Month: February 2012

SOFLO’s Oliver Breaks School Record At Last Chance Meet; Kuczynski, Schwab Shine At Conference Meets

SOFLO’s Oliver Breaks School Record At Last Chance Meet; Kuczynski, Schwab Shine At Conference Meets


WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 28, 2012

Florida State sophomore Tiffany Oliver broke her own school record at the University of Georgia’s Last Chance Meet in Athens, Ga.

Oliver swam the 100-yard freestyle in 48.93, breaking her own school record of 49.08. She now ranks as the nation’s 26th fastest in the event.

Oliver was among several swimmers competing for faster times to try and qualify for NCAAs.

Oliver is on the bubble to qualify for the March 15-17 Women’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center in Auburn, Ala.

Speaking of NCAAs, several college coaches and websites have already scored the women’s meet off the seeded swimmers on the first set of psych sheets just released. California defends its title with 338 points followed by Georgia, 308; Arizona 275; Stanford 266; and Tennessee 251.

PAC-12 Championships

SOFLO’s Caroline Kuczynski, a junior at Arizona State, was 11th in the 200-yard butterfly in a best time 1:57.46 on the fourth and final day of the Pac-12 Women’s Championships in Federal Way, Wash. Her previous best was 1:58.49. Her splits were 26.37, 29.81, 30.57 and 30.71. Kuczynski also swam second leg on ASU’s fifth place 400-yard freestyle relay that finished in 3:18.67, third-fastest in school history and NCAA consideration. ASU finished sixth among teams with 790.5 points. Kuczynski celebrates her 21st birthday in less than two weeks.

California won the conference championships buoyed by two individual wins and strong diving performances. The Cal Bears won with 1,389.5 points followed by Stanford, 1,341.5 and Southern Cal, 1,225. It was the national champions’ second conference team title after winning in 2009.

Cal junior Caitlin Leverenz was named Swimmer of the Meet. She won the 200-yard breaststroke, 400-yard individual medley and swam on the winning 400-yard medley relay.

Atlantic Coast Conference Championships

Virginia won its fifth consecutive men’s conference title. The Cavaliers clinched the team title in the final race of the meet at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. Virginia won with 626.5 points followed by Virginia Tech, 594.5, North Carolina, 564 and Florida State, 542.

Florida State senior Mateo de Angulo was named ACC Meet Most Valuable Swimmer. He finished with wins in the 1,650- and 500-yard freestyles and second in the 400-yard individual medley.

On the final day, SOFLO’s Alex Rodriguez, a sophomore at FSU, was 19th in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:03.30. He bettered that time in the “C” final, finishing in 2:02.53. His splits were 27.59, 30.94, 31.62 and 32.38.

Big Ten Championships

SOFLO’s Nick Schwab, a junior at Indiana, had a huge breakthrough in the conference championships in Iowa City. He qualified 17th in the 200-yard breaststroke in a best time 2:00.37, bettering his seed time of 2:02.62 and came back to break 2 minutes for the first time, finishing second in the “C” final in 1:59.70, an NCAA “B” cut time.

Michigan won the men’s team title with 738.5 points. Ohio State was second with 552.5 and Indiana was third with 549 points.

Sun Belt Conference Championships

University of Denver swept the team titles on the final night in Rockwall, Tex. It was the second consecutive sweep for the Pioneers.

On the fourth and final day, Florida Atlantic’s Eszter Bucz, who trains with SOFLO, won the 1,650-yard freestyle in 16:30.94. Teammate Annett Kovacs won the 200-meter butterfly in a meet record 1:58.39.

Florida International University finished the meet with 10 school records, four Sun Belt Conference records, won five Sun Belt championships, had nine medalists, 13 finalists and swept Conference Swimmer, Diver and Coaches of the Year awards. FIU was fourth in the women’s team standings with 468 points.

FIU’s Johanna Gustafsdottir won three individual events and earned Sun Belt Swimmer of the Year honors. The freshman from Finland broke Sun Belt and school records in the 200-yard individual medley (1:59.14) and 200-yard backstroke (1:54.40).

Denver’s Kyle Milberg and Western Kentucky’s Heitor Rodrigues were Men’s Co-Swimmers of the Year.

Teammate Sabrina Beaupre won the 1- and 3-meter springboard titles and was named Sun Belt Diver of the Year.

FIU coach Randy Horner was named Sun Belt Swim Coach of the Year and former Spanish River High School, University of Miami and Fort Lauderdale Diving Team’s Chris Mantilla was named Women’s Sun Belt Diving Coach of the Year for the second year. Michelle Davison-Sandelin of Florida Atlantic was named Men’s Sun Belt Diving Coach of the Year.

Florida Atlantic women finished fifth with 433 points and the men’s team was third with 656 points.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO Swimmers Excel At Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental Meet, Future Looks Bright

SOFLO Swimmers Excel At Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental Meet, Future Looks Bright


WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 27, 2012

For three days, South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers took turns impressing their coaches at the Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental Meet in Pembroke Pines.

The hours of training at Academic Village Pool paid huge dividends for swimmers at all levels with personal-best times and qualifying times for major meets including next month’s Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics in Coral Springs.

SOFLO and Comets age group swimmers turned in 571 personal-best times during the three-day meet in their home pool.

“Our kids did very well,” said SOFLO senior development coach Travis Lockie. “Ninety per cent of our kids swam best times.

“Overall, the whole group did very well. They have been working their little butts off for a long time. They went above and beyond what I expected for them.”

Several swimmers earned JO cuts for the first time including Nikolas Ujueta, 14, and Clarissa Melendez, 15.

The young swimmers were particularly impressive.

Marcus Franco, 8, of the Comets Swim Team had an outstanding meet. He won the 10-and-under 100-yard backstroke in 1:19.34, and 200-yard freestyle in 2:29.67 in best times and FGJO cuts.

“Our kids did overwhelmingly very well,” said SOFLO age group and development coach George Mersinger. “Those Dippers swam well. Every Dipper swam at least two best times in this meet. We had three young men come back in finals—John Handal, Marcus Franco and Luis Bucaro. Marcus got four JO cuts and Luis two JO cuts.”

Mersinger attributed much of the swimmers’ success to brainstorming with SOFLO/Comets coaches Rose Lockie and Megan Garland and stepping up some of the swimmers’ training regimen three to four weeks ago.

“We stepped up the advanced group’s training where we were doing just as much drill work and concentrating on technique but now adding more and more yardage,” Mersinger explained. “The longer swims gave them more opportunity to practice the drills. We watched this closely and it was a significant break in the way we train.”

The swimmers are split into three sections with Lockie working with the advanced group, Garland working with the intermediate group and Mersinger working with the developing kids.

“We used to train all three groups basically the same,” Mersinger said. “Looking at the kids we realize we have kids that can do more and go faster so we decided to change the training regimen. At the same time we recognize we have kids who are fairly new to swimming.”

Mersinger said because of the sheer volume of swimmers there may be an additional Saturday practice once or twice a month.

“The three of us are constantly bouncing ideas off each other,” Mersinger said. “We keep with what works. The whole idea of stepping up that advance group’s training and Megan’s intermediate group really worked out well.”

In the relay competition, the Comets’ 200-yard freestyle relay of Nicolas Rossi, 8, Zackary Harris, 7, Sebastian Lares, 7 and Marcus Franco, 8, won in a season-best 2:20.55 ahead of SOFLO’s relay of Derek Tom, 9, Sebastian Sevilla, 10, John Paul Handal, 9 and Luis Bucaro, 10, in 2:24.47, also a season-best.

SOFLO’s boys 11-12 relay of Andres Lares, 12, Matthew Liang, 11, Miguel Hernandez, 12, and Kevin Porto, 12, won in a season-best 1:53.79; 13-14 relay of Nikolas Ujueta, 14, Ryan Capote, 14, Cristian Rossi, 13, and Gustavo Valery, 13 won in a season-best 1:38.41; and 15-18 relay of Xavier Brown, 17, Fernando Quintero, 15, Ryan Capote, 16, and Josh Coote, 16, in 1:40.80.

The Comets 10-and-under 200-yard medley relay also finished ahead of SOFLO, 2:40.77-2:41.07 with Sebastian Lares, 7, Zackary Harris, 7, Marcus Franco, 8, and Nicolas Rossi, 8.

SOFLO girls swept the 200-yard freestyle relays. The 10-and-under team of Kyana Castro, 9, Sarah Schimansky, 8, Mikaela De Gracia, 10, and Anabel Vazquez, 10, won in 2:15.34, a season-best; 11-12 team of Jennifer Rodriguez, 11, Andrea Bucaro, 12, Katherine De Barros, 11 and Alani Carrasco, 12, won in a season-best 1:57.56; 13-14 team of Jessie Cordero, 14, Kylie Herman, 14, Carly Swanson, 14, and Melissa Marinheiro, 14, won in 1:49.01; and 15-18 relay of Leonie Davies, 15, Clarisa Melendez, 15, Leysha Caraballo, 15, and Maria Lopez, 16, won in 1:51.00.

Among SOFLO’s girls individual winners and time trials fastest swimmers were:

Alani Carrasco, 12, 400-yard individual medley, 5:11.47, DIV time; 200-yard butterfly, 2:36.90, FGJO.

Stephanie Mlujeak, 13, 400-yard individual medley, 5:12.55, FGJO cut.

Daniela Jimenez, 16, 400-yard individual medley, 5:10.64; 100-yard butterfly, 1:05.64, DIV; 50-yard freestyle, 26.81, DIV.

Evelin Jimenez, 16, 100-yard butterfly, 58.94, DIV.

Andrea Bucaro, 12, 1,650-yard freestyle, 19:39.24, DIV; 50-yard breaststroke, 38.10, FGJO; 200-yard breaststroke 2:53.45, FGJO.

Marcella Marinheiro, 17, 200-yard breaststroke, 2:42.90, DIV.

Melissa Marinheiro, 14, 100-yard breaststroke, 1:12.67, FGJO; 50-yard butterfly, 26.40, DIV.

Michelle Marinheiro, 9, 200-yard freestyle, 2:38.61.

Maria Lopez, 16, 100-yard breaststroke, 1:18.09, DIV; 200-yard butterfly, 2:05.96, DIV; 100-yard butterfly, 58.27, DIV.

