SOFLO Hosts Area 3 Developmental Meet This Weekend

By Sharon Robb

February 26, 2014

More than 500 swimmers will converge on Academic Village Pool for this weekend’s Florida Gold Coast South/Area 3 Developmental Meet.

SOFLO will be well-represented by a large contingent of swimmers of all ages and ability levels. Several are seeded first in their events.

Among SOFLO top-seeds are:

Alex Golding, 9, 100-yard backstroke, 1:24.57.

Jacqueline Lugo, 11, 100-yard backstroke, 1:15.55.

Randy Smith, 9, 50-yard butterfly, 38.32.

Tyler Gibson, 14, 50-yard butterfly, 29.29.

Katherine DeBarros, 13, 100-yard breaststroke, 1:18.77.

Alejandro Mateus, 8, 50-yard freestyle, 33.45.

Abolade Oyetunji, 14, 200-yard freestyle, 2:06.89; 1,650-yard freestyle, 20:26.78.

Katherine Del Vecchio, 11, 100-yard individual medley, 1:15.70.

Katherine De Barros, 13, 500-yard freestyle 5:40.71; 50-yard backstroke, 32.33.

Valentina Carrion, 11, 500-yard freestyle, 6:24.93.

Sally Golding, 9, 100-yard freestyle, 1:13.99.

Alexandra Crespo, 13, 200-yard individual medley, 2:29.11; 200-yard breaststroke, 2:51.34.

Andres Arias, 14, 200-yard individual medley 2:19.16.

Mikaela De Gracia, 12, 50-yard backstroke, 34.30.

Jena Legaspi, 10, 100-yard butterfly, 1:28.33.

Bruni Berti, 14, 100-yard butterfly, 1:02.11.; 200-yard backstroke, 2:17.77.

Derek Tom, 12, 200-yard backstroke, 2:38.52.

Andrea Pereira, 13, 200-yard backstroke, 2:24.66.

The two-day meet begins Saturday and will feature prelims and finals. Each day prelims are 8:30 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

Nineteen Florida Gold Coast teams are entered. They are Amphibious Assault Swim Team, AquaKids Sharks, Atlantis, Blue Marlins, City of Miami Parks, Devilrays, FLA, Florida Keys, Flying Fish, Gulliver, Hialeah, Metro Aquatics, Miami Beach, Miami Country Dade, Miami-Dade County, Miami Swimming, North Miami, Rockway and Swim Gym.

The meet is a final qualifier for SOFLO swimmers and other FGC swimmers looking to make cuts for next month’s FGC Junior Olympics in Coral Springs.

The meet will also serve as a dress rehearsal for SOFLO and Comets Booster Club for the March 21-23 Senior Championships which the 14-year-old club is hosting for the first time in its history.

Two other area meets are being held in Jupiter and Sunrise.

IF YOU GO

What: Florida Gold Coast South/Area 3 Developmental Championships

When: Saturday-Sunday, 8:30 a.m. prelims, 6 p.m. finals.

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

Admission: $3 per session, $3 heat sheets each session.

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

SOFLO’s Oliver Makes FSU History, Defends ACC Sprint Titles

By Sharon Robb

February 22, 2014

Florida State senior Tiffany Oliver won her second individual event and made collegiate history Saturday night at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, N.C.

Oliver, making her final ACC Championship meet appearance, left a lasting memory by becoming the first swimmer in FSU history to defend the sprint titles.

The fastest morning qualifier defended her title in the event winning in 48.54, out-touching UNC’s Lauren Earp in 48.67. Oliver’s back half split was 25.05, the fastest among the field.

In prelims, Oliver qualified in a best time of 48.50, lowering her seed time of 48.81.

Oliver was in control for most of the race, accelerating in the final five yards to touch first.

“For sure winning never gets old,” Oliver said. “It’s been an amazing meet and nice way to go out.”

It was her second ACC title of the meet. She also defended her title in the 50-yard freestyle winning in 22.02.

In the women’s 400-yard freestyle relay, the final event of the meet, Oliver led off the relay and touched first in 48.75. The Seminoles finished third.

In the 200-yard freestyle, Oliver tied for 12th in 1:47.00. She swam a personal best time of 1:46.86 in prelims.

Going into the final day of races on Saturday, FSU was third after setting ten new school records and maintained its third place finish under first-year coach Frankie Bradley with 972 points. University of Miami was ninth with 470.5.

Virginia won its seventh women’s team title in a row, a first by any ACC women’s team. The Cavaliers finished with 1,433 points, more than a 200-point cushion.

Notre Dame junior Emma Reaney broke the NCAA record in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:04.34 to win the ACC title and break Breeja Larson’s record. She was named the meet’s Most Valuable Swimmer.

During the meet, North Carolina’s Stephanie Peacock was taken from the meet on a stretcher after breaking the NCAA 1,000-yard freestyle record during the 1,650-yard freestyle. The school did not release any information other than Peacock fell ill during the race.

The men’s competition is next weekend.

SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS

University of Florida men’s team and Georgia women’s team defended their titles Saturday night in Athens, Ga.

The No. 1 ranked Gators were led by Sebastien Rousseau, named SEC Swimmer of the Year and the meet’s high point winner.

The Gators finished with 1,440 points ahead of Auburn with 1,280.50 and Georgia with 1,095.

“Winning the first time was really great, coming back and having the opportunity to repeat shows the character of the guys,” Gators coach Gregg Troy said. “It’s great racing fast. We think we have a lot left in the tank for NCAAs.”

Georgia Bulldogs won the women’s title with 1,589. Texas A&M finished second with 1,204 and Florida was third. Elizabeth Beisel was high point winner for the women.

Texas A&M’s Breeja Larson broke the NCAA, U.S. Open and American record in the 100-yard breaststroke for the second straight year at the SEC Championships. Larson swam 57.24, bettering the previous mark of 57.43. She now holds the three fastest times in history.

AAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Former University of Miami swimmer Kelsi Worrell, a Louisville sophomore, was second in the 100-yard butterfly in 51.76 just behind SMU freshman Marne Erasmus in 51.73. Both were NCAA “A” cuts. She also swam a 51.3 split for Louisville’s second place 400-yard medley relay that finished in 3:33.99, under the existing pool record. Louisville won the men’s title.

CCSA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Five-time champion Florida Gulf Coast fell short of defending its title in the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Championships.

The team had its 400-yard medley relay and 800-yard freestyle relay disqualified for early takeoff costing them valuable points and eventually denying them their sixth straight women’s title.

Going into the final day of competition, FGCU trailed Liberty, 471-453 and ended up finishing second with 718 points behind team champion Liberty University with 732 points. University of the Incarnate Word won the men’s title with 886 points.

SOFLO’s Marcella Marinheiro, a freshman, is a member of the FGCU women’s team. FGC swimmer Lani Cabrera won the 1,650-yard freestyle in 16:36.

SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tampa, with former SOFLO swimmer Leonie Davies, leading going into the final day of competition at the Sunshine State Conference Championships, captured the women’s title at the Orlando YMCA Aquatic Center.

Tampa finished with 820 points ahead of Florida Southern with 738 and Nova Southeastern third with 556 points. St. Leo was fifth with 326 and Lynn was seventh with 248.

