June 2013 – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

Ledecky Breaks 25-Year Old Record; Adrian, Lochte Swim World-Bests

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

June 29, 2013

From rookies Simone Manuel and Maya Dirado to veterans Ryan Lochte and Natalie Coughlin, USA Swimming will be sending a mixed bag of fifty swimmers to next month’s FINA World Aquatic Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

On the fifth and final night of the Phillips 66 National Championships and World Trials at the Indianapolis Natatorium, the U.S. team was finalized with some unexpected surprises.

Highlighting the final night of action, 16-year-old Katie Ledecky, Ryan Lochte and Nathan Adrian swam world-bests in their events.

Bob Bowman will serve as head men’s coach and Dave Salo head women’s coach of the U.S. teams. The world championships are July 28-Aug. 4.

Missy Franklin, 18, of Colorado Stars won the high point award with 97 points followed by Katie Ledecky, 16, of Nation’s Capital with 77. Ryan Lochte, 28, of Daytona Beach Swimming won men’s high point with 92 points and Matt Grevers, 28, of Tucson Ford was second with 76.

Bluefish Swim Club edged California Aquatics, 223-213 for the women’s team title. California Aquatics won the men’s title with 259.50 points followed by Tucson Ford with 244. California Aquatics won the combined team title with 471.50 followed by Tucson Ford with 368.50.

Women’s 1500-meter freestyle:

Teenager and Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky crushed Janet Evans’ 15-16 national age group record (15:52.10) that has stood since 1988 to win in 15:47.15, the fastest time in the world this year and long course national record. Ledecky, 16, is the second fastest American in history and fourth fastest ever in the world in the event. Californian Chloe Sutton was second in 16:07.75. Clearwater’s Becca Mann was sixth in 16:24.83.

“I am really happy with my time, it was the swim I was looking forward to this whole week,” Ledecky said. “I wanted to end with a bang. I wanted to swim a controlled race. I wanted to see if I could put together a good swim.”

Women’s 200-meter individual medley:

2012 Olympic bronze 200 IM medalist Caitlin Leverenz made the world team on the final night after the top morning seed won in 2:10.13, the fourth fastest time in the world this year. Florida’s Elizabeth Beisel was second. Leverenz went out fast in the butterfly (27.83) and built a body-length lead through the backstroke and breaststroke. Beisel finished in 2:12.11. Both Missy Franklin and Liz Pelton scratched from the event.

“It put a lot of pressure on me when it came down to the final day to make worlds,” Leverenz said. “I didn’t have quite the meet I hoped to have. I knew this was my best event and it was on the last day. I had to be patient.”

Men’s 200-meter individual medley:

Ryan Lochte won his signature event with a dominating swim in 1:55.44, the fastest time in the world this year. Conor Dwyer was second in 1:57.74. Lochte was under world record pace in the butterfly (24.69), backstroke and breaststroke and built a body length lead. It was Lochte’s third win of the meet.

“I don’t worry about racing the clock, I was just racing the other guys, it was a good field,” Lochte said. “I am a racer. I just get up there and race. I am never satisfied. I know in all my races there is always something I can improve. In that race there’s a lot.”

Men’s 800-meter freestyle:

Michigan’s Connor Jaeger broke open a two-man race against Michael McBroom to break the U.S. Open and national long course records in 7:46.78, third best time in the world this year. McBroom was second in a lifetime-best 7:47.13. It was Jaeger’s third win of the meet. Jaeger scratched from the 200 to make room for his training partner Michael Klueh on the world roster.

“We like racing each other and I was lucky to have three of my teammates right next to me,” Jager said. “I was relaxed going out and feeling confident. Michael pushed the pace early so I knew we were going to have a good race. Thinking about swimming the 1500 twice can be a little intimidating but this is what we train for year-round.”

Women’s 50-meter freestyle:

Veteran Olympian Natalie Coughlin is re-inventing herself in the sprint and it’s paying off. She went out quickly and finished first in 24.97. Top morning qualifier Simone Manuel, 16, of First Colony Swim Team in Sugar Land, Texas was second in 25.01 and lowered the national 15-16 age group record twice in prelims (25.06) and finals. It was Manuel’s first individual event she qualified for worlds. She will also be a member of the 4×100 free relay.

“It’s tempting but I tried not to look around at the other swimmers,” Coughlin said. “I kept my head still and just got my hand to the wall. I have really been working on power in my stroke especially up front. In the 50, it helps a lot.”

Men’s 50-meter freestyle:

Nathan Adrian, looking much better than he did in the 100, went out fast to win in 21.47, the fastest time in the world this year and tied the national long course record. Top seed and Adrian’s training partner Anthony Ervin was second in 21.70.

“I think I had to get myself mentally prepared for this meet,” Adrian said. “It’s quite an adjustment after the Olympics to have another trials the next year. It’s pretty hard to get into.”

Bolles Ryan Murphy won the “C” final in 23.16 and Bolles teammate Santo Condorelli won the “B” final in 22.73.

Florida Gold Coast Results:

Women’s 200-meter individual medley: “A” Final, 5. Jana Mangimelli, Gulliver Swim Club, 2:12.75 best time dropping from 2:13.48; 8. 2:14.97, prelims.

Men’s 200-meter individual medley: “B” Final, 7. Carlos Omana, Metro Aquatics 2:03.86; 15. 2:03.56, best time prelims, dropping from 2:05.49; 32. Sam Smiddy, AK Sharks 2:07.66.

ELSEWHERE

Michael Phelps will celebrate his 28th birthday on Sunday with family and friends in Baltimore. Phelps followed the world trials results but said swimming is the farthest thing from his mind and he has no intentions of returning to the pool even though several swimmers including Ryan Lochte and TV announcer Rowdy Gaines speculated that he will.

“Man, people will believe anything that’s written, anything that’s on TV,” Phelps told his hometown paper. “There’s nothing in the works with me coming back to swimming. This is a part of my life I’m enjoying. I’ve never had freedom like this and I live on my own time. I play golf three or four times a week. I wake up whenever I want. I’m not thinking about changing that. I want to help grow the sport and there are other ways to do it. My life, the way it is now, is great.”…

The five-day meet in Indianapolis did not draw the crowds that last year’s U.S. Olympic swimming trials did. Many believe without Michael Phelps, U.S. swimming will be a poor draw. But with so many new stars on the horizon, that theory will not hold water.

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

Missy Franklin Breaks Her Own U.S. Open Record In Final Event At World Trials

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

June 27, 2013

Olympian Missy Franklin continued her domination of the women’s competition Friday on Day Four of the Phillips 66 National Championships/World Championship Trials in Indianapolis at Indiana University Natatorium.

Franklin, 18, of the Colorado Stars is one of the few Olympians that doesn’t seem to be suffering from the post-Olympic year syndrome.

Franklin won her fourth national title of the meet in the 100-meter backstroke in which she broke her own U.S. Open record in 58.67 while out-sprinting top morning qualifier and future Cal-Berkeley teammate Liz Pelton.

“Actually, I am surprised,” Franklin said. “I am really, really happy with my times here. I wasn’t sure what to expect.”

It was Franklin’s final event of the meet after scratching Saturday’s 200-meter individual medley. At worlds, Franklin will compete in the 100 and 200 freestyle, 100 and 200 backstroke and 400 and 800 free relays.

“The main goal is to be faster in four weeks than we were right now,” Franklin said. “I think that’s the goal for everyone. It will definitely be about the little technical things the next four weeks.”

In the championship finals:

Women 400-meter freestyle:

After winning the 800 freestyle earlier in the week, Katie Ledecky, the 16-year-old Olympic champion, swam a lifetime-best and broke the 15-16 age group record in 4:04.05. Chloe Sutton was second in 4:06.64.

“I really just figured out how to swim the 400 this morning,” Ledecky said. “It gave me confidence to swim tonight. I learned how to control up front so I could have something left in the end. I just tried to control my energy.”

Ledecky will be making her world championship debut.

Men 400-meter freestyle:

Connor Jaeger, 22, of University of Michigan overtook early lead Conor Dwyer to break open a three-man race down the stretch to win in 3:45.89. Matt McLean, 25, of University of Virginia Aquaticas was second in 3:46.14. Dwyer, already qualified in the 200 freestyle, was disqualified after the race for a false start.

“I saw someone on the other side of pool and knew I had to put my head down, keep my stroke together and race,” Jaeger said. “You just got to burn the legs coming home. It felt pretty bad coming home. In the 400, you have to go right away. You can’t ease into it like the 1500.”

Women 100-meter breaststroke:

In a two-woman race, Breeja Larson, 21, of Aggie Swim Club pulled away from world and American record holder Jessica Hardy, 26, of Trojan Swim Club in the final 20 meters to win in 1:06.16, third fastest time in the world this year. Hardy was second in 1:06.49.

“On the first 50 I had to stay in control and not go full out,” Larson said. “Jessica is really good. She was tough to keep up with.”

Men 100-meter breaststroke:

Two-time NCAA champion Kevin Cordes, 19, of Tucson Ford, known for his yards accomplishments in college swimming, was under American record pace at the midway mark with a 27.98 split and went on to win in 59.99, the only swimmer to break 1 minute.

“I have been trying to break a minute and decided to go for it tonight and just barely did it,” Cordes said. “Breaking a minute for the first time is pretty awesome. The last 50 meters were pretty hard. I tried to get my head up and get to the wall. I know I can swim meters. I am not just a yards swimmer.” Nic Fink, 19, of Athens Bulldogs was second in 1:00.24.

Women 100-meter backstroke:

American record holder Missy Franklin surged in the final 15 meters to overtake early lead Liz Pelton, who went out in 28.89 for the first half of the race. Franklin won in 58.67, both a U.S. Open and long course national record. Pelton was second in 59.27.

“I was telling myself just to go and get your hand on the wall,” Franklin said. “That last 15 meters is the hardest part. You have to push yourself harder and give it everything you have.”

Said Pelton, “We just feed off each other. When we race it’s more of an exciting race every time. I look over to her and know we are going to be next to each other and fighting under the flags.”