Elise Larin, 10, 50-yard freestyle, 32.35, FGJO; 50-yard backstroke, 37.13, FGJO.

Katherine De Barros, 11, 50-yard freestyle, 29.90, FGJO; 200-yard individual medley, 2:35.41, FGJO.

Astrid Rigau, 15, 50-yard freestyle, 28.04 DIV; 50-yard backstroke, 33.11.

Leonie Davies, 15, 200-yard butterfly, 2:24.06, DIV; 50-yard freestyle, 26.64, DIV.

Anabel Vazquez, 10, 50-yard freestyle, 6:27.44, FGJO.

Natasha Testa, 13, 100-yard freestyle, 59.63, FGJO; 50-yard backstroke, 32.64, DIV.

Natalie Simm, 10, 200-yard individual medley, 2:54.90, FGJO.

Kylie Herman, 14, 200-yard backstroke, 2:23.84, FGJO.

Luana Cabral, 20, 50-yard freestyle, 24.89.

SOFLO’s boys individual winners and fastest time trials swimmers were:

Alex Monti, 13, 400-yard individual medley, 4:47.71, FGJO; 200-yard individual medley, 2:11.27, DIV.

Jacob Walters, 16, 400-yard individual medley, 4:33.62, DIV.

Ryan Capote, 14, 100-yard backstroke, 1:01.14, FGJO; 200-yard backstroke, 2:14.86, FGJO.

Nikolas Ujueta, 14, 50-yard butterfly, 29.01, DIV.

Jonathan Strod, 13, 100-yard breaststroke, 1:09.36, DIV; 200-yard breaststroke, 2:33.52, FGJO.

Xavier Brown, 17, 15-18 200-yard freestyle, 1:53.64, DIV; 50-yard freestyle, 22.41, DIV; 100-yard butterfly, 54.87, DIV.

Josemiguel Fernandez, 15, 200-yard butterfly, 2:30.97.

Andres Lares, 12, 200-yard butterfly, 2:32.06, FGJO.

Matthew Mila, 15, 50-yard freestyle, 23.62, DIV.

Cristian Rossi, 13, 100-yard backstroke, 1:04.74, FGJO.

SUNDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

100-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Jessica Mesa, Blue Marlins 1:11.63; SOFLO: 3. Kyana Castro 1:12.98, 5. Michelle Marinheiro 1:13.97, 6. Mikaela De Gracia 1:14.40, 18. Natalie Simm 1:20.94, 19. Savanha Saunders 1:21.09, 23. Paola Huerta 1:24.30, 28. Trinity Hoyos 1:25.18, 36. Maria Carrillo 1:30.41, 40. Emma Perera 1:34.47, 43. Salma Hegazy 1:36.94, 47. Taylor Lindauer 1:40.78, 54. Morgan Cavanagh 1:47.81, 56. Sophia Bedoya 1:55.40; COMETS: 21. Sara Quintero 1:23.11, 44. Gretchen Montgomery 1:37.16; 11-12, 1. Mary Smutny, AK Sharks 1:04.41; SOFLO: 3. Abolade Oyetunji 1:05.27, 10. Anna Montgomery 1:09.01, 11. Valentina Diaz 1:09.13, 12. Alexandra Crespo 1:09.71, 16. Adrianne Silva 1:10.88, 17. Isabel Shashaty 1:11.61, 18. Zariya Harris 1:12.14, 23. Catalina Lizarazo 1:14.04, 29. Catalin Grant 1:17.64, 32. Kellie Wilcox 1:20.41; 13-14, 1. Natasha Testa, SOFLO 59.63; SOFLO: 2. Lilli Calero 1:00.34, 7. Monica Rodriguez 1:01.78, 12. Stephanie Mlujeak 1:01.92, 24. Maya Hirian 1:06.18, 27. Vanessa Garcia 1:08.29, 28. Julia Montgomery 1:08.43, 32. Sofia Arriaga 1:10.11, 33. Alisa Huang 1:10.29, 35. Melissa Gonzalez 1:10.93, 40. Katie Rodriguez 1:20.82; 15-18, 1 Jesitt Perez, Team FLA 59.65; SOFLO: 2. Astrid Rigau 1:01.11, 4. Clarisa Melendez 1:04.45, 6. Hannah Doyle 1:04.74.   

200-yard medley relay:

10-and-under, 1. SOFLO “A” 2:32.08 (Mikaela De Gracia, Elise Larin, Kyana Castro, Sarah Schimansky), 2. SOFLO “B” 2:59.29 (Emma Perera, Natalie Simm, Maria Carrillo, Paola Huerta); 11-12, 1. SOFLO “A” 2:20.37 (Andrea Bucaro, Lauren Simm, Jennifer Rodriguez, Katherine De Barros), 2. SOFLO “B” 2:31.68 (Anna Montgomery, Alexandra Crespo, Zariya Harris, Valentina Diaz); 13-14, 1. SOFLO “A” 2:04.32 (Monica Rodriguez, Lilli Calero, Natasha Testa, Kylie Herman), 2. SOFLO “B” 2:15.89 (Maya Hirian, Jessie Cordero, Carly Swanson, Stephanie Mlujeak); 15-18, 1. SOFLO “A” 2:00.53 (Marcella Marinheiro, Astrid Rigau, Maria Lopez, Amber Hunter), 2. SOFLO “B” 2:15.01 (Hannah Doyle, Leysha Caraballo, Leonie Davies, Clarisa Melendez).

200-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Natalie Simm, SOFLO 2:54.90; SOFLO: 5. Sarah Schimansky 3:13.93; 11-12, 1. Katherine De Barros, SOFLO 2:35.41;  SOFLO: 4. Jennifer Rodriguez 2:36.74, 17. Isabel Shashaty 2:56.34, 19. Catalina Lizarazo 3:03.92; 13-14, 1. Cloe Bedard-Khalid, Metro Aquatics 2:23.51; SOFLO: 5. Monica Rodriguez 2:28.40, 9. Lilli Calero 2:30.79; 15-18, 1. Mashlie Sanchez, Atlantis Swimming 2:26.14; SOFLO: 4. Leysha Caraballo 2:40.14.

50-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Elise Larin, SOFLO 37.13; SOFLO: 2. Mikaela De Gracia 38.13, 6. Kyana Castro 39.59, 11. Kyana Castro 41.22, 15. Michelle Marinheiro 42.88, 16. Savanha Saunders 43.58, 19. Trinity Hoyos 44.36, 24. Paola Huerta 45.48, 28. Sarah Schimansky 46.97, 32. Taylor Lindauer 48.55, 33. Emma Perera 48.56, 34. Maria Carrillo 48.78, 35. Salma Hegazy 48.93, 43. Sophia Bedoya 52.19, 46. Morgan Cavanagh 54.75; COMETS: 17. Sara Quintero 43.60, 31. Gretchen Montgomery 47.79, 47. Analucia Raimont 55.12; 11-12, 1. Emily Cordovi, Blue Marlins 32.70; SOFLO: 2. Lauren Simm 34.98,4. Anna Montgomery 36.13, 14. Isabel Shashaty 37.49, 18. Valentina Diaz 38.40, 21. Adrianne Silva 39.11, 24. Kellie Wilcox 39.61, 25. Alexandra Crespo 39.89, 26. Zariya Harris 40.01, 27. Abolade Oyetunji 40.54, 29. Catalina Lizarazo 42.36; 13-14, 1. Natasha Testa, SOFLO 32.64; SOFLO: 2. Jessie Cordero 33.53, 12. Julia Montgomery 37.18, 15. Alisa Huang 38.16, 16. Melissa Gonzalez 38.57, 17. Vanessa Garcia 38.80, 22. Katie Rodriguez 44.25; 15-18, 1. Astrid Rigau, SOFLO 33.11; SOFLO: 3. Clarisa Melendez 33.80, 5. Hannah Doyle 34.31.

100-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Caroline Rodriguez, Atlantis 1:19.67; SOFLO: 2. Elise Larin, 1:32.61; 11-12,  1. April Mullen, North Miami 1:13.77; SOFLO: 6. Jennifer Rodriguez 1:16.86, 14. Zariya Harris 1:29.67; 13-14, 1. Lindsay Manganiello, AK Sharks 1:07.33; SOFLO: 4. Monica Rodriguez 1:11.63, 5. Stephanie Mlujeak 1:12.18, 8. Lilli Calero 1:13.24; 15-18, 1. Daniela Jimenez, SOFLO 1:05.64.

50-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Sophie Kubida, Florida Keys 43.68; SOFLO: 5. Mikaela De Gracia 44.12, 6. Natalie Simm 44.21, 13. Sarah Schimansky 47.25, 17. Savanha Saunders 48.88, 18. Taylor Lindauer 49.70, 19. Michelle Marinheiro 50.07, 25. Trinity Hoyos 51.28, 34. Emma Perera 55.75, 35. Sophis Bedoya 56.00, 39. Paola Huerta 1:00.91; COMETS: 29. Sara Quintero 51.91, 33. Gretchen Montgomery 55.26; 11-12, 1. Andrea Bucaro, SOFLO 38.10; SOFLO: 2. Katherine De Barros 39.48, 3. Lauren Simm 39.71, 15. Abolade Oyetunji 42.22, 17. Alexandra Crespo 42.90, 29. Kellie Wilcox 45.81, 31. Adrianne Silva 46.27, 34. Catalin Grant 49.10; 13-14, 1. Nastassja Posso, Rockway 37.30; SOFLO: 2. Kylie Herman 37.51, 7. Vanessa Garcia 39.34, 9. Maya Hirian 41.08, 11. Julia Montgomery 41.71, 16. Jessie Cordero 42.96, 17. Melissa Gonzalez 43.36, 18. Sofia Arriaga 43.84, 19. Alisa Huang 43.85, 23. Katie Rodriguez 48.10; 15-18, 1. Omaira German, Blue Marlins 36.49; SOFLO: 4. Leysha Caraballo 39.36.

200-yard backstroke:

11-12, 1. Ana Pereyra, Blue Marlins 2:35.50; SOFLO: 3. Anna Montgomery 2:41.21, 5. Valentina Diaz 2:46.71; 13-14, 1. Kylie Herman, SOFLO 2:23.84; SOFLO: 6. Maya Hirian 2:36.66, 7. Jessie Cordero 2:40.35; 15-18, 1.  Maria Perez, Blue Marlins 2:34.75; SOFLO: 2. Hannah Doyle 2:36.46, 3. Clarisa Melendez 2:37.41, 4. Astrid Rigau 2:40.79.

