talked before I ran track,” Stupp said. “We started thinking what I could do to take my mind and body away from the pool.

“I ran and it was the best thing I’ve ever done for swimming. Now swimming is fun again and it’s enjoyable to race. I am pleasantly surprised where I am right now.”

The 11-time All-American swimmer at Auburn and University of Arizona, where she graduated from, used her fifth year of eligibility to compete in track and field, a sport she competed and did well in during her Missouri high school days.

She swam at Auburn for three years but transferred to Arizona for more stability in coaching. In her three years at Auburn, she had three different coaches. She finished at Arizona with Frank Busch, recently named the new national team director for USA Swimming.

Stupp competed at the NCAA Track and Field Championships West Preliminary in Austin, Tex. in the 800-meters. She joined an elite group of aquatic athletes to excel in two sports.

Now that she has returned to swimming, Stupp is looking forward to the next two years.

“The closer I get to Trials I will specialize in events,” Stupp said. “I am swimming a range of events right now to figure out my best ones. 

“The second time around I told myself before I got back into it I wouldn’t get too upset or too anxious. I would try to stay even-tempered. If I had a great race, great, if it was terrible then so be it. I am really happy with where I am.”

And so are her SOFLO coaches.

“I am proud of our whole team,” said SOFLO coach Kathleen Klein Prindle. “It was a rough meet for us because we’re in the middle of training and transitioning.

“I am really happy for Julie. She pushed that 200 IM. We found a thousand things we can work on, but she forgot them all and just raced. She was a couple of seconds within her best times for her events and she wasn’t rested. Just coming back to swimming, I feel really good about her progress. She’s only going to get better.”

Other SOFLO finishers:

Alia Atkinson qualified sixth in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:21.94 but scratched from the final.

Arlene Semeco, 27, tied Whitney Myers for sixth in the 100-meter freestyle in 57.67. Atkinson was 37^th in 1:00.91.

Valerio Rasi, 17, of Italy was 14^th in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:17.40, bettering his prelim time of 2:17.78 and was 37^th in the 200-meter

individual medley in 2:21.15.

Leo Andara, 24, was 19^th in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:14.04.

Gianpaolo Barelli, 18, of Italy was 31^st in the 100-meter freestyle in

54.73.

Marc Rojas, 17, was 39^th in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:22.67.

Emily Kopas, 14, was 49^th in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:36.23 and 58^th in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:35.41.

While there are two Grand Prix events remaining on Monday, the women’s 1500 freestyle and men’s 800 freestyle, the SOFLO contingent is scheduled to return home on Monday.

In other championship finals:

Tunisian Olympian Ous Mellouli pulled off an amazing double by winning the 1500-meter freestyle and 100-meter freestyle on the same night. The 27-year-old Trojan Swim Club swimmer won the 100 in 50.15, outsprinting Ricky Berens (50.62) and Matt Grevers (50.65) to the finish. Jason Dunford of Kenya swam 49.89 in prelims but scratched from finals. He won the mile in 15:01.65.

Nick Thoman, 24, of SwimMAC won the 200-meter backstroke in 1:59.68.  Thoman is the fourth swimmer to dip under 2 minutes this year in the event. Metro Aquatics’ Carlos Omana, headed to University of Florida this fall, was fourth in 2:06.67 and Quinn Cassidy, 15, of St. Andrew’s Swimming was ninth in 2:11.56.

Thiago Pereira of the Trojan Swim Club joined Ryan Lochte as the only sub-2:00 times this year in the men’s 200-meter individual medley. Pereira won in 1:59.49 behind Lochte’s 1:59.26.

Markus Rogan, 28, of Trojan Swim Club won the 200-meter individual medley in 1:59.49.

Chloe Sutton, 19, of Mission Viejo and defending Grand Prix circuit champion, won the 800-meter freestyle in 8:34.55, a 15-second cushion. It was Sutton’s third victory of the meet. She also won the 200 and 400 freestyles. 

Jessica Hardy, 23, of the Trojan Swim Club won the women’s 100-meter freestyle in 54.66, an Olympic trials cut and No. 4 world ranking. Hardy also won the 50 freestyle on Saturday.

Kylie Stewart, 14, of Dynamo Swim Club won the 200-meter backstroke in 2:13.88, an Olympic trials cut time. She was the meet’s youngest swimmer to make a trials time.

Oak “A” won the women’s 400-meter medley relay in 4:17.02. Davie Nadadores with Carmen Cianci, Patricia Casellas, Alina Schulhofer and Eunate Garro finished third in 4:27.48. Davie won the men’s relay in a pool record 3:45.22 with Fernando Santos, Felipe Lima, Julio Galofre and Daniele Tirabassi.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Atkinson, Stupp, Kopas Shine; Torres Finishes Sixth At Missouri Grand Prix

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 19, 2011

On the second night of the Missouri Grand Prix in Columbia, South Florida Aquatic Club’s breaststrokers rose to the occasion.

Two-time Olympian Alia Atkinson swam a lifetime best to finish second in the 200-meter breaststroke Saturday night at the Mizzou Aquatic Center. Atkinson, 22, finished in 2:29.00.

U.S. Olympian Rebecca Soni set her second meet record, winning the 200 breaststroke in 2:23.27. Soni pulled away from the field at the first turn.

“I was going for a career-best,” Atkinson said. “My previous best was at the last Olympics so I thought it was due time. I was able to break that not being in taper. It shows what I can do especially for the end of the year with a taper and when I get my stroke and kick down.

“Having Rebecca beside me shows me where I am in contrast. She is the top of the top. I wanted to keep my stroke and I focused on my kick in the last 100. I am feeling more upper body strength and I am recovering faster. My 200 feels so much more relaxed now.”

