Junior Swimmers Shine At World Championships

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

August 31, 2013

USA Swimming National Junior Team head coach Jack Roach said it best when describing the FINA Junior World Championship Championships in Dubai as “making memories and building the future.”

The six-day meet came to a close on Saturday after a week of impressive swimming and 47 meet records, making it the best in meet history.

On the final day, Aussie Mackenzie Horton won the 1500-meter freestyle in a meet record 14:56.60 and Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania won the 50-meter freestyle in 25.10, both of them finishing with four gold medals.

Team USA’s Caeleb Dressel of Bolles won the 100-meter freestyle after a 23.03 opening 50-meter split to win in a meet record 48.97. It also broke the U.S. national age group record (17-18) set by Michael Phelps in 2004 in 49.05.

Teammate Andrew Seliskar won the 200-meter butterfly in a meet record 1:56.42 including a third 50-meter split of 29.04.

Australia won the gold medal count with 10 followed by Team USA and Russia, each with nine. The U.S. finished with 28 total medals, Russia had 26 and Australia had 18.

The U.S. won the combined (989 points), boys (410) and girls (517) team titles and received the Championship Trophy.

Florida Gold Coast swimmers were in the international spotlight.

AquaKids Sharks’ Clara Smiddy, the only FGC swimmer on the U.S. junior national team, took home three bronze medals and Dylan Carter of Davie Nadadores grabbed a silver medal.

Smiddy will now return home to compete for the South Florida Heat in high school swimming as a senior. Carter of Plantation American Heritage, who represents Trinidad and Tobago, is heading to California for college in January.

Twelve other FGC swimmers represented their international countries and several turned in lifetime-best times against a world-class field.

The 2015 FINA World Juniors Championships are set for Singapore.

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

Clara Smiddy Wins Individual Medal At Junior Worlds

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

August 30, 2013

Clara Smiddy of AquaKids Sharks won her first major individual international medal Friday at the FINA World Junior Championships in Dubai.

Smiddy, 17, of the South Florida Heat swim team, finished third in the 50-meter backstroke for a bronze medal on Day 5 of the six-day meet.

Smiddy finished in a lifetime-best 28.86, ahead of U.S. teammate Kathleen Baker and Olympian Ruta Meilutyte. Smiddy’s previous best was 29.10 which she first lowered in prelims in 29.08 and again in semifinals in 28.88.

It was her third bronze medal. She was also part of the U.S. team’s third place 400-meter mixed medley and 400-meter medley relays.

Smiddy, a member of the U.S. junior national team, had just missed a medal in the 100-meter backstroke earlier in the week by .06 seconds.

Smiddy, working on her third taper, was all smiles on the awards podium and wrapping up her final event.

U.S. teammate Becca Mann of Clearwater won the 1500-meter freestyle by 10 seconds in 16:23.89. Isabella Rongione, also of the U.S., took the bronze in 16:35.28.

American Gunnar Bentz won the 400-meter individual medley in a meet record 4:14.97.

The U.S. collected six medals including two gold medals. Seven more meet records were also broken to bring the weeklong total to 39.

Russian Svetlana Chimrova has broken five meet records in all five of her swims.

Davie’s Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago took a silver in the 50-meter butterfly in 23.98. All three medalists were inside a 0.05-second gap.

The meet concludes on Saturday.

Other Florida Gold Coast results:

Dylan Carter, Davie, Trinidad and Tobago, 100-meter freestyle, 5th, 49.93, best time; 50-meter butterfly, 2nd, 23.98.

Renzo Tjon-A-Joe, Davie, Suriname, 100-meter freestyle, 18th, 51.16, best time.

Zu Pigot, Metro Aquatics, Suriname, 100-meter freestyle, 48th, 52.88.

Tyla Martin, Pine Crest, Trinidad and Tobago, 100-meter butterfly, 29th, 1:04.08.

Jordy Groters, Davie, University School, Aruba, 50-meter breaststroke, 29.17, best time

Wayne Denswil, Metro Aquatics, St. Brendan’s, Suriname, 30.67, best time.

Daniela Veloza, Titan Aquatics, Colombia, 1500-meter freestyle, 21st, 18:08.05.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Take Road Trip To Key West

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

August 30, 2013

South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers and parents will mix swimming with a fun trip during the Labor Day Weekend.