200-yard breaststroke:

11-12, 1. Andrea Bucaro, SOFLO 2:53.45; SOFLO: 2. Katherine De Barros 2:53.93, 3. Jennifer Rodriguez 2:56.09; 13-14, 1. Nicole Nieto, Metro Aquatics 2:45.99; SOFLO: 8. Carly Swanson 3:07.63; 15-18, 1. Marcella Marinheiro 2:42.90; SOFLO: 3. Amber Hunter 2:49.72, 4. Leonie Davies 2:51.14, 5. Daniela Jimenez 2:57.74, 6. Leysha Caraballo 3:03.08.

400-yard individual medley:

11-12, 1. Alani Carrasco, SOFLO 5:11.47; 13-14, 1. Stephanie Mlujeak, SOFLO 5:12.55; SOFLO: 2. Monica Rodriguez 5:28.17; 15-18, 1. Daniela Jimenez, SOFLO 5:10.64.

1,650-yard freestyle:

12-and-under, 1. Andrea Bucaro, SOFLO 19:29.34; 13-14, 1. Sandi Valdes, Metro Aquatics 19:29.54; SOFLO: 2. Lilli Calero 19:35.64, 3. Natasha Testa 21:23.82.

BOYS

100-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Sergio Paredes, Rockway 1;12.18; SOFLO: 3. Joseph Lee 1:13.53,  18. John Paul Handal 1:22.66, 29. Sebastian Sevilla 1:27.76, 3. Akira Huang 1:30.10, 33. Roberto Garrido 1:30.15, 53. Marcus Hernandez 2:13.80; COMETS: 27. Sebastian Lares 1:26.11, 31. Zackary Harris 1:29.87, 37. Tanner Gibson 1:32.49; 11-12, 1. Santiago Aguilera, Unattached 1:00.76; SOFLO: 2. Miguel Hernandez 1:01.49, 4. Tyler Gibson 1:04.83, 10. Matthew Liang 1:07.31; 13-14, 1. Vladimir Paredes, Rockway 53.41; SOFLO: 6. Nikolas Ujueta 57.39; 15-18, 1. Jonathan Fabio, Gulliver 52.54; SOFLO: 3. Fernando Quintero 55.18, 8. Josh Coote 1:00.81, 13. Josh Coote 59.62, 17. Daniel Reyna 1:04.73.

200-yard medley relay:

10-and-under, 1. Comets “A” 2:40.77 (Sebastian Lares, Zackary Harris, Marcus Franco, Nicolas Rossi), 2. SOFLO “A” 2:41.07 (Derek Tom, Sebastian Sevilla, John Paul Handal, Luis Bucaro); 11-12, 1. SOFLO “A” 2:14.42 (Andres Arias, Tyler Gibson, Andres Lares, Miguel Hernandez), 3. SOFLO “B” 2:31.63 (Brando Quilli, Jonathan Drolet, Sam Walters, Nicolas Raimont); 13-14, 1. SOFLO “A” 1:49.86 (Alfredo Mesa, Alex Monti, Jonathan Strod, Cristian Rossi), 2. SOFLO “B” 1:55.60 (Diego Rodriguez, Jordan Colon, Carlos Rodriguez, Ryan Capote); 15-18, 1. SOFLO “A” 1:54.01 (Fernando Quintero, Matthew Mila, Jacob Walters, Daniel Reyna), 2. SOFLO “B” 1:55.65 (Edward Kon, Roger Capote, Teddy Sandoval, Josh Coote).

200-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Michael Arias, Blue Marlins 2:49.18; COMETS; 3. Marcus Franco 2:55.72, 5. Nicolas Rossi 3:01.65; SOFLO: 6. Luis Bucaro 3:04.35, 7. Nicolas Drolet 3:10.96; 11-12, 1. Eugenio Lauzurique, Metro Aquatics 2:38.32; SOFLO: 2. Miguel Hernandez 2:40.72, 5. Jonathan Drolet 2:54.25, 6. Nicolas Raimont 2:59.67; 13-14, 1. Alex Monti, SOFLO 2:11.27; SOFLO: 5. Ryan Capote 2:20.17; 15-18, 1. Craig Drennan, AK Sharks 2:09.85; SOFLO: 6. Teddy Sandoval 2:17.66.

50-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Michael Arias, Blue Marlins 36.63; COMETS: 5. Nicolas Rossi 39.32; SOFLO: 9. John Paul Handal 41.06, 15. Luis Bucaro 42.62, 27. Roberto Garrido 46.08, 29. Akira Huang 46.74, 31. Sebastian Sevilla 47.49, 48. Anthony Gutierrez 55.43, 52. Marcus Hernandez 1:13.31; COMETS: 13. Sebastian Lares 41.83, 33. Tanner Gibson 47.62, 34. Zackary Harris 47.74; 11-12, 1. Christopher Sanchez, Blue Marlins 32.75; SOFLO: 9. Brando Quilli 36.92, 10. Tyler Gibson 37.09; 13-14, 1. Robert Matias-Saez, Rockway 29.33; SOFLO: 2. Carlos Rodriguez 29.85, 3. Alex Monti 29.94, 6. Jonathan Strod 30.57, 8. Alexander Viloria 31.44, 9. Nikolas Ujueta 31.63; 15-18, 1. John Worthley, Devilrays 29.40; SOFLO: 2. Roger Capote 30.39.

100-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Sebastian Marsal, Miami Dade County 1:14.03; COMETS: 3. Marcus Franco 1:26.18, SOFLO: 5. Derek Tom 1:27.44, 6. Joseph Lee 1:28.30; 11-12, 1. Christopher Sanchez, Blue Marlins 1:11.31; SOFLO: 8. Sam Walters 1:23.22; 13-14, 1. Santiago Lozano 57.47; SOFLO: 5. Cristian Rossi 1:04.75, 8. Ryan Capote 1:05.35, 9. Nikolas Ujueta 1:05.40; 15-18, 1. Luis Rivadeneira, Rockway 58.84; SOFLO: 5. Roger Capote 1:02.84, 6. Josh Coote 1:02.88, 7. Teddy Sandoval 1:03.61, 18. Edward Kon 1:05.94.

50-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Lukas Cote, Florida Keys 43.58; SOFLO: 8. Derek Tom 46.10, 22. John Paul Handal 50.34, 23. Joseph Lee 50.61, 25. Luis Bucaro 51.39, 27. Sebastian Sevilla 52.86, 30. Nicolas Drolet 53.67, 36. Akira Huang 55.77, 49. Anthony Gutierrez 1:04.74; COMETS: 10. Marcus Franco 46.55, 20. Nicolas Rossi 49.69, 21. Sebastian Lares 50.06, 34. Zackary Harris 55.01, 45. Tanner Gibson 59.32; 11-12, 1. Ricardo Paredes, Rockway 37.64; SOFLO: 3. Miguel Hernandez 39.49, 5. Matthew Liang 39.83, 7. Andres Lares 40.55, 10. Jonathan Drolet 41.51; 13-14, 1. Vladimir Paredes, Rockway 32.90; SOFLO: 8. Carlos Rodriguez 34.96, 9. Alfredo Mesa 35.35, 10. Alexander Viloria 35.69; 15-18, 1. Marco Estigarribia, Atlantis 34.16; SOFLO: 2. Fernando Quintero 34.22.

200-yard backstroke:

15-18, 1. Craig Drennan, AK Sharks 2:12.98; SOFLO: 6. Josh Coote 2:32.28.

200-yard breaststroke:

15-18, 1. Patrick Vega, Unattached 2:27.64; SOFLO: 2. Edward Kon 2:43.83.

TIME TRIALS

WOMEN: 50-yard freestyle, 1. Leonie Davies, SOFLO 26.64, 2. Daniela Jimenez, SOFLO 27.00; 50-yard butterfly, 1. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 26.40; 100-yard butterfly: 1. Maria Lopez, SOFLO 58.27, 2. Evelin Jimenez, SOFLO 59.58, 3. Amber Hunter, SOFLO 59.63.

MEN: 50-yard freestyle, 1. Xavier Brown, SOFLO 22.41; 100-yard butterfly: 1. Xavier Brown, SOFLO 54.87.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com 

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

Lopez, Rigau, Jimenez, Franco Lead Several Top SOFLO Swims At Area 3 Developmental Meet

Lopez, Rigau, Jimenez, Franco Lead Several Top SOFLO Swims At Area 3 Developmental Meet


WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 25, 2012

South Florida Aquatic Club dominated second-day action at the Comets-hosted Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental Meet Saturday at Academic Village Pool in Pembroke Pines.

Most of SOFLO’s swimmers turned in at least one career-best time while others made FGC Junior Olympic and Division cuts.

Astrid Rigau, 15, was among SOFLO’s top performers swimming a career-best and division time in the 50-yard freestyle.

“She did a nice job getting her best time in the 50 free,” SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson said. “She’s been working hard for the last three, four months and it’s coming together for her.”

SOFLO’s Maria Lopez swam her cut time in the 200-yard butterfly in a best time 2:05.96 during a time trial. Lopez also won the 100-yard breaststroke in a division cut time of 1:18.09.

Michelle Marinheiro, 9, won the 200-yard freestyle in a best time 2:38.61, dropping from 2:43.39 and also tied with teammate Kyana Castro for second place in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:25.34.

Older sister Melissa Marinheiro, 14, won the 100-yard breaststroke in a best time 1:12.67, also a FGJO cut and five-second margin of victory. Her previous best was 1:14.08.

Jonathan Strod, 13, won the 100-yard breaststroke in a best time and FGJO cut 1:09.36.

Elise Larin, 10, won the 50-yard freestyle in a best time 32.35, also a FGJO cut. Katherine DeBarros, 11, won the 50-yard freestyle in her age group in a best time 29.90.

SOFLO’s Jose Fernandez, 15, won the 15-18 200-yard butterfly in 2:30.97. Andres Lares, 12, won the 11-12 200-yard butterfly in 2:32.06, a Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympic cut time.

Xavier Brown, 17, won the 200-yard freestyle in a best time 1:53.64, also a division cut.