Men 100-meter backstroke:

David Plummer out-touched Olympic champion and early leader Matt Grevers to win in 53.10. What looked like a four-man race down the stretch ended in the final 10 meters when Plummer surged ahead. Grevers went out in 25.63 for the first 50, but Plummer reeled him in with the second fastest time in the world this year. Grevers hung on for second in 53.25 and qualified for his first individual event.

Jacksonville Bolles alum Ryan Murphy finished third in the 100-meter backstroke in a lifetime-best and re-broke his 17-18 national age group record in 53.38, but fell short of making the world team. Murphy now holds the four best junior times in the 100 backstroke.

“This hurt a lot more than the 50,” Plummer said. “I have been racing Matt a long time. You know if you’re not in front of him you are not going to win.”

Said Grevers: “I just wanted to join the party in Barcelona. I wanted to get first or second to try and defend my title there. This was a big relief.”

Olympian and American record holder Allison Schmitt withdrew from the 400 freestyle after failing to make the finals in the 100 and 200 freestyle earlier in the week ending any chance of competing at the world championships.

Swimmers have to finish in the top two in FINA-qualified times to earn an individual spot on the U.S. team for Barcelona.

The four highest finishers in the 100 and 200 freestyles will make the U.S. team for relay help and winner in each of the non-Olympic events qualify for the July 19-Aug. 4 World Championships.

Saturday, the final day of competition, the events are 200 IM, 50 freestyle, men’s 800 freestyle and women’s 1,500-meter freestyle.

Florida Gold Coast Friday Results

Women’s 100-meter breaststroke: “C” Final, 2. Emily Kopas, Unattached-Sharks Swim Club 1:10.11, best time dropping from 1:11.14; 23. 1:11.23, prelims.

World Trials On TV

NBC Sports Network and Universal Sports is televising seven hours of the June 25-29 USA Swimming Phillips 66 National Championships in Indianapolis, which are also serving as the World Championship trials for the U.S. team.

The remaining schedule is: Saturday, June 29, 1-2:30 p.m., NBC and 11 p.m.-midnight, NBC Sports Network.

USA Swimming will also offer a live webcast of the entire meet on its website, prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

ELSEWHERE

University of Florida freshman Jessica Thielmann of Newcastle, England qualified for the British national team during her country’s nationals in Sheffield, England. Thielmann finished second in the 1,500 meters in 16:19.92 to qualify for world championships.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Bootsma Edges Franklin At World Trials For First American Record

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

June 27, 2013

Missy Franklin was the first to congratulate and hug her future Cal-Berkeley teammate Rachel Bootsma after she broke American and U.S. Open records Thursday on Day Three of the Phillips 66 National Championships/World Championship Trials in Indianapolis at Indiana University Natatorium.

Bootsma, 19, broke Hayley McGregory’s American and U.S. Open record in the 50-meter breaststroke in 27.68, just out-touching Franklin by 30/100ths of a second (27.98).

“It’s my first American record, so I’m really happy,” Bootsma said. “I just really tried to focus on my start. I have a really quick tempo, so I just wanted to get out of my underwaters and just go.”

In the other championship finals:

Women 400-meter individual medley:

Stanford Swimming’s Maya Dirado, 20, won a close race in 4:34.43, the third fastest time in the world this year. The rookie won a two-swimmer showdown against two-time Olympic veteran Elizabeth Beisel, 20, of Florida, second in 4:34.50. Clearwater’s Becca Mann, 15, was fourth in 4:42.46. Dirado will be swimming the 400 IM, 200 butterfly and 800 freestyle relay at worlds.

“I just tried to stay calm and swim my own race, some of the pressure was off because of the 200 fly on Tuesday,” Dirado said. “I was just able to go out there and race. To have Elizabeth in the last 100 you know it’s going to be a battle.” Said Beisel, “I was hoping to see the wall but it took a little while to get there.”

Men 400-meter individual medley:

Chase Kalisz, 19, who trained with Michael Phelps at North Baltimore Aquatic Club overtook Olympian Tyler Clary, 24, of Club Wolverine and early leader after the butterfly (56.48) and backstroke, on the breaststroke after going out in 33.6. Kalisz extended his lead on the final freestyle leg to win his first national title by a full body length in 4:11.83. Clary was second in 4:14.62. Carlos Omana of Metro Aquatics, competing in his first national final of the week, posted back-to-back best times and finished sixth in 4:18.59.

“I really wanted to push my breaststroke leg,” Kalisz said. “I just wanted to stay in the race in the front half and give it all I had in the back half. Michael’s advice was to save my legs on the front half.”

Women 100-meter butterfly:

Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Dana Vollmer, 25, of California Aquatics, won her signature race in 57.53, third fastest time in the world this year and outsprinting early leader Claire Donahue, 24, of Western Kentucky who frequently trains with the South Florida Aquatic Club, in the final 50 meters. Donahue went out fast in 26.63 but Vollmer blasted back with a 30.81 split. Donahue was second in 58.32 and also qualified.

“I thought about staying light and spunky on the first 50 and then bringing it home,” Vollmer said. “I know my strength is that last 50 and staying calm. It actually wasn’t as fast as I wanted to be but regardless I made the team.”

Men 100-meter butterfly:

Ryan Lochte, 28, of Daytona Beach Swimming, who scratched two of his Thursday events, was outsprinted by Eugene Godsoe, 25, of Stanford Swimming, who won in 51.66 to sweep the butterfly events. Lochte was sixth at the turn. Four swimmers were in the chase for the wall but it was Godsoe with the world’s fourth fastest time. Lochte was second in 51.71.

“I put my head down and everything started fading out,” Godsoe said. “I tried to get there. I couldn’t see ryan and things started going numb.”

Said Lochte, “I just got to believe in my training. I have been training really hard the past two months. I am a closer and this is only the second time at the national level I’ve done this event.”

Lochte has scratched from his Friday events, the 100-meter backstroke and 100-meter breaststroke.

Women 50-meter breaststroke:

Olympian Jessica Hardy, 26, of Trojan Swim Club, had a quick start and went on to win in 30.24 with Breeja Larson, 21, of Aggie Swim Club was second in 30.40. “I was actually pretty nervous,” Hardy said.

In the “C” final, Florida Gold Coast swimmer Emily Kopas, 16, swimming unattached for Sharks Swim Club, was second in 32.20, just getting out-touched in 32.10 by Heidi Poppe.

Men 50-meter breaststroke:

Kevin Steel, 21, of Tucson Ford knocked off training partner Kevin Cordes, 19, of Tucson Ford to win in 27.26, to break the previous U.S. Open record of 27.33. Cordes was second in 27.38.

Men 50-meter backstroke:

David Plummer, 27, of Minnesota Swimming won in 24.52, another U.S. Open record. The previous record was 24.71. Matt Grevers, 28, of Tucson Ford was second in 24.77.

Swimmers have to finish in the top two in FINA-qualified times to earn an individual spot on the U.S. team for Barcelona.

The four highest finishers in the 100 and 200 freestyles will make the U.S. team for relay help and winner in each of the non-Olympic events qualify for the July 19-Aug. 4 World Championships.

In another noteworthy swim, 16-year-old Justin Lynch of the Terrapins Swim Team broke the greatest of all times in the 15-16 national age group record book. Lynch won the consolation heat of the 100-meter butterfly in 52.75 to break Michael Phelps’ 2001 age group record of 52.98. Lynch is one of the nation’s up-and-coming African-American swimmers. With a beautiful stroke and powerful fluidity through the water, Lynch resembles Phelps’ body/torso driven technique.

Florida Gold Coast Thursday Results

Men 400-meter individual medley: “A” Final, 6. Carlos Omana, Metro Aquatics 4:18.59, best time; 6. 4:19.73, prelims, best time; 30. Sam Smiddy, AK Sharks 4:31.64.

Women 50-meter breaststroke: “C” final, 2, Emily Kopas, Sharks Swim Club, Unattached 21. Emily Kopas, Unattached-Sharks Swim Club 32.92 prelims.

Women 50-meter backstroke: “B” Final, 14. Clara Smiddy, AK Sharks 29.10, best timel 16. 29.33, prelims.

Small meet, small crowds. The field is small because of the tough qualifying standards which were expected since it’s the World Trials. The small crowds, however, have been disappointing for such a prestigious meet with so many Olympians and future stars. Earlier in the week, University of Florida-bound Quinn Cassidy of St. Andrew’s Swimming tweeted “I’m pretty sure my high school state meet had more people in the stands.”

World Trials On TV

The remaining schedule is: Saturday, June 29, 1-2:30 p.m., NBC and 11 p.m.-midnight, NBC Sports Network.

USA Swimming will also offer a live webcast of the entire meet on its website, prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

Franklin, Lochte Sweep Monster Doubles At World Trials

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

June 26, 2013

The scenario couldn’t have been any more exciting or painful Wednesday night at the Phillips 66 National Championships/World Championship Trials in Indianapolis at Indiana University Natatorium.

Two monster swimmers, two monster doubles, four victories in the books. Olympians Missy Franklin and Ryan Lochte took turns pulling off tough doubles to highlight action on the second day of competition.

Franklin, 18, of Colorado Stars and Lochte, 28, of Daytona Beach Swimming each won the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter backstroke events to add to their national title resumes.

“I don’t want to go through that pain again,” Lochte said. “As I get older, it doesn’t get any easier. But I like the challenge and I love to race. A lot of people didn’t think I would be here, but I am a racer.”

Lochte has scratched from Thursday’s 400 IM and 50 backstroke.

Franklin became the first female swimmer ever to go under 2:06 in the 200-meter backstroke (2:05.68) on U.S. soil.

“That hurt a lot,” Franklin said.

Florida Gold Coast swimmers also had a banner night with Clara Smiddy of AK Sharks qualifying for “A” finals in the 200-meter backstroke; University of Florida sophomore Carlos Omana of Metro Aquatics for the “B” final in the 200-meter backstroke; and Emily Kopas, 16, swimming unattached for Sharks Aquatics, in the “C” final in the 200-meter breaststroke. All three swam lifetime-bests against fast fields.