The swimmers will compete in the Key West ABC Pentathlon Invitational at the Florida Keys Community College pool on Saturday.

The meet, hosted by the Bone Island Swim Club, begins 9 a.m. with timed finals.

Age groups are from 8-and-under to 13-and-older competing in five events each.

SOFLO age group coach Endi Babi’s SOFLO contingent includes 14 girls and boys swimmers. They are:

Valentina Diaz, 14; Ethan Hew, 12; Noah Hew, 8; CJ Kopecki, 14; Alfredo Mesa, 14; Vanessa Mesa, 11; Brandon Moran, 12; Bryan Moran, 14; Erika Pelaez, 7; Kevin Porto, 13; Samuel Quintero, 13; Sara Quintero, 9; Gabriel Segui, 12; and Natasha Testa, 14.

On Sunday at 8:30 a.m., there is an Open Water Swims of 800 yards, 1 and 2 miles in the Atlantic Ocean off Smathers Beach.

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

South Florida Heat’s Clara Smiddy Makes Second Final At Junior Worlds

BY SHARON ROBB

August 29, 2013

Clara Smiddy of AquaKids Sharks and South Florida Heat will go after her first individual medal Friday at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Dubai.

Smiddy, 17, got through Thursday’s prelims (best time 29.08) and semifinals (best time 28.88) of the 50-meter backstroke, which she was seeded fifth in going into the week-long meet, her first major international meet as a member of the U.S. junior national team.

Smiddy just missed a medal by .06 in her specialty event 100-meter backstroke and swam the mixed medley relay prelims for the U.S. team.

Bolles’ Caeleb Dressel, two weeks after turning 17, broke his first 17-17 national age group record in the 50-meter freestyle in 22.22. He finished third for a bronze, 1/10th better than the previous mark of 22.32 set by Bolles teammate Santo Condorelli two weeks ago at junior nationals.

Dressel has both the 15-16 and 17-18 age group records.

Six meet records fell on Thursday with Russia leading the way.

Lithuanian Ruta Meilutyte won two events in meet record times within forty minutes. She won the 100-meter breaststroke and 200-meter individual medley and also competed in the 50-meter backstroke semifinals.

After four days of swimming Russia and Australia dominate the medal tally with the U.S. third on the list.

Other Florida Gold Coast results:

Clara Smiddy, AquaKids Sharks, United States, 50-meter backstroke, 8th, 29.08, best time; 6th, 28.88, best time.

Brieen Renfrum, Metro Aquatics, Suriname, 50-meter backstroke, 30.91, best time.

Dylan Carter, Davie, Trinidad and Tobago, 50-meter butterfly, 2nd, 23.87, best time, 5th, 24.16.

Zu Pigot, Metro Aquatics, Suriname, 50-meter butterfly, 21st, 25.03, best time.

Tyla Martin, Pine Crest, Trinidad and Tobago, 400-meter freestyle, 27th, 4:32.72.

Daniela Veloza, Titan Aquatics, Colombia, 400-meter freestyle, 29th, 4:36.53, best time.

Jordy Groters, University School, Davie, Aruba, 200-meter breaststroke, 35th, 2:22.95.

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

AquaKids Sharks’ Clara Smiddy Competes Thursday; U.S. Continues To Shine At Junior Worlds

BY SHARON ROBB

August 29, 2013

In one of the upsets of the meet, American Kylie Stewart of Dynamo Swim Club won the 200-meter backstroke on Day Three of the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Wednesday in Dubai.

Stewart knocked off U.S. teammate Kathleen Baker with a meet record 2:09.74. Baker took the silver in 2:10.68.

In a bizarre finish, U.S. teammates Justin Lynch and Matthew Josa touched in 53.27 to tie for the bronze medal in the 100-meter butterfly. Japan’s Takaya Yasue won the gold medal in 53.01.

Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey won the 100-meter freestyle in 54.47.

Aussie Mack Horton won the 800-meter freestyle in 7:45.67, breaking the meet record by 10 seconds.

In the 50-meter freestyle semifinals, Bolles Caeleb Dressel swam 22.41 after going 22.50 in prelims. Dressel swam a 48.83 anchor split to bring the U.S. from behind to take a silver in the 400-meter freestyle relay.

After three days of swimming, the U.S. has 14 medals (five gold, six silver and three bronze).