In a time trial, SOFLO’s Cristian Rossi, 13, posted a FGC Junior Olympic cut time of 1:04.74 in the 100-yard backstroke.

In the boys’ 200-yard freestyle relay competition, there were some exciting battles.

In the 10-and-under event, the Comets “A” relay knocked off SOFLO’s “A” relay. The relay of Nicolas Rossi, 8, Zackary Harris, 7, Sebastian Lares, 7, and Marcus Franco, 8, won in a season-best 2:20.55, bettering their seed time of 2:24.38. SOFLO’s relay of Derek Tom, 9, Sebastian Sevilla, 10, John Paul Handal, 9, and Luis Bucaro, 10, finished second in 2:24.47, bettering their seed time of 2:26.52.

In the 15-18 event, SOFLO’s “B” relay of Xavier Brown, 17, Fernando Quintero, 15, Roger Capote, 16, and Josh Coote, 16, seeded second in 1:39.22, won in 1:40.80. Brown led off and had the fastest split of 23.03. SOFLO’s “A” relay of Matthew Mila, 15, Josemiguel Fernandez, 15, Daniel Reyna, 16, and Teddy Sandoval, 15, seeded first in 1:33.01, finished second in 1:44.25.

The Comets were led by 8-year-old Marcus Franco. He won the 100-yard backstroke in a best time 1:10.34, also a FGJO cut and the 200-yard freestyle in 2:29.67, also a best time and FGJO cut.

SOFLO’s Ryan Capote, 14, won the 100-yard backstroke in a best time 1:01.14, also a FGJO cut.

Teammate Nikolas Ujueta, 14, won the 50-yard butterfly in a best time and division cut 29.01.

The Area 3 field features more than 500 swimmers including 139 from SOFLO. The three-day meet concludes on Sunday with two prelim sessions and one championship final.

SATURDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

100-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Claudia Acosta, Hialeah 1:24.35; SOFLO: 2. Michelle Marinheiro 1:25.34, 2. Kyana Castro 1:25.34, 4. Natalie Simm 1:26.19, 5. Mikaela De Gracia 1:26.46, 14. Paola Huerta 1:39.07, 15. Maria Carrillo 1:40.28, 18. Emma Perera 1:42.52, 20. Taylor Lindauer 1:47.11, 25. Sophia Bedoya 2:06.61; COMETS: 9. Sara Quintero 1:32.04, 15. Gretchen Montgomery 1:40.28; 11-12, 1. Hanah Banciella, Miami Swimming 1:11.59; SOFLO: 2. Andrea Bucaro 1:11.94,  4. Ann Montgomery 1:15.47, 5. Jennifer Rodriguez 1:16.21, 11. Valentina Diaz 1:18.70, 13. Lauren Simm 1:19.83, 16. Adrianne Silva 1:22.76, 17. Isabel Shashaty 1:23.12, 20. Catalina Lizarazo 1:27.05, 22. Kellie Wilcox 1:29.49; 13-14, 1. Nastassja Posso, Rockway 1:07.69; SOFLO: 3. Maya Hirian 1:10.31, 6. Natasha Testa 1:13.99, 15. Julia Montgomery 1:20.15, 17. Melissa Gonzalez 1:21.20, 18. Alisa Huang 1:21.57, 19. Vanessa Garcia 1:26.97; 15-18, 1. Jesitt Perez, Team FLA 1:09.75; SOFLO: 3. Astrid Rigau 1:12.11, 4. Hannah Doyle 1:12.47, 5. Clarisa Melendez 1:13.09.

200-yard freestyle relay:

10-and-under, 1. SOFLO “A” 2:15.34 (Kyana Castro, Sarah Schimansky, Mikaela DeGracia, Anabel Vazquez), 2. SOFLO “B” 2:20.19 (Savanha Saunders, Maria Carrillo, Natalie Simm, Elise Larin); 11-12, 1. SOFLO “A” 1:57.56 (Jennifer Rodriguez, Andrea Bucaro, Katherine DeBarros, Alani Carrasco); 13-14, 1. SOFLO “A” 1:49.01 (Kylie Herman, Sophia Bucaro, Carly Swanson, Melissa Marinheiro), 2. SOFLO “B” 1:51.88 (Monica Rodriguez, Lilli Calero, Cristina Villegas, Natasha Testa); 15-18, 1. SOFLO “A” 1:51.00 (Leonie Davies, Clarissa Melendez, Leysha Caraballo, Maria Lopez).

50-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Daniela Benguria, Hialeah 37.02; SOFLO: 4. Anabel Vazquez 39.25, 5. Elise Larin 40.88, 16. Salma Hegazy 46.20, 21. Trinity Hoyos 48.95, 25. Maria Carrillo 52.45, 26. Paola Huerta 52.80; COMETS: 30. Analucia Raimont 1:02.93; 11-12, 1. Hanah Banciella, Miami Swimming 32.32; SOFLO: 24. Isabel Shashaty 37.44, 27. Zariya Harris 39.34, 34. Catalina Grant 46.02; 13-14, 1. Madeline Salvatore, Miami Swimming 30.61; SOFLO: 5. Stephanie Mlujeak 33.21, 16. Melissa Gonzalez 35.06, 18. Maya Hirian 35.55; 15-18, 1. Ally Galea, AK Sharks 32.27; SOFLO: 6. Vivi Calero 37.33.

100-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Ani Vieira Wolfermann, Miami Swimming 1:33.83;  SOFLO: 4. Natalie Simm 1:35.42, 6. Mikaela De Gracia 1:37.27, 18. Savanha Saunders 1:50.84, 19. Trinity Hoyos 1:52.16; COMETS: 20. Gretchen Montgomery 1:52.20, 23. Ivanna Fregoso 2:17.21, 24. Sophia Bedoya 2:18.20; 11-12, 1. Emily Cordovi, Blue Marlins 1:19.38; SOFLO: 2. Andrea Bucaro 1:20.04, 5. Jennifer Rodriguez 1:23.67, 14. Abola Oyetunji 1:31.24, 15. Alexandra Crespo 1:31.43, 21. Kellie Wilcox 1:42.94, 27. Brittney Parra 1:55.30; 13-14, 1. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 1:12.67; SOFLO: 2. Lilli Calero 1:17.58, 4. Natasha Testa 1:19.48, 5. Kylie Herman 1:21.89, 17. Carly Swanson 1:25.53, 19. Julia Montgomery 1:27.59, 21. Vanessa Garcia 1:30.77, 22. Sofia Arriago 1:33.18, 26. Katie Rodriguez 1:43.46; 15-18, 1. Maria Lopez, SOFLO 1:18.09; SOFLO: 3. Leonie Davies 1:20.64, 4. Evelin Jimenez 1:20.69, 7. Daniela Jimenez 1:23.40, 8. Leysha Caraballo 1:23.68, 11. Vivi Calero 1:30.42.

50-yard freestyle:

10-and-under: 1. Elise Larin, SOFLO 32.35; SOFLO: 6. Sarah Schimansky 34.32, 8. Michelle Marinheiro 34.72, 9. Mikaela De Gracia 34.78, 23. Paolo Huerta 37.97, 24. Savanha Saunders 38.00, 36. Taylor Lindauer 40.26, 39. Emma Perera 40.59, 43. Salma Hegazy 41.87, 44. Ivanna Fregoso 42.18, 47. Morgan Cavanagh 44.57, 55. Sophia Bedoya 49.82; COMETS: 20. Sara Quintero 37.48, 48. Gretchen Montgomery 44.75, 56. Analucia Raimont 50.80; 11-12, 1. Katherine De Barros, SOFLO 29.90;  SOFLO:  2. Valentine Diaz 30.21, 3. Abolade Oyetunji 30.31, 11. Abola Oyetunji 31.77, 12. Ann Montgomery 31.85, 14. Lauren Simm 32.37, 15. Zariya Harris 32.40, 17. Adrianne Silva 32.52, 18. Alexandra Crespo 32.62, 22. Isabel Shashaty 32.93, 23. Catalina Lizarazo 33.10, 32. Catalina Grant 35.01, 37. Brittney Parra 38.15; 13-14, 1. Jennifer Mesa, Blue Marlins 27.07; SOFLO: 9. Stephanie Mlujeak 29.43, 18. Cristina Villegas 29.25, 19. Jessie Cordero 29.66, 22. Maya Hirian 30.16, 27. Alisa Huang 30.73, 31. Sofia Arriaga 31.48, 33. Julia Montgomery 31.90, 41. Katie Rodriguez 36.98; 15-18, 1. Astrid Rigau, SOFLO 28.04; SOFLO: 4. Clarisa Melendez 29.91, 6. Hannah Doyle 30.75, 9. Vivi Calero 32.50.

200-yard freestyle:

10-and-under: 1. Michelle Marinheiro, SOFLO 2:38.61; SOFLO: 3. Kyana Castro 2;43.12, 4. Natalie Simm 2:44.75,  11. Trinity Hoyos 3:02.78, 12. Maria Carrillo 3:04.52, 14. Morgan Cavanagh 3:28.04; COMETS: 6. Sara Quintero 2:51.08; 11-12, 1. April Mullen, North Miami 2:12.39; SOFLO: 2. Katherine DeBarros 2:16.36, 10. Valentina Diaz 2:29.94, 11. Abola Oyetunji 2:28.42, 12. Alexandra Crespo 2:29.32, 14. Ann Montgomery 2:31.01, 16. Adrianna Silva 2:35.63, 17. Zariya Harris 2:35.85; 13-14, 1. Claudia Mendez, Blue Marlins 2:08.42; SOFLO: 4. Stephanie Mlujeak 2:12.07, 6. Natasha Testa 2:13.21; 15-18, 1. Jordan Gullage, Metro Aquatics 2:07.40; SOFLO: 4. Leysha Caraballo 2:15.13, 5. Hannah Doyle 2:16.28, 9. Clarisa Melendez 2:29.32. 

100-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Niki Luchau, AK Sharks 1:26.22; SOFLO: 4. Sarah Schimansky 1:33.37, 14. Savanha Saunders 1:39.10, 17. Taylor Lindauer 1:41.63, 18. Emma Perera 1:41.98, 27. Salma Hegazy 1:50.19; 11-12, 1. Hanah Banciella, Miami Swimming 1:12.30; SOFLO: 2. Andrea Bucaro 1:12.32, 7. Jennifer Rodriguez 1:15.97.

