April 2014 – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

NIKE APRIL SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Leonardo Mateus

Leonardo Mateus of South Florida Aquatic Club is the Nike Swimmer of the Month for April.

Mateus, 12, turned in some amazing swims this past month at three competitions. When he wasn’t competing, he was training hard with his teammates at Academic Village Pool.

At the 2014 Florida Gold Coast-Florida Swimming All-Star Championship Meet at Florida Gulf Coast, Mateus equaled his 100 freestyle time in 57.44 and swam career-best times in the 100 backstroke in 1:03.56 and 100 butterfly in 1:05.08.

During the Swim Miami presented by Nike open water event, Mateus defended his age group title winning the 11-12 age group division in 21:36. He was also third overall among men, sharing the awards podium with winner and U.S. national open water team member Joey Pedraza.

At this past weekend’s IMX Challenge in his home pool, he swam lifetime-best times in all five of his events. He swam 4:47.29 in the 400 freestyle, 2:37.18 in the 200 individual medley, 1:13.52 in the 100 backstroke, 1:32.28 in the 100 breaststroke and 1:15.53 in the 100 butterfly.

For the two-day IMX event, Mateus totaled 3,103 for his Herculean effort and is currently ranked seventh nationally and second in both the LSC and SOFLO.

“He has been training hard in practice,” SOFLO coach Chris Anderson said.

Mateus joins other SOFLO Swimmers of the Month sisters Kathleen and Molly Golding for January, Sebastian Sierra for February and Jessica Rodriguez for April.

The Nike Swimmer of the Month award, chosen by the SOFLO coaching staff, is awarded each month to the swimmer who excels at both swim meets and practice sessions.—Sharon Robb

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Aruba’s Patrick Groters Top Florida Finisher In CARIFTA Open Water, Bahamas Wins Team Title

Aruba’s Patrick Groters Top Florida Finisher In CARIFTA Open Water; Bahamas Wins Team Title

By Sharon Robb

April 27, 2014

Anthony Rechal of Guadeloupe had the fastest time in the open water competition at Sabana Basora, Aruba Saturday in the 29th CARIFTA Swimming Championships.

Rechal, 17, won the boys 15-17 5K event in 1 hour, 7 minutes and 12 seconds for 3.1 miles. Matthew Lyn, 16, of Jamaica and Pine Crest Swimming was eighth in 1:13:32.

Karl Fabry, 14, of Guadeloupe won the 13-14 5K title in 1:07:51. Patrick Groters, 14, of Aruba and Pine Crest Swimming finished out an outstanding meet just missing another medal placing fourth in 1:12:11.

In the girls 15-17 competition, Joanna Evans, 16, of the Bahamas won in 1:14:34.

Ingrid Champrobert, 14, of Martinique won the 13-14 race in 1:14:51. Annabella Lyn, 13, of Jamaica and Pine Crest Swimming was seventh in 1:23:21.

Bahamas won the team title with 736 points. Aruba finished runner-up with 618 points for the first time in the country’s history. Guadeloupe was third with 540 followed by Martinique, 474, Trinidad and Tobago, 446, Barbados, 437, Jamaica 403, Suriname, 347, Curacao, 193 and Cayman Islands, 170.

Groters older brother Jordy, a member of the Aruba national team since age 11, and Pine Crest Swimming completed his seventh and final CARIFTA meet.

The University of Missouri-bound Groters won four individual gold medals and one silver, another silver with his relay, broke two meet records and posted four career-best times. Groters and Daniella van den Berg of Azura Florida Aquatics were co-captains of Aruba’s team that made history by finishing second.

“Throughout these seven years I have met and raced so many people and I am so grateful for them to have made me a better swimmer and person through the races we’ve swum and the friendships we’ve made,” Groters wrote on his Facebook after the meet.

“Above all, I am thankful to have had this opportunity to represent my home Aruba and I definitely will continue to do so on bigger scales. Aruba Swimming’s future looks great and I can’t wait to hear the success stories that follow.”