Clara Smiddy, 17, a senior with South Florida Heat is seeded fifth in the 50-meter backstroke. She was scheduled to compete in the prelims on Thursday morning and semifinals Thursday night.

Other Florida Gold Coast results:

Tyla Martin, Pine Crest, Trinidad and Tobago, 50-meter butterfly, 39th, 29.14; 200-meter backstroke, 36th, 2:26.64.

Zu Pigot, Metro Aquatics, St. Brendan’s, Suriname, 50-meter freestyle, 25th, 23.64.

Jordy Groters, Davie, University School, 50-meter freestyle, 38th, 24.07.

Brienne Renfrum, Metro Aquatics, St. Brendan’s, Suriname, 200-meter backstroke, 46th, 2:36.31.

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

Pembroke Pines Charter Sweeps Season-Opener; SOFLO’s Calero, Lucas, Kon Double Winners

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB
August 28, 2013

Pembroke Pines Charter boys and girls swim teams, loaded with talent, depth and several newcomers, started the 2013 high school swimming season off successfully Wednesday at Academic Village Pool.

The Jaguars swept Hollywood Hills in their District 11-3A season-opener.

The girls, led by double winner Lilli Calero, defeated the Spartans 156-45. The Jaguars won all eight individual girls events and all three relays.

The boys, led by freshman newcomer Juan Lucas and Joshue Kon, both double winners, won 144-72. The boys won six individual events and two relays.

Pembroke Pines Charter girls team, defending District 12-2A champions, moved up to Class 3A this season but will still be a contender in the district race.

“We had an awesome season last year so I am really hoping we have a really good season this year,” said Calero, a sophomore. “We have most of our swimmers back from last year. I just feel we are a really good team. We’re strong and we push each other in every meet.”

Pembroke Pines Charter and SOFLO age group coach Rose Lockie was happy with her team’s showing so early in the season.

“I am really happy with the results of tonight’s meet because there are so many new kids who I just don’t know yet,” Lockie said. “I tried to put every swimmer in an event with it being our home meet and we tried taking as many splits as possible so we could get some times. I think they did really well and I hope they had a good time.

“Our relays were really looking good. It’s the first meet of the season and hopefully the kids will get pumped up and train a little harder.

“It’s looking good,” Lockie said. “I am actually pretty pumped and excited.”

Calero, coming off a solid long course club season including Florida Gold Coast Senior Championships, won the 200-yard freestyle in 2:11.34 and 500-yard freestyle in 5:44.65. She was also a member of the winning 200-yard medley and 400-yard freestyle relays.

Calero, 15, has been swimming for six years. She played soccer and was a cheerleader but said “I fell in love with the sport and I don’t think I can do anything else. It’s all swimming for me.”

Calero was excited to start the high school season and reunite with her teammates including several SOFLO swimmers.

“I am really looking forward to the high school season,” Calero said. “My freshman year I really didn’t know about high school meets. Now I know I have to pick up my pace and go best times and try to do my hardest in every meet.”

Calero loves high school swimming because of the camaraderie with her friends and team spirit at meets.

“I like high school because you’re with your friends from school and you go on the bus rides and have a blast joking around,” she said. “Everyone is so excited to swim, it’s a lot of fun.

“Our captain Marcella got us all pumped up for this first meet,” Calero said. “We were all excited. We came here and it was like ‘oh my God, it’s our first meet.’ All the seniors were all sad because it’s their last season. The freshmen coming in didn’t know what to expect but they were all excited swimming their first high school meet ever. It was really fun to see everybody really excited.”

The boys team will not have to contend with defending district, region and state champion Miami Belen and could also challenge for the District 11-3A crown.

Lucas, 14, a state and national age group holder in club swimming, won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:56.46 and 100-yard backstroke in 1:00.31.

Lucas will fill the void left by the graduation of Ivan Parada, a state 2A qualifier.

Kon, 17, won the 200-yard individual medley in 2:16.94 and 100-yard breaststroke in 1:09.03.

“We got a lot of very new kids and they are so enthusiastic,” Lockie said. “They are so brand new and some are still learning to swim but they wanted to swim tonight which is great. I’m hoping they stick with it and just get better.”