In the championship finals:

Women 200-meter freestyle:

In a race where the top three seeds were Olympic gold medalists, top seed Missy Franklin made it look so easy. She went out in 27.04, 3/10ths of a second under world record pace. By the 100 split (55.96) she had a full body length and cruised for the win in 1:55.56, the second fastest time in the world. The battle was more exciting for second. Teenager Katie Ledecky, 16, of Nation’s Capital, surged for second in 1:57.63 and Shannon Vreeland was third 1:58.13. “I have been focusing on this event a lot, more on the little things and it’s paid off,” Franklin said.

Men 200-meter freestyle:

Lochte is getting close to his old self and it’s beginning to show. He wanted to take the race out fast and did splitting 24.64 for the first 50 meters. He led by a half-body length after 100 at 51.65 and held on despite Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens bearing down. Lochte worked his legs to hold off the field and win in 1:45.97, fifth fastest time in the world. Dwyer was second in 1:46.25, seventh fastest time in the world this year and Matt McLean was third. “That was a tough race,” Lochte said. “I knew if I went out fast I had a good shot so that’s what I did. I have two more weeks of training to get ready for worlds.” Lochte was one six Olympians in the 200 field.

Women 200-meter breaststroke:

Olympic gold medalist and American record holder Breeja Larson, 21, of Aggie Swim Club got a brief scare from Laura Sogar, 22, of Bluefish, who led after the 50 (32.54) and 100 (1:09.01), less than a second off world record pace. Larson made her move on the third 50 with a 36.52 split to take the lead at 1:46.22 and pulled away for the win in 2:23.44, third fastest time in the world this year. Micah Lawrence, 22, of SwimMAC was second in 2:24.69. Sogar was third in 2:24.86. “It feels pretty good to make the team,” Larson said. “I really tried to focus on the 200, work on pacing and cardio more. It definitely paid off. I just swam my own race. I have a tendency to get overexcited in the finals so I just put on my horse blinders and just swam my race.”

Men 200-meter breaststroke:

In the same pool where he dominated the NCAA Championships and broke the American short course record, Kevin Cordes, 19, of Tucson Ford, Cordes qualified with the third fastest time in the world in prelims (2:09.16) and came back to win in 2:08.34, the fastest time in the world this year. He went out fast in 28.91 and at the 100 was 1:01.22, under world record pace. The crowd was on its feet as he split 33.03 to remain on record pace (1:34.25) but just missed the world and American records. BJ Johnson, 26, of Palo Alto was second in 2:10.09. “I could hear the crowd, they brought me home,” Cordes said. “This race gave me more confidence going into Barcelona.”

Women 200-meter backstroke:

Franklin, the world record holder and Olympic champion in this event, had plenty left after her freestyle. She took the lead (29.74 split) and opened up a half-body length (1:01.15) with a 31.41 split. With Liz Pelton bearing down, Franklin held for the win in 2:05.68, a U.S. Open record and second fastest time in the world. “The doubles are really rough, I’m not going to lie,” Franklin said. “It hurt a lot, but it’s good for me. It is so much fun. I love doing doubles, they are so energizing. I love having one race and getting right back up and doing another one.” AK Sharks 17-year-old Clara Smiddy was eighth in the race in 2:12.27 after swimming a lifetime-best 2:11.53 in prelims.

Men 200-meter backstroke:

Lochte followed in Franklin’s footsteps with the same strategy, going out fast, building a lead and holding on for the win in 1:55.16, third-fastest time in the world. Tyler Clary, 24, of Club Wolverine, the Olympic champion and top morning seed, was second in 1:55.58. Bolles 17-year-old Ryan Murphy was third in 1:56.37, a lifetime-best. Murphy took it out fast for the lead at 26.98 but Lochte came right back with a 28.55 split to lead after 100. He extended his lead at the 150 and then held off Clary. “I just wanted to get out there, get a lead and hold on for dear life,” Lochte said. “The last 50 I knew they were going to be closing in. I like being up in front and going from there. That’s a pretty good time considering my workouts haven’t been there this year. The hardest thing this year was trying to get back into the training mode.”

Women 50-meter butterfly:

With less than a second between the top three morning seeds in the event’s national debut, the race was expected to be close and it was. Third-seed Christine Magnuson, 27, of Tucson Ford won in 26.08, second fastest time in the world, and Kendyl Stewart, 18, of North Coast Aquatics was second in 26.19. Claire Donahue, 24, of Western Kentucky, despite the quickest start, was third in 26.23. “This is awesome, I am so happy to punch my ticket to Barcelona,” Magnuson said. “I wanted to clean up my breakout from this morning. There is still room for improvement. It was just about setting up my stroke for the first two and building from there.”

Men 50-meter butterfly:

Eugene Godsoe, 25, of Stanford Swimming knocked off top seed and favorite Matt Grevers to win in 23.29 and make his first world team with the ninth fastest time in the world this year. Grevers was second in 23.50. Grevers was quicker off the block but Godsoe had great finishing speed in the last 20 meters. “I made my first national team in Indy in 2005, it’s been a long time for me,” Godsoe said. “I am really excited. It was just a matter of hitting everything right without losing my stroke. Tonight I was in control of myself.”

Swimmers have to finish in the top two in FINA-qualified times to earn an individual spot on the U.S. team for Barcelona.

The four highest finishers in the 100 and 200 freestyles will make the U.S. team for relay help and winner in each of the non-Olympic events will qualify.

The World Championships are July 19-Aug. 4.

Florida Gold Coast Wednesday Results

200-meter breaststroke: 2. “C” Final, Emily Kopas, Unattached/Shark Aquatics 2:32.58, best time, dropping from 2:33.80, 23. 2:35.77 in prelims.

200-meter backstroke: 8. “A” Final, Clara Smiddy, AK Sharks 2:12.27, 7. 2:11.53, best time in prelims dropping from 2:13.33.

200-meter backstroke: 4. “B” Final, Carlos Omana, Metro Aquatics 2:00.60 best time; 12. 2:01.25, best time, prelims, dropping from 2:04.01.

World Trials On TV

The schedule is: Tuesday, June 25, 6-8 p.m., Universal; Wednesday, June 26, 6-8:30 p.m., Universal; Saturday, June 29, 1-2:30 p.m., NBC and 11 p.m.-midnight, NBC Sports Network.

USA Swimming will also offer a live webcast of the entire meet on its website, prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

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

Franklin Breaks Meet Record On Opening Night Of World Trials

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

June 25, 2013

Missy Franklin got the party started Tuesday at the Phillips 66 National Championships/World Championship Trials in Indianapolis at the Indiana University Natatorium.

The bubbly 18-year-old won the 100-meter freestyle in a meet record and lifetime-best 53.43. She broke the previous record of 53.58 set by Amanda Weir in 2006.

Trailing after the opening 50 meters, Franklin reeled in the field on the back half to post the world’s second fastest time this year. Her splits were 26.08 and 27.35.

Twelve-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin, 30, set a quick pace of 25.70 for the opening 50 meters but faltered to fifth.

Top morning qualifier Shannon Vreeland, 21, of Athens Bulldogs was second in 53.83. Sixteen-year-old Simone Manuel of First Colony Swimming was third.

“I knew it was going to be a super fast final tonight,” Franklin said. “I knew I had to get out there and bring it home with everything I had. I am so, so happy with that time. I saw that time and I was absolutely over the moon. I’m so excited.”

It was the first of six events Franklin will swim this week. She is also entered in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke, 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley. Wednesday will be the test with both the 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke on her plate.

“I love doing all that stuff,” said Franklin who will be a freshman this fall at Cal-Berkeley. She plans on swimming for the Bears for two seasons before likely turning pro leading up to the 2016 Rio Games.

“It’s weird we are already having another Trials. I’m excited to see who will make the team. I think there will be a lot of fresh faces.”

Another familiar face, Olympic gold medalist Nathan Adrian won the 100-meter freestyle against a stacked field that featured seven Olympians 27 Olympic medalists.

Adrian didn’t seem too pleased with his winning time of 48.10 but happy he made the world team.

Anthony Ervin got out fast in 22.38 and finished third in 48.49. Jimmy Feigen of Texas Aquatics was second in 48.24. Ryan Lochte was fourth in 48.58.

Lochte is also swimming the 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 100 butterfly and 200 and 400 individual medley.

“Obviously, I would have loved to be under 48, that would have been nice,” Adrian said. “It’s all about execution. But it wasn’t there tonight. We’ll just go back, develop a new strategy, regroup and get ready for a good 50. Until Barcelona, times are irrelevant.”

Jacksonville Bolles swimmer Caeleb Dressel, 16, broke the 23-year-old 15-16 national age group record twice in the 100-meter freestyle. He went 49.63 in prelims and 49.50 in finals. The previous record was 50.24 set by Joey Hudepohl in 1990.

In other championship finals:

Women’s 200-meter butterfly: Camille Adams, 21, of Aggie Swim Club and top morning qualifier, moved into the lead with 50 meters left to win the 200-meter butterfly in 2:08.10. She was followed by Maya Dirado, 20, of Stanford Swimming, in 2:09.12 and Katie McLaughlin, 15, of Mission Viejo. Clearwater’s Becca Mann, 15, was fourth. Adams time was the seventh fastest time in the world this year. Cassidy Bayer, 13, the youngest swimmer at world trials, won the “C” final.

Men’s 200-meter butterfly: Tom Luchsinger, 22, swimming unattached for North Carolina Aquatic Club, won in 1:55.57, the fifth fastest time in the world. Tyler Clary, 24, of Club Wolverine, surged in the final 30 meters to overtake early leader Tom Shields and clinch the second spot in 1:56.58. “This is a very big surprise,” Luchsinger said. “To win is an incredible feeling. We have so many good 200 flyers in this country, I didn’t expect this.”

Women 800-meter freestyle: Teenager Katie Ledecky, 16, had no problem winning the distance event and qualifying for her first world team. The Olympic champion and American record-holder won in 8:22.41 ahead of Chloe Sutton, second in 8:23.24.

