AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, Issue 231: High School Swimming To Add Another Classification For 2013 Season

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

January 26, 2013

Borrowing a page from high school football that has eight classifications, high school swimming and diving will add another classification for the 2013 Florida High School Athletic Association season.

The sport will increase from three to four classes, according to Cristina Broska, sports administrator and swimming and diving director for the FHSAA.

The post-season structure has not been decided but there are two options FHSAA officials are considering.

The first option is the state championships will run over two weekends on Friday and Saturday.

The second choice is it would be held four consecutive days, Wednesday through Saturday.

If the choice is made to run two consecutive weekends like track and field, the swimming and diving season will be offset by one week, with Class 1A and 2A starting a week earlier.

If the FHSAA chooses to go with one, four-day weekend, districts will likely expand over a two-week period in order to accommodate all classes.

The FHSAA is also accepting bids to host the state meet until Feb. 4th.

While Orlando is still an option, officials are looking for other bids from a round the state including South Florida.

Big Changes For World Trials

The USA Swimming official Meet Information book has been released for this summer’s World Championship Trials to be held from June 25th-29th in Indianapolis. Some of the bigger changes are:

No international swimmers

No-show rules: this year, swimmers will be able to pay a $200 fine to escape disqualification from the entire meet if they miss a swim without scratching. Recall that in 2010, Josh Schneider was almost cost a chance at making the National Team under this rule.

Timed Finals for the distance freestyles, which will be the 800 and 1500 for both men and women.

No Semi-finals in any races, all except the above will be prelims-finals

C-Final is for the top 18 & under athletes who do not make the A and B finals

Prelims may be swum in a flighted format, or may be swum with flyover starts, at the discretion of the Meet Referee.

The entry deadline is June 17th, with the qualification period beginning on March 29th, 2012

The 50 meter stroke races will be swum at this meet – including the 50 back, 50 breast, and 50 fly.

College Swimming

CSSC’s Caroline Kuczynski, of often trains with SOFLO, was honored during Arizona State’s home meet against California during Senior Day on Saturday. Kuczynski is the team’s senior captain and enjoying an outstanding final season. On Saturday, in the Sun Devils 177-121 loss to Cal women’s team, Kuczynski, 21, was second in the 100-yard butterfly in 55.67 behind Olympian Rachel Bootsma (54.950 and fourth in the 200-yard butterfly in 2:04.63. She was also a member of the second place 200-yard freestyle relay that tied Cal in 1:34.82 and third place 200-yard medley relay that finished in 1:43.65…
Also on Saturday, Tennessee knocked off No. 2 ranked Georgia, 161-139 in Knoxville, Tenn. It was the Bulldogs’ first loss of the season and first dual meet loss against an SEC opponent since Oct. 26, 2006. “We had a lot of close races on the women’s side, but they outswam us,” Georgia coach Jack Bauerle. “In the long run, it will help us, but in the short run, it bothers you.”

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

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, Issue 230: SOFLO’s Oliver, Rodriguez Lead Florida State

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

January 22, 2013

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Tiffany Oliver and Alex Rodriguez came up big for Florida State’s big road trip this past weekend.

The nationally-ranked Seminoles went 2-1 against South Carolina and No. 18 Arkansas in Columbia, S.C.

The No. 13 men’s team defeated the Gamecocks, 180.5-117.50 and No. 22 ranked Seminoles’ women’s team defeated South Carolina, 190-109 but lost to Arkansas, 167-133.

“The girls had a great day,” FSU coach Neil Harper said. “For a mid-January meet in the heat of training, I think that we are right where we should be this season. Our kids did a great job.”

SOFLO’s Tiffany Oliver, a junior, won the 50-yard freestyle in 23.36 and 100-yard freestyle in 50.13, finishing both events ahead of teammate Kaitlyn Dressel, a sophomore.

Oliver was also a member of the winning 400-yard freestyle relay that won in 3:22.40.

“It was a good test,” Harper said. “I think any time you can get a good SEC win is awesome. The guys stepped up and did a great job.”

Rodriguez, a junior, won the 100-yard breaststroke in 56.81 finishing ahead of teammate Juan Sequera in 57.22.

FSU junior Paul Murray, a Florida Gold Coast swimmer, won the 50-yard freestyle in 20.07 and 100-yard freestyle in 44.64.

On Saturday, FSU finished its dual meet season with four more wins with the Seminoles defeating Georgia Tech and N.C. State in Raleigh, N.C.

“I was really happy with the team effort,” Harper said. “We faced a lot of adversity between travel and bodies breaking down. It was a tough test for us and this shows us what we are made of.”

The women’s team improved to 13-1 and 5-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference defeating Georgia Tech, 226-72 and N.C. State, 155-143.

Oliver won two more events, finishing first in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.40 and 100-yard freestyle in 50.67. Florida Gold Coast swimmer Ashley Hicks won the 200-yard backstroke in 2:03.16.

Oliver is now preparing for the Feb. 20-23 ACC Championships in Greensboro, N.C. The men’s championship is Feb. 27-March 2.

FSU defeated Georgia Tech, 206-92, and N.C. State, 164-136 and improved to 8-2 overall and 3-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Florida Gold Coast swimmer Connor Knight of Palm Beach won the 200-yard butterfly in 1:49.61.

More College Swimming

Florida Gold Coast swimmer Luke Torres is getting faster.

The University of Florida freshman swam a career-best 49.60 in the 100-yard butterfly in the Gators meet against Florida in Gainesville on Saturday.

The men’s team beat Florida Atlantic 178-111 and the women won 169-106. Both teams are in the midst of heavy training and there were several exhibition events.

Another meet highlight was Florida’s Olympian Elizabeth Beisel swimming a lifetime best in the 1,650-yard freestyle in 15:53.22. She dropped 16 second off her previous best. It is the fourth fastest time in college swimming this year…

University of Florida junior Sebastian Rousseau and freshman Sinead Russell were named Swimmers of the Week in the Southeastern Conference.

Rousseau was named SEC Male Swimmer and Russell SEC Female Swimmer for their performances this past weekend in Texas and Gainesville.

Rousseau swam his second NCAA “A” time in the 400-yard individual medley in 3:42.91 and shaved 13 seconds off his career-best in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:17.53. Russell won three events in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.71, 100-yard freestyle in 50.66 and 200-yard medley relay in 1:40.71. Her individual events were best times.