GIRLS

Pembroke Pines Charter 156, Hollywood Hills 45

200-yard medley relay: 1. PPC “A” 2:10.00 (Astrid Rigau, Lilli Calero, Monica Rodriguez, Leysha Caraballo), 2. PPC “B” 2:10.15 (Maya Hirian, Melissa Gonzalez, Caroline Cabeza, Victoria Hill), 3. HH 2:11.43.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Lilli Calero, PPC 2:11.34, 2. Melissa Gonzalez, PPC 2:20.37, 3. Johmi Vargas, PPC 2:35.84.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Astrid Rigau, PPC 2:29.84, 2. Monica Rodriguez, PPC 2:32.25, 3. Arianna Quelagudelo, HH 2:36.94.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Nicole Cordoba, PPC 27.84, 2. Caroline Cabeza, PPC 28.28, 3. Jessica Amrani HH 31.00.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Leysha Caraballo, PPC 1:08.20, 2. Arianna Quelagudelo, HH 1:09.32, 3. Melissa Gonzalez, PPC 1:14.64.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Victoria Hill, PPC 59.27, 2. Cristina Villegas, PPC 1:04.06, 3. Jordan Wilkie, HH 1:05.90.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Lilli Calero, PPC 5:44.65, 2. Leysha Caraballo, PPC 6:09.35, 3. Jessica Cordero, PPC 6:21.13.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. PPC “A” 1:56.64 (Caroline Cabeza, Nicole Cordoba, Cristina Villegas, Marcella Gallardo), 2. HH 1:59.44, 3. PPC “B” 2:09.02 (Viviana Calero, Mariana Chacon, Catalina Villegas, Leila Hathaway).

100-yard backstroke: 1. Maya Hirian, PPC 1:11.88, 2. Astrid Rigau, PPC 1:18.82, 3. Flavia Ruiz, HH 1:19.71.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Justrina Villarta, PPC 1:18.46, 2. Madison Martinez, HH 1:23.70, 3. Mollie Bayer, PPC 1:33.81.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. PPC “A” 4:11.01 (Lilli Calero, Astrid Rigau, Caroline Cabeza, Victoria Hill), 2. PPC “B” 4:16.44 (Nicole Cordoba, Leysha Caraballo, Monica Rodriguez, Cristina Villegas), 3. HH 5:09.12.

BOYS

Pembroke Pines Charter 144, Hollywood Hills 72

200-yard medley relay: 1. PPC “B” 1:54.63 (Bruno Berti, Juan Saldana, Nikolas Ujueta, Noah Hernandez), 2. HH 2:03.84, 3. PPC “C” 2:26.07 (Tomas Legaspi, Thomas Bayer, Colin Gonzalez, Tahj Giordano).

200-yard freestyle: 1. Juan Lucas, PPC 1:56.46, 2. Alexander Viloria 1:59.63, 3. Cody Pisut, HH 2:43.09.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Joshue Kon, PPC 2:16.94, 2. Juan Saldana, PPC 2:25.07, 3. Luis Montoya, HH 2:41.03.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Bennet Rodriguez, HH 25.14, 2. Noah Hernandez, PPC 25.60, 3. Jose Valle, HH 26.63.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Blake Kelley, PPC 57.77, 2. Nickolas Ujueta, PPC 1:01.71, 3. Bennet Rodriguez, HH 1:04.39.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Alejandro Santos, HH 53.97, 2. Adrian Cortez, PPC 1:01.20, 3. Marcos Pagella, PPC 1:08.22.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Alexander Viloria, PPC 5:27.52, 2. Jose Valle, HH 6:53.76, 3. Pedro Lopez, HH 7:49.77.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. PPC “A” 1:43.08 (Noah Hernandez, Alexander Viloria, Nikolas Ujueta, Adrian Cortez), 2. HH 1:44.59, 3. PPC “B” 2:00.57 (Baer, Ryan Corona, Santiago Guarin, Juan-Lucas Hernandez).

100-yard backstroke: 1. Juan Lucas, PPC 1:00.31, 2. Brunto Berti, PPC 1:03.28, 3. Alejandro Santos, HH 1:03.54.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Joshue Kon, PPC 1:09.03, 2. Adrian Cortez, PPC 1:17.32, 3. Colin Gonzalez, PPC 1:18.53.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. PPC “A” 3:40.50 (Joshue Kon, Juan Saldana, Juan Lucas, Blake Kelley), 2. PPC “B” 3:55.65 (Noah Hernandez, Bruno Berti, Adrian Cortez, Nikolas Ujueta), 3. HH 5:07.02.