Men 1500-meter freestyle: Connor Jaeger pulled ahead of the men’s field after 200 meters and finished in 14:53.34 for the win. Michael McBroom was second in 14:59.12.

Six spots were filled on the U.S. roster and 20 spots including relay swimmers.

Swimmers have to finish in the top two in FINA-qualified times to earn an individual spot on the U.S. team for Barcelona.

The next four highest finishers in the 100 and 200 freestyles will make the U.S. team for relay help and the winner in each of the non-Olympic events will qualify.

The World Championships are July 19-Aug. 4.

Florida Gold Coast Tuesday Results

200-meter butterfly: 19. Isabella Paez, 17, Metro Aquatics, 2:13.81 and 24th, prelims, 2:15.19; 43. Tiffany Oliver, 20, Club Seminole, 57.30.

World Trials On TV

The schedule is: Tuesday, June 25, 6-8 p.m., Universal; Wednesday, June 26, 6-8:30 p.m., Universal; Saturday, June 29, 1-2:30 p.m., NBC and 11 p.m.-midnight, NBC Sports Network.

USA Swimming will also offer a live webcast of the entire meet on its website, prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

World Trials Get Under Way Tuesday For U.S. Swimmers

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

June 24, 2013

For five days, swimming will return to the national spotlight when U.S. swimmers try and qualify for next month’s World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

Ever since the 2012 London Olympics, swimming slipped below the radar when it came to mainstream national headlines despite several competitive Grand Prix meets and rising superstars.

The Phillips 66 National Championships, which will also serve as world trials, begin Tuesday in Indianapolis with a star-studded lineup at the Indiana University Natatorium.

Olympic gold medalists Missy Franklin and Ryan Lochte are among thirty members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team vying for national titles and U.S. roster spots. Nathan Adrian, Tyler Clary, Matt Grevers, Katie Ledecky, Cullen Jones, Allison Schmidt, Dana Vollmer and Jessica Hardy head a field of more than 500 swimmers.

With Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Soni taking a break, the breaststroke events are wide open.

Swimmers must finish in the top two to earn an individual spot on the U.S. team for Barcelona. The four highest finishers in the 100 and 200 freestyles will make the U.S. team for relay help and the winner in each of the non-Olympic events will qualify.

After worlds (July 19-Aug. 4), Lochte plans on moving from Gainesville, where he has lived and trained for nearly twelve years.

“I just need a different atmosphere,” Lochte said. “I’m going to be traveling. Australia, Japan, China. Who knows where I will be?

“As much fun as everything was, I had to stop everything and get back into the pool,” Lochte said. “I’m still an Olympic swimmer. There’s other goals that I have in mind in the sport of swimming that I haven’t accomplished yet.”

Lochte has made it clear that Florida coach Gregg Troy will remain his coach and will continue to do his workouts as well as connect him with coaches around the world that share in Troy’s philosophy.

The meet will also mark the first time in more than ten years that Michael Phelps will not compete at a national championship.

Despite rumors swirling that Phelps will return before the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, the 18-time Olympic gold medalist officially retired after the 2012 London Olympics. Lochte is one of several swimmers who truly believe Phelps will be back.

Several Florida Gold Coast swimmers are entered including Isabella Paez and Carlos Omana of Metro Aquatics, Emily Kopas of Shark Aquatics, SOFLO’s Tiffany Oliver of Club Seminole, Jana Mangimelli of Gulliver Swimming, Clara Smiddy and Sam Smiddy of AK Sharks.

Arena will be outfitting the national team for world championships.

World Trials On TV

NBC Sports Network and Universal Sports will televise seven hours of the June 25-29 USA Swimming Phillips 66 National Championships in Indianapolis, which are also serving as the World Championship trials for the U.S. team.

The schedule is: Tuesday, June 25, 6-8 p.m., Universal; Wednesday, June 26, 6-8:30 p.m., Universal; Saturday, June 29, 1-2:30 p.m., NBC and 11 p.m.-midnight, NBC Sports Network.

USA Swimming will also offer a live webcast of the entire meet on its website, prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO Defends Team Title; Jacob Walters Leaves Lasting Impression In Final Meet

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

June 24, 2013

South Florida Aquatic Club is taking up where it left off in the short course season.

SOFLO successfully defended its title on the fourth and final night of the FLA International Invitational Sunday at the Florida Atlantic University Aquatic Complex.

It was the first major Florida Gold Coast-sanctioned meet of the long course season.

SOFLO won the combined team title with 1,365.50 points and boys team title with 787 points, a 301-point margin of victory over runner-up Blue Tide Aquatics.

SOFLO finished second in the girls competition with 578.50 points behind host FLA which won with 648 points.

SOFLO swimmers dominated the high point age group awards. SOFLO’s Michael Arias, 10, Kyana Castro, 10, Rafael Rodriguez, 11, and Marc Rojas, 19, all won high point titles. Teammates CJ Kopecki, 14, and Melissa Marinheiro, 16, were runners-up and Nicolas Rossi, 10, and Samuel Quintero, 12, were third.

Buoyed by depth and talent, SOFLO swimmers turned in a total team effort and swam several lifetime-best times despite heavy training at Academic Village Pool.

“We did wonderful,” SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson said. “The kids really stepped up. They did some really nice racing against some really solid teams. Most of the older kids were in non-tech suits and they were going best times this early in the season.”

The newer swimmers that have moved into the national group did well including Kylie Herman, Gustavo Valery, Alex Monti and Jonathan Strod.

“They are seeing the hard work pay off and are starting to commit themselves,” Anderson said. “I am pleased with the entire age group program. They rode right into the long course season and got tougher and faster which is great. They should have a lot of confidence after this meet.”

Now, the focus turns to various meets including Divisionals, Junior Olympics, Senior Zones, Speedo Championships and World Championships.

“I definitely think we are closer than a group than we were last year,” Anderson said. “I felt a really strong bond from the older kids as leaders with the younger kids. I’m starting to see the younger athletes emulate what the older athletes are doing. They are a lot closer as a group. The atmosphere was wonderful to see the young and older kids watching and cheering on each other no matter what age group.”

The four-day meet was bittersweet for SOFLO’s Jacob Walters, scheduled to leave on Tuesday morning for West Point. It was his final meet of the season. He saved his best for last.

“It was a pretty good meet,” Walters said. “I finally broke a minute in the 100 fly and dropped in the 200 free. I’m pleased with the results. This was my last chance to do really well and improve my times. I took advantage of that.”

Walters is hoping to walk-on the swim team at West Point. He has basic training beginning July 1 and hopes to try out for the swim team.

Walters is following a family military tradition. His grandfathers were in the Army; his father and uncles went to West Point.

“My father told me all kinds of stories and my grandparents gave me some good advice,” Walter said.

Between the FLA International Invitational and two other FGC meets in Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale, more than 2,000 swimmers from local, national and international teams competed.

FLA host coach and meet director Duffy Dillon was pleased with the competitiveness of the meet.

“It was so far beyond what I could have hoped for,” Dillon said. “It was everything I hoped for and well beyond what I expected. It was as good as we ever achieved in Fort Lauderdale and in some cases it was faster.

“If it’s a great environment and weather holds you have a chance to have a great meet and we did,” Dillon said. “People seemed happy to be there.”

The meet also broke its attendance record. Last year the FLA meet had 12 teams and 200 swimmers, this year it mushroomed to 24 teams and 407 swimmers.

On the fourth and final day, several SOFLO swimmers won. They were:

Rafael Rodriguez, 11, 400-meter freestyle, 4:41.45, best time, and 100-meter freestyle, 1:03.88, best time.

Esteban Diaz-Velasco, 14, 200-meter backstroke, 2:18.14, best time.

Michael Arias, 10, 50-meter breaststroke, 44.02, best time, and 100-meter freestyle, 1:09.17, best time.

CJ Kopecki, 13, 200-meter butterfly, 2:18.05, best time.

Kyana Castro, 10, 100-meter freestyle, 1:11.76, best time.

SUNDAY RESULTS

TEAM RESULTS

COMBINED: 1 SOFLO 1,365.50, 2. FLA 1,128.50, 3. Blue Tide Aquatics 844, 4. Blue Marlins 684.50, 5. Flyers Aquatics 482.

MEN: 1. SOFLO 787, 2. Blue Tide 486, 3. FLA 480.50, 4. Blue Marlins 419, 5. Flyers Aquatics 203.

WOMEN: 1. FLA 648, 2. SOFLO 578.50, 3. Blue Tide 358, 4. Flyers Aquatics 279, 5. Blue Marlins 265.50.

HIGH POINT AWARDS

WOMEN: 10-and-under, 1. Kyana Castro, SOFLO and Mattie Barfield, FLA, tie, 68; SOFLO: 6. Michelle Marinheiro 21, 7. Sara Quintero 20, 10. Katrina Del Vecchio 10, 17. Kayla Cunningham 1; 11-12, 1. Andrea Santander, FLA 86; SOFLO: 5. Annita Huang 28.50, 9. Jennifer Rodriguez 15, 10. Vanessa Mesa 14, 11. Anabel Vazquez 12, 12. Marianna Serrao 9 and Elise Larin, tie, 9, 14. Katherine DeBarros 8; 13-14, 1. Evie Pfeifer, Flyers Aquatics 68; SOFLO: 4. Jessica Rodriguez 50, 10. Natasha Testa 20, 15. Bianca Monti 13; 15-16, 1. Cheyenna Rhine, Rend Lake 57; SOFLO: 2. Melissa Marinheiro 49, 10. Kylie Herman 22; Open, 1. Madeline Hazle, Blue Tide 51; SOFLO: 13. Alia Atkinson 19, 16. Maria Lopez 17, 20. Marcella Marinheiro 10, 25. Bianca Muniz 7, 25. Amber Hunter 7.