200-yard butterfly:

11-12, 1. Alani Carrasco, SOFLO 2:36.60; 13-14, 1. Claudia Mendez, Blue Marlins 2:25.00; SOFLO: 6. Lilli Calero 2:38.90.

BOYS

100-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Marcus Franco, Comets 1:19.34; SOFLO:  5. John Paul Handal 1:30.34, 8. Dylan Face 1:36.44, 11. John Handa; 1:31.94, 13. Dylan Face 1:34.70, 14. Robert Garrido 1:38.13, 18. Sebastian Sevilla 1:41.91, 23. Marcos Vazquez 1:49.65, 27. Anthony Gutierrez 2:06.56, 30. Marcus Hernandez 2:37.14; 11-12, 1. Santiago Aguilera, Unattached 1:11.49; SOFLO: 5. Jonathan Drolet 1;17.93, 6. Matthew Liang 1:18.45, 10. Andrew Molko 1:22.20, 13. Brandon Quilli 1:19.99, 16. Miguel Hernandez 1:21.24, 17. Nicolas Raimont 1:21.44, 18. Andres Arias 1:22.61, 22. Noah Molko 1:33.08, 23. Bryce Carro 1:34.68, 25. Hernando Lugo 1:39.10, 26. Sergio Morizot-Leite 1:42.83, 32. Darian Dixon 2:17.44; 13-14, 1. Ryan Capote, SOFLO 1:01.14; SOFLO: 4. Alex Monti 1:03.60, 9. Jonathan Strod 1:07.02, 15. Jonathan Rivas 1:06.73, 16. Cristian Rossi 1:07.39, 17. Alexander Viloria 1:07.82, 22. Nikolas Ujueta 1;10.50, 23. Andres Menchaca 1:11.00, 32. Matthew Delvalle 1:19.36, 34. Marco Crespo 1:20.20, 36. Matthew Cooper 1:23.69; 15-18, 1. Craig Drennan, AK Sharks 1:00.07; SOFLO: 2. Xavier Brown 1:00.32, 5. Fernando Quintero 1:03.31, 8. Daniel Lee 1:05.90,  11. Daniel Reyna 1:11.19, 12. Matthew Mila 1:13.07.

200-yard freestyle relay:

10-and-under, 1. Comets “A” 2:20.55 (Nicolas Rossi, Zackary Harris, Sebastian Lares, Marcus Franco), 2. SOFLO “A” 2:24.47 (Derek Tom, Sebastian Sevilla, John Paul Handal, Luis Bucaro).

11-12, 1. SOFLO “A” 1:53.79 (Andres Lares, Matthew Liang, Miguel Hernandez, Kevin Porto), 2. SOFLO “B” 2:04.07 (Nicolas Raimont, Andres Arias, Andre Molko, Tyler Gibson).

13-14, 1. SOFLO “A” 1:38.41 (Cristian Rossi, Ryan Capote, Jonathan Strod, Gustavo Valery), 3. SOFLO “B” 1:45.45 (Juan Lucas, Alexander Viloria, Jordan Colon, Carlos Rodriguez).

 15-18, 1. SOFLO “B” 1:40.80 (Xavier Brown, Fernando Quintero, roger Capote, Josh Coote), 2. SOFLO “A” 1:44.25 (Matthew Mila, Josemiguel Fernandez, Daniel Reyna, Teddy Sandoval).

50-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Andres Garcia, Miami Dade County 36.80; SOFLO: 7. Joseph Lee 39.62, 8. Derek Tom 39.88, 13. John Paul Handal 42.47, 14. Luis Bucaro 42.60, 28. Robert Garrido 51.53; COMETS: 15. Nicolas Rossi 42.87, 23. Sebastian Lares 48.02, 31. Zackary Harris 54.56; 11-12,  1. Christopher Sanchez, Blue Marlins 31.02; SOFLO: 6. Tyler Gibson 35.04,  22. Nicolas Raimont 37.59; 13-14, 1. Nikolas Ujueta, SOFLO 29.01; 15-18, 1. Luis Rivadeneira, Rockway 26.38; SOFLO: 4. Josemiguel Fernandez 28.46, 5. Teddy Sandoval 28.55, 6. Josh Coote 28.63, 9. Daniel Lee 30.04, 12. Daniel Reyna 30.13.

100-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Juan Rosas, Miami Dade County 1:33.61; SOFLO: 15. Akira Huang 1:51.33, 16. Sebastian Sevilla 1:52.54, 23. Marcos Vazquez 2:13.85; COMETS: 9. Nicolas Rossi 1:47.25; 11-12, 1. Enrique Anzola, AK Sharks 1:20.63;  SOFLO: 2. Kevin Porto 1:20.66, 7. Miguel Hernandez 1:27.65, 9. Jonathan Drolet 1:36.26, 19. Brandon Quilli 1:37.85, 20. Andrew Molko 1:39.68, 22. Sergio Morizot-Leite 1:45.87, 23. Hernando Lugo 1:47.91, 24. Christopher Perez 1:51.44, 26. Ethan Hew 1:54.05; 13-14,  1.  Jonathan Strod, SOFLO 1:09.36; SOFLO: 2. Cristian Rossi 1:10.37, 8. Jonathan Rivas 1:20.45, 9. Ryan Capote 1:23.66, 13. Alexander Viloria 1:20.45, 18. Matthew Cooper 1:21.65, 20. Andres Menchaca 1:22.34, 22. Juan Medina 1:23.78, 25. Matthew Delvalle 1:28.13, 26. Marco Crespo 1:32.25; 15-18, 1. Bernardo Lima, Metro Aquatics 1:09.41;  SOFLO: 4. Xavier Brown 1:13.05, 5. Fernando Quintero 1:16.53.

50-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Sergio Paredes, Rockway 32.52; SOFLO: 2. Luis Bucaro 33.22, 10. Nicolas Drolet 35.96, 23. John Paul Handal 36.88, 27. Dylan Face 37.91, 30. Sebastian Sevilla 39.58, 39. Akira Huang 41.19, 44. Robert Garrido 41.83, 50. Marcos Vazquez 44.47, 62. Anthony Gutierrez 56.71, 63. Marcos Hernandez 59.78; COMETS: 26. Sebastian Lares 37.87, 37. Tanner Gibson 40.76, 42. Zackary Harris 41.38; 11-12, 1. Nicholas Grande, Blue Marlins 28.97, SOFLO: 5. Tyler Gibson 30.09, 9. Matthew Liang 30.81, 12. Andre Molko 30.98, 15. Jonathan Drolet 31.88, 22. Andres Arias 33.04, 27. Brandon Quilli 33.27, 40. Hernando Lugo 36.56, 42. Sergio Morizot-Leite 36.83, 43. Bryce Carro 36.86, 44. Noah Molko 37.10, 49. Darian Dixon 41.02, 52. Ethan Hew 44.62; 13-14, 1. Vladimir Paredes, Rockway 24.94; SOFLO: 4. Nikolas Ujueta 26.26,  22. Simon Ortiz 29.26, 23. Matthew Cooper 29.96, 25. Juan Medina 30.79, 26. Mathew Delvalle 30.93; 15-18, 1. Daniel Angeles, North Miami 25.03; SOFLO: 6. Teddy Sandoval 25.75, 7. Fernando Quintero 25.85, 12. Daniel Lee 26.41, 13. Josh Coote 26.91, 14. Jose Fernandez 27.02, 20. Daniel Reyna 30.09.

200-yard freestyle:  

10-and-under, 1. Marcus Franco, Comets 2:29.67; SOFLO: 3. Derek Tom 2:37.30, 4. Joseph Lee 2:39.66, 14. Nicolas Drolet 2:44.15, 16. Dylan Face 3:10.40; 11-12, 1. Santiago Aguilera, Unattached 2:16.98; SOFLO: 4. Matthew Liang 2:25.25, 13. Andres Arias 2:34.12, 17. Nicolas Raimont 2:44.76; 13-14, 1. Vladimir Paredes, Rockway 1:59.17; SOFLO: 7. Jonathan Rivas 2:17.59, 11. Simon Ortiz 2:14.29, 13. Andres Menchaca 2:14.39, 16. Juan Medina 2:25.45, 17. Marco Crespo 2:28.71; 15-18, 1. Xavier Brown, SOFLO 1:53.64; SOFLO: 7. Teddy Sandoval 2:01.65, 20. Josh Coote 2:13.85.

100-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Juan Rosas, Miami Dade County 1:21.78; SOFLO: 2. Derek Tom 1:22.58, 5. Joseph Lee 1:25.71, 6. Luis Bucaro 1:27.49, 20. Akira Huang 1:40.73; COMETS: 18. Sebastian Lares 1:39.66, 19. Zackary Harris 1:40.37, 23. Tanner Gibson 1:44.45; 11-12, 1. Fernando Rodriguez, Metro Aquatics 1:12.09; SOFLO: 3. Miguel Hernandez 1:14.26, 4. Tyler Gibson 1:14.84, 26. Noah Molko 1:33.42.

200-yard butterfly:

11-12, 1. Andres Lares, SOFLO 2:32.06; 13-14, 1. Alex Arrieta, Metro Aquatics 2:18.96; SOFLO: 3. Alexander Viloria 2:23.28, 6. Carlos Rodriguez 2:29.13; 15-18, 1. Jose Fernandez, SOFLO 2:30.97.

TIME TRIALS

WOMEN: 50-yard freestyle: 15-18, 1. Daniela Jimenez, SOFLO 26.81; 19-and-over, 1. Luana Cabral, SOFLO 24.89; 100-yard butterfly: 15-18, 1. Evelin Jimenez, SOFLO 58.94; 200-yard butterfly: 1. Maria Lopez, SOFLO 2:05.96.

MEN: 50-yard freestyle: 15-18, 1. Matthew Mila, SOFLO 23.62; 100-yard backstroke: 1. Cristian Rossi, SOFLO 1:04.74, FGJO.

IF YOU GO

What: Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental Championships

When: Sunday

Where: Academic Village Pool, 17189 Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines.

Schedule: Sunday, Session 5 prelims 8:30 a.m., Session 6 prelims, 12:30 p.m., Session 7 finals, 6 p.m.