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

Florida Gold Coast’s Clara Smiddy Just Misses Backstroke Medal At Junior Worlds

BY SHARON ROBB

August 27, 2013

Clara Smiddy of the South Florida Heat just missed medaling in her individual event on Day Two of the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Dubai.

Smiddy, 17, of AquaKids Sharks, seeded third (1:01.35) going into the championship final of the 100-meter backstroke, was out-touched finishing in 1:01.33, just .06 out of third place.
“A great experience no matter what,” said her AquaKids Sharks coach Lou Manganiello.

Smiddy swam the prelims of the 400-meter mixed medley relay (1:01.59) and helped the U.S. team earn the second seed.

The U.S. came back at night to take bronze in the relay in 3:52.63 behind Bolles’ Caeleb Dressel’s anchor leg (48.70) that brought the U.S. from fifth to third enabling Smiddy to get a bronze relay medal.

Smiddy has the 50-meter backstroke individual event remaining in the meet that ends on Saturday.

Davie’s Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago also finished fourth in the 100-meter backstroke in 55.36. Carter was seeded third in 55.64.

Clearwater’s Becca Mann was second in the 800-meter freestyle in 8:37.85. Earlier, Mann was fifth in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:13.51.

Dressel was fifth in the 200-meter freestyle in 1:49.29.

The U.S. team took five medals on Day Two. Kathryn McLaughlin won her second gold medal of the meet in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:08.72 and Gunnar Bentz of Atlanta won the 200-meter individual medley in 1:59.44 to lead the U.S. contingent.

After two days, the U.S. has won four gold, four silver and one bronze.

Kathleen Baker took a silver in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:01.18.

Aussie Mack Horton broke the 400-meter freestyle meet record in 3:50.25 during prelims. Lithuanian 16-year-old Ruta Meilutyte broke the meet record in the 50-meter breaststroke in 31.10.

Other Florida Gold Coast results:

Jordy Groters, University School, Davie, Aruba, 200-meter individual medley, 25th, 2:09.35.

Tyla Martin, Pine Crest, Trinidad and Tobago, 200-meter butterfly, 32nd, 2:24.15.

Dylan Carter, Davie, Trinidad and Tobago, fifth, 200-meter freestyle, 1:49.39, prelims and scratched from finals.

Christian Selby, Davie, Barbadoes, 43rd, 200-meter freestyle, 1:58.63.

Zu Pigot, Metro Aquatics, St. Brendan’s, Suriname, 100-meter butterfly, 21st, 55.44.

Sidrell Williams, St. Andrew’s, Jamaica, 100-meter butterfly, 43rd, 58.78.

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

Florida Gold Coast’s Smiddy, Carter Qualify For FINA Junior Worlds Finals

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

August 26, 2013

South Florida Heat’s Clara Smiddy and University of Southern California-bound Dylan Carter, both Florida Gold Coast swimmers, were among top swimmers for the United States on opening day of the FINA World Junior Championships in Dubai.

Smiddy of AquaKids Sharks, the only FGC swimmer representing the U.S. and junior national champion, finished third in the 100-meter backstroke semifinals (1:01.35) on Monday to advance into Tuesday’s championship final at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sports Complex.

Earlier in the morning, Smiddy, 17, swam 1:01.94 to earn the fifth seed for semifinals.

Smiddy will also swim Tuesday morning’s 4×100-meter mixed medley relay prelims.

Carter of American Heritage and Davie Nadadores representing Trinidad and Tobago, qualified fifth in the 100-meter backstroke prelims and third in the semifinals in 55.64.

Other FGC results on Day One:

Pine Crest’s Tyla Martin of Trinidad and Tobago, 50th, 100 backstroke, 1:08.29, best time.

Titan Aquatics’ Daniela Veloza of Colombia, 34th, 400-meter individual medley, 5:18.76, best time.

Metro Aquatics’ Brienne Renfrum, Suriname, 53rd, 100-meter backstroke, 1:09.67.

Davie’s Jordy Groters of Aruba, 27th, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:04.28, best time.

Metro Aquatics’ Wayne Denswil of Suriname, 52nd, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:08.52.

On opening day, the U.S. team won two gold and two silver medals.