Lynn University’s women’s 200-yard medley relay team became the first relay in the program’s young history to medal at the SSC Championships. Relay members were Thalie Carmigniani, Tyne Potgeiter, Tieri Erasito and Julia Pedersen edged Nova Southeastern for a bronze medal in 1:47.24. Potgieter also took a silver in the 100-yard breaststroke.

PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Florida Gold Coast swimmer Gina Gautieri of Bucknell swam a college best of 2:21.30 in the 200-yard breaststroke to earn the seventh seed for the championship “A” final. Her previous best was 2:22.55. She finished seventh in finals in 2:22.27. In the 100 breaststroke, she was seventh in the “B” final in 1:06.43 after going a best time 1:06.16 in prelims, bettering her previous best of 1:06.39. Bucknell finished second among women’s teams with 580 points. The U.S. Naval Academy won in 778.

NSISC CHAMPIONSHIPS

No. 21-ranked West Florida was second among a five-team field at the New South Intercollegiate Swimming Conference Championship at Delta State Aquatic Center. Host Delta State led with 699 going into the final day ahead of UWF with 653. UWF’s Carla Robles, a Coral Reef alum from Miami and Florida Gold Coast swimmer, was sixth in the 200-yard freestyle.

MAAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

In one of the most exciting 400-yard freestyle relays in Iona College swim history, second leg swimmer Keegan Boisson-Yates swam a 46.72 leg. On the final leg, Iona captain Justin Grigull became the only swimmer in the meet and first in Iona history to break 45, going 44.70 and rallying his team on anchor leg to beat Rider for the win in 3:03.64. Grigull was also second in the 100-yard freestyle in 45.90, an NCAA “A” cut. Boisson-Yates, a freshman, was seventh in the 200-yard backstroke in 1:54.86, after swimming 1:53.36 in prelims. Both Boisson-Yates and Grigull are Florida Gold Coast swimmers.

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

Lucas, Lopez, Marinheiro Win At Plantation Sectional Qualifier Meet

By Sharon Robb

February 22, 2014

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Juan Lucas, Maria Lopez and Melissa Marinheiro won individual events to highlight action at the Long Course Sectional Qualifier Meet Saturday at Plantation Aquatic Complex.

Lopez, 18, won the 100-meter butterfly in 1:06.65.

Lucas, 15, won the 200-meter backstroke in 2:20.30, off his best time of 2:15.34.

Marinheiro, 16, won the 400-meter freestyle in 4:32.36. She was also second in the 200-meter freestyle in 2:10.70.

Other SOFLO top girl finishers:

Jessica Rodriguez, 15, was second in the 400-meter individual medley in 5:25.74. She was also second in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:48.18.

In the boys competition:

CJ Kopecki, 14, was second in the 200-meter butterfly in a best time 2:17.49, dropping from 2:17.55. He was third in the 400-meter individual medley in a best time 5:03.63, dropping from 5:04.61.

Nelson Diaz, 17, was third in the 200-meter butterfly in a best time 2:18.62, dropping from 2:29.99.

Gustavo Valery, 15, was third in the 50-meter backstroke in 31.96.

Seventeen teams competed during the two-day last chance qualifier meet including Azura Florida Aquatics, FLA, Lake Lytal Lightning, North Palm Beach, Pine Crest and Swim Fort Lauderdale.

SOFLO and Comets will host the March 1-2 FGC South/Area 3 Developmental Championships.

Plantation Swim Team will also host the March 13-16 Speedo Championship Series Southern Zone South Sectional Championship.

Complete meet results can be found at pst.com

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

Porto, Kopecki SOFLO’s Top Finishers On Day One Of Sectional Qualifier

By Sharon Robb

February 21, 2014

Kevin Porto was the top finisher for the South Florida Aquatic Club Friday night on the opening night of the Long Course Sectional Qualifier at Plantation Aquatic Complex.

Porto, 14, finished eighth in the 1500-meter freestyle in a lifetime-best 17:47.63, bettering his previous best and seed time of 18:17.61.

SOFLO teammate CJ Kopecki, 14, was ninth in 17:55.08.

Porto and Kopecki are among thirty SOFLO swimmers competing in the two-day meet.

U.S. national team swimmer Joey Pedraza, 26, of Azura, won the event in 16:04.97.

Geena Squartino, 18, of SwimFast won the women’s event in 18:28.32. Host Plantation Swim Team had nine finishers among the top 12 in the women’s event.

On Saturday, session two begins at 9 a.m. and session three at 10 a.m.

Seventeen teams are competing including Azura Florida Aquatics, FLA, Lake Lytal, Pine Crest and Swim Fort Lauderdale.

IF YOU GO

What: Long Course Sectional Qualifier

When: Saturday

Timeline schedule: Saturday, Sessions Two and Three, 9 a.m.-1:40 p.m.

Where: Plantation Aquatic Complex, 9151 NW Second St.

Admission: $3 per session, heat sheets $3 per session. For information call 954-452-2526.

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

SOFLO’s Oliver Qualifies For NCAA Championships In Opening Three Relays, Wins 50 Gold At ACC Championships

By Sharon Robb

February 20, 2014

Florida State’s Tiffany Oliver is making her final appearance at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships a memorable one.

Oliver and her 200-yard medley relay teammates Bianca Spinazzola, Sami Pochowski and Chelsea Britt swam an NCAA automatic qualifying time and school record on Wednesday, the opening night of the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships in Greensboro, N.C.

Oliver, a senior competing in her final conference meet, anchored the relay that finished in 1:37.97 breaking the 2006 school record of 1:38.59. The Seminoles finished sixth in the race.

Oliver also led off the 800-yard freestyle relay that finished third with Kaitlyn Dressel, Julia Henkel and Madison Jacobi swam the Seminoles’ second NCAA “A” cut and school record time of 7:06.56.

On Thursday, Oliver competed in her third relay and individual sprint event.

Oliver led off the Seminoles 200-yard freestyle relay that finished second in 1:29.25, another NCAA “A” cut. Kaitlyn Dressel, Bianca Spinazzola and McKayla Lightbourn were also on the relay.

Oliver, first at the turn, accelerated off the wall to defend her title and win the 50-yard freestyle in 22.02, an NCAA “B” cut. Oliver was second fastest qualifier in the 50-yard freestyle in 22.17, lowering her seed time of 22.44.

The Seminoles are in third place after two days of competition. Reigning champion Virginia leads with more than 500 points.

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

LSU freshman and Florida Gold Coast swimmer Brandon Goldman swam the fifth fastest time in LSU history in the 400-yard individual medley at the Southeastern Conference Championships. Goldman finished in 3:51.55, an NCAA “B” cut. Goldman has the 100 backstroke on Friday and 200 backstroke on Saturday. He went 1:49.34 in the 200-yard individual medley on Wednesday.

Florida’s Elizabeth Beisel won her fourth consecutive conference title in the 400-yard individual medley in 3:59.26. Florida Gold Coast swimmer Lauren Driscoll of Tennessee was seventh in 4:12.60, an NCAA “B” cut.

Florida’s Carlos Omana was seventh in the 400-yard individual medley in 3:45.95, an NCAA “B” cut.

Georgia leads the women’s team standings with 879 and Florida is second with 642. Florida leads the men’s with 773.5 and Auburn is second with 721.5.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Ready For Long Course Sectional Qualifier At Plantation

By Sharon Robb

February 20, 2014

South Florida Aquatic Club is sending a strong contingent of thirty swimmers to Plantation Aquatic Complex for the Long Course Sectional Qualifier that begins Friday.