Admission: $3 per session, heat sheets $2 per session. For information call meet director Luis Soler, 954-538-3721.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

U.S. Olympic Hopeful Claire Donahue Enjoying The Journey While Training At South Florida Aquatic Club

U.S. Olympic Hopeful Claire Donahue Enjoying The Journey While Training At South Florida Aquatic Club


WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 25, 2012

Claire Donahue knows just how close she is to making her first U.S. Olympic team in a few months.

The likeable Olympic hopeful in the butterfly is doing everything within her power to make it happen.

From diligent training and eating right, to listening to her coaches and sports psychologist, Donahue is putting all the pieces of the puzzle together to make sure she is prepared when she steps behind the blocks at the June 25-July 2 Olympic Trials at Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.

Donahue, 23, a former Western Kentucky University swimmer, is enjoying the warm weather and sunshine while training and fine tuning at South Florida Aquatic Club’s Academic Village Pool in Pembroke Pines with head coach Chris Anderson for three weeks.

She will be joined by several other WKU Olympic trials qualifiers from various countries during the third week.

Donahue and her Western Kentucky teammates trained at SOFLO during holiday break for years so the familiar setting is a welcome relief for Donahue, who is coming off a whirlwind summer that included her international meet debut at the Pan American Games.

The U.S. national team member won gold in the 100-meter butterfly and 400 medley relay with Pan American Games record performances.

“Having someone else to train with is very nice,” Donahue said. “The weather was obviously another factor and being able to focus just on swimming down here. It’s going to be fun and different to break the monotony.”

In the gym, Donahue is increasing her weight workouts to build up her strength and in the pool fine tuning.

“With swimming you focus on a million different things in the pool and I think that’s kind of what I am doing,” Donahue said.

“The main thing I am focusing on is my second 50 in my 100 fly. It’s my weak point. I’m a sprinter so my first 50 is phenomenal, 99 percent of the time I am the first one at the 50. So right now we are doing more distance-oriented fly, trying to work on the second 50.”

Donahue has been passionate about swimming since she was young. She started swimming at an early age. Her parents “threw me in” and she was a natural moving her arms. A few years later, she followed her older brother and sister’s footsteps and started swimming year-round at a local swim club in Lenoir City, Tenn. In eighth grade she quit running to focus solely on swimming.

“When I first started and for many years I was not great or even good for a while,” Donahue said. “But I love swimming and always have. I think that’s been the key to my success.”

Donahue showed vast improvement from her senior year of high school to her senior year at Western Kentucky where she finished as the most decorated swimmer in school history.

Donahue swam a career-best in morning prelims (58.59) and won a gold medal in finals (58.73) during the Pan American Games. The world record is 56.06.

“That was huge for my confidence, not only win but get a record, too, that was really exciting,” she said.

Donahue was second to Olympic gold medalist and world champion Dana Vollmer in the 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. Nationals last August in Stanford, Calif. which qualified her for the Pan American Games and spot in the Trials. It also showed her she belonged in the upper echelon of swimming.

“I think the past four years it’s been a gradual kind of thing with me improving. I feel myself more and understand how my body responds to certain things,” Donahue said. “I came into college with a 55.9 in my 100 fly and by senior year I went 51.6 at NCAAs.

“This past summer what pushed me further was working on the second half of my 100 fly. This summer we experimented with more distance-oriented fly to see how that would work.

“I could tell it worked when I tapered and went to nationals,” Donahue said. “I was out fast and I was first at the 75. It was just that last 25 that I kind of died. Getting second [to Dana Vollmer] was huge and her hanging with me for the first 75. That was the big push. I am really focusing on that and being able to finish that last 25.”

Donahue is paying attention to every detail including eating right.

“I am eating healthier foods and I am paying attention to how they affect my swimming,” Donahue said. “Things that you really don’t expect to affect something in the pool I have taken note of and noticed that it really helps. I am focused on my diet, nutrition and recovery. It’s those little different things that’s going to give me that extra push.”

She is also working with a sports psychologist to adapt to various situations before and during the Trials by using visualization.

“There are times when it gets very overwhelming,” Donahue said. “It’s either first, second or last basically.”

Donahue has been dreaming about the Olympics since she was 10.

“It’s huge to think the dream I had almost 15 years ago is actually coming true,” Donahue said. “At that age I was like, ‘yeah, I’m going to do it.’ But now that it’s so close, it’s definitely sunk in by now. This summer, oh my gosh, it was like this huge thing and every time I thought about it, it would make me smile knowing that I was that close to be able to have a good shot at going to the Olympics.

“The top two at Olympic Trials go and at nationals this past year I was second. I am really trying to fight for it.”

Donahue is a great role model and perfect example of a late bloomer succeeding after years of training.

“I’ve seen this in myself many times, but when you are not doing well that is the hardest time to push yourself, the hardest time to go to practice and hardest time to really do anything. You get down on yourself and it’s hard to stay positive.

“If I am having a bad day I just try to focus on one thing at practice, one technique I need to work on. Focusing on that gets me through the practice and makes it go by a lot faster. Some people have months of bad practices. Just sticking with it through those hard times and staying positive as you can is the most important thing you can do.

“A lot of people lose their passion for swimming. I think staying with it, even at a young age, even when it’s hard, will pay off. I am so glad I stuck it out. I still love it, I still have that passion and I think that’s important.”

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com  

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Kuczynski Finishes Fourth At PAC-12 Conference Championships

SOFLO’s Kuczynski Finishes Fourth At PAC-12 Conference Championships


WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 24, 2012

Arizona State junior Caroline Kuczynski finished fourth in the women’s 100-yard butterfly Friday night at the Women’s PAC-12 Conference Championships at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash.

Kuczynski finished in a best time of 52.44, an NCAA “B” cut time. California senior Sara Isakovic won the event in 51.72.

Kuczynski swam the fifth-fastest 100-yard butterfly in morning prelims in 52.70, bettering her seed time of 53.49. She was the only ASU swimmer in the Top 24 finishers.

The SOFLO swimmer also swam third leg on ASU’s “A” relay that finished fifth in 3:35.11, also a “B” cut. Her relay teammates were Kelli Kyle, Rebecca Ejdervik and Shannon Landgrebbe.

Also during the meet, Cal’s Caitlin Leverenz just missed the American record in the 400-yard individual medley by .23 seconds in 3:58.46.  The Cal Bears also set an NCAA and Pac-12 record in the medley relay in 3:28.26.

ASU’s Rebecca Ejdervik won the 100-yard breaststroke in 59.77 for her third consecutive PAC-12 title in the event.

On Saturday, Kuczynski will swim the 200-yard butterfly. She is seeded 14th in 1:58.49.

Top-ranked California moved into first place with 961.5 points followed by Stanford with 868 and Southern California with 819. Arizona State is sixth with 556.

Atlantic Coast Conference Championships

SOFLO’s Alex Rodriguez swam a personal-best 55.65 and placed 13th in the 100-yard breaststroke Friday night as Florida State continued to shine at ACCs in Christiansburg, Va.

Rodriguez, a sophomore, was the only Seminole in the 100 breaststroke.

FSU’s Mateo De Angulo and Juan Sequera finished second and third in the 400-yard individual medley. De Angulo was second in 3:47.53 and Sequera, a freshman, was third in a personal best 3:49.09.

Defending champion Virginia leads with 406 followed by North Carolina with 394, Virginia Tech with 387.5 and FSU fourth with 353 points, just 53 points out of first.

Big Ten Championships

SOFLO’s Nick Schwab, a junior at Indiana, was 21st in the 400-yard individual medley in 3:56.63, just off his seed time of 3:55.92, to qualify for the “C” final and came back to post a best time of 3:52.06 to finish second in the “C” final and 18th overall in an NCAA “B” cut time.

University of Michigan sits in first place with 516.5 points. Ohio State is second with 380 and Indiana is third with 369 at the University of Iowa Aquatic Center in Iowa City.

Sun Belt Conference Championships

Florida Atlantic University’s Eszter Bucz, who trained with SOFLO during the summer in Pembroke Pines, broke the Sun Belt Conference meet and conference record in the women’s 400-yard individual medley Friday night at University of North Texas.

The junior swam 4:12.64 to place first while Florida International’s Sonia Perez Arau, a sophomore, was second in 4:13.99.

Florida International’s Johanna Gustafsdottir won her second event of the meet in the women’s 200-yard freestyle. The freshman from Iceland won in an NCAA “B” cut time of 1:48.09. Jonna Nyback of FAU was third in 1:48.67.

FIU’s Sabrina Beaupre won her second diving title of the meet, capturing the 1-meter springboard event with a meet record 307.70 points. It was the second consecutive year that Beaupre swept both the 1- and 3-meter titles.

Denver’s men and women’s team remain in the leader after three days of competition. Western Kentucky women are second with 491.5; FIU is fourth with 335 and FAU is fifth with 289 points. Western Kentucky is second in the men’s standings with 600.5 points followed by FAU with 442.

O’Shaughnessy, Seton Hall Fall Scholar Team

SOFLO’s Ryan O’Shaughnessy and his Seton Hall teammates were named College Swimming Coaches Association of America Scholar All-American Team for the 2011 fall semester, it was announced recently. With a 3.2 cumulative grade point average, the men’s team ranked second among the seven Big East programs to earn the honor. The Pirates’ GPA ranks 22nd highest in the nation.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Jimenez, Walters Win On Opening Day Of FGC Area 3 Developmental Championships

SOFLO’s Jimenez, Walters Win On Opening Day Of FGC Area 3 Developmental Championships


WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 24, 2012

South Florida Aquatic Club teammates Daniela Jimenez and Jacob Walters are getting serious about swimming.

Jimenez, 16, recently left Blue Marlins of Hialeah Gardens for SOFLO to devote more time to training and competing.

Walters, 16, is focused on taking his swimming to the next level.

The hard work and dedication is paying off for them.

On Friday, the opening day of the Comets-hosted Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental Meet at Academic Village Pool in Pembroke Pines, the pair won individual titles in the 400-yard individual medley.

Jimenez won the 15-18 girls’ age group event in a lifetime-best 5:10.64, bettering her previous best time of 5:36.21.

Walters won the 15-18 boys’ age group event in a career-best 4:33.62, a huge time drop from last year’s previous best time of 5:04.32.