Austin Grand Prix

2012 U.S. Olympians dominated the pool at the Arena Grand Prix this past weekend in Austin, Texas. Missy Franklin won four events including a pool record in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:07.31. She also won the 100-meter backstroke and 100- and 200-meter freestyles. Karlee Bispo knocked off Franklin in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:12.49. Nathan Adrian beat Ricky Berens and Jimmy Feigen in the 100-meter freestyle. Ryan Lochte and Matt Grevers also won. Lochte is in the midst of hard distance workouts and said he didn’t expect to swim best times. “No one is really going to remember this meet,” said Lochte, who swam seven seconds slower than his best time in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:00.98. He holds the world record in 1:54. “All of this is preparation for World Championships this summer.”

Miscellaneous

Michael Phelps is still swimming, just not competitively. He returned to the pool this past week for a 3,000 yards session with the senior group at North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Bob Bowman tweeted it was only for fitness to stop any talk of will he or won’t he return for the 2016 Olympics. Phelps also took in the Baltimore Ravens football playoff against the Patriots and is happy his home team is going to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Phelps was on the sidelines for Sunday’s game. He made it a point to tell reporters that Raven linebacker Ray Lewis was one of the main reasons he came back to train for the 2012 Olympics. “I think he’s probably the most inspirational persons I’ve ever met in my entire life,” Phelps said. “A lot of people don’t know this, but he was one of the biggest reasons why I came back for four more years. Just some of the things that we have talked about, and he’s helped me get through, I can’t be more happier. I wouldn’t have been able to swim without him. And he’s been telling me one more shot, we are going to have it and he did it.” Phelps was in the locker room after the game celebrating with his team…Pine Crest and Florida alum Joey Pedraza of Davie finished second at the 50th Mar Grande Salvador Open Water race and took home $1,500. Teammate Ana Marcelo Cunha defended her title and won the women’s race for the fifth time. She pocketed $3000. Pedraza and Cunha are training for two weeks in Brazil with the country’s open water national coach Rogerio Arapiraca. Pedraza, a member of the U.S. national open water team, is preparing for the first 2013 FINA Open Water World Cup in Santos, Sao Paulo on Jan. 27th…Jason Lezak, who will always be remembered for his anchor leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay and being a part of Phelps’ record eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, retired at age 37…U.S. Olympian Breeja Larson of Texas A&M broke a minute in the 100-yard breaststroke for the sixth time this season. She swam 59.77 in the Aggies 158-140 win over LSU.

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

Comets’ Pelaez, SOFLO’s Pinon, Rodriguez Shine At GCST Winter Invitational

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

January 20, 2013

Erika Pelaez of Comets Swim Team and Rafael Rodriguez of South Florida Aquatic Club were the top high point scorers at the three-day GCST Winter Invitational at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Pelaez, 6, finished second in the 8-and-under age group with 26 points.

Pelaez finished the 50-yard breaststroke in a best time 56.24, a huge time drop from her previous best 1:00.52.

Pelaez also dropped time in the 50-yard freestyle from 39.39 to 35.35 and 50-yard butterfly from 49.62 to 46.66.

Rodriguez, 11, was second in his 11-12 age group with 29 points followed by SOFLO teammate Samuel Quintero, 12, with 27 points. Rodriguez was second in the 50-yard backstroke in 31.62, second in the 50-yard freestyle in 27.26; second in the 50-yard butterfly in 31.18 and second in the 200-yard freestyle in a best time 2:02.05, dropping from 2:02.09.

Julien Pinon, 14, was fourth in the 13-14 age group with 25 points.

On Sunday, Pinon won the 100-yard backstroke in a best time 57.31, dropping from 58.98; won the 50-yard freestyle in 23.26; won the 100-yard butterfly in 55.29; and was second in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:04.56.

In the 50-yard breaststroke, Noah Hew, 8, of the Comets Swim Team swam a best time 1:00.85, dropping from 1:05.56.

Astrid Rigau, 16, swam a best time in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:31.61, dropping from 2:35.18.

In the 200-yard freestyle, Sara Quintero swam a best time of 2:31.31 dropping from 2:42.87.

With only 20 swimmers, SOFLO finished sixth overall in the combined team standings with 108 points. Swim Florida won, Metro Aquatics was second and host Gulf Coast Swim Team was third.

SOFLO finished fourth among the boys teams and 13th among the girls teams. The Comets finished 11th among girls teams.

SUNDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

200-yard individual medley:

11-12, 1. Jillian Santiago, SRQ 1:05.49; 13-14, 1. Kaitlyn Hauser, GCST 2:17.18; Open: 1. Isabella Paez, Metro Aquatics 2:14.34; SOFLO: 22. Astrid Rigau 2:31.61.

50-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Gabriela Donahue, GTSA 32.43; SOFLO: 11. Sara Quintero 39.74, best time, 24. Gretchen Montgomery 43.41, 28. Valentina Carrion 46.51; COMETS: 22. Erika Pelaez 42.89; 11-12, 1. Jillian Santiago, SRQ 30.13; SOFLO: 12. Anna Montgomery 34.36.

100-yard backstroke:

13-14, 1. Alina Faunce, GCST 1:04.32; SOFLO: 11. Natasha Testa 1:12.36, 17. Abolade Oyetunji 1:17.32; Open, 1. Carter Flynn, GTSA 1:03.02; SOFLO: 16. Astrid Rigau 1:10.29, best time.

50-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Gabriela Donahue, GTSA 28.33; COMETS: 29. Erika Pelaez 36.35, 31. Valentina Carrion 37.73, best time, 40. Gretchen Montgomery 39.44; 11-12, 1. Jillian Santiago, SRQ 26.91; SOFLO: 17. Anna Montgomery 30.33, 13-14, 1. Kaitlyn Hauser, GCST 25.71; SOFLO: 8. Natasha Testa 27.55, 13. Abolade Oyetunji 28.30; Open, 1. Alexandria Donahue, GTSA 25.83; SOFLO: 16. Astrid Rigau 27.75.

200-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Christina Walch, SWIM 2:14.21; SOFLO: 9. Sara Quintero 2:31.31; 11-12, 1. Hannah VanDress, GCST 2:07.60; SOFLO: 11. Anna Montgomery 2:16.99.