MEN: 10-and-under, 1. Michael Arias, SOFLO 68; SOFLO: 3. Nicolas Rossi 37, 4. Joseph Lee 36, 8. John Paul Handal 20; 11-12, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 80; SOFLO: 3. Samuel Quintero 42, 9. Leonardo Mateus 19, 11. Brandon Moran 18; 13-14, 1. Ryan Logan, Blue Tide 77; SOFLO: 2. CJ Kopecki 57, 10. Kevin Porto 21, 12. Jonathan Strod 18, 13. Alfredo Mesa 16, 17. Esteban Diaz-Velasco 11, 24. Juan Lucas 5, 29. Andres Arias 2, 31. Cristian Rossi 1; Open, 1. Phillip Willett, Flyers 54; SOFLO: 9. Jordan Colon 26, 11. Gustavo Valery 19, 15. Alex Monti 15, 33. Simon Ortiz 1, Teddy Sandoval 1; Open, 1. Marc Rojas, SOFLO 47; SOFLO: 10. Jacob Walters 21, 18. Endi Babi 12.

GIRLS

400-meter freestyle:

11-12, 1. Andrea Santander, FLA 4:46.46; SOFLO: 4. Annita Huang 5:03.09, 5. Katherine DeBarros 5:06.00, 6. Vanessa Mesa 5:09.90, 7. Jennifer Rodriguez 5:10.30, 9. Anabel Vazquez 5:15.83.

200-meter backstroke:

13-14, 1. Rose Smiddy, AK Sharks 2:29.51; SOFLO: 2. Jessica Rodriguez 2:33.75, 10. Anna Montgomery 2:53.83, 12. Abolade Oyetunji 2:59.84; 15-16, 1. Cheyenna Rhine, RLAY 2:27.98; SOFLO: 4. Melissa Marinheiro 2:38.04, 13. Carly Swanson 2:51.41; Open, 1. Iwona Lefanowicz, FLA 2:26.27; SOFLO: 6. Marcella Marinheiro 2:36.64, 16. Kellie Wilcox 2:59.39.

50-meter breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Mattie Barfield, FLA 43.50; SOFLO: 2. Katrina Del Vecchio 44.70, 3. Kyana Castro 45.06, 12. Sara Quintero 52.12, 19. Jena Legaspi 57.44; 11-12, 1. Andrea Santander, FLA 37.85; SOFLO: 4. Elise Larin 40.18, 5. Marianna Serrao 40.24, 6. Jennifer Rodriguez 41.42, 9. Anabel Vazquez 42.65, 10. Katherine DeBarros 43.28, 12. Mikaela De Gracia 43.64, 14. Annita Huang 44.08, 15. Alexandra Crespo 44.43, 16. Camila Alvarez 44.47, 18. Kellie Wilcox 45.23; 13-14, 1. Maggie Aroesty, LBA 35.03; SOFLO: 5. Jessica Rodriguez 38.35, 12. Bianca Monti 42.32, 23. Zariya Harris 47.04; 15-16, 1. Mary Edwards, Thrashers 38.15; Open, 1. Ashly Isaacson, WFLA 36.01; SOFLO: 5. Bianca Muniz 39.88.

50-meter butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Jocelyn Ruiz, Blue Marlins 34.20; SOFLO: 2. Kyana Castro 35.02, 5. Sara Quintero 39.70, 9. Michelle Marinheiro 42.59, 13. Katrina Del Vecchio 45.35, 15. Jena Legaspi 48.25; 11-12, 1. Emily Cordovi, Blue Marlins 30.74; SOFLO: 6. Vanessa Mesa 35.69, 7. Jennifer Rodriguez 36.45, 13. Marianna Serrao 37.39, 14. Elise Larin 37.80, 17. Camila Alvarez 38.94, 21. Alexandra Crespo 40.51, 28. Mikaela De Gracia 44.18.

200-meter butterfly:

13-14, 1. Rose Smiddy, AK Sharks 2:31.33; SOFLO: 2. Natasha Testa 2:44.62; 15-16, 1. Cheyenna Rhine, RLAY 2:35.59; Open, 1. Anett Kovacs, FLA 2:20.24; SOLO: 3. Maria Lopez 2:25.74, 6. Amber Hunter 2:28.46.

100-meter freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Kyana Castro, SOFLO 1:11.76; SOFLO: 4. Michelle Marinheiro 1:14.41, 5. Sara Quintero 1:17.35, 12. Katrina Del Vecchio 1:22.33, 19. Jena Legaspi 1:28.13; 11-12, 1. Andrea Santander, FLA 1:01.35; SOFLO: 5. Annita Huang 1:06.49, 7. Vanessa Mesa 1:08.77, 9. Anabel Vazquez 1:09.43, 11. Marianna Serrao 1:09.80, 12. Katherine DeBarros 1:11.37, 15. Elise Larin 1:11.93, 19. Alexandra Crespo 1:14.47, 21. Camila Alvarez 1:14.68, 26. Kellie Wilcox 1:16.11, 30. Mikaela De Gracia 1:19.87; 13-14, 1. Maggie Aroesty, LBA 1:02.14; SOFLO: 5. Bianca Monti 1:04.37, 12. Abolade Oyetunji 1:07.50, 13. Jessica Rodriguez 1:07.98, 20. Zariya Harris 1:10.17, 26. Anna Montgomery 1:11.70; 15-16, 1. Colby Harvey, CMA 1:01.41; SOFLO: 3. Melissa Marinheiro 1:01.56, 13. Carly Swanson 1:07.05; Open, 1. Laura Galarza, WA 1:00.13; SOFLO: 7. Amber Hunter 1:02.25, 8. Marcella Marinheiro 1:03.64, 12. Maria Lopez 1:03.60, 21. Bianca Muniz 1:05.93.

BOYS

400-meter freestyle:

11-12, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 4:41.45; SOFLO: 4. Samuel Quintero 4:51.57, 6. Leonardo Mateus 5:11.74.

200-meter backstroke:

13-14, 1. Esteban Diaz-Velasco, SOFLO 2:18.14; SOFLO: 5. Kevin Porto 2:28.17, 8. Alfredo Mesa 2:34.88; 15-16, 1. Dylan Lu, BTA 2:14.54; SOFLO: 8. Simon Ortiz 2:39.42; Open, 1. Austin Manganiello, AK Sharks 2:08.90; SOFLO: 12. Samuel Quintero 2:37.90.

50-meter breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Michael Arias, SOFLO 44.02; SOFLO: 3. John Paul Handal 44.28, 5. Nicolas Rossi 45.89, 14. Joseph Lee 49.92, 22. Akira Huang 52.95, 27. Alejandro Mateus 57.46, 28. Mark Andre De Gracia 57.58, 33. Michael Crespo 1:09.93; 11-12, 1. Matthew Newman, BTA 37.96; SOFLO: 3. Brandon Moran 38.97, 12. Ethan Hew 46.83; 13-14, 1. Joshua Umrysh, BTA 32.62; SOFLO: 7. CJ Kopecki 37.16, 8. Jonathan Strod 37.80, 14. Cristian Rossi 40.14, 15. Andres Arias 40.47, 16. Juan Osorio 41.06, 19. Rodrigo Rodriguez 42.92, 21. Andre Molko 45.36; 15-16, 1. AJ Reid, FLA 31.65; SOFLO: 2. Jordan Colon 33.19, 11. Alex Monti 36.93, 12. Gustavo Valery 37.23, 14. Teddy Sandoval 38.98, 19. Simon Ortiz 43.26; Open, 1. Garland Sullivan, WA 30.65; SOFLO: 2. Marc Rojas 30.93.

50-meter butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Henry Faria, Blue Marlins 34.90; SOFLO: 4. Michael Arias 35.81, 8. Joseph Lee 38.17, 10. John Paul Handal 38.60, 12. Nicolas Rossi 39.35, 22. Akira Huang 44.04, 32. Mark Andre De Gracia 58.07; 11-12, 1. Ryan Aroesty, LBA 30.88; SOFLO: 2. Rafael Rodriguez 32.19, 7. Samuel Quintero 34.33, 8. Brandon Moran 36.82, 24. Ethan Hew 47.99.

200-meter butterfly:

13-14, 1. CJ Kopecki, SOFLO 2:18.05; SOFLO: 5. Jonathan Strod 2:27.82; 15-16, 1. Victor Escalante, Marmo 2:17.98; SOFLO: 8. Teddy Sandoval 2:43.67; Open, 1. Austin Manganiello, AK Sharks 2:08.06; SOFLO: 2. Jacob Walters 2:14.89, 3. Endi Babi 2:15.76, 7. Brandon Moran 2:53.70, 8. Leonardo Mateus 2:58.19.

100-meter freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Michael Arias, SOFLO 1:09.17; SOFLO: 2. John Paul Handal 1:10.15, 3. Nicolas Rossi 1:10.35, 6. Joseph Lee 1:13.57, 20. Akira Huang 1:23.59, 31. Marcos Vazquez 1:30.08, 35. Alejandro Mateus 1:37.59, 36. Mark Andre De Gracia 1:38.91, 39. Miguel Crespo 1:53.34; 11-12, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 1:03.88; SOFLO: 7. Leonardo Mateus 1:07.83, 24. Ethan Hew 1:29.39; 13-14, 1. Ervin Marin, Blue Marlins 57.49; SOFLO: 8. Cristian Rossi 1:00.47, 8. Jonathan Strod 1:00.66, 10. Esteban Diaz-Velasco 1:01.43, 12. CJ Kopecki 1:01.84, 14. Kevin Porto 1:02.46, 18. Alfredo Mesa 1:03.26, 20. Juan Osorio 1:04.48, 30. Andre Molko 1:06.22, 31. Andres Arias 1:06.36, 32. Rodrigo Rodriguez 1:06.49, 39. Bryan Moran 1:10.21; 15-16, 1. Viktor Toth, DBS 54.91; SOFLO: 4. Alex Monti 57.50, 5. Gustavo Valery 57.85, 14. Jordan Colon 1:01.70, 17. Teddy Sandoval 1:02.32, 22. Simon Ortiz 1:04.41; Open, 1. Chad Harrington, FLA 52.64; SOFLO: 15. Jacob Walters 57.77, 16. Marc Rojas 57.84.

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

SOFLO Builds Momentum Entering Final Day Of FLA International Invite

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

June 23, 2013

South Florida Aquatic Club, after three days of outstanding racing, heads into the final stretch of the FLA International Invitational Sunday at FAU Aquatic Complex.