Clearwater’s Becca Mann took a silver in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:40.26 behind U.S. teammate and Californian Ella Eastin in 4:40.02. Canadian Sydney Pickrem, who also swims for Clearwater, was sixth in 4:46.07.

Bolles’ Caeleb Dressel swam anchor leg on the 400-meter freestyle relay with a 48.29 split, which would have ranked him 11th in the world. The U.S. relay took the silver behind the Aussies in 3:19.21 with Paul Powers, Brett Ringgold, Kyle Gorney and Dressel.

The U.S. women won the 800-meter freestyle relay with a meet record 7:59.42 with relay members Quinn Carrozza, Kathryn McLaughlin, Katherine Drabot and Cierra Runge.

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

Clara Smiddy Heads Florida Gold Coast 14-Swimmer Contingent For Monday’s Junior World Championships

BY SHARON ROBB

August 25, 2013

It was pure coincidence that newly-crowned junior national champion Clara Smiddy was swimming next to world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko and his older brother Vitali.

The Miami-born Smiddy needed some long course training before leaving for the Aug. 26-30 FINA World Junior Championships in Dubai and made the trip north to the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex for its 50-meter Olympic-size pool.

The Klitschko brothers have a condo on Hollywood Beach and were cross training and started watching Smiddy train. Afterwards, they asked Smiddy and her coach Lou Manganiello of AquaKids Sharks how to improve their stroke.

“She is my idol, I look up to her,” Wladimir Klitschko said. “She just keeps swimming and swimming. How? Why?”

Because Smiddy, 17, a senior home-schooler and member of the South Florida Heat High School swim team, has been focused on her swimming since she was a little girl watching her sisters and brothers compete.

Smiddy is one of eight swimming siblings. Her mom, Julie, helps coach her. Her father, William is a well-respected swim official, starter and eight-time NCAA swimming champion.

“It’s always been swimming for me, it’s just what we all do,” Smiddy said. “I grew up with it as long as I can remember. I started competing when I was 4. I’m not sure I was good. Are you ever good when you’re 4? I knew when I was 11 I had potential.”

Smiddy lived up to that potential when she made her first U.S. junior national team and qualified for worlds after winning the 100-meter backstroke at the USA Swimming Speedo Junior National Swimming Championships earlier this month in Irvine, Calif.

Smiddy won in a lifetime-best 1:00.51, ninth fastest time in the nation this year, third-fastest for 18-and-under swimmers and 26th in the world.

“It was pretty much a perfect swim,” Smiddy said. “I felt good in the water and finished strong.”

For worlds, Smiddy is seeded third in the 100-meter backstroke behind swimmers from Russia and Great Britain. She is the top U.S. seed and medal hopeful. She is seeded fifth (29.10) in the 50-meter backstroke and may also swim a relay.

“It’s something I dreamed about, it was a goal and I was hoping for it, but I didn’t think it would actually happen,” Smiddy said. “I am so excited.”

Smiddy is just happy to be back in the water after nearly two years of not being at full-strength. She underwent two surgeries on her right knee and began to doubt her future in the sport.

“Six months ago I was thinking about quitting swimming, it was really frustrating,” Smiddy said. “All the work paid off. It’s good to know I have been able to come so far.”

With the help of Manganiello and athletic trainer Matt Santos-Vitorino at Westminster Christian, where she trains six days a week in a 6-lane, 25-yard pool, Smiddy went through physical therapy and fitness regimen that helped rekindle her competitive fires.

“Swimming is great rehabilitation for anything,” Manganiello said. “Once she was able to get in she was still able to swim and use one leg for kicking and the buoy until she felt comfortable after the surgery.

“It wasn’t if she would be back, it was when,” Manganiello said. “The desire to succeed and come back off the surgery and get back to her previous level of swimming was her motivation. I think she proved to herself she can do this and she exceeded her expectations.”

Smiddy will be joined by thirteen other Florida Gold Coast swimmers in Dubai when the meet begins on Monday.

Pine Crest’s Tyla Martin will represent Trinidad and Tobago; Metro Aquatics’ Zuhayr Pigot, Wayne Denswil abd Brienne Renfrum of Suriname and St. Brendan; American Heritage alum and University of Southern Cal-bound Dylan Carter, Jonathan Ramskissoon and Joshua Romany will also represent Trinidad and Tobago. Carter will be joined by Davie Nadadores teammates Jordy Groters, a senior at University School from Aruba; Renzo Tjon A Joe of Suriname; Luis Carlos Martinez of Guatemala; Mateo Gonzalez of Mexico and Christian Selby of Barbados. Daniela Veloza of Titan Aquatics will represent Colombia.