The Caribbean Free Trade Association-sponsored meet, which featured most of the top junior age group swimmers in the Caribbean, is a qualifier for both the Youth Olympic Games and Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson Wins Second Gold At Mesa Arena Grand Prix; Smiddy Takes Bronze

By Sharon Robb

April 26, 2014

Alia Atkinson of the South Florida Aquatic Club swept the breaststroke events at the Mesa Arena Grand Prix at the windswept and chilly Skyline Aquatic Center.

On the third and final night of competition, the three-time Jamaican Olympian sprinted past a talented field in the first half of the race to win in 1:07.50, just outside a Top 10 world time. Her best time is 1:06.79.

Battling 25-mile per hour wind gusts and choppy water, Atkinson jumped on the first 25 meters quickly going into the wind. Her 50-meter split was 31.19.

“After the 2:25 in the 200 breaststroke I was hoping to go a little faster in the 100 but I will take it,” Atkinson said. “I knew I would jump out on the first 50. I am one to take it out fast. I just didn’t have the energy to bring it back.”

Micah Lawrence, 23, of SwimMAC was second in 1:08.93 and Atkinson’s former Texas A&M teammate Breeja Larson was third in her home pool in 1:08.98.

Atkinson was the top seed after going 1:07.96 in morning prelims where she powered out fast with a 31.36 split and had nearly a body length lead.

Jessica Hardy scratched from the final. “Thirty mile per hour winds, rain and a body that’s too beat up to move, time to head back to LA,” tweeted Hardy.

Atkinson was also 44th in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:08.44.

Fellow Florida Gold Coast swimmer Clara Smiddy, 18, of AquaKids Sharks, who won the 200-meter backstroke, was third in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:02.40 after going 1:02.44 in prelims. Her best time is 1:00.51. Carolina Colorado, 26, of Bolles was fifth in 1:02.81.

In other championship finals:

Women’s 200-meter butterfly: Clearwater’s Becca Mann, 16, of North Baltimore Aquatic Club came from behind in the last 75 meters and turned it on in the final stretch to overcome early leader Ally Howe to win her first event in 2:12.10. She was also second in the 400 IM and third in the 400 freestyle during the meet. “I always know I have a great back half in the 200 fly because I am primarily a distance swimmer,” Mann said. “Having that mentality is great for the closing 50.” Training mate Allison Schmitt, 23, won the “B” final in 2:13.74 that would have placed her second in the “A” final.

Men’s 200-meter butterfly: In a close three-man race, Tyler Clary, 25, of SwimMAC won by 1/100th of a second in 2:00.39. Tom Luchsinger, 23, of North Baltimore Aquatic Club was second in 2:00.40 and Bobby Bollier, 24, of Stanford Swimming finished third in 2:00.54. “It was actually kind of fun, it was a weird race, you had to play the wind,” Clary said. “I tried to use the wind to my advantage in the last 50. This meet has been a learning experience.”

Men’s 100-meter breaststroke: Slovenian 6-foot-6 Olympian Damir Dugonjic, 26, of California Aquatics reeled in early leader Kevin Cordes, 20, of Tuscon Ford to win in 1:01.62. “I noticed he was a little bit ahead,” Dugonjic said. “For the last couple months I have been working on my last 25 to finish strong. That was usually my weakness. I want to be consistent the rest of the year and fix those little mistakes.”

Women’s 100-meter backstroke: Mexico’s national record holder Fernanda Gonzalez, 23, of the Gator Swim Club knocked off runner-up Cheyenne Coffman, 24, of Fresno State (1:02.25) and Clara Smiddy, 18, of AquaKids Sharks (1:02.40) to win in 1:01.58. “I am really happy, plus yesterday was my birthday so it was an awesome present,” she said. “We were talking about the wind in the ready room, It is actually pretty difficult. Most of us took an extra stroke. It was really hard counting strokes to get to the wall.”