Jimenez looked strong in her race. She went out fast in the opening butterfly leg and extended her lead through the backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.

“My strategy was to get out fast,” Jimenez said. “My best strokes are the fly and free. I did my best time in the 100 fly so I am pretty happy.

“I am getting more serious about my swimming,” Jimenez said. “I have been training harder because I switched teams. I feel more confident now with this team and I feel like I am getting stronger.”

Jimenez joined SOFLO nearly a month ago.

“I can see a change in my training already, I am more focused now on this team,” Jimenez said. “They are more strict. I like it.”

Jimenez is a junior at Hialeah Gardens High School where she was a member of the girls’ team. She competed in the 500-yard freestyle and 200-yard freestyle, her favorite events. She qualified for regionals and just missed making the state meet.

“My goal next year is to make states,” said Jimenez, who has been swimming for six years. Her mom started her in the sport to be water-safe and Jimenez soon fell in love with swimming.

“I am glad I stayed with it,” Jimenez said.

Walters is on a roll. At last weekend’s FGC Senior Championships, Walters made his first championship final in the 100-yard butterfly and it snowballed after that. He made finals in all of his events except one.

“I was pretty pleased making finals,” Walters said. “I felt really good.

“Over the fall I had to do marching band so I didn’t have a lot of time to focus on club swimming,” Walters said. “Since that’s over, I’ve started practicing a lot more and been dropping times.”

Walters is a junior at West Broward High School where he has been a member of the boys’ swim team for two seasons and competed in the 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard individual medley, 50-yard freestyle and relays.

“The 400 IM isn’t my favorite but it felt good today,” Walters said. “I am more of a freestyler, fly, sprinter. But I got the cut so I guess I will keep with it.”

Walters has been swimming since he was 12.  His family moved to South Florida less than two years ago.

“I started swimming because I really didn’t like to run,” he said. “I tried soccer and a little bit of football and didn’t like that. My dad was a swimmer and said ‘here, try the swim team.’ I’m glad he suggested that. I really do love swimming.

“My first swim team was a super-relaxed recreation team. All they did was 50s at meets. I like this a lot better. I really want to focus on swimming so I can swim at a really good college. I just want to concentrate on getting faster.”

Walters is seeded first in the 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard individual medley.

“Morning practices are hard and it usually takes my dad kicking me out of bed. I think looking forward I know it was good for me and it will be good for me.”

Other SOFLO winners were Alani Carrasco, 12, 400-yard IM, 5:11.47, best time; top-seed Stephanie Mlujeak, 13, 400-yard IM, 5:12.55, best time; Alex Monti, 13, 400-yard IM, 4:47.71, best time; and Andrea Bucaro, 12, 1,650-yard freestyle, 19:39.24, best time.

The Area 3 field features more than 500 swimmers including 139 from SOFLO. The three-day meet continues on Saturday with two prelim sessions and one championship final.

FRIDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

400-yard individual medley:

11-12, 1. Alani Carrasco, SOFLO 5:11.47;13-14, 1. Stephanie Mlujeak, SOFLO 5:12.55, 2. Monica Rodriguez, SOFLO 5:28.17; 15-18, 1. Daniela Jimenez, SOFLO 5:10.64.

1,650-yard freestyle:

12-and-under, 1. Andrea Bucaro, SOFLO 19:39.24; 13-14, 1. Sandi Valdes, MAC 19:29.54; SOFLO: 2. Lilli Calero 19:35.64, 3. Natasha Testa 21:23.82.

BOYS

400-yard individual medley:

11-12, 1. Ervin Marin, Blue Marlins 4:45.32; SOFLO: 3. Andres Lares 5:11.93; 13-14, 1. Alex Monti, SOFLO 4:47.71, SOFLO: 3. Jonathan Strod 4:54.90; 15-18, 1. Jacob Walters, SOFLO 4:33.62; SOFLO: 2. Roger Capote 4:42.64, 3. Daniel Lee 5:11.91.

IF YOU GO

What: Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental Championships

When: Saturday-Sunday

Schedule: Saturday, Session 2 prelims 8:30 a.m., Session 3 prelims 12:30 p.m., Session 4 finals, 6 p.m.; Sunday, Session 5 prelims 8:30 a.m., Session 6 prelims, 12:30 p.m., Session 7 finals, 6 p.m.

Where: Academic Village Pool, 17189 Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines.

Admission: $3 per session, heat sheets $2 per session. For information call meet director Luis Soler, 954-538-3721.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Kuczynski Makes Final; Schwab Makes “B” Cut On Day Two Of Conference Championships

SOFLO’s Kuczynski Makes Final; Schwab Makes “B” Cut On Day Two Of Conference Championships


WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 23, 2012

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Caroline Kuczynski of Arizona State qualified for championship finals Thursday at the PAC-12 Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Federal Way, Wash.

The junior qualified seventh in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:59.31 and finished eighth in 2:00.27.

It was her first individual event of the meet after finishing fourth with her Sun Devils teammates in the 200-yard medley relay on Wednesday.

Kuczynski, a junior, also led off the ninth-place 200-yard freestyle relay that finished in 1:33.74. Her opening split was 23.57.

Kuczynski will swim the 100-yard butterfly on Friday.

Katinka Hosszu of Southern Cal won the 200-yard individual medley in 1:52.37, an NCAA automatic qualifying time.

Other conference champions were Haley Anderson of Southern Cal in the 500-yard freestyle in a meet record and NCAA “A” cut time of 4:36.52; Liv Jensen of California in the 50-yard freestyle in 21.70, an “A” cut; and Stanford in the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:28.07, also an “A” cut.

Southern Cal’s Tory Ishimatsu won the 1-meter springboard diving title with 337.05 points.

Stanford leads after two days with 462 points. California is second with 426.5 and Southern Cal is third with 390. Arizona State dropped to sixth with 298 points.

Atlantic Coast Conference Championships

Florida State won two gold medals on the second night of the ACC Men’s Swimming Championships in Christiansburg (Va.) Aquatic Center.

The Seminoles won the 200-yard freestyle relay in an ACC meet, school and pool record 1:17.73 with Paul Murray, David Sanders, Trice Bailey and Mark Weber.

Senior Mateo De Angulo won the second event in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:18.66.

SOFLO’s Alex Rodriguez, a sophomore competing in his first ACC meet for FSU, was 41st in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:53.88, bettering his seed time of 1:57.75.

Thirty-two points separate the top three teams: North Carolina, 245.5, Virginia, 225 and Florida State 214.

Big Ten Championships

Michigan remains in first place after capturing three events Thursday night at Iowa’s Campus Wellness and Recreation Center.

The Wolverines are first with 253 points followed by Ohio State with 218 and Indiana with 189.

Michigan won the 400-yard medley relay in 3:07.32, the 500-yard freestyle with Ryan Feeley in 4:15.12 and 200-yard individual medley with Kyle Whitaker in 1:43.40.

SOFLO’s Nick Schwab, a junior at Indiana, finished 26th in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:49.76 bettering his seed time of 1:50.43 in prelims and swam faster in the “C” final placing second and 18th overall in 1:49.03, an NCAA “B” cut time.

Sun Belt Conference Championships

Florida International University freshman Johanna Gustafsdottir edged Florida Atlantic’s Eszter Bucz to win the women’s 200-yard individual medley, 1:59.14-1:59.41 on the second night of competition at University of North Texas.

Bucz was the fastest morning qualifier in 2:00.33. Freshman Hannah Runyon-Hass of Western Kentucky was third in 2:00.38. The winning time was a meet and conference record and NCAA “B” cut.

Florida Atlantic won the men’s 200-yard freestyle relay with SOFLO’s Anthon Fermin on anchor leg. The winning time was a season-best 1:20.91. Other relay members were Eric Williams, John Walsh and Steven Wright.

In the men’s 50-yard freestyle, Western Kentucky sophomore Heitor Rodrigues set a meet and conference record winning in 20.09, a “B” cut. FAU’s Eric Williams was second in 20.15. Fermin was seventh in 20.71, bettering his prelim time of 20.86.

FAU’s Mikolaj Czarnecki was second in the men’s 500-yard freestyle in 4:26.32.

FAU’s Ronald Cortina won the men’s 3-meter springboard diving title with 367.60 points. Teammate Gregory Cox was third with 345.45.

After two days, University of Denver leads the women’s standings with 275 followed by Western Kentucky with 256. FIU is fourth with 176 and FSU is fifth with 152. Denver also leads the men’s team standings with 297.50 just ahead of Western Kentucky with 293.50 and FAU with 281.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http:///swim4soflo.com

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, Issue 133: Maryland Swim Team Forced To Forfeit Title For Shaving On-Site

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, Issue 133: Maryland Swim Team Forced To Forfeit Title For Shaving On-Site


WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 23, 2012

A Maryland high school girls’ varsity swim team was forced to forfeit its county title after it was discovered that one of its swimmers broke a national rule by shaving on-site before the start of her event.

Broadneck High School has been the center of national attention ever since news broke that the team was forced to give up its Anne Arundel County title and its coach Colleen Winans was suspended for this past Saturday’s Class 4A-3A Regional Championships because of an unnamed swimmer’s violation.

National Federation of State High School Association rules for swimming, diving and water polo stipulates that athletes cannot shave before, during or after a meet once a team is on-site. Should an athlete be caught violating this rule, they are disqualified from the entire meet.

The no-shaving on-site policy was instituted to protect swimmers from possible blood transmission or doing full-body shaves in high school locker rooms which would maximize the possibility of unsafe practices like sharing razors.

In a release, the Anne Arundel School District cited the failure of Winans’ squad to abide by the rules of the game and promote ethical relationships among coaches and players as the reason for the discipline taken against the coach which included the one-meet ban.

It’s not known whether the coach plans to petition to change some of the rules that seem out of touch.

Severna Park High School was awarded the county title and Broadneck was dropped to third after the implicated swimmer’s points were eliminated. However, in the regional meet, a highly-motivated Broadneck team came back to defeat Severna for the title by 16.5 points.

Lochte Hits Race Track

Six-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte served as Grand Marshal of Thursday’s Gatorade Duel 150 in Daytona Beach, where Lochte grew up. After hearing he once went 175 miles per hour in one of his cars on a highway, Lochte was asked by reporters whether he would consider a career in auto racing. “The only kind of racing I will do is in the swimming pool,” said the 27-year-old. “I’ve been coming to NASCAR races pretty much my whole life and it’s fun. I love just going fast.”