50-yard breaststroke:

8-and-under, 1. Christina Walch, SWIM 37.86; SOFLO: 14. Valentina Carrion 45.56, best time, 22. Gretchen Montgomery 48.30; COMETS: 43. Erika Pelaez 56.24, best time; 11-12, 1. Sarah Abril, Metro Aquatics 36.04.

200-yard breaststroke:

13-14, 1. Alina Faunce, GCST 2:35.26; Open, 1. Evita Leter, Metro Aquatics 2:30.27.

50-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Mikayla Puckett, GCST 32.33; SOFLO: 23. Sara Quintero 42.42, 29. Valentina Carrion 45.15, 35. Gretchen Montgomery 48.78; COMETS: 32. Erika Pelaez 46.66, best time; 11-12, 1. Andrea Moya, Metro Aquatics 30.49;

100-yard butterfly:

13-14, 1. Alina Faunce, GCST 1:01.14; SOFLO: 5. Natasha Testa 1:04.38, 28. Abolade Oyetunji 1:20.84; Open, 1. Isabella Paez, Metro Aquatics 58.61; SOFLO: 21. Astrid Rigau 1:11.85.

1,000-yard freestyle:

Open, 1. Savannah Bowser, GCST 10:24.72.

BOYS

200-yard individual medley:

11-12, 1. Adrian Aguilar, Metro Aquatics 1:03.13; SOFLO: 3. Samuel Quintero 1:09.21, 24. Ethan Hew 1:26.56, best time; 13-14, 1. Joseph Perez, Metro Aquatics 1:59.91; SOFLO: 2. Julien Pinon 2:04.56, 17. Matthew Menocal 2:30.19, 18. Rodrigo Rodriguez 2:33.54; Open, 1. Wayne Denswil, Metro Aquatics 2:02.07.

50-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Andres Wong, Metro Aquatics 33.51; COMETS: 41. Noah Hew 52.39; 11-12, 1. Fernando Rodriguez, Metro Aquatics 30.44; SOFLO: 2. Rafael Rodriguez 31.62, 4. Samuel Quintero 32.44.

100-yard backstroke:

13-14, 1. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 57.31, best time; SOFLO: 14. Kevin Porto 1:06.67, 19. Matthew Menocal 1:10.14, best time, 21. Rodrigo Rodriguez 1:11.59; Open, 1. Boleck DePawlikowski, Metro Aquatics 55.18.

50-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Andres Wong, Metro Aquatics 28.40; COMETS: 57. Noah Hew 50.34; 11-12, 1. Adrian Aguilar, Metro Aquatics 25.80; SOFLO: 2. Rafael Rodriguez 27.26, 5. Samuel Quintero 28.58; 13-14, 1. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 23.26; SOFLO: 17. Matthew Menocal 27.28, 19. Rodrigo Rodriguez 27.57, 31. Ethan Hew 34.43; Open, 1. Michael Pineda, GCST 23.08.

200-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Andres Wong, Metro Aquatics 2:13.01; 11-12, 1. Adrian Aguilar, Metro Aquatics 2:01.55; SOFLO: 2. Rafael Rodriguez 2:02.05, 5. Samuel Quintero 2:10.49.

50-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Santiago Gomez, Metro Aquatics 35.48; COMETS: 38. Noah Hew 1:00.85, best time; 11-12, 1. Adrian Aguilar, Metro Aquatics 34.04; SOFLO: 19. Ethan Hew 45.33.

200-yard breaststroke:

13-14, 1. Michael Walch, SWIM 2:30.52; Open, 1. Wayne Denswil, Metro Aquatics 2:15.98.

50-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Andres Wong, Metro Aquatics 32.70; 11-12, 1. Alessandro Leo, SWIM 29.92; SOFLO: 2. Rafael Rodriguez 31.18.

100-yard butterfly:

13-14, 1. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 55.29; Open, 1. Collan Herby, SWIM 53.94.

1,000-yard freestyle:

Open, 1. Matt Nielsen, GCST 9:52.44.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

Pinon, Rodriguez Lead SOFLO On Day Two Of GCST Winter Invitational

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

January 19, 2013

Julien Pinon of South Florida Aquatic Club was a workhorse Saturday night at the GCST Winter Invitational at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Pinon, entered in eight events during the three-day meet, won two events and finished second in two others against a strong field that included Metro Aquatics, Swim Florida and host GCST.

Pinon, a freshman at American Heritage Plantation, won the 100-yard freestyle in 49.43 and 200-yard butterfly in 2:02.83.

He was second in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:46.00 and second in the 200-yard backstroke with a huge time drop, swimming a best time 2:04.87. His previous best was 2:16.14.

Brandon Moran, 11, won the 100-yard breaststroke in a best time 1:16.26, dropping from 1:16.73.

Rafael Rodriguez, 11, won the 100-yard freestyle in 58.97, just off his 58.08 best time and 100-yard butterfly in a best time 1:04.05, dropping from 1:10.52.

Rodriguez was also second in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:19.54, dropping from 2:21.43. Samuel Quintero was fourth in the event in a best time 2:25.39, dropping from 2:26.02 and Brandon Moran also swam a best time 2:30.41 dropping from 2:30.88.

Abolade Oyetunji, 13, turned in two best times. She finished the 200 freestyle in 2:11.65 dropping from 2:28.42 and 200-yard backstroke in 2:43.45, dropping from 2:45.81.

Astrid Rigau, 16, had three best times. In the 200-yard freestyle, Rigau swam 2:09.55, dropping from 2:10.85; 1:21.03 in the 100-yard breaststroke dropping from 1:24.90; and 2:33.94 in the 200 backstroke, dropping from 2:37.16.

Younger sister Adrianna Rigau, 10, swam a best time in the 100-yard individual medley in 1:46.86 dropping from 1:50.37.

In the 100-yard breaststroke, Matthew Menocal, 13, swam a best time of 1:22.00, dropping from 1:23.66.

The meet, SOFLO’s first of 2013, concludes Sunday.

Saturday Results

GIRLS

100-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Gabriela Donahue, GTSA 1:11.03; SOFLO: 26. Gretchen Montgomery 1:34.98, 29. Valentina Carrion 1:36.79, 36. Adrianna Rigau 1:46.86, best time.

200-yard individual medley:

11-12, 1. Sarah Abril, Metro Aquatics 2:26.83; SOFLO: 14. Anna Montgomery 2:39.76, 17. Alexandra Crespo 2:42.41.