SOFLO swimmers are coming off solid workouts and meet performances, and are expected to do well in the two-day meet that will feature several other Florida Gold Coast teams including host Plantation Swim Team.

The SOFLO lineup is Andres Arias, 14; Alia Atkinson, 25; Endi Babi, 25; Xavier Brown, 19; Jordon Colon, 16; Nelson Alejandro Diaz, 17; Tyler Gibson, 14; Kylie Herman, 16; Amber Hunter, 18; Whitney Johnson, 17; Olivia Katcher, 18; CJ Kopecki, 14; Juan Lucas, 15; Ervin Marin, 14; Melissa Marinheiro, 16; Alfredo Mesa, 15; Alexander Monti, 15; Kry Nichlany, 17; Abolade Oyetunji, 14; Julien Pinon, 15; Kevin Porto, 14; Astrid Rigau, 17; Jennifer Rodriguez, 13; Jessica Rodrigues, 15; Jonathan Strod, 15; Bowie Suen, 17; Carly Swanson, 16; Natasha Testa, 15; Gustavo Valery, 15; and Alejandro Zambrano, 19.

Three sessions are scheduled for the timed final meet. On Friday the competition begins 5:30 p.m. with session one. On Saturday, session two begins at 9 a.m. and session three at 10 a.m.

Seventeen teams are competing including Azura Florida Aquatics, FLA, Lake Lytal, Pine Crest and Swim Fort Lauderdale.

Among SOFLO’s top seeds are:

Olivia Katcher, 18, 200-meter freestyle, 2:04.47.

Julien Pinon, 15, 200-meter freestyle, 1:55.99.

Xavier Brown, 19, 50-meter freestyle, 23.04.

Alia Atkinson, 25, 50-meter breaststroke, 30.91; 100-meter butterfly, 1:02.52

Juan Lucas, 15, 200-meter backstroke 2:15.34.

Melissa Marinheiro, 16, 400-meter freestyle 4:22.78

IF YOU GO

What: Long Course Sectional Qualifier

When: Friday-Saturday

Timeline schedule: Friday, Session One, 5:30-7:06 p.m.; Saturday, Sessions Two and Three, 9 a.m.-1:40 p.m.

Where: Plantation Aquatic Complex, 9151 NW Second St.

Admission: $3 per session, heat sheets $3 per session. For information call 954-452-2526.

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

SOFLO’s Oliver Makes Final ACC Championship Appearance; Florida Gold Coast Swimmers Compete Around The Country

By Sharon Robb

February 17, 2014

Tiffany Oliver, one of South Florida Aquatic Club’s best-known college swimmers, will make her final appearance at this week’s Atlantic Coast Conference Swimming and Diving Championships at the Greensboro (N.C.) Aquatic Center.

The Florida State senior is winding down a successful college career.

Oliver holds the school records in the 50-yard freestyle (22.17), 100-yard freestyle (48.17) and 200-yard freestyle (1:46.72) and been a leadoff and anchor swimmer on the relays.

The All-American qualified for the 2012 Olympic Trials and last two NCAA Championships. Oliver is also a returning ACC champion.

The women’s competition begins Wednesday at 6 p.m. with the relays and ends on Saturday. The men’s competition begins a week later on Feb. 26.

Other FGC swimmers competing in ACCs are Chelsie Britt, Paul Murray, Dylan Marsolek, Kevin Matheus, Jason McCormick, SOFLO’s Alex Rodriguez, Juan Sequera and Phillip Sims.

FSU is coached by former FGC swimmer Frankie Bradley.

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The SEC Championships begin Tuesday at the University of Georgia’s Gabrielsen Natatorium.

University of Florida’s top-ranked men (8-0) and No. 8-ranked women (5-3) are expected to dominate the five-day meet.

The men are favored to defend their title and the women will battle it out with four-time defending champion Georgia and Texas A&M.

The Gators return eight SEC champions who have combined for 25 conference titles including seniors Marcin Cieslak and Elizabeth Beisel.

“This is an exciting time for us,” said Gators coach Gregg Troy. “Championship season is always big in swimming. Everything counts the rest of the way.”

Florida Gold Coast swimmers Lindsey McKnight, Luke Torres, Ryan Rosenbaum, Austin Manganiello, Blake Manganiello, Carlos Omana, Daniel Spas, Thomas Veale and Quinn Cassidy are members of the Gators squads.

Prelims are 9 a.m. and finals are 5 p.m. The meet will air live on ESPN3.com on Friday and Saturday at 5 p.m. The relays and diving begin on Tuesday and individual events get under way on Wednesday.

Florida Gold Coast swimmer Brandon Goldman, a freshman at LSU, will make his debut at the conference meet. Goldman has been a bright spot on the LSU men’s team in the backstroke and individual medley events.

Goldman swam the 400-yard individual medley at the Texas A&M Invite that was the tenth fastest time in LSU history. He also finished sixth in the 100 backstroke and fifth in the 200 backstroke in NCAA “B” cut times. Last season the men finished sixth at SECs.

“We are going to go out and do our best,” LSU swim coach Dave Geyer said. “The men and women know what they need to do as a team and individuals to perform at their highest levels. There’s some tough competition but we expect to see personal bests.”

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Louisville will host the inaugural meet for the newly-formed conference. Louisville is expected to sweep the team titles and top the field that also includes SMU, Cincinnati, Houston, Rutgers and Connecticut.

Former University of Miami swimmer Kelsi Worrell, now at Louisville, is favored in the 100-yard freestyle. Florida Gold Coast swimmer Chinyere Pigot, a junior sprint, will compete for Connecticut. Three-time Olympian and former FGC Swimmer of the Year Vlad Polyakov is an assistant coach at Louisville.

SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE

St. Leo College swimmer Bianca Muniz, a senior, will make her final appearance at the SSC meet at the YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando.

The South Florida Aquatic Club swimmer and Pembroke Pines Charter alum and her teammates will begin competing on Wednesday.

Nova Southeastern University, Lynn University, Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Tampa and Rollins swim teams will also compete in the meet.

Lynn University’s women’s team will compete in the meet in its second year of existence. Last year, under new coach Niki Alvarez, the Knights finished sixth at the conference meet with six swimmers and 26th at the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Florida Gold coast swimmers Thomas Aycart, Jared Fish and Cheyenne Rodriguez will compete for the NSU men’s team.

CCSA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Five-time defending champion Florida Gulf Coast’s women’s team will defend its title when the meet begins on Wednesday and ends Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn. SOFLO’s Marcella Marinheiro, a freshman and West Broward alum, will make her conference debut. Othe FGC swimmers on the roster are Victoria Ho, Maggie Holding, Evita Leter, Lindsey Meeder, and Claudia Reyes. Conference Coach of the Year Neal Studd is a former Florida Atlantic University and FGC coach.

C-USA CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Florida International University is preparing for the meet scheduled for Feb. 26-March 1 hosted in Atlanta. FGC swimmers Melissa Moreno and Hannah Vandersluis are on the women’s roster. SOFLO’s Maria Lopez will be joining the team in the fall.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Pinon Swims Two Best Times; Lochte Returns To Racing At Orlando Arena Grand Prix

By Sharon Robb

February 15, 2014

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Julien Pinon, despite coming down with a virus before the meet, still managed to swim two best times on the third and final day of the Orlando Arena Grand Prix at the YMCA Aquatic Center.