SOFLO leads the combined team standings with 1,072.50, the only team to crack the 1,000-point barrier after three days among the 21-team field.

Host FLA is second with 913.50 points.

SOFLO swimmers, preparing for various meets from Junior Olympics and Senior Championships to Junior Nationals and World Championships, raced well and dropped times despite being in the midst of hard training at Academic Village Pool in Pembroke Pines.

SOFLO’s depth and talent was evident throughout the day.

Among some of SOFLO’s outstanding swims were individual champions:

Kyana Castro, 10, 200-meter individual medley, 2:49.57; 100-meter butterfly, 1:18.56.

Michael Arias, 10, 200-meter individual medley, 2:50.25; 100-meter butterfly 1:19.74.

Rafael Rodriguez, 11, 200-meter individual medley, 2:33.01; 50-meter backstroke 34.61

Samuel Quintero, 12, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:21.70

Marc Rojas, 19, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:07.40

Melissa Marinheiro, 16, 400-meter freestyle, 4:34.04

SOFLO’s A relay of Samuel Quintero, Brandon Moran, Rafael Rodriguez and Leonardo Mateus won the boys 11-12 200-meter medley relay in 2:20.95.

SOFLO’s A relay of Anna Montgomery, Jessica Rodriguez, Natasha Testa and Bianca Monti won the 13-14 200-meter medley relay in 2:15.49.

SOFLO’s A relay of Marcella Marinheiro, Alia Atkinson, Maria Lopez and Melissa Marinheiro won the open 200-meter medley relay in 2:03.77.

SATURDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

200-meter individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Kyana Castro, SOFLO 2:49.57; SOFLO: 6. Michelle Marinheiro 3:08.81, 7. Sara Quintero 3:13.56, 12. Jena Legaspi 3:30.70; 11-12, 1. Andrea Santander, FLA 2:31.08; SOFLO: 5. Anabel Vazquez 2:48.38, 8. Katherine DeBarros 2:49.88, 9. Annita Huang 2:51.78, 10. Marianna Serrao 2:52.23, 11. Jennifer Rodriguez 2:52.89, 14. Vanessa Mesa 2:57.68, 15. Alexandra Crespo 2:58.29, 18. Elise Larin 3:02.94, 23. Kellie Wilcox 3:10.24, 28. Mikaela De Gracia 3:16.29; 13-14, 1. Evie Pfeifer, FAST 2:25.51; SOFLO: 3. Jessica Rodriguez 2:32.96, 18. Anna Montgomery 2:56.67; 15-16, 1. Charlsie Reneski, FAST 2:31.33; SOFLO: 3. Melissa Marinheiro 2:34.06, 7. Kylie Herman 2:40.54; Open, 1. Madeline Hazle, BTA 2:26.95; SOFLO: 7. Marcella Marinheiro 2:39.82, 10. Maria Lopez 2:40.06, 18. Bianca Muniz 2:47.58.

50-meter backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Mattie Barfield, FLA 36.78; SOFLO: 4. Kyana Castro 40.02, 7. Sara Quintero 44.28, 10. Kayla Cunningham 45.10, 12. Jena Legaspi 45.59; 11-12, 1. Gaby Antonini, FLA 33.37; SOFLO: 3. Annita Huang 37.38, 6. Anabel Vazquez 38.31, 9. Kellie Wilcox 39.43, 10. Vanessa Mesa 40.10, 16. Mikaela De Gracia 41.34, 19. Elise Larin 41.98, 26. Valentina Carrion 45.23; 13-14, 1. Evie Pfeifer, FAST 33.02; SOFLO: 12. Anna Montgomery 38.69, 15. Abolade Oyetunji 39.54, 21. Zariya Harris 40.87; 15-16, 1. Isa Antonini, FLA 32.85; SOFLO: 24. Carly Swanson 37.92; Open, 1. Harper Bruens, FLA 31.21; SOFLO: 6. Marcella Marinheiro 33.56, 10. Amber Hunter 33.94.

100-meter breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Mattie Barfield, FLA 1:33.99; 11-12, 1. Andrea Santander, FLA 1:22.45; SOFLO: 4. Marianna Serrao 1:26.39, 5. Elise Larin 1:26.75, 6. Jennifer Rodriguez 1:27.66, 8. Anabel Vazquez 1:30.05, 9. Katherine DeBarros 1:32.40, 11. Alexandra Crespo 1:34.93, 15. Kellie Wilcox 1:39.01, 16. Mikaela De Gracia 1:40.28, 20. Valentina Carrion 1:42.29; 13-14, 1. Maggie Aroesty, LBA 1:17.67; SOFLO: 3. Jessica Rodriguez 1:20.51, 13. Bianca Monti 1:33.38, 15. Natasha Testa 1:37.18, 18. Abolade Oyetunji 1:38.84; 15-16, 1. Julia Schulte, Piranhas 1:22.58; Open, 1. Kerryn Mullin, WA 1:20.73; SOFLO: 6. Bianca Muniz 1:27.10.

100-meter butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Kyana Castro, SOFLO 1:18.58; SOFLO: 4. Sara Quintero 1:29.42, 6. Michelle Marinheiro 1:34.21, 9. Kayla Cunningham 1:39.83, 10. Jena Legaspi 1:42.51; 11-12, 1. Emily Cordovi, Blue Marlins 1:07.07; SOFLO: 5. Jennifer Rodriguez 1:19.96, 6. Vanessa Mesa 1:20.72, 10. Katherine DeBarros 1:23.97, 11. Marianna Serrao 1:25.14, 12. Alexandra Crespo 1:25.29, 13. Annita Huang 1:28.31; 13-14, 1. Rose Smiddy, AK Sharks 1:08.52; SOFLO: 2. Jessica Rodriguez 1:11.38, 3. Natasha Testa 1:12.21, 13. Zariya Harris 1:22.55; 15-16, 1. Omaira German, Blue Marlins 1:07.72; SOFLO: 7. Kylie Herman 1:12.51; Open, 1. Leah Pfitzer, BTA 1:04.32; SOFLO: 2. Maria Lopez 1:05.94, 7. Amber Hunter 1:07.72.

200-meter medley relay:

10-and-under, 1. Blue Marlins 2:38.91, 2. SOFLO A 2:48.27; 11-12, 1. FLA 1:30.94, 2. SOFLO A 2:28.73, 4. SOFLO B 2:35.32; 13-14, 1. SOFLO A 2:15.49 (Anna Montgomery, Jessica Rodriguez, Natasha Testa, Bianca Monti); 15-16, 1. FLA 2:23.11; Open, 1. SOFLO A 2:03.77 (Marcella Marinheiro, Alia Atkinson, Maria Lopez, Melissa Marinheiro), 9. SOFLO B 2:20.80.

400-meter freestyle:

13-14, 1. Maggie Aroesty, LBA 4:45.85; SOFLO: 7. Bianca Monti 5:03.41, 10. Anna Montgomery 5:21.49; 15-16, 1. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 4:34.04; SOFLO: 3. Kylie Herman 4:45.87; Open, 1. Annette Kovacs, FLA 4:32.16; SOFLO: 8. Maria Lopez 4:48.36, 15. Michelle Marinheiro 5:28.69.

BOYS

200-meter individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Michael Arias, SOFLO 2:50.25; SOFLO: 2. Nicolas Rossi 2:53.40, 4. Joseph Lee 2:58.00, 18. Akira Huang 3:32.42; 11-12, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 2:33.01; SOFLO: 2. Samuel Quintero 2:38.16, 6. Brandon Moran 2:48.10, 7. Leonardo Mateus 2:51.01, 17. Gabriel Saavedra 3:17.00; 13-14, 1. Ryan Logan, BTA 2:18.91; SOFLO: 3. Jonathan Strod 2:22.97, 6. CJ Kopecki 2:27.72, 12. Kevin Porto 2:34.48, 23. Cristian Rossi 2:43.72, 25. Matthew Menocal 2:45.12, 33. Andre Molko 2:59.89; 15-16, 1. Nick Alexander, FAST 2:11.91; SOFLO: 5. Jordan Colon 2:21.43, 12. Alex Monti 2:32.36, 18. Teddy Sandoval 2:36.34, 19. Simon Ortiz 2:38.73; Open, 1. Owen Pink, BTA 2:17.18.

50-meter backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Kevin Fanjul, Blue Marlins 39.38; SOFLO: 3. Joseph Lee 39.76, 8. John Paul Handal 43.18, 13. Akira Huang 44.03, 19. Marcos Vazquez 46.02, 26. Alejandro Mateus 49.14, 31. Mark Andre De Gracia 54.29, 34. Miguel Crespo 1:04.78; 11-12, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 34.61; SOFLO: 17. Gabriel Saavedra 45.54, 23. Ethan Hew 49.15; 13-14, 1. Ryan Logan, BTA 30.81; SOFLO: 4. Alfredo Mesa 32.76, 7. Kevin Porto 34.15, 11. Rodrigo Rodriguez 36.97, 13. Cristian Rossi 38.57, 16. Andres Arias 38.96, 17. Andre Molko 39.75; 15-16, 1. Guy Fernandez, FLA 29.00; SOFLO; 4. Gustavo Valery 30.57, 12. Simon Ortiz 35.42, 15. Teddy Sandoval 36.84; Open, 1. Daniel Remirez, WA 27.86.

100-meter breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. JP Pineda, Blue Marlins 1:35.97; SOFLO: 3. John Paul Handal 1:37.77, 5. Nicolas Rossi 1:38.67, 12. Akira Huang 1:51.42, 20. Mark Andre De Gracia 2:07.52; 11-12, 1. Samuel Quintero, SOFLO 1:21.70; SOFLO: 4. Brandon Moran 1:27.41, 10. Leonardo Mateus 1:39.65, 14. Ethan Hew 1:45.34; 13-14, 1. Joshua Umrysh, BTA 1:10.84; SOFLO: 8. Juan Lucas 1:25.72, 17. Rodrigo Rodriguez 1:34.29; 15-16, 1. Phillip Willett, FAST 1:09.43; SOFLO: 3. Jordan Colon 1:11.47, 10. Alex Monti 1:20.63, 12. Teddy Sandoval 1:25.61; Open, 1. Marc Rojas, SOFLO 1:07.40.