25-yard breaststroke:

8-and-under, 1. Jenna Santiago, SRO 22.51; COMETS: 3. Erika Pelaez 25.13, best time.

25-yard freestyle:

8-and-under, 1. Jenna Santiago 15.87; COMETS: 3. Erika Pelaez 17.39.

200-yard freestyle:

13-14, 1. Savannah Bowser, GCST 1:57.85; SOFLO: 16. Abolade Oyetunji 2:11.65, best time, 28. Natasha Testa 2:18.20; Open, 1. Isabella Paez, Metro Aquatics 1:57.09; SOFLO: 19. Astrid Rigau 2:09.55, best time.

100-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Christina Walch, SWIM 1:20.09; SOFLO: 11. Sara Quintero 1:37.76, best time, 13. Valentina Carrion 1:40.49, best time, 18. Gretchen Montgomery 1:44.25, 28. Adrianna Rigau 2:11.69; 11-12, 1. Olivia Schwartz, SRQ 1:17.68; SOFLO: 14. Alexandra Crespo 1:27.86, 21. Anna Montgomery 1:32.60, 13-14, 1. Alina Faunce, GCST 1:14.23; SOFLO: 28. Abolade Oyetunji 1:29.84, Open, 1. Evita Leter, Metro Aquatics 1:07.60; SOFLO: 17. Astrid Rigau 1:21.03, best time.

25-yard backstroke:

8-and-under, 1. Jenna Santiago, SRO 20.31; COMETS: 2. Erika Pelaez 20.64.

100-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Gabriela Donahue, GTSA 1:12.36; SOFLO: 11. Gretchen Montgomery 1:31.75, 22. Valentina Carrion 1:42.64, 26. Adrianna Rigau 1:46.69; 11-12, 1. Sarah Abril, Metro Aquatics 1:09.13; SOFLO: 9. Anna Montgomery 1:14.10.

200-yard backstroke:

13-14, 1. Savannah Bowser, GCST 2:15.13; SOFLO: 18. Abolade Oyetunji 2:43.45, best time; Open: 1. Carter Flynn, GTSA 2:16.24; SOFLO: 16. Astrid Rigau 2:33.94, best time.

100-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Mikayla Puckett, GCST 1:03.06; SOFLO: 11. Sara Quintero 1:12.83, best time, 25. Valentina Carrion 1:22.74, best time, 29. Gretchen Montgomery 1:24.48, 39. Adrianna Rigau 1:37.73; 11-12, 1. Sarah Abril, Metro Aquatics 58.64; SOFLO: 21. Anna Montgomery 1:06.94, 24. Alexandra Crespo 1:07.47; 13-14, 1. Stephanie Hernandez, Metro Aquatics 55.82; SOFLO: 16. Natasha Testa 1:01.27, 20. Abolade Oyetunji 1:01.87; Open: 1. Evita Leter, Metro Aquatics 55.21; SOFLO: 15. Astrid Rigau 59.75.

25-yard butterfly:

8-and-under, 1. Jenna Santiago, SRQ 19.27; COMETS: 2. Erika Pelaez 21.64.

100-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Mikayla Puckett, GCST 1:10.44; SOFLO: 13. Sara Quintero 1:35.35; 11-12, 1. Makenna Subbert, GCST 1:08.29; SOFLO: 19. Alexandra Crespo 1:21.30.

200-yard butterfly:

13-14, 1. Chloe Bedard-Khalid, Metro Aquatics 2:16.20; SOFLO: 10. Natasha Testa 2:38.79; Open, 1. Isabella Paez, Metro Aquatics 2:09.05.

1,650-yard freestyle:

Open, 1. Kaitlyn Hauser, GCST 17:35.11.

BOYS

100-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Santiago Gomez, Metro Aquatics 1:12.47.

200-yard individual medley:

11-12, 1. Adrian Aguilar, Metro Aquatics 2:17.50; 2. Rafael Rodriguez 2:19.54, best time, 4. Samuel Quintero 2:25.39, best time, 9. Brandon Moran 2:30.41, best time.

25-yard breaststroke:

8-and-under, 1. Jack Lambert, LRSA 21.27; COMETS: 16. Noah Hew 28.48, best time, 22. Miguel Crespo 29.80, best time.

25-yard freestyle:

8-and-under, 1. Jack Lambert 15.80; COMETS: 23. Noah Hew 22.16, best time, 27. Miguel Crespo 23.35.

200-yard freestyle:

13-14, 1. Alejandro Carriazo, Metro Aquatics 1:51.25; SOFLO: 18. Kevin Porto 2:07.60, 22. Matthew Menocal 2:09.77, 28. Rodrigo Rodriguez 2:16.32; Open, 1. Julian Ballestas, Metro Aquatics 1:42.72; SOFLO: 2. Julien Pinon 1:46.00.

100-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Santiago Gomez, Metro Aquatics 1:20.37; 11-12, 1. Brandon Moran, SOFLO 1:16.26, best time, 3. Samuel Quintero 1:18.60, 13. Ethan Hew 1:34.95, best time; 13-14, 1, Adrian Moya, Metro Aquatics 1:09.19; SOFLO: 14. Matthew Menocal 1:22.00, best time, 16. Rodrigo Rodriguez 1:24.04; Open, 1. Wayne Denswil, Metro Aquatics 1:00.91.

25-yard backstroke:

8-and-under, 1. Jack Lambert, LRSA 18.72; COMETS: 9. Noah Hew 23.31, best time, 24. Miguel Crespo 27.06, best time.

100-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Joshua Benzon, GCST 1:15.03; 11-12, 1. Adrian Aguilar, Metro Aquatics 1:03.94; SOFLO: 2. Rafael Rodriguez 1:06.41, best time, 27. Ethan Hew 1:30.25, best time.

200-yard backstroke:

13-14, 1. Joseph Perez, Metro Aquatics 2:01.45; SOFLO: 2. Julien Pinon 2:04.87, best time, 13. Kevin Porto 2:22.46; Open: 1. Boleck DePawlikowski, Metro Aquatics 1:56.13.

100-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Andres Wong, Metro Aquatics 1:01.60; 11-12, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 58.97; SOFLO: 3. Samuel Quintero 1:01.09, bes time, 10. Brandon Moran 1:04.80, 36. Ethan Hew 1:21.74, best time; 13-14, 1. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 49.43; SOFLO: 19. Matthew Menocal 58.66, 23.Kevin Porto 1:00.80, 26. Rodrigo Rodriguez 1:01.38; Open, 1. Logan Samuelson, SWIM 49.31.