On Saturday, Pinon, 15, swam the 1,500-meter freestyle in 17:06, bettering his previous best of 18:33.80 for a 1:27.80 time drop.

Pinon, a sophomore at state champion American Heritage, also bettered his 100-meter freestyle time in 54.33, dropping 0.07 seconds from his previous best of 54.40.

SOFLO teammate Alia Atkinson swam her final two individual events. She finished fifth in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:17.42, a 3.80 drop from her prelim time of 2:21.22, eighth fastest qualifying time.

The three-time Jamaican Olympian was also the seventh fastest seed in the 100-meter freestyle in 57.25 but scratched from the final.

2013 FINA Swimmer of the Year Ryan Lochte returned to action since being sidelined last fall with a knee injury. He earned the top seed in the 200-meter backstroke (2:00.61 prelims) and also swam the 100-meter freestyle (50.54 prelims).

Lochte ended up finishing second in the 200-meter backstroke in 1:58.12 behind Arkady Vyatchanin and was seventh in the 100-meter freestyle in 51.54.

Still rehabbing his knee, Lochte is unable to swim the breaststroke, he said. Lochte admitted his knee is still “hurting.” He said he is at 80 percent.

Lochte was just happy to get to Orlando after being snowed in for two days in Charlotte, where he trains with SwimMAC.

“I am glad I am here and glad to get a race under my belt,” Lochte said. “I wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t make it here to my hometown.”

In other championship races:

Women’s 200-meter individual medley: Hungarian Katinka Hosszu, 24, swam back-to-back meet records and led from start-to-finish to win her fourth event in 2:11.27. She first broke the previous meet record of 2:15.25 set by Becca Mann last year, in morning prelims in 2:14.18. “I tried to work on each stroke,” said Hosszu who has competed in more than 230 races since September. “My coach and I have a plan for the next four years and it is to race as much as possible.”

Men’s 200-meter individual medley: Hungarian David Verraszto won his third event in 2:01.90, just off meet record of 2:01.32. Michael Weiss was second in 2:02.40 “This is my most important meet of the season,” he said. “I am still in heavy training so I am doing the best I can. I am happy with my times.”

Women’s 200-meter backstroke: Competing in her seventh championship final, Katinka Hosszu finished third in 2:11.74. British swimmer Lizzie Simmonds swept the backstroke events winning her second event in 2:10.44. “I was able to race against some of the best girls in the world so I am happy,” she said. “I stuck to my race plan. I went out fast because I get excited and then I settled into my race and tried to build throughout the race.”

Men’s 200-meter backstroke: Arkady Vyatchanin of the New York Athletic Club came from behind to beat top-seed Ryan Lochte in 1:56.95. Lochte, who said his knee was sore, was second in 1:58.12. Lochte was the early leader and was stroke-for-stroke with Vyatchanin into the final turn. Vyatchanin pulled away in the final 20 meters. Tyler Clary was third in 2:00.16. “I could see Ryan the whole way,” he said. “The goal was to control the race and make the last 50 as fast as possible. Honestly I didn’t think I would swim this fast at this meet. I was really tired.”

Women’s 100-meter freestyle: Two-time Canadian Olympian Victoria Poon, 29, came from behind to top a solid field to win in a meet record 55.20. “I tried to keep my head together and touch as fast as possible,” Poon said.

Men’s 100-meter freestyle: Brazilian world record holder Cesar Cielo was stroke-for-stroke with Jimmy Feigen in the final 10 meters with Cielo winning in a meet record 49.28. Feigen led at the turn, 23.68-26.88. Feigen was second in 49.63, also under the old meet record. It was Cielo’s first long course 100 in more than a year. “My plan was to have two 50-meter races,” he said. “The first one easy and the second one bringing it home.”

Women’s 800-meter freestyle: Olympian Chloe Sutton came from behind in the final 100 meters to win her second event of the meet in 8:35.20. Andreina Pinto was second in 8:36.35. “It probably would have been easier if I was out there by myself, but it wouldn’t be as much fun,” she said. “I am a racer so having her out there made it more fun.”

Men’s 1500-meter freestyle: Michael McBroom, 22, of The Woodlands maintained a body-length to win in 15:14.09. Eric Hedlin, 20, was second in 15:17.29. “It hurt and it was tough, but it was a good race,” he said.

FLORIDA GOLD COAST

Women 200-meter individual medley: 5. Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 2:17.42, 2:21.22 prelims, 9. Alessandra Polieri, AZ 2:19.45, 2:21.31 prelims, 24. Isabella Paez, MAC 2:26.63, 2:25.37 prelims, 29. Lindsey Swartz, PC 2:26.09, 2:26.60 prelims, 35. Taylor Lorda, SWMFTL 2:26.73, 42. Darby Goodwin, SAS 2:27.64, 53. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 2:29.44, 58. Rachael Bradford-Feldman 2:30.38, 60. Dorothy Morgan, MS 2:30.61, 62. Allison Kopas, CSSC 2:31.02, 69. Tyla Martin, PAQ 2:31.82, 71. Alina Schulhofer, PAQ 2:32.15, 74. Olivia Katcher, SOFLO 2:32.59, 88. Alex Kalandiak, MS 2:36.82.

Men 200-meter individual medley: 13. Mateus Gonzalez, AZ 2:10.77, 2:09.53 prelims, 22. Marco Guarente, AZ 2:13.06, 2:13.38 prelims, 23. Boleck De Pawlikowski, MAC 2:13.11, 2:12.71 prelims, 31. Daniel Pereira, AZ 2:15.31, 2:14.26 prelims, 32. Diguan Pigot, MAC 2:18.40, 2:13.82 prelims, 36. Fernando Alatorre, AZ 2:14.54, 51. Jordy Groters, PC 2:17.07, 59. Wayne Denswil, MAC 2:18.20, 68. Manuel Avila, PAQ 2:20.03, 70. Alex Evenson, PC 2:20.46, 75. Brody Heck, SAS 2:23.88, 77. Gabrielle Perez, AZ 2:23.98.

Women 200-meter backstroke: 17. Carl Fiordoro, AZ 2:18.18, 21. Megan Moroney, SA2:20.26, 2:20.56 prelims, 52. Caroline Schirmer, SAS 2:28.01, 57. Amanda Tipton, SWMFTL 2:28.95, 62. Allison Kopas, CSSC 2:30.68, 64. Darby Goodwin, SAS 2:31.40, 73. Miriyam Ghali, PC 2:34.18, 74. Rachael Bradford-Feldman, SAS 2:34.96, 76. Jessica Nava, PC 2:36.04, 77. Tyla Martin, PAQ 2:36.24.

Men 200-meter backstroke: 11. Mateus Gonzalez, AZ 2:06.97, prelims, 16. Vicente Andrade, SWMFTL 2:08.88, 23. Boleck DePawlikowski, MAC 2:11.66, 24. Fab Guimaraes, AZ 2:11.71, 30. Rodrigues Peres, AZ 2:13.08, 35. Fern Alatorre, AZ 2:13.97, 55. Luke Hayhoe, SAS 2:18.83, 62. Alex Evenson, PC 2:22.81, 65. Manuel Avila, PAQ 2:26.29.