SOFLO coach Chris Anderson was happy with Atkinson’s swim.

“I am very pleased with the way she is looking in the water,” Anderson said. “A lot of it has to do with dryland training and transformation of her body. I do feel if she continues like this that the results in another seven, eight months will be dramatic.”

Anderson called it “a good day for SOFLO.

“This is the first major meet of the long course season for us,” Anderson said. “If we keep working, there will be a nice ending come July and August.”

Also in the 200 breaststroke, SOFLO’s Julie Stupp, 24, making her third championship final appearance of the meet, finished fourth in 2:33.05, her second Olympic trials qualifying time of the meet.

Earlier in the evening, Stupp, the seventh seed after morning prelims, finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:17.22, bettering her prelim time of 2:19.70. She led the women’s field after the first 50 meters.

SOFLO teenager Emily Kopas, 14, turned in an impressive 36.16 opening split and went on to win the “B” final of the 200 breaststroke in 2:37.48, a junior national cut time.

Kopas led after the first 50 meters, was slightly behind on the second 50, retook the lead on the third 50 and pulled away for the “B” final win.

“I wanted to attack my race quickly and try to keep that pace throughout that race,” Kopas said. “On the last 50 I went for it and took it all. It felt really good. I did my best which is all I can ask for.”

Kopas, not fully-rested, was pleased with her meet effort.

“I only rested a little so I am happy with my times right now,” Kopas said. “It’s the middle of the season and I can’t ask for anything more right now. I do feel better. This morning I had a rough time but I got over it. I worked on my stroke in warm-up and tried my best.”

The national-caliber atmosphere has been exciting and an eye-opener for Kopas.

“It’s so exciting see everybody, their different strokes and what I am up against,” Kopas said. “All of these swimmers are great to watch and to learn from. Julie and Alia were amazing tonight. I loved watching them. They did great.”

In her return to competitive swimming after a year-and-a-half layoff, SOFLO’s Dara Torres may have raced one too many times.

After finishing second in her heat in an Olympic trials qualifying time of 25.90, the five-time Olympian finished sixth in the championship final in 26.12. It was her first meet since the 2009 Rome World Championships and knee surgery.

She told SOFLO coach Kathleen Klein Prindle she probably should have done one race and scratched from the final. “My body’s not ready to swim twice,” the 43-year-old Torres said.

SOFLO teammate Arlene Semeco was seventh in the 50 final in 26.26, also slower than her morning prelim time of 26.11.

Atkinson swam the 50 morning prelims in 27.11 and scratched from the final to focus on the breaststroke.

U.S. national team member Jessica Hardy, 23, of Trojan Swim Club won the sprint event in 25.15 followed by Amanda Weir (25.33) and Kara Lynn Joyce (25.35).

In the men’s 200-meter butterfly consolation finals, SOFLO’s Leo Andara, finished second behind University of Florida-bound Carlos Omana of Metro Aquatics, 2:06.54-2:07.12 to finish tenth overall. Andara, who tore his suit during the race, bettered his prelim time of 2:09.10.

In the consolation finals of the men’s 100-meter backstroke, SOFLO’s Valerio Rasi, 17, finished 16^th in 1:02.31, bettering his prelim time of

1:02.41.

Competing in his third bonus final of the meet, SOFLO’s Marc Rojas, 17, finished 22nd in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:38.97, just off his 2:38.71 prelim time.

In the men’s 50-meter freestyle, SOFLO’s Gianpaolo Barelli, 18, of Italy was 46^th in 25.58.

In other championship finals:

In the men’s 100-meter breaststroke that was re-swum because of a protest, Japan’s Ryo Tateishi, 21, won in 1:01.17 ahead of Mark Gangloff (1:01.43) and Felipe Lima (1:02.12). Later in the evening, the Japanese national champion won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:14.24.

Fred Bousquet, 29, of Auburn Aquatics, the fastest morning qualifier, won the men’s 50-meter freestyle in 22.07, ahead of Simon Burnett (22.74) and Matthew Grevers (22.95), both of Tucson Ford.

Grevers, 25, the fastest qualifier, came back to win the 100-meter backstroke, out-touching Nick Thoman of SwimMAC, 54.29-54.33. Thiago Pereira, 25, swimming unattached, was third in 55.11.

Brazilian Thiago Pereira, 25, swimming unattached, won the men’s 200-meter butterfly in 1:59.21, the only swimmer in the field to crack two minutes. St. Petersburg’s Robert Margalis, swimming unattached. was second in 2:00.94. He was the fastest morning qualifier in 1:59.45.

Tunisian Ous Mellouli, 27, of Trojan Swim Club, swam away with the men’s 400-meter freestyle race in 3:46.64. Charles Houchin, 23, was second in 3:53.92.

Hometown favorite Dominique Bouchard, 19, of the University of Missouri won the women’s 100-meter backstroke in 1:01.14. Olivia Smoliga, 16, of Glenview Titan was second in 1:01.91 and Kathleen Hersey, 20, swimming unattached was third in 1:02.43.

Hersey, from Longhorn Aquatics, won the 200-meter butterfly in 2:11.39, an Olympic trials cut. She finished ahead of Dagny Knutson, 19, in 2:14.56.

Chloe Sutton, 19, of Mission Viejo, the fastest morning qualifier, won the women’s 400-meter freestyle in 4:09.09, an Olympic trials cut. Her closest rival was Amber McDermott, a distant second in 4:13.47.

In the 800-meter freestyle relays, Davie Nadadores won the men’s relay in a pool record 7:34.66 with Fernando Santos, Daniele Tirabassi, Aaron Dsouza and Julio Galofre. York YMCA won the women’s relay in a pool record 8:28.82.

The meet continues on Sunday. The meet is being webcast live at usaswimming.org.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com.

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