25-yard butterfly:

8-and-under, 1. Jack Lambert, LRSA 17.43; COMETS: 19. Miguel Crespo 31.25.

100-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Andres Wong, Metro Aquatics 1:13.69; 11-12, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 1:04.05; SOFLO: 6. Samuel Quintero 1:09.74, 9. Brandon Moran 1:12.58, best time.

200-yard butterfly:

13-14, 1. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 2:02.83; Open, 1. Julian Ballestas, Metro Aquatics 1:55.52.

1,650-yard freestyle:

Open, 1. Boleck DePawlikowski, Metro Aquatics 16:18.88.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Quintero Top Finisher On Day One Of GCST Winter Invitational

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

January 18, 2013

Samuel Quintero of South Florida Aquatic Club was the team’s top finisher Friday night on the opening day of the GCST Winter Invitational at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Quintero, 12, was second in the 400-yard individual medley in 5:08.13. Teammate Brandon Moran was fourth in a best time 5:13.95, dropping from 5:22.01.

Abolade Oyetunji, 13, lowered her best time in the 500-yard freestyle, dropping from 6:08.85 to 5:56.20 and finished 18th. Natasha Testa, 14, was 22nd in a best time 6:07.06, dropping from 6:07.68.

Sara Quintero, 9, was eighth in the 200-yard individual medley in a best time 2:54.13, dropping from 2:59.18.

Kevin Porto, 13, was eighth in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:14.78.

The meet, SOFLO’s first of 2013, ends on Sunday. SOFLO has 21 swimmers competing against some of the state’s top teams and swimmers.

Friday Results

GIRLS

500-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Christina Walch, SWIM 5:58.89; 12-and-under, 1. Jessica Walsh, GCST 5:29.76; 13-14, 1. Savannah Bowser, GCST 5:06.76; SOFLO: 18. Abolade Oyetunji 5:56.20, best time, 22. Natasha Testa 6:07.06, best time; 15-and-over, 1. Isabella Paez, Metro Aquatics 4:59.39.

200-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Christina Walch, SWIM 2:31.98; SOFLO: 8. Sara Quintero 2:54.13, best time.

400-yard individual medley:

11-12, 1. Jessica Walsh, GCST 5:04.20; 13-14, 1. Savannah Bowser, GCST 4:40.42; 15-and-over, 1. Isabella Paez, Metro Aquatics 4:31.99.

BOYS

500-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Conor Cranfield, SWIM 5:50.10; 11-12, 1. Fernando Rodriguez, Metro Aquatics 5:25.01; 13-14, 1. Santiago Corredor, SWIM 4:57.04; SOFLO: 8. Kevin Porto 5:14.78; 15-and-over, 1. Matt Nielsen, GCST 4:40.32.

200-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Andres Wong, Metro Aquatics 2:32.75.

400-yard individual medley:

11-12, 1. Adrian Aguilar, Metro Aquatics 4:58.73; SOFLO: 2. Samuel Quintero 5:08.13, 4. Brandon Moran 5:13.95, best time; 13-14, 1. Alejandro Carriazo, Metro Aquatics 4:25.47; 15-and-over, 1. Boleck DePawlikowski, Metro Aquatics 4:07.74.

Austin Grand Prix

Olympians Nathan Adrian and Missy Franklin took up where they left off in 2012 by winning on the opening night of the Arena Austin Grand Prix at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.

In the marquis event of the meet, Adrian won 100-meter freestyle in a pool record 48.32 against a stacked field.

Adrian of Bremerton, Wash. finished ahead of locals Ricky Berens (49.35), the morning’s top seed, and Jimmy Feigen (50.01) while breaking the 25-year-old pool record of Matt Biondi (48.42). Anthony Ervin was fifth in 50.49.

Ryan Lochte won the B final of the 100-meter freestyle in 51.09. Lochte was also fourth in the 100-meter butterfly in 54.14.

Missy Franklin of Centennial, Colo. cruised to victory in the 100-meter freestyle in 54.68. Simone Manuel was second in 55.52 and Nathalie Lindborg was third in 56.16. Franklin was also fourth in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:12.56.

Other individual winners:

Rachel Nicol of SMU won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:28.79.

B.J. Johnson of Palo Alto, Calif. won the men’s 200-meter breaststroke in 2:13.02 finishing ahead of favorite Clark Burckle in 2:13.36.

Eugene Godsoe won the men’s 100-meter butterfly in 53.54.

Noemie Thomas won the 100-meter butterfly in 58.88.

Canada’s two-time Olympian Ryan Cochrane won the 400-meter freestyle in 3:52.07.

Chloe Sutton won the 400-meter freestyle in 4:09.35.

More than $30,000 was earned on the opening night of finals of the Arena Grand Prix Tour event, the second of six stops. Franklin won $3,000 but will turn it down to protect her college eligibility at California next fall.

Because of the collegiate season and other swimmers in the midst of heavy training, the meet has less than 600 swimmers competing.

“It’s not a big meet,” said Texas men’s coach Eddie Reese. “There’s not a whole lot of people but there are big people in the meet. Staying out of the water does not make you a better swimmer. It’s good that the best swimmers are getting back in so soon.”

The meet is being webcast on usaswimming.org and televised live on Universal Sports 7-8:30 p.m.

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

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, Issue 229: Florida State, SOFLO’s Tiffany Oliver Compete This Weekend

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

January 18, 2013

Florida State’s men’s and women’s swimming team, gearing up for the post-regular season meets, return to action on Friday and Saturday on the road against South Carolina, Arkansas, N.C. State and Georgia Tech.

“We knew that this weekend was going to test our team,” Florida State coach Neil Harper said. “Going on the road isn’t easy along with being tired and training hard.

“We’re facing two SEC schools and both have had success on the NCAA level,” Harper said. “Then we have to switch gears and take on two teams that would like nothing more than to beat us. It’s going to be a challenge all weekend.”

The Seminoles take on SEC teams South Carolina and No. 18 Arkansas on Friday in Columbia, S.C. Less than 24 hours later, the Seminoles swim N.C. State and Georgia Tech in Raleigh, N.C.

The women’s team (10-3, 3-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) is ranked No. 21 and led by South Florida Aquatic Club’s Tiffany Oliver, an NCAA qualifier ranked among the nation’s best.