Women 100-meter freestyle: 7. Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 57.25, 12. Megan Moroney, SAS 57.74, 14. Ferna Delgado, AZ 57.76, 20. Arlene Semeco, CSSC 58.13, 37. Catalina Mendieta, PAQ 59.31, 40. Isabella Paez, MAC 59.42, 47. Marta Ciesla, PC 59.69, 48. Alina Schulhofer, PAQ 59.73, 49. Arianna Noya, MAC 59.77, 57. Brenna Ruth, SAS 1:00.12, 62. Caroline Nava, PC 1:00.27, 78, Emma Lincoln, CSSC 1:00.93, 81. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 1:01.00, 85. Olivia Katcher, SOFLO 1:01.15, 89. Lindsey Swartz, PC 1:01.29, 90. Angel Cicenia, AZ 1:01.33, 92. Dorothy Morgan, MS 1:01.43, 101. Jessica Nava, PC 1:02.00, 106. Darby Goodwin, SAS 1:02.18, 108. Maria Lopez, SOFLO 1:02.29, 124. Miriyam Ghali, PC 1:04.08, 128. Cybele Jung, SAS 1:04.50, 129. Alex Kalandiak, MS 1:04.72.

Men 100-meter freestyle: 6. Thiago Sickert, AZ 51.25, 9. Carlo Herrera, AZ 51.61, 17. Joshua Romany, AZ 51.85, 23. Re Tjon A Joe, AZ 52.16, 28. Alberto Morales, AZ 52.36, 30. Pereira Ribeiro, AZ 52.49, 37. Felipe Lima, AZ 52.87, 47. Jabari Baptiste, AZ 53.42, 54. Gage Kohner, SAS 53.68, 59. Brody Heck, SAS 53.88, 67. Mateus Gonzalez, AZ 54.05, 74. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 54.33, 75. Jordy Groters, AZ 54.42, 82. Marco Guarente, AZ 54.58, 84. Zuhayr Pigot, MAC 54.61, 85. Arvin Moradi, AZ 54.62, 92. Gabriel Perez, AZ 55.06, 117. Brian Arnaud, CSSC 56.06, 122. Sidrell Williams, SAS 56.21, 123. Alex Morgan AZ 56.22, 128. Roberto Ballestas, MAC 56.45, 131. Nicholas Conrad, SAS 56.58, 133. Luke Hayhoe, SAS 56.99, 137. Enzo Pazos, SWMFTL 57.25, 142. Hank Contich, PC 58.32, 143. Alex Evenson, PC 58.37.

Women 800-meter freestyle: 18. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 9:05.34, 21. Megan Moroney, SAS 9:08.76, 32. Florencia Melo, MAC 9:19.22, 33. Danielle Vandenberg, AZ 9:19.45, 40. Arianna Noya, MAC 9:23.84, 48. Caroline Schirmer, SAS 9:32.52.

Men 1500-meter freestyle: 13. Marcel Acosta, AZ 16:11.14, 21. Boleck DePawlikowski, MAC 16:21.34, 28. Kent Haeffner, PC 16:40.92, 31. Luis Martinez, AZ 16:46.62, 33. Miguel Basalo, MAC 16:47.75, 37. Alex Berggren PC 16:55.42, 42. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 17:06.00, 44. Nico Medina, AZ 17:12.12, 49. Matthew Lyn, AZ 17:37.15.

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

SOFLO’s Marinheiro, Atkinson, Golding Shine; Relay Takes Silver At Orlando Arena Grand Prix

By Sharon Robb

February 14, 2014

It was another big night for the South Florida Aquatic Club Friday night on Day Two of the Orlando Arena Grand Prix at the YMCA Aquatic Center.

“It is the hard work paying off and it is nice to see,” SOFLO veteran coach Chris Anderson said.

“They are getting a lot more confidence and understand that they can start performing at the major meets. It’s their time. They are very familiar with this atmosphere and performing well.”

Melissa Marinheiro, 16, had a breakthrough swim in one of her favorite distance events. The Brazilian teenager swam a lifetime-best in the 400-meter freestyle prelims in 4:21.25, dropping from 4:22.78 and qualified for the “B” final.

Marinheiro then came back in finals to drop even more time for another best in 4:20.69 to finish third in her race and 11th overall. Marinheiro was the top Florida Gold Coast qualifier in the event.

“I jumped in and gave it everything I had,” Marinheiro said. “I put in a lot of work in December and over New Year’s. It is nice to see the time drops.

“I remember my first juniors I would freak out but now I focus on my race and I know what I am doing,” Marinheiro said. “It’s awesome to have my teammates here, we have our own cheering spot.”

Marinheiro also led off SOFLO’s 800-meter freestyle relay that finished second in 8:30.02 with teammates Olivia Katcher, 18, Alia Atkinson, 25, and Kathleen Golding, 13. Atkinson moved SOFLO into second place on her third leg. The time bettered their seed time of 8:32.93.

In the women’s 200-meter breaststroke, Atkinson, broke her own Jamaican national record with her third-place finish in a lifetime-best time of 2:28.34, dropping from 2:28.77. The three-time Olympian was just outside the Top 10 in the world.

Atkinson had a solid middle 100 meters but Micah Lawrence, 23, of SwimMAC pulled away from the field in the final 20 meters to win in a meet record 2:25.97, sixth fastest time in the world. Laura Sogar, 22, was second in 2:28.32.

It was one of seven meet records that were broken.

“I just had to swim my own race,” Lawrence said. “I was patient. I relied on my own stroke and went for it. I didn’t think I would go that fast.”

Golding, 13, swam two more best times of the meet in the 100-meter backstroke. She swam 1:12.68 dropping from 1:13.35.

Golding also swam a best time in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:34.38, dropping from 4:40.98.

Florida Gold Coast swimmer and Michigan-bound swimmer Emily Kopas is not competing in the Grand Prix. She is recovering from a sprained ankle and bruised knee after slipping in the rain on a speed bump.

Three-time Olympian Ryan Lochte managed to get out of Charlotte on Friday despite the snow storms. Lochte got to the pool Friday afternoon, did a workout and took time out for an interview with Rowdy Gaines on Universal Network.

Lochte will compete on Saturday morning in the 100-meter freestyle and 200-meter backstroke prelims.

Lochte and his SwimMAC coach David Marsh said it was important for Lochte to get back into racing after a freak knee injury sidelined him late last year.

On Saturday, the third and final night, the meet will be streamed live by usaswimming.org.

In other Friday night race finals:

Women’s 200-meter butterfly: Hungarian Katinka Hosszu, seeded second, won her third event of the meet in a meet record 2:08.47 finishing ahead of Canada’s top seed Audrey Lacroix and teammate Katerine Savard. “I have been working on my walls, so I am glad they looked better,” she said.

Men’s 200-meter butterfly: Hungarian David Verraszto won his second event of the meet in 1:59.59. American Tyler Clary, despite a tweaked back, finished second by 4/100ths of a second. Eighteen-year-old Olympian Joseph Schooling of Bolles and Singapore was third by 6/100ths of a second. The field featured seven different countries. “My second half was really great,” he said. “The finish was so close. The last turn I could see those guys, that was important to know where they were.”