100-meter butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Michael Arias, SOFLO 1:19.74; SOFLO: 3. Joseph Lee 1:23.04, 9. John Paul Handal 1:31.40, 11. Nicolas Rossi 1:33.39, 15. Alejandro Mateus 2:03.98, 16. Mark Andre De Gracia 2:14.06; 11-12, 1. Ryan Aroesty, LBA 1:08.71; SOFLO: 3. Rafael Rodriguez 1:10.44, 5. Samuel Quintero 1:16.00, 9. Brandon Moran 1:22.63, 10. Leonardo Mateus 1:22.75, 21. Gabriel Saavedra 1:40.66; 13-14, 1. Ryan Logan, BTA 1:02.16; SOFLO; 4. CJ Kopecki 1:03.42, 5. Juan Lucas 1:04.85, 6. Jonathan Strod 1:05.07, 11. Esteban Diaz-Velasco 1:09.95, 23. Andre Molko 1:24.15; 15-16, 1. Guy Fernandez, FLA 59.96; Open, 1. Daniel Ramirez, WA 55.52; SOFLO: 2. Jacob Walters 59.85, 3. Endi Babi 1:00.44.

200-meter medley relay:

10-and-under, 1. Blue Marlins 2:33.07, 2. SOFLO A 2:36.25; 11-12, 1. SOFLO A 2:20.95 (Samuel Quintero, Brandon Moran, Rafael Rodriguez, Leonardo Mateus); 13-14, 1. BTA 2:02.08; 2. SOFLO A 2:02.69, 4. SOFLO B 2:09.29; 15-16, 1. FLA 1:57.38, 3. SOFLO A 2:08.09; Open, 1. WA 1:48.83; 4. SOFLO A 1:53.97.

400-meter freestyle:

13-14, 1. Max Asnis, Blue Marlins 4:32.17; SOFLO: 3. CJ Kopecki 4:35.24, 4. Kevin Porto 4:37.44, 5. Jonathan Strod 4:38.83, 7. Esteban Diaz-Velasco 4:44.90, 9. Alfredo Mesa 4:45.52, 18. Bryan Moran 5:25.63; 15-16, 1. Phillip Willett, FAST 4:16.79; SOFLO: 5. Gustavo Valery 4:24.34, 10. Jordan Colon 4:34.58, 12. Alex Monti 4:43.28, 14. Simon Ortiz 4:53.60; Open, 1. Austin Manganiello, AK Sharks 4:10.83; SOFLO: 3. Marc Rojas 4:15.08, 11. Michael Arias 5:19.43.

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

SOFLO Leads After Day Two; Colon, Teammates Competing As A Team, Swimming Fast

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

June 22, 2013

Jordan Colon and his South Florida Aquatic Club teammates are swimming fast and having fun at the FLA International Invitational at the Florida Atlantic University Aquatic Complex.

If there was a Spirit Award, SOFLO swimmers, featured on Florida Swimming Network’s website for the first two days of competition in the Florida Gold Coast meet, would win hands down.

“The team looks like a real team, bonding and cheering each other on,” SOFLO coach Chris Anderson said. “They are sitting there and learning from each other’s swims. It’s nice to see.”

Jordon Colon is one of several swimmers working on technique while swimming well.

On Friday, Colon, 16, was third in the 200-meter breaststroke in a lifetime-best 2:34.28, an impressive time drop from his previous long course best of 2:39.01. Colon also was ninth in the 200-meter freestyle in a lifetime-best 2:09.16 (dropping from 2:11.07) and anchored the third place 200-meter free relay.

“I was most happiest with my 200 breaststroke,” Colon said. “I did pretty good. I just did what Chris (Anderson) told me to do about building into the race. I could hear the team yelling for me every time my head came out of the water. I felt good in the last 50. I’ve been mainly working on my glide the most. I’ve been watching Alia, her glide and pullout.

“I was shocked I went 34 at night,” Colon said. “I didn’t feel it at all. I am pretty tired right now because I watched the Heat game last night.

“My swimming is going great right now,” Colon said. “I am feeling really confident and working hard. I want to do great the whole season and get ready for high school season.”

Three-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson, 24, competing in her final meet before next month’s World Championships in Barcelona, won the 200-meter freestyle in 2:05.83 and 50-meter butterfly in 28.11.

SOFLO’s A relay of Rafael Rodriguez, Samuel Quintero, Brandon Moran and Leonardo Mateus swimming anchor leg won the 11-12 200-meter freestyle relay.

SOFLO’s A relay of Juan Lucas, Alfredo Mesa, Cristian Rossi and CJ Kopecki won the 13-14 200-meter freestyle relay in 1:49.62.

SOFLO’s A relay of Bianca Monti, Jessica Rodriguez, Abolade Oyetunji and Natasha Testa won the 13-14 200-meter freestyle relay in 2:01.80.

SOFLO had several individual champions. They were:

Kyana Castro, 10, 200-meter freestyle, 2:32.00, best time; 50-meter freestyle, 32.65, best time.

Michael Arias, 10, 200-meter freestyle, 2:27.65 followed by teammate Nicolas Rossi in 2:29.77, best time; 100-meter backstroke in 1:21.50, best time; 50-meter freestyle, 32.09, best time.

Rafael Rodriguez, 11, 200-meter freestyle, 2:14.33, best time; 100-meter backstroke, 1:13.14, best time, followed by teammate Samuel Quintero in 1:13.93, best time.

Melissa Marinheiro, 16, 200-meter freestyle, 2:10.42.

Marc Rojas, 19, 200-meter freestyle, 1:59.04 followed by teammate Jacob Walters in 2:00.99, best time; 200-meter breaststroke, 2:29.02.

After two days of competition, SOFLO leads with 584 points followed by host FLA Aquatics with 514.60. Blue Tide Aquatics is third with 342.

FRIDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

200-meter freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Kyana Castro, SOFLO 2:32.00; SOFLO: 5. Michelle Marinheiro 2:39.28, 6. Sara Quintero 2:44.72, 12. Katrina Del Vecchio 3:02.55; 11-12, 1. Andrea Santander, FLA 2:14.60; SOFLO: 5. Annita Huang 2:25.07, 8. Vanessa Mesa 2:31.19, 9. Anabel Vazquez 2:31.07, 10. Jennifer Rodriguez 2:31.77, 11. Alexandra Crespo 2:34.82, 14. Elise Larin 2:41.16, 16. Kellie Wilcox 2:41.95, 27. Valentina Carrion 2:53.52; 13-14, 1. Evie Pfeifer, FAST 2:11.19; SOFLO: 6. Jessica Rodriguez 2:20.23, 8. Bianca Monti 2:21.68, 10. Abolade Oyetunji 2:26.48, 12. Stephanie Mlujeak 2:29.07, 18. Anna Momtgomery 2:32.36; 15-16, 1. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 2:10.42; SOFLO: 3. Kylie Herman 2:15.68; Open, 1. Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 2:05.83; SOFLO: 7. Maria Lopez 2:15.65, 10. Marcella Marinheiro 2:17.06, 21. Astrid Rigau 2:28.67.

50-meter butterfly:

13-14, 1. Andrea Lopez, FLA 31.12; SOFLO: 2. Natasta Testa 31.26, 7. Bianca Monti 34.22, 13. Stephanie Mlujeak 35.77; 15-16, 1. Colby Harvey, CMA 29.73; SOFLO: 16. Kylie Herman 33.05, 18. Carly Swanson 34.06; Open, 1. Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 28.11; SOFLO: 8. Maria Lopez 30.72, 11. Amber Hunter 31.19, 13. Marcella Marinheiro 31.93, 20. Bianca Muniz 33.86, 29. Katherine De Barros 37.78.

100-meter backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Mattie Barfield, FLA 1:16.83; SOFLO: 4. Kyana Castro 1:24.99, 6. Michelle Marinheiro 1:30.59, 7. Katrina Del Vecchio 1:31.36, 8. Kayla Cunningham 1:35.59, 9. Sara Quintero 1:32.49, 13. Jena Legaspi 1:36.93; 11-12, 1. Gaby Antonini, FLA 1:10.17; SOFLO: 5. Anabel Vazquez 1:18.70, 6. Annita Huang 1:19.43, 9. Katherine De Barros 1:21.34, 10. Kellie Wilcox 1:24.98, 11. Jennifer Rodriguez 1:25.08, 12. Vanessa Mesa 1:26.05, 21. Mikaela De Gracia 1:30.43, 22. Alexandra Crespo 1:30.49; 13-14, 1. Evie Pfeifer, FAST 1:09.19; SOFLO: 3. Jessica Rodriguez 1:13.28; 9. Anna Montgomery 1:20.90, 12. Abolade Oyetunji 1:24.38; 15-16, 1. Isa Antonini, FLA 1:11.01; SOFLO: 4. Melissa Marinheiro 1:12.55, 14. Kylie Herman 1:16.87, 20. Carly Swanson 1:20.26; Open, 1. Iwona Lefanowicz, FLA 1:07.90; SOFLO: 8. Marcella Marinheiro 1:12.71, 13. Amber Hunter 1:14.50, 22. Astrid Rigau 1:22.27.

200-meter breaststroke:

13-14, 1. Jimena Martinez, Marmo 2:44.99; SOFLO: 4. Jessica Rodriguez 2:51.68; 15-16, 1. Cheyenna Rhine, RLAY 3:01.71; Open, 1. Kerryn Mullin, WA 2:56.47; SOFLO: 6. Katherine De Barros 3:12.09.