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

Florida Gold Coast Swimposium Smashing Success

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

August 17, 2013

Jason Allen listened intently as Olympian Clark Burckle shared his knowledge of the sport during the inaugural Florida Gold Coast Swimposium.

The energetic 11-year-old was among more than 100 age group swimmers, officials and coaches participating in the day-long Swimposium at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex.

Before the afternoon session got under way, Burckle spent time with Allen working on his start. “I think I made a friend for life,” Burckle said with a smile.

“I like to have fun with the kids so that they can see that I am enjoying swimming still at this point. I want to inspire them to keep swimming and let them realize that it is a good sport.”

The free Swimposium, sponsored by USA Swimming, was not only well-organized and informative but fun and entertaining. One of the highlights was when officials got to interact with 13-and-older swimmers for a starter practice session during fun relays.

“I think this is beneficial,” Burckle said. “When you get to do a clinic with an elite level athlete, you get to see a lot of their secrets, what makes them tick and what made them faster. You can have the opportunity to ask questions about obscure things maybe their coach doesn’t know the answer to or might not have the time to talk to every individual swimmer.

“This gives them a little bit more of a personal experience and it’s just fun. They get to come out, they don’t have to do an entire practice. Hopefully, it inspires them.”

Burckle, 25, a finalist in the 200-meter breaststroke at last year’s Olympic Games in London, worked with two large groups of age group swimmers who came from as far away as Martin County and North Palm Beach in split sessions for ages 12-and-under and 13-and-over poolside at the Michael Lohberg Pool of Champions.

Burckle was impressed with the swimmers during both sessions.

“They all listened really well,” Burckle said. “They were excited the whole time. They loved doing the relays. They listened to all my little tricks, my quirky little things that sometimes people don’t understand, but they really did a good job with that. They all just seemed like they loved swimming. That, coupled with the atmosphere here is pretty hard to beat.

“I have done quite a few clinics and this is definitely up there at the top. It definitely helps that I am an Olympian and they listen. But part of it for me is even before I was an Olympian, I always really loved swimming. I remember the people who helped me growing up and I consider them mentors. I wasn’t always an amazing swimmer so I can relate to more of the regular kids.”

Burckle returned to South Florida for the first time since 2009. He attended University of Florida for three years and finished at Arizona in 2010. He plans on entering the Stanford School of Business this fall.

“Swimming took me a long way,” Burckle said. “I know I didn’t win an Olympic medal but I had a great career and I am so happy with it. I am glad I have more of a story that people can relate to because so many times you get these Olympians who have been to four Games and won all these gold medals. It’s not realistic for every kid to think especially with how competitive things have gotten in youth sports.

“The team atmosphere is one of the coolest things I have ever been a part of,” Burckle said. “I’ve done well with swimming but now it’s time to focus on my studies. Remember, it’s student-athlete not athlete-student.”

Burckle said for now, he is hanging up his suit after swimming in last week’s masters nationals, and plans to focus on his studies.

“I accomplished my main goal and I am moving on with my life,” he said.

However, Burckle said he hopes to continue giving clinics and working with kids. He added he will continue to train to stay in shape and doing masters meets.

“I really enjoy this,” Burckle said. “I would love if they would keep offering me opportunities to do this. I really wanted to do this one. I love South Florida. Swimming in South Florida is one of the most fun things there is.”

The symposium also featured Pat Lunsford with informative officials’ sessions and Randy Julian with a coaches and club board members session.

“I am really pleased with how it went,” said Florida Gold Coast secretary Lori Bosco. “Our first session we had 46 athletes and our second session 25 athletes. We had 45 officials that wanted to take the various clinics and 11 coaches or club members who wanted to do the club leadership.

“It’s a start and it’s just going to grow,” Bosco said. “I am very encouraged. We would like to do it every two years to try and get more people to come out and get more education. We can just build on what we did today and maybe offer more in the future. You never stop learning.”

Bosco thanked Coral Springs for donating its facility for the Swimposium and USA Swimming for sponsoring the event.

FGC officials hope to hold a USA Swimming Swimposium every two years in South Florida.

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