Women’s 50-meter freestyle: Bahamian national record holder Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, 23, of SwimMAC won the splash and dash in 25.55. Top seed Amanda Kendall was second in 25.68. “That’s a pretty good time, I am happy with it,” she said. “We are working on a few things. I tried to work on my power to get to the wall.”

Men’s 50-meter freestyle: Against a loaded men’s field, Brazilians Bruno Fratus, 24, and Olympic and world champion Cesar Cielo battled it out to the wall with Fratus winning in a meet record 22.00 to Cielo’s 22.15. Fratus’ time was the third fastest time in the world this year. “It feels like Brazil is training,” Fratus said. “That is my best time pre-season. I can say I am pretty much happy. That is amazing time for this time of the season.”

Women’s 100-meter backstroke: Brit top-seed Lizzie Simmons took it out fast and hugged the lane line to win in 1:01.26. Hosszu, trying to go four-for-four, finished second after being seventh at the turn in 1:01.55. “That was great to race against these girls, I am really pleased with that time,” Simmons said.

Men’s 100-meter backstroke: Russian Arkady Vyatchanin, 29, of the New York Athletic Club and second seed in the race, easily won in a meet record 54.07.

Women’s 400-meter freestyle: U.S. Olympian and top-seed Chloe Sutton led from start-to-finish and held off Hosszu to win in a meet record 4:10.11. Hosszu had seven minutes between the backstroke and distance event but still managed to finish second in 4:10.50. “I have made a ton of changes to my stroke lately, I was just trying to keep it together and enjoy it,” Sutton said. “It was definitely a great race tonight. I don’t know how Katinka does it, props to her.”

Men’s 400-meter freestyle: Canadian Ryan Cochrane dominated the field to win in a meet record 3:49.83, fastest time in the world this year. “I was really excited to come in and race,” he said. “I have had an up and down year.”

Men’s 200-meter breaststroke: American Sean Mahoney edged out Bolles teammate Melquides Alvarez Caraballo to break the meet record in 2:14.03 to 2:14.57. It was the only race not televised live by Universal since they ended their broadcast at 7:30.

Individual winners were awarded $500 for first place, $300 for second and $100 for third.

FLORIDA GOLD COAST

Women’s 200-meter butterfly: 6. Isabella Paez, MAC 2:14.99, 2:16.07, prelims; 9. Alessandra Polieri, AZ 2:14.33, 2:18.35 prelims, 15. Taylor Lorda, SWMFTL 2:20.69, 31. Jessica Nava, PC 2:24.82, 42. Amanda Tipton, SWMFTL 2:27.14, 46. Maria Lopez, SOFLO 2:27.66, 47. Tyla Martin, PAQ 2:27.85, 49. Olivia Katcher, SOFLO 2:28.53, 55. Alina Schulhofer, PAQ 2:30.26, 58. Allison Kopas, CSSC 2:31.71, 59. Alex Kalandiak, MS 2:34.01.

Men’s 200-meter butterfly: 6. Luiz Pedro Ribeiro Pereira, AZ 2:04.84, 15. Boleck De Pawlikowski, MAC 2:06.58, 16. Luis Martinez, AZ 2:07.85.

Women’s 50-meter freestyle: 7. Fernanda Delgado, AZ, 26.02, 26.26 prelims, 10. Arlene Semeco, CSSC 26.27, 26.60 prelims, 16. Marta Ciesla, PC 26.97, 26.66 prelims, 25. Catalina Mendieta, PAQ 27.20, 47. Isabella Paez, MAC 27.74, 50. Brenna Ruth, SAS 27.83, 51. Dorothy Morgan, MS 27.87, 64. Alina Schulhofer, PAQ 28.25, 70. Emma Lincoln, CSSC 28.51, 80. Miriyam Ghali, PC 28.88, 81. Cybele Jung, SAS 28.91, 85. Maria Lopez, SOFLO 29.26, 88. Alex Kalandiak, MS 29.46, 90. Rachael Bradford-Feldman, SAS 29.67, 91. Carlotta Verita, MS 29.86.

Men’s 50-meter freestyle: 8. Renzo Tjon A Joe, 23.27, 22.98 prelims, prelims, 20. Thiago Sickert, AZ 23.70, 21. Zuhayr Pigot, MAC 23.74, prelims, 23. Carlo Herrera, AZ 23.79, 23. Joshua Romany, AZ 23.79, 36. Fabi Scozzoli, AZ 24.04, 40. Gage Kohner, SAS 24.17, 45. Diguan Pigot, MAC 24.25, 46. Albert Morales, AZ 24.39, 52. Jabari Baptiste, AZ 24.55, 54. Jordy Groters, PC 24.57, 61. Marco Guarente, AZ 24.74, 72. Brody Heck, SAS 24.92, 75. Gabriel Perez, AZ 24.97, 78. Arvin Moradi, AZ 25.02, 82. Wayne Denswil, MAC 25.11, 84. Sidrell Williams, SAS 25.13, 94. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 25.34, 108. Luke Hayhoe, SAS 25.60, 109. Hank Contich, PC 25.64, 114. Nicholas Conrad, SAS 25.97, 116. Kyle Desrosiers, CSSC 26.00, 117. Kent Haeffner, PC 26.04.

Women’s 100-meter backstroke: 15. Carlotta Fiordoro, AZ 1:04.29, 1:03.98 prelims, 19. Megan Moroney, SAS 1:04.86, 29. Darby Goodwin, SAS 1:06.84, 35. Ferna Delgado, AZ 1:07.50, 37. Catalina Mendieta, PAQ 1:07.57, 45. Caroline Schirmer, SAS 1:08.24, 46. Amanda Tipton, SWMFTL 1:08.26, 53. Brenna Ruth, SAS 1:08.65, 85. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 1:12.68, best time, 86. Miriyam Ghali, PC 1:12.72, 88. Rachael Bradford-Feldman, SAS 1:13.21, 90. Maria Lopez, SOFLO 1:13.61.

Men’s 100-meter backstroke: 13. Mateo Gonzalez, AZ 58.69, 59.11 prelims, 15. Vicente Andrade, SWMFTL 59.80, 59.37 prelims, 21. Fab Guimares, AZ 59.84, 23. Rodrigues Peres, AZ 59.91, 24. Carlos Herrera, AZ 59.95, 32. Jabari Baptiste, AZ 1:00.53, 47. Boleck DePawlikowski, MAC 1:01.91, 64. Luke Hayhoe, SA 1:04.21, 70. Rob Ballestas, MAC 1:04.60, 71. Matthew Lyn, AZ 1:04.73, 78. Enzo Pazos, SWMFTL 1:06.32, 79. Alex Evenson, PC 1:06.52, 80. Brody Heck, SAS 1:06.93, 81. Nicholas Conrad, SAS 1:07.31,

Women 400-meter freestyle: 11. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 4:20.69, best time and 4:21.45, best time, prelims, 12. Megan Moroney, SAS 4:22.05, 4:23.40, prelims, 31. Danielle Vandenburg, AZ 4:29.04, 43. Arianna Noya, MAC 4:31.25, 55. Florencia Melo, MAC 4:33.39, 60. Kathleen Golding SOFLO 4:34.38, 62. Caroline Schirmer, SAS 4:34.69, 67. Olivia Katcher, SOFLO 4:35.66, 74. Angel Cicenia, AZ 4:39.52, 83. Alina Schulhofer, PAQ 4:48.27, 84. Caroline Nava, PC 4:58.37.