50-meter freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Kyana Castro, SOFLO 32.65; SOFLO: 6. Michelle Marinheiro 35.27, 8. Katrina Del Vecchio 37.43, 9. Sara Quintero 36.89, 17. Kayla Cunningham 38.81, 22. Jena Legaspi 41.24; 11-12, 1. Andrea Santander, FLA 28.41; SOFLO: 4. Annita Huang 31.20, 7. Vanessa Mesa 31.90, 10. Elise Larin 32.82, 11. Anabel Vazquez 33.02, 12. Jennifer Rodriguez 33.36, 15. Alexandra Crespo 34.35, 18. Kellie Wilcox 34.69, 31. Valentina Carrion 36.51, 32. Mikaela De Gracia 37.50; 13-14, 1. Emily Bocock, BTA 28.74; SOFLO: 5. Bianca Monti 30.15, 9. Natasha Testa 30.93, 15. Stephanie Mlujeak 31.55, 18. Abolade Oyetunji 31.62; 15-16, 1. Jamie Fitzpatrick, FAST 28.27; SOFLO: 25. Carly Swanson 31.80; Open, 1. Laura Galarza, WA 27.74; SOFLO: 8. Alia Atkinson 31.86, 9. Maria Lopez 29.10, 11. Amber Hunter 29.30, 18. Bianza Muniz 30.47.

200-meter freestyle relay:

10-and-under, 1. Blue Marlins 2:21.11, 2. SOFLO 2:22.92; 11-12, 1. FLA 2:03.24; 2. SOFLO A 2:08.02, 3. SOFLO B 2:16.74; 13-14, 1. SOFLO A 2:01.80; 15-16, 1. FLA 2:01.34; Open, 1. WA 1:51.72, 3. SOFLO A 1:53.22, 11. SOFLO B 2:04.17.

BOYS

200-meter freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Michael Arias, SOFLO 2:27.65; SOFLO: 2. Nicolas Rossi 2:29.77, 4. Joseph Lee 2:34.22, 19. Akira Huang 3:04.32; 11-12, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 2:14.33; SOFLO: 5. Samuel Quintero 2:22.24, 7. Leonardo Mateus 2:27.47, 21. Gabriel Saavedra 3:04.27; 13-14, 1. Ryan Logan, BTA 2:03.64; SOFLO: 4. CJ Kopecki 2:08.15, 5. Kevin Porto 2:10.64, 8. Alfredo Mesa 2:17.98, 11. Cristian Rossi 2:16.95, 14. Matthew Menocal 2:18.09, 24. Andres Arias 2:26.52, 30. Bryan Moran 2:36.19; 15-16, 1. Phillip Willett, FAST 2:00.53; SOFLO: 8. Alex Monti 2:07.94, 9. Jordan Colon 2:09.16, 14. Gustavo Valery 2:12.22, 20. Simon Ortiz 2:17.58, 23. Teddy Sandoval 2:19.39; Open, 1. Marc Rojas, SOFLO 1:59.04; SOFLO: 2. Jacob Walters 2:00.99.

50-meter butterfly:

13-14, 1. Ryan Logan, BTA 28.43; SOFLO: 4. CJ Kopecki 29.26, 10. Cristian Rossi 30.76, 14. Juan Osorio 32.80, 15. Andre Molko 35.54, 18. Andres Arias 36.46; 15-16, 1. Guy Fernandes, FLA 27.04; SOFLO: 17. Teddy Sandoval 31.22, 21. Simon Ortiz 34.24; Open, 1. Daniel Ramirez, WA 25.53; SOFLO: 10. Endi Babi 27.60, 12. Jacob Walters 27.81.

100-meter backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Michael Arias, SOFLO 1:21.50; SOFLO: 2. Joseph Lee 1:22.83, 6. Nicolas Rossi 1:28.53, 18. Akira Huang 1:38.06, 21. Marcos Vazquez 1:43.99, 22. Alejandro Mateus 1:44.16, 26. Mark Andre De Gracia 1:51.79; 11-12, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 1:13.14; SOFLO: 2. Samuel Quintero 1:13.93, 4. Leonardo Mateus 1:16.67, 10. Brandon Moran 1:24.71, 19. Gabriel Saavedra 1:34.38; 13-14, 1. Ryan Logan, BTA 1:06.02; SOFLO: 3. Kevin Porto 1:09.90, 5. Alfredo Mesa 1:10.98, 16. Juan Osorio 1:19.46, 19. Rodrigo Rodriguez 1:23.26, 20. Andre Molko 1:25.61; 15-16, 1. Nick Alexander, FAST 1:00.78; SOFLO: 6. Gustavo Valery 1:05.51, 18. Simon Ortiz 1:16.58; Open, 1. Yianni Thermos, Unattached 1:01.12.

200-meter breaststroke:

13-14, 1. Joshua Umrysh, BTA 2:36.32; SOFLO: 3. CJ Kopecki 2:53.65; 15-16, 1. Phillip Willett, FAST 2:30.66; SOFLO: 3. Jordan Colon 2:34.28, 7. Alex Monti 2:54.56, 10. Teddy Sandoval 3:04.30; Open, 1. Marc Rojas, SOFLO 2:29.02; SOFLO: 7. Samuel Quintero 2:58.57, 8. Brandon Moran 3:03.53, 10. Leonardo Mateus 3:24.39, 11. Ethan Hew 3:40.15.

50-meter freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Michael Arias, SOFLO 32.09; SOFLO: 3. Nicolas Rossi 33.03, 6. Joseph Lee 35.05, 17. Akira Huang 36.86, 24. Marcos Vazquez 39.44, 27. Alejandro Mateus 43.32, 30. Mark Andre De Gracia 46.44; 11-12, 1. Ryan Aroesty, LBA 29.14; SOFLO: 3. Rafael Rodriguez 29.50, 12. Brandon Moran 32.62, 22. Gabriel Saavedra 37.79, 23. Ethan Hew 37.88; 13-14, 1. Ervin Marin, BM 27.07; SOFLO: 4. Alfredo Mesa 27.76, 12. Cristian Rossi 28.92, 16. Matthew Menocal 29.64, 21. Juan Osorio 30.31, 22. Rodrigo Rodriguez 30.40, 23. Andre Molko 30.64, 27. Andres Arias 31.45, 39. Bryan Moran 32.08; 15-16, 1. Viktor Toth, DBS 24.66; SOFLO: 6. Gustavo Valery 26.86; Open, 1. Daniel Ramirez, WA 24.05; SOFLO: 17. Jacob Walters 26.71, 18. Endi Babi 26.83.

200-meter freestyle relay:

10-and-under, 1. Blue Marlins 2:14.91, 2. SOFLO A 2:15.72; 11-12, 1. SOFLO A 2:04.85 (Rafael Rodriguez, Samuel Quintero, Brandon Moran, Leonardo Mateus); 13-14, 1. SOFLO A 1:49.62 (Juan Lucas, Alfredo Mesa, Cristian Rossi, CJ Kopecki), 4. SOFLO B 1:55.18; 15-16, 1. FLA 1:46.35, 2. SOFLO A 1:49.09; Open, 1. WA 1:36.80, 7. SOFLO A 1:47.20.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

AQUATIC NOTEBOOK, Issue 241: UMiami Hires Andy Kershaw As Head Swim Coach

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

June 22, 2013

University of Miami has hired Andy Kershaw to rebuild its women’s swim program.

Kershaw replaces former head women’s coach Christie Shefchunas, whose contract was not renewed. Assistant coach Aaron Ciarla also left the Hurricanes program.

Kershaw is coming off a ten-year tenure at Southern Methodist University where he was associate head coach, assistant men’s team coach and recruiting coordinator.

At SMU, he worked with 79 All-Americans. The men’s team was among the nation’s Top 25 for six years.

Kershaw has also served as head manager for USA Swimming at the 2012 London Olympics, 2011 World Championships, 2010 Pan Pacific Championships and 2009 Duel In The Pool.

While the diving program continues to flourish under veterans and Olympic coach Randy Ableman and former diver Dario di Fazio, Kershaw will be faced with the challenge of rebuilding a once-successful program that has fallen on hard times.

The Hurricanes were 20th at last year’s NCAA Championships and lacks depth for the upcoming season.

Kershaw is the second head coach to take over a major state school in Florida. Former Florida Gold Coast swimmer Frankie Bradley was recently hired as Florida State’s new had coach of both the men’s and women’s swim programs that features several FGC swimmers including Paul Murray, Juan Sequera, Phillip Swims, Ashley Hicks, Alex Rodriguez, Dylan Marsolek, Jason McCormick, and SOFLO’s Tiffany Oliver.

Swimming Hall of Fame In Southern California?

The Fort Lauderdale-based International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum may be moving to Oceanside, Calif. Developer Sherman Whitemore is pitching a swim museum, hotel and water park complex on a 55-acre section of El Corazon in central Oceanside. It’s been called a destination resort for sports. The project’s estimated cost is $130 million. The 7,500 square foot Hall of Fame is currently located adjacent to the aging Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex. The museum’s 50-year, rent-free lease agreement with the City of Fort Lauderdale expires in 2015. The city is planning on spending $32 million to upgrade the swim facility.

World Trials On TV

The schedule is: Tuesday, June 25, 6-8 p.m., Universal; Wednesday, June 26, 6-8:30 p.m., Universal; Saturday, June 29, 1-2:30 p.m., NBC and 11 p.m.-midnight, NBC Sports Network.

USA Swimming will also offer a live webcast of the entire meet on its website, prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

Miscellaneous

Olympian Janet Evans made an appearance on NBC’s Today Show to help promote water safety during the summer. “Parents are urged to take their children for swimming lessons as early as possible as well as to make sure that a child is never left unsupervised around any pool or body of water,” Evans said. South Florida Aquatic Club is proactive with its lessons program, teaching hundreds of swimmers how to swim and proper swim technique…

Momo, an eight-month old cat, has become an instant swimming celebrity after photographer Jordan Verlage captured the cat and his owner Kevan Yeats swimming to safety through flowing flood waters in the streets of High River, Alberta, Canada. Yeats’ truck was sinking when both jumped out and started swimming. The cat is making the social media rounds and is on the website of NBC News. According to Yeats, Momo regularly paddles around the bath rub at home and has had a longtime fascination with water. Yeats said he couldn’t keep up with her, that she was doing so well swimming in the water. Momo used her tail as a rudder while swimming with all fours. Her stroke looked like a combination freestyle and butterfly.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com