“Arkansas is as hot as any team in the country,” Harper said. “They swam so fast last weekend against Penn State and they are going to be well-prepared in order to get a few more wins on Friday. We are just going to have to step up and do the best we can.”

More College Swimming

University of Florida will host Florida Atlantic in a dual meet Saturday at the Stephen O’Connell Center in Gainesville.

The Gators, ranked No. 7 are unbeaten in dual meets (4-0) and Southeastern Conference (3-0). The women are ranked No. 9 in the nation and are 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

The Gators hold a 15-0 series lead in the men’s series and 16-0 in the women’s series.

While most of the Gators team will remain in Gainesville, eight swimmers and one diver will compete in the SMU Classic in Dallas on Friday and Saturday. Among the men’s field are No. 1-ranked Michigan, Purdue, USC, SMU and Louisville.

The Gator women, led by Olympian Elizabeth Beisel, are coming off a long layoff. Florida last competed in December at the Ohio State Invitational.

The men’s team is led by South African Sebastien Rousseau and Marcin Cieslak of Poland. Joining Torres are other Florida Gold Coast swimmers Ryan Rosenbaum, Austin Manganiello, Luke Torres, Thomas Veale and Carlos Omana.

Austin Grand Prix

USA Swimming is offering $150,000 in prize money for the 2012-13 Arena Grand Prix Series that resumes Friday in Austin, Texas. The meet is being televised live by the Universal Sports Network, 7-8:30 p.m.

As part of USA Swimming’s new eight-year partnership with Arena, first place winners will take home $500, second place $300 and third place $100.

Missy Franklin, Anthony Ervin, Tyler Clary, Ricky Berens and Ryan Lochte head the field for the three-day meet that ends on Sunday. Franklin is entered in six events.

The remaining Grand Prix events are Orlando, Feb. 14-16; Mesa, Ariz., April 11-13; Charlotte Ultraswim, May 9-12 and Santa Clara Grand Prix, May 30-June 2.

Arena, which is making a huge splash with its expansion is the United States, recently signed 15-year-old Lithuanian gold medalist Ruta Meilutyte and the Olympic Nice Club in France, home of Camille Muffat and Yannick Agnel.

Open water swimming

Early registration is now open for the Oct. 13 Bermuda Round the Sound Swims, according to race director Randy Nutt of Aqua Moon Adventures. Race distances offered for the 23rd annual event are 10K, 7.25K, 4K, 2K and 0.8K. Age group categories are junior 12-and-under, teen 13-19, open 20-39, masters 40-59 and senior 60-plus. Dolphin Swim Team of Bermuda is the host team. Since its inception the race has raised more than $300,000 for local Bermuda charities. Email Nutt for more information or entry forms at info@RandyNutt.com or RN007@bellsouth.net.

Miscellaneous

The American Swimming Association is the latest to ban disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, stripping him of all titles that he won in ASA-sanctioned events. He has been banned for life from any future ASA events…Justin Zook of Fort Lauderdale was named to the U.S. Paralympics national swim team…Olympian Summer Sanders, the most decorated U.S. swimmer at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, is training for the Feb. 24 Disney Princess Half Marathon. Her Summer On The Run 12-week blog and video series can be found at http://www.espnW.com. She is married to Olympic skier Erik Schlopy and has two children.

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

SOFLO Hits Road For First Swim Meet Of The Year

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

January 17, 2013

South Florida Aquatic Club will open the 2013 season on Friday at the Gulf Coast Swim Team Winter Invitational at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Aquatics Center.

The meet with nearly 700 swimmers and seventeen clubs including Metro Aquatics, Miami Country Day, North Miami and Swim Florida will feature swimmers competing in the age group and senior 25-yard timed final meet.

The meet is Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday’s session begins at 5:30 p.m. There are two sessions on Saturday and Sunday.

SOFLO will have 21 athletes competing.

The girls contingent is Valentina Carrion, 10, Alexandra Crespo, 12, Anna Montgomery, 12, Gretchen Montgomery, 9, Abolade Oyetunji, 13, Sara Quintero, 9, Adrianna Rigau, 10, Astrid Rigau, 16, and Natasha Testa, 14.

The boys are Ethan Hew, 12, CJ Kopecki, 13, Matthew Menocal, 13, Brandon Moran, 11, Julien Pinon, 14, Kevin Porto, 13, Samuel Quintero, 12, Rafael Rodriguez, 11, and Rodrigo Rodriguez, 13.

Pinon is seeded first in the 13-14 100-yard freestyle (48.44), 200-yard butterfly (1:59.16), 100-yard butterfly (53.23) and 50-yard freestyle (22.39). Rafael Rodriguez is top-seed in the 11-12 100-yard freestyle (58.08) and 200-yard freestyle (2:02.09).

The Comets have three swimmers entered including Miguel Crespo, 8, Noah Hew, 8, and Erika Pelaez, 6.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, Issue 228: SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson Voted Jamaica’s People’s Choice Award

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

January 11, 2012

Alia Atkinson, after enjoying her best international year in swimming in 2012, was honored Friday night with the People’s Choice Award during the RJR Sports Foundation Ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

Atkinson, 24, also earned runner-up honors again for Sportswoman of the Year.

The South Florida Aquatic Club swimmer and three-time Olympian continues to put Jamaica on the map in swimming.

At the 2012 London Summer Olympics Atkinson won a swim-off to qualify for her first Olympic final in the 100-meter breaststroke where she just missed a medal finishing fourth.

Five months later she won two silver medals and made all four of her finals at the World Short Course Championships in Turkey making history as the first Jamaican swimmer to medal at worlds.

Atkinson is one of the sport’s world-class athletes who is not fully-funded by her country’s swim federation or athletic administration despite outcry from several of her followers and media.

Olympic track gold medalists Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce won the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards, as expected in the track-loving nation. It was the fourth time Bolt won the honor.

Fraser-Pryce was recently named the first ambassador of the University of Technology where a new assessment center aimed at developing the full potential of children with disabilities was named in her honor.

Bolt’s Racers Track Club teammate Yohan Blake finished runner-up to Bolt. Bolt’s coach Glen Mills received the Sagicor Icon Award. SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson was also in the running for the coach’s honor.

It was the second major awards for Bolt and Fraser-Pryce in four days. They also won the 2012 Jamaica Athletics Administration male and female athlete of the year awards on Tuesday.