Men 400-meter freestyle: 11. Marcel Acosta, AZ 4:02.53, 23. Marco Hosfeld, SWMFTL 4:07.65, 32. Luis Martinez, AZ 4:08.97, 33. Boleck DePawlikowski, MAC 4:09.00, 46. Kent Haeffner, PC 4;12.50, 47, Julien Pinon, SOFLO 4:13.01, 50. Nico Medina, AZ 4:13.77, 52. Alex Berggren, PC 4:14.07, 59. Miguel Basalo, MAC 4:16.18, 68. Brody Heck, SAS 4:18.11, 81. Matthew Lyn, AZ 4:27.23, 83. Manuel Avila, PAQ 4:30.73.

Women 200-meter breaststroke: 3. Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 2:28.34, 2:34.70, prelims, 12. Lindsey Swartz, PC 2:39.56, 2:40.40, prelims, 16. Rachael Bradford-Feldman, SAS 2:49.18, 2:41.45, prelims, 20. Caitlin Ahern, SWMFTL 2:44.83, 29. Anna Valls, MS 2:50.56, 31. Allison Kopas CSSC 2:50.95,40. Carlotta Verita, MS 2:56.24, 41. Cybele Jung, SAS 2:59.21.

Men 200-meter breaststroke: 3. Felipe Lima, AZ 2;18.42, prelims, 17. Marco Guarente, AZ 2:23.96, 25. Alex Morgan, AZ 2:26.87, 27. HIA 2:27.55, 42. Daniel Pereira, AZ 2:31.87, 45. Jordy Groters, PC 2:33.84, 47. Brian Arnaud, CSSC 2:34.09, 53. Hank Contich, PC 2:36.44,

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

SOFLO’s Atkinson Wins, Breaks Meet Record At Orlando Arena Grand Prix; Golding, Marinheiro Swim Best Times On Day One

By Sharon Robb

February 13, 2014

South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers started off well Thursday at the Orlando Arena Grand Prix at the YMCA Aquatic Center.

Three-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson, 25, broke her own meet record in the 100-meter breaststroke to win in 1:07.15. Her previous meet record was 1:08.51 set last year.

The time was the second fastest in the world this year and her second fastest career time. Her best is 1:06.79.

Atkinson, the fastest morning qualifier in 1:09.11, went out fast in the final powering her way to a 31.02 split at the turn for a full body length lead coming home.

“It’s about time, I can hardly believe it,” Atkinson said.

Said her SOFLO coach Chris Anderson, “I didn’t expect that time this early in the season. This is phenomenal. She has put in a lot of solid hard work the past two months and it’s really paid off. I am very excited about this summer.”

Atkinson is training for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, where she hopes to medal and improve her world ranking.

SOFLO swimmers are neither rested or shaved for the three-day meet.

One event later after her breaststroke race, Atkinson was back in the water for the “B” final of the 100-meter butterfly. She was second at the turn and finished eighth and 16th overall in 1:04.38.

SOFLO’s 400-meter freestyle relay was impressive finishing fourth in 3:58.28 with Olivia Katcher, 18, Alia Atkinson, 25, Melissa Marinheiro, 16, and Kathleen Golding, 13.

SOFLO’s relay was the top Florida team, finishing ahead of St. Andrew’s Swimming, Gator Swim Club, Southwest Stars, Blue Wave, Trinity, Miami Swimming and Coral Springs Swim Club.

“That was a great relay, I was really happy with it,” Anderson said.

Marinheiro, 16, qualified for the “C” final in the 200-meter freestyle. She finished fourth in 2:05.80, bettering her best time of 2:06.22. “I am extremely excited about Melissa breaking that 2:06 barrier,” Anderson said.

Golding, making her Arena Grand Prix debut at age 13, swam a lifetime-best in the 200-meter freestyle in 2:09.43, bettering her previous best of 2:13.69.

Golding qualified for the “C” final in the 400-meter individual medley qualifying in 5:04.63. She came back to finish 20th in a best time 5:02.19, dropping 2.44 from her previous best.

“I was a little nervous because it was my first grand prix,” Golding said. “I wanted to enjoy the meet, have fun and get experience. The relay was a lot of fun to be on the same relay as Alia. I was expecting to drop some time at this meet because I haven’t swum long course in a while.”

Golding has been swimming with SOFLO since August 2013. She and her family moved to South Florida from New Hampshire. “I like it, the swimming is lot more fun in Florida because it’s outdoors,” Golding said.

Golding has five events remaining in the meet.

“It was a total team effort,” Anderson said. “The hard work we have been putting in since December is paying off. I am really excited where they are.”

Other individual winners Thursday night:

Women’s 200-meter freestyle: Hungarian Katinka Hosszu, 24, fighting off jet lag, pulled away from the field to win in 1:58.09. She was fastest morning qualifier in 1:57.60. Hungarian teammate Agnes Mutina was second in 2:00.50 and American Chloe Sutton was third in 2:00.61. “It was a good first swim for me,” Hosszu said.

Men’s 200-meter freestyle: German Yannick Lebherz, 25, the top morning qualifier, came back to win the final in a best time 1:50.27, just ahead of Michael Weiss, 22, in 1:50.31. “I am happy about my swim,” he said.

Men’s 100-meter breaststroke: Bulgarian Mike Alexandrov, 28, coming off a snow skiing trip, won it at the wall on the last stroke to edge out early leader Felipe Lima of Azura, 1:01.71-1:01.85. “I was looking over at Felipe pretty much the whole time. I raced him a lot last year so I knew what to expect, this was a lot of fun,” Alexandrov said.

Women’s 100-meter butterfly: Olympic gold medalist Claire Donahue, 25, who has been training with Atkinson and SOFLO the past few weeks, finished third behind Canadian Katerine Savard, 20, who broke the meet record in 58.50. She also broke it in prelims in 58.79. The previous record was 58.91 set by Dana Vollmer last year. Donahue, the second fastest morning seed, finished in 59.60 after going 59.53 in prelims. “It was a good race and good time for me this time of the year,” Savard said.

Men’s 100-meter butterfly: With eight different countries represented in the final, top morning qualifier Albert Subirats, 27, of Venezuela held off Bolles’ Joseph Schooling, 18, of Singapore, to win in 53.43, 11th fastest time in the world this year. Schooling was second in 53.69. “I knew he was coming, he is going to be great competition the next couple years,” Subirats said. “I am loving swimming right now after a couple of tough years,” Subirats said.

Women’s 400-meter individual medley: Hosszu came back to win her second event of the night in 4:39.85. “It didn’t feel that comfortable but I am happy with the time,” she said. “I try not to think about the jet lag or whether I am tired. I know how to handle it.”

Men’s 400-meter individual medley: Hungarian David Verraszto, 25, had a three-body length lead over the field before winning in 4:16.03, third fastest time in the world this year. He was coming off a five-week training camp in Florida. A bearded Tyler Clary was a distant second in 4:20.70. “It was quite a good time to start the season,” he said.

Olympian Ryan Lochte and several other SwimMAC teammates were unable to compete on opening night because of the snow storm cancelling several flights along the East Coast including Charlotte, N.C.