Coughlin Featured In SI Swimsuit Issue

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Natalie Coughlin is featured in the new swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated. Coughlin, along with pro golfer Natalie Gulbis and soccer player Alex Morgan are in body painted suits.

“It feels like something in between a swimsuit and being naked,” Coughlin said. It took 11 hours to apply the body paint in a New York photo studio. Coughlin stood the entire time while the bright blue paint-designed suit was being applied.

“I wasn’t really nervous about that aspect of it at all,” she said. “I was just so honored that they thought of me. It’s awesome to be able to say I have done a Swimsuit issue.”

Olympic phenom Michael Phelps is also featured in a normal suit with swimsuit models in the issue along with NBA star Chris Paul and tennis standout Rafael Nadal.

Hey Swimmers, Free Pancakes

In honor of National Pancake Day, International House of Pancakes restaurants are giving away pancakes, 7 a.m.-10 p.m., on Tuesday. Each diner will receive a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. While it’s not mandatory, IHOP hopes to collect a donation for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. You can find your nearest IHOP at IHOPPancakeDay.com.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO Swimmers Ready For Comets-Hosted Area 3 Developmental Meet This Weekend

SOFLO Swimmers Ready For Comets-Hosted Area 3 Developmental Meet This Weekend


WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 23, 2012

South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers will compete Friday through Sunday in two Florida Gold Coast meets in Pembroke Pines and Sunrise.

The Comets will host the FGC Area 3 Developmental South Championships at the Academic Village Pool while SOFLO/Coral Springs Swim Club swimmers will travel to the Sunrise Aquatic Complex for the FGC Area 2 Developmental Championships.

The three-day short course meets will serve as an opportunity for swimmers to gauge training, strokes and go best times in addition to preparing for next month’s FGC Junior Olympics 14-and-under Championships at Coral Springs.

The Area 3 field features more than 500 swimmers including 139 from SOFLO.

Top seeds for SOFLO are:

Stephanie Mlujeak, 13, 400-yard individual medley, 5:22.07.

Roger Capote, 16, 400-yard individual medley, 4:52.63.

Ryan Capote, 14, 100-yard butterfly, 1:04.41.

Lilli Calero, 13, 1,650-yard freestyle 19:27.95; 100-yard freestyle, 1:00.24.

Michelle Marinheiro, 9, 100-yard backstroke 1:27.83.

Maya Hirian, 13, 100-yard backstroke 1:10.11.

Luis Bucaro, 10, 50-yard butterfly, 40.10.

Teddy Sandoval, 15, 50-yard butterfly, 28.40.

Kevin Porto, 12, 100-yard breaststroke, 1:25.07.

Leonie Davies, 15, 100-yard breaststroke, 1:19.51; 200-yard butterfly, 2:28.25; 200-yard breaststroke, 2:50.74.

Katherine DeBarros, 11, 50-yard freestyle, 30.96.

Astrid Rigau, 15, 50-yard freestyle, 28.69.

Kyana Castro, 9, 200-yard freestyle, 2:41.95.

Matthew Liang, 11, 200-yard freestyle, 2:23.58.

Gabriella Fawaz, 16, 200-yard freestyle, 2:09.58; 200-yard backstroke, 2:31.77.

Derek Tom, 9, 100-yard individual medley, 1:26.45.

Jacob Walters, 16, 200-yard butterfly, 2:14.30; 200-yard individual medley, 2:13.88.

Edward Kon, 15, 500-yard freestyle, 5:15.77.

Miguel Hernandez, 12, 100-yard freestyle, 1:05.76.

Sophia Bucaro, 13, 200-yard individual medley, 2:26.34.

Andrea Bucaro, 12, 50-yard breaststroke, 39.77.

Mikaela DeGracia, 10, 50-yard backstroke, 39.74.

Jessie Cordero, 14, 50-yard backstroke, 33.95.

Maria Lopez, 16, 50-yard backstroke, 31.09.

Fernando Quintero, 15, 50-yard backstroke 29.35.

Joseph Lee, 9, 100-yard butterfly, 1:33.62.

Monica Rodriguez, 14, 100-yard butterfly, 1:08.68.

Josh Coote, 16, 100-yard butterfly, 1:01.18.

Carlos Rodriguez, 13, 50-yard breaststroke, 34.73.

Leysha Caraballo, 15, 50-yard breaststroke, 36.85.

Diego Rodriguez, 14, 200-yard breaststroke, 2:37.33.

IF YOU GO

What: Florida Gold Coast Area 3 Developmental Championships

When: Friday-Sunday

Schedule: Friday, timed finals 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Session 2 prelims 8:30 a.m., Session 3 prelims 12:30 p.m., Session 4 finals, 6 p.m.; Sunday, Session 5 prelims 8:30 a.m., Session 6 prelims, 12:30 p.m., Session 7 finals, 6 p.m.

Where: Academic Village Pool, 17189 Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines. Admission: $3 per session, heat sheets $2 per session. For information call meet director Luis Soler, 954-538-3721.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

 http://swim4soflo.com

A Few Upsets On Day One Of Conference Meets, SOFLO’s Kuczynski Swims First Event

A Few Upsets On Day One Of Conference Meets, SOFLO’s Kuczynski Swims First Event


WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

February 22, 2012

Caroline Kuczynski and her Arizona State teammates opened the PAC-12 Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships Wednesday in Federal Way, Wash. with a fourth-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay.

ASU finished in a season-best 1:37.63 with Kelli Kyle, Rebecca Ejdervik, Kuczynski, a junior, and Shannon Landgrebbe. Kuczynski’s third leg split was 23.48.

California won the event in 1:36.77.

ASU was also fourth in the 800-yard freestyle in 7:04.19, another season-best. Landgrebe set a school record leading off the relay in 1:44.39.

California won its second relay of the night in 6:57.86, an NCAA automatic qualifying time.

Defending champion California leads the team rankings with 128 points followed by Stanford with 112 and Arizona, Arizona State and Southern Cal tied for third with 104 points.

Cheering Kuczynski on in the stands are her mother and older sister Stephanie, who decorated her hotel room with banners, streamers and poster decorations to wish her good luck for the meet.

Atlantic Coast Conference Championships

Florida State, on the strength if its’ diving last week, leads the Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships after the opening day at the Christiansburg (Va.) Aquatic Center.

FSU leads with 199, followed by host Virginia Tech with 177 and North Carolina with 140.

Virginia Tech knocked off top-seed Duke in the 200-yard medley relay to open the competition. Virginia Tech edged Duke, 1:26.34 to 1:26.46 with Charlie Higgins, Emmett Dignan, Greg Mahon and Greg Morgan. Both teams broke school records.

FSU was sixth in 1:28.10 with Brad Morrison, Juan Sequera, David Sanders and Mark Weber. Weber’s split was 18.99.

The top nine relays all turned in NCAA Division I “B” qualifying times.

University of Virginia won the 800-yard freestyle relay in 6:18.35, an automatic NCAA “A” cut with Peter Geissinger, Tom Barrett, Parker Camp and David Karasek. North Carolina was second in 6:23.30.

Florida State was fourth in 6:30.00, a “B” cut, with Mateo DeAngulo, Kevin Rogers, Trice Bailey and Brad Morrison.

Both winning relays earned All-ACC honors.

Big Ten Championships

No. 4-ranked Michigan defended its titles sweeping the 200-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relays and leads the team standings after the opening day at Iowa’s Campus Wellness and Recreation Center.

The Wolverines won the 200-yard medley relay in a pool record 1:25.58 with Miguel Ortiz, Richard Funk, John Wojciechowski and Evan Gregg.

Michigan won the 800-yard freestyle relay for the 12th consecutive

season in 6:16.26, both a pool record and nation-best with Dan Madwed, Michael Wynalda, Connor Jaeger and Kyle Whitaker.

Indiana, with SOFLO’s Nick Schwab, is third with 60 points.

Sun Belt Conference Championships

Florida International University’s women’s team is fourth with 90 points and Florida Atlantic University men are third and women are fifth after the first day of the Sun Belt Conference Championships at University of North Texas.

In the women’s team standings, North Texas leads with 110 points followed by University of Denver with 101 and Western Kentucky with 98. Florida International is fourth with 90 and Florida Atlantic is fifth with 78.

Denver and Western Kentucky are tied for first with 74 points followed by FAU with 64.

Western Kentucky won the women’s 200-yard medley relay in 1:39.78 with Allie Duff, Claire Conlon, Kristiana Feeser and Paige Drazga. FAU was third in 1:42.61 with Iwona Lefanowicz, Eszter Bucz, Jonna Nyback and Frida Nilsson. FIU was fifth in 1:43.38 with Johanna Gustafsdottir, Klara Andersson, Kariann Stevens and Kelly Grace.

In the women’s 800-yard freestyle relay, Denver won in 7:16.10. FAU was second in 7:18.51 with Anett Kovacs, Eszter Bucz, Frida Nilsson and Jonna Nyback. FIU was third in 7:18.62 with Kayla Derr, Sonia Perez Arau,Vicnan Torres and Johanna Gustafson. Western Kentucky was fifth in 7:22.06 with Susan Marques, Hannah Runyon-Hass, Georgia Smith and Allie Duff.

FIU’s Sabrina Beaupre won the 3-meter springboard diving with 328.85 points. FAU’s Courtney Hansen was seventh with 233.20.

Both Bucz of FAU and Western Kentucky train at SOFLO’s Academic Village Pool in Pembroke Pines during holiday breaks and summer.

Western Kentucky won the men’s 200-yard medley relay in 1:27.70 with Seth Musser, Luke Musser, Heitor Rodrigues and Billy Kunkel. FSU was third in 1:30.82 with Ross Gunn, Alan Forbes, Mikolaj Czarnecki and Eric Williams.

Denver won the men’s 800-yard freestyle in 6:30.04 followed by Western Kentucky in 6:37.13 with Adam Dajka, Drew Cato, Billy Kunkel and Seth Musser and FSU third in 6:42.68 with Mikolaj Czarnecki, Jay Van Zee, Csaba Pek and Eric Williams.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com  

 http://www.swim4soflo.com