Daytona Beach State Drops Swimming

SOFLO’s Xavier Brown is without a college swim team after only five months.

Daytona Beach State College, where Brown was a freshman, has dropped its men’s and women’s swim teams.

Head coach Don Gibb led the team to a second place finish at the NJCAA National Championship behind in-state rival Indian River State College, where Brown’s SOFLO teammate Marc Rojas is a freshman

The Miami-born Brown, at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, with athleticism and unlimited potential, is a coach’s dream. He had five offers from out-of-state colleges but chose to stay in-state.

Brown is back home and has been training with SOFLO since Dec. 11.

SOFLO’s Marinheiro, Pinon Makes All-County

West Broward High School sophomore Melissa Marinheiro was selected first team All-County for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel for the second year in a row. The SOFLO swimmer from Brazil made it in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events after swimming best times during state prelims and placing fifth in the 200 freestyle and sixth in the 500 freestyle in finals. Big sister Marcella Marinheiro, a senior, made second team in the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle. SOFLO teammate Julien Pinon, a freshman at American Heritage Plantation, was selected to second team for the 100 and 200 freestyles. He was also a member of the first team 200 freestyle relay and second team 400 freestyle relay. The Miami Herald’s team is expected to be released Jan. 16th.

Miscellaneous

Swimming will get a little more mainstream exposure thanks to Ryan Lochte. The Olympic champion landed his own reality show on cable. The six-episode series called What Would Ryan Lochte Do? will air on E! The show will follow the 28-year-old swimmer training for the 2016 Rio Olympics in Gainesville with Gregg Troy, developing his fashion line, making media appearances, dealing with his family and friends, playing golf and looking for a girlfriend. “Watching this show, I believe people will fall into three categories: they want to be him, sleep with him or mother him,” said E! Entertainment president Suzanne Kolb. Lochte now joins Honey Boo Boo and the Kardishians in the reality world of television…

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin competed in her first high school meet of the season this past week. Franklin competed for Regis Jesuit High School against rival Highlands Ranch. “I was so nervous,” Franklin said. “My teammates asked me what was wrong with me. I love that. It shows me that the excitement of the sport is still there, no matter where you go. It was awesome to come back to my first high school dual meet.” Franklin didn’t compete in her trademark events. She broke state times in the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle. She also swam lead-off leg on the 200- and 400 freestyle relays. Even more impressive was after the meet, the 17-year-old balanced a water bottle on her forehead during her backstroke warmdown, an exercise to help her with head stabilization. The water bottle stayed on her head for the entire length of the pool…

Georgia split its dual meet against Texas on Saturday. The No. 3 Lady Bulldogs, led by Allison Schmitt and Shannon Vreeland, knocked off No. 5 Texas, 143-100, while the No. 4 Longhorns beat No. 12 Georgia, 132-109. Georgia finished its home dual meet schedule with a perfect 8-0 record and extended its school record win streak at their natatorium to 82…Florida International women’s team defeated Central Connecticut State University, 198-100 in Miami. Sonia Perez and Johanna Gustafson led the Golden Panthers. FIU will host Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m…Led by senior captain Caroline Kuczynski, Arizona State defeated Brigham Young in a dual meet, 201-94. Kuczynski won the 100 butterfly in 55.19, 200 individual medley in 2:06.19 and was a member of the winning 200 medley relay…No. 13-ranked Nova Southeastern men’s team defeated Florida Atlantic, 108-97 and lost to Western Kentucky, 163-42. It was the first time in NSU’s history the Sharks have beaten FAU. FAU women’s team topped NSU, 118-87 and lost to Western Kentucky, 166-39. WKU and post-grads including Olympic gold medalist Claire Donahue, have been training at SOFLO’s pool. NSU sophomore Linea Cutter finished fourth in the 50-yard freestyle in 25.13. NSU will host its final dual meet against Sunshine State Conference rival Florida Southern on Saturday, Jan. 19th at noon…

Fifteen-year-old swimmer and diver Ryan Klarner of Palatine, Ill. reached out to Taco Bell on Facebook last month asking for a customized Speedo with “think outside the buns” printed on it. The company said yes and the Fremd High School swimmer will get his specially-inscribed suit in the mail. While rules prohibit him from wearing any kind of advertisement on his suits in meets, he can wear it in practice. Klarner said he eats Taco Bell, his favorite fast food restaurant, at least seven times a week. The pink suit has the Taco Bell logo on the front and special saying on the back.

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

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, Issue 227: Pedraza, Cunha Win ISHOF Rough Water Swim

By Sharon Robb

January 5, 2013

World champion Ana Marcela Cunha of Brazil and Joey Pedraza of Davie won the women’s and men’s overall titles Saturday at the 45th annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Fort Lauderdale Rough Water Mile Swim.

Cunha outsprinted U.S. national team member Emily Brunemann in the last five meters to win the women’s division in 21 minutes and 57.7 seconds.

Pedraza, a Pine Crest and University of Florida alum, won the men’s race in 20:42.4.

Cunha and Pedraza were tuning up for the 50th annual Travessia Mar

Grande Salvador 15K in Brazil on Jan. 13. Cunha, the defending overall champion, is an overwhelming favorite for the coastal swim.

Pedraza will represent the USA Swimming national team along with U.S. teammate Lexie Kelly.

The complete results for the ISHOF events will be released this week at ishof.org.

Orange Bowl Swimming

University of Michigan swept the men’s and women’s titles at the annual Orange Bowl Swimming Classic in Key Largo.

It was the fifth consecutive men’s title for the Wolverines ranked among the nation’s top teams.

Michigan swimmers won all 24 events and broke fifteen individual and two men’s and two men’s Orange Bowl meet records at Jacobs Aquatic Center.

West Virginia was second and George Mason finished third among the eight-team field.