The meet is Lochte’s first since suffering a knee injury last year. He missed his first event, the 200-meter freestyle, on Day One.

“This is a total nightmare trying to leave Charlotte,” Lochte tweeted earlier in the day. “All flights cancelled today. It’s just a lil snow guys. I’ll fly the plane.”

The three-day meet continues on Friday with prelims and finals. The meet is being televised by Universal Network and is also being live streamed at usaswimming.org.

FLORIDA GOLD COAST RESULTS

Women 200-meter freestyle: 13. Megan Moroney, SAS 2:03.84, 2:04.26, prelims; 20. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 2:05.80, best time, 2:06.23, prelims; 42. Arianna Noya, MAC 2:08.21; 44. Alina Schulhofer, PAQ 2:08.33; 53. Isabella Paez, MAC 2:08.74; 62. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 2:09.43, best time; 65. Emma Lincoln, CSSC 2:09.66; 67. Daniela Vandenberg, AZ 2:09.74; 69. Olivia Katcher, SOFLO 2:09.88; 73. Catalina Mendieta, PAQ 2:10.32; 88. Caroline Schirmer, SAS 2:11.44; 90. Brenna Ruth, SAS 2:11.53; 92. Tyla Martin, PAQ 2:11.61; 100. Darby Goodwin, SAS 2:12.31; 101. Angel Cicenia, AZ 2:12.49; 108. Cybele Jung, SAS 2:13.94; 111. Dorothy Salinas 2:14.03; 112. Caroline Nava, Pine Crest 2:14.13; 113. Florencia Melo, MAC 2:14.32; 114. Maria Lopez, SOFLO 2:14.33; 120. Marta Ciesla, Pine Crest 2:16.74.

Men 200-meter freestyle: 10. Danielle Tirabassi, Club Seminole 1:52.95, prelims; 14. Carlo Herrera, AZ 1:54.39; 19. Joshua Romany, AZ 1:55.14, 21. Marcel Acosta, AZ 1:55.27, 23. Alberto Morales, AZ 1:55.33, 49. Marco Hosfeld, SWIMFTL 1:57.89, 57. Arvin Moradi, AZ 1:58.38, 58. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 1:58.59, 62. Nico Medina, AZ 1:58.73, 70. Kent Haeffner, Pine Crest 1:59.25, 76. Brody Heck, SAS 1:59.40, 83. Fernando Alatorre, AZ 1:59.95, 87. Alex Berggren, Pine Crest 2:00.10, 90. Jaba Baptiste, AZ 2:00.38, 101. Gage Kohner, SAS 2:01.44; 115. Brian Arnaud, CSSC 2:02.45, 119. Zuhayr Pigot, MAC 2:02.99, 126. Gabriel Perez, AZ 2:04.91, 127. Miguel Basalo, MAC 2:05.14, 129. Matthew Lyn, AZ 2:05.96, 130. Luke Hayhoe, SAS 2:06.53, 132. Nicholas Conrad, SAS 2:10.70.

Women’s 100-meter breaststroke: 15. Emily Kopas, CSSC 1:14.28, 1:14.47, prelims; 19. Lindsey Swartz, PC 1:14.93, 19. Caitlin Ahern, SWFTL 1:14.41, 1:15.50, 26. Anna Valls, MS 1:16.73, 36. Rachael Bradford-Feldman, SAS 1:18.75, 42. Cybele Jung, SAS 1:21.03, 44. Arianna Noya, MAC 1:21.84, 45. Carlotta Verita 1:22.15.

Men’s 100-meter breaststroke: 20. Jordy Groters, PC 1:06.84, 1:06.96, prelims, 21. Duguan Pigot, MAC 1:07.13, 1:06.81, prelims, 22. Alex Morgan, AZ 1:07.45, 1:06.34, prelims, 24. Alex Evdokimov, CSSC 1:10.88, 1:06.62, prelims, 26. Marco Guarente, AZ 1:07.15, 1:07.32, prelims, 29. Julio Horrego, Hialeah 1:08.58, 1:07.92, prelims, 42. Brian Arnaud, CSSC 1:10.02, 44. Hank Contich, PC 1:10.23, 53. Wayne Denswil, MAC 1:12.02, 57. Alex Evenson, PC 1:12.70, 62. Nicholas Conrad, SAS 1:14.47, 64. Brody Heck, SAS 1:15.31.

Women 100-meter butterfly: 15. Isabella Paez, MAC 1:03.19, 16. Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 1:04.38, 18. Megan Moroney, SAS 1:03.25, 19. Jessica Nava, PC 1:03.45, 1:03.90, prelims, 42. Amanda Tipton, SWMFTL 1:05.03, 43. Maria Lopez, SOFLO 1:05.18, 45. Taylor Lorda, SWMFTL 1:05.22, 48. Tyla Martin, PAQ 1:05.57, 54. Caroline Nava, PC 1:05.79, 62. Darby Goodwin, SAS 1:06.32, 65. Alex Kalandiak, MS 1:06.52, 66. Dorothy Morgan, MS 1:06.57, 68. Alina Schulhofer, PAQ 1:06.80, 69. Allison Kopas, CSSC 1:06.84, 75. Miriyam Ghali 1:07.78, 77. Emma Lincoln, CSSC 1:08.29, 78. Olivia Katcher, SOFLO 1:08.30, 79. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 1:08.45, 88. Caroline Schirmer, SAS 1:09.25, 89. Anna Valls, MS 1:09.28, 92. Carlotta Verita, MS 1:10.45.

Men 100-meter butterfly: 3. Luis Martinez, AZ 54.58, 5. Zuhayr Pigot, MAC 55.17, 7. Thiago Sickert, Unattached 55.31, 9. Luiz Pedro Ribeiro Pereira, Unattached 55.02, 11. Fabio Scozzoli 55.57, 13. Mateo Gonzalez, Unattached 55.87, 15. Carlos Herrera, AZ 55.91, 31. Joshua Romany, AZ 1:00.08, 41. Sidrell Williams, SAS 58.37, 49. Arvin Moradi, AZ 59.02, 61. Enzo Pazos, SWMFTL 59.52, 70. Roberto Ballestas, MAC 1:00.12, 74. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 1:00.45, 8. Nico Medina, AZ 1:00.71, 87. Manuel Avila, PAZ 1:01.24, 88. Alex Evdokimov, CSSC 1:01.42, 100. Gabriel Perez, AZ 1:02.67, 101. Brian Arnaud, CSSC 1:02.84, 109. Gage Kohner, SAS 1:04.73.

Women 400-meter individual medley: 20. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 5:04.63, prelims; 28. Lindsey Swartz, PC 5:07.28, 29. Taylor Lorda, SWMFTL 5:08.20, 49. Amanda Tipton, SWMFTL 5:16.61, 58. Allison Kopas, CSSC 5:23.00.

Men 400-meter individual medley: 8. Boleck DePawlikowski, MAC 4:32.98, 4:33.79, prelims, 26. Marco Hosfeld, SWMFTL 4:43.09, 4:45.49, 32. Jordy Groters, PC 5:02.10, 4:46.03, 46. Alex Evenson, PC 4:52.63, 48. Julio Horrego, HIA 4:53.19, 50. Manuel Avila, PAQ 4:55.02, 51. Daniel Pereira, AZ 4:57.14, 53. Miguel Basalo, MAC 4:58.98

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