Miscellaneous

Olympians Ryan Lochte and Connor Dwyer and the University of Florida men’s swim team trained with the 920th Guardian Angels para-rescuers Friday at Patrick Air Force Base. The 10-week training regimen the para-rescuers go through is some of the most grueling conditioning in the armed forces. It included CrossFit training, kettlebell shuttling, group push-ups in sand, pull-ups, beach running and underwater swimming. Lochte told reporters afterwards it was one of the toughest workouts he has ever gone through. “That was officially my hardest workout I have ever done. The hardest part for me was the running, I don’t do much running,” Lochte said. “The whole spraying water in our face, we’re not used to. But the yelling? We get a lot of that with our coach. I knew it was going to be hard. It’s teamwork. I’m used to a lot of the stuff, but some of it was new. This is something I definitely might look into when swimming is all said and done.”…

Olympian Katie Hoff, who is currently taking classes at University of Miami, has made it clear she has not retired from competitive swimming. After her former coach Paul Yetter of T2 Aquatics in Naples told Swimming World Magazine that Hoff’s move to Miami signals the end of her swimming career, Hoff got on Twitter and tweeted, “To clarify, I am not retired. I am taking some time to go to school at the University of Miami and focus on my studies…

Chase Kalisz made a successful college debut Saturday winning three events for Georgia in the Bulldogs’ wins over North Carolina State and Savannah in Savannah, Ga. The No. 12-ranked Bulldogs men’s team (5-1) defeated N.C. State, 144-112 and Savannah, 206-46. The women’s team also swept the tri-meet to improve to 7-0. The No. 3-ranked women defeated N.C. State, 151-99 and Savannah, 178-73. Kalisz won the 200 butterfly in 1:50.33, 200 breaststroke in 1:59.58 and 200 individual medley in 1:48.61. Georgia will meet Texas on Jan. 12 in its final dual meet of the season…

Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin were named Swimmers of the Year by FINA, the sport’s international governing body. It was the second straight year Franklin earned the honors. Wu Minxia and Ilya Zakharov were named Divers of the Year. Stanford’s Maggie Steffens, a member of the 2012 Olympic gold medal water polo team and MVP at the London Games, was named the Best Female Water Polo Player of 2012 by FINA. The freshman scored 21 goals in the Olympic Games including five in the gold medal match. Josip Pavic was named Men’s Player of the Year. 10K Olympian champions Ous Mellouli and Eva Risztov were named Open Water Swimmers of the Year…Aussie Ian Thorpe who failed to qualify for his 2012 Olympic team after coming out of retirement is continuing his training for the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona. “I enjoy what I have been doing, I intend to continue,” Thorpe told reporters.

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

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, Issue 226: Lochte, Gators Invited To Train At Patrick Air Force Base

By Sharon Robb

January 3, 2013

Ryan Lochte and University of Florida men’s team will have a serious change of training scenery on Friday.

Lochte, a former Gator and post-grad Olympic gold medalist and the Gators will train with members of the Air Force 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County.

The swimmers will participate in a series of exercises with pararescuemen, some of the most highly-trained emergency trauma specialists in the U.S. military.

Thirty-eight UF swimmers and head coach Gregg Troy will receive first-hand experience of what it takes to serve as an elite member of the rescue team.

Open Mile Swims This Weekend

Two open mile swims for all ages and levels are scheduled for Saturday in Fort Lauderdale and Sunday in Delray Beach.

One of South Florida’s best open water events is Saturday at the International Swimming Hall of Fame Fort Lauderdale Rough Water Swim off Fort Lauderdale Beach

The one mile swim annually attracts more than 500 age group, college, masters and open swimmers going off in wave starts.

The race begins 9:30 a.m. in front of Terramar Street and finishes on the beach in front of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Race day check-in is 7:30-9 a.m. at Alexander Park across the street from ISHOF and then swimmers are trolleyed to the start.

Age groups for boys and girls are 10-and-under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18 and 19-24. There are men and women college divisions for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. The masters men and women age groups range from 25-29 to 80-84.

Online registration is at http://www.active.com or at the ISHOF Gift Shop. The race application can also be found at http://www.ishof.org. All finishers receive a commemorative finish medal. Entry fee is $20 for college and age group and $30 for masters. There is an additional $10 late fee.

On Sunday, Delray Beach will host its annual swim.

The Delray Beach Ocean Mile Swim benefits the Delray Beach Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Competition Team and Junior Lifeguard Competition. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Anchor Park and the race starts at 9:30 a.m. It’s a point-to-point race off Delray Beach with first, second and third place awards for all age groups. There are men and women divisions in all age groups. In addition to awards, all participants will receive a long sleeve t-shirts. Parking is free at Anchor Park until 11:30 a.m. Entry fee is $25. For information call 561-243-7352.

Miscellaneous

Michael Phelps, 27, is back in the dating pool after splitting with his girlfriend Megan Rossee, 25, after less than a year of dating. The 22-time Olympic champion broke up with the model and former cocktail waitress because he didn’t think the relationship was going anywhere. Phelps tweeted, “Things happen for a reason.” To illustrate just how popular Phelps’ name is, the news of his break-up made every national wire and celebrity column in the nation. Phelps will next been seen playing golf on Golf Channel’s Haney Project in February trying to improve his golf game which is already quite good. He may just be back in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics when golf makes its debut as a medal sport…Swimmers continued to make gossip columns when Miss Universe pageant owner Donald Trump said he didn’t care for Miss Universe winner Olivia Culpo dating Ryan Lochte. “That swimmer is all over her like a puppy dog,” Trump told reporters. “Olivia is focused on being Miss Universe. She’s a smart, good girl.”…

Missy Franklin was a huge success as Grand Marshall of the recent Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade. With one of her four Olympic gold medals hanging around her neck, Franklin waved from a convertible for 2.5 miles. She wore a traditional Yavapai Indian Nation blanket embroidered with her name that was given to her during a dinner reception by the title sponsors. Franklin was also on the cover of the Fiesta Bowl Entertainment Guide. Before the Fiesta Bowl she trained for several days at a club pool in Scottsdale…

Florida International University will host its annual Sprint Invitational on Saturday at noon…Nova Southeastern, coming off a loss to Grand Valley State, will host Western Kentucky and Florida Atlantic on Saturday, Jan. 12. Against No. 12 ranked Grand Valley, Florida Gold Coast swimmer Linea Cutter was second in the 50-yard freestyle in 25.27…

Bucknell, led by Florida Gold Coast swimmers Gina Gautieri and Emily Norton returns to action after a month-long layoff Saturday at Columbia. Bucknell has not competed since Dec. 1 and recently returned from a weeklong training trip in Florida during winter break. Bucknell has four regular season meets remaining on its schedule. The women’s team is 3-3 and 2-1 in the Patriot League…Olympic gold medalist Claire Donahue and her alma mater Western Kentucky are training in South Florida for the next two weeks. The swimmers are training at South Florida Aquatic Club’s Academic Village Pool.

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