Men’s 100-meter backstroke: Russian Arkady Vyatchanin, 30, of New York Athletic Club swept the backstroke events by outsprinting Olympian Matt Grevers, 29, in the final 15 meters to win in 54.40. Grevers finished in 54.50. Bolles alum Ryan Murphy, 18, of California was fifth in 56.20 after going 57.16 in prelims. Michael Andrew, 15, of Indie Swimming was eighth in 57.16. Andrew replaced Ryan Lochte, who scratched as a precaution with a tight hamstring. “I just tried to do my finish like I always do,” Vyatchanin said. “I saw him on the last meter and was hoping I would touch first.”

Women’s 200-meter individual medley: Against a strong field, Katie Hoff, 24, of Hurricane Aquatics attacked the race from start-to-finish showing people she is back in a big way. She won in 2:12.92. Caitlin Leverenz, 23, of California Aquatics was second in 2:14.61. Hoff had a full body length lead through the backstroke and started the freestyle with a two body length lead. “I am pretty excited, I am definitely thrilled with the time,” Hoff said. “Going in I was really hoping for a 2:12. I am really, really happy with that time. I think I just needed to step away a little bit from swimming for a while and now I am really happy.” Katie Ledecky, choosing to focus on her best event, the 800-meter freestyle, scratched from the 200 IM final.

Men’s 200-meter individual medley: South African Darian Townsend, 29, of the New York Athletic Club, who has applied for U.S. citizenship, led from start to finish to win by a full body length in 2:02.07. Lochte also scratched from this event. Asked why he continues to do well and stay in the sport, Townsend said, “Obviously I love the sport, I have been doing it all my life. It’s something I have a passion for.”

Women’s 800-meter freestyle: Shooting for 8:18, Olympian Katie Ledecky, 17, of Nation’s Capital won in 8:20.10. “I just keep training hard,” said the world and American record holder. “I just wanted to put on a good swim, I am very happy with it. I wanted to end on a good note after having a pretty good meet here. I just tried to maintain my same tempo.” Becca Mann, 16, was third in 8:35.15.

Men’s 1500-meter freestyle: Michael McBroom, 22, of The Woodlands led from wire-to-wire to win by 50 meters 15:08.86, moving him to 16th in the world this year. “I just tried to push the pace,” he said. “It’s a hard race when you are out there by yourself. It’s more fun when there is someone there pushing you. Trying to negative split it is always my race strategy.”

Women’s 400-meter medley relay: SwimMAC won the three-team race in 4:20.69 with Katie Meili, Micah Lawrence, Kathleen Baker and Becca Postoll. The women and men’s relays were combined for one race.

Men’s 400-meter medley relay: New York Athletic Club won in a convincing 3:46.74 with David Plummer, Josh Hall, Arkady Vyatchanin and Darian Townsend.

The fourth stop of the Arena Grand Prix Series has a star-studded field of more than 500 swimmers with 27 Olympic medalists from seven countries who have combined to win 97 medals. Nearly 50 members of the U.S. national team are also in the field. The next Arena Grand Prix is May 15-18 in Charlotte, N.C.

The Grand Prix Series offers $150,000 in total prize money, $25,000 per stop during its six-meet schedule. The top three finishers in each event earn $500 for first, $300 for second and $100 for third along with grand prix points. The top male and female point earners will win a one-year lease on a BMW.

TYR JAX 50

In front of a full house and national livestream audience on Florida Swim Network, Josh Schneider won the men’s title with a victory over Eric McGinnis in 19.32. McGinnis’ time was 19.59.

Madison Kennedy won the women’s race in 21.92, beating Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace in 22.07.

Florida State and Florida Gold Coast swimmer Paul Murray beat fellow Seminole Mark Weber for third place in 19.85.

Lara Jackson finished in 22.63 to earn third place over Amanda Weir in 22.83.

The pro men and women winners earned $2,500; second place $1500, third place $750 and fourth place $250.

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

SOFLO Swimmers End IMX Challenge On Winning Note

By Sharon Robb

April 26, 2014

South Florida Aquatic Club boys’ team swept all six individual events and two relays on the final day of the IMX Challenge Saturday at Academic Village Pool.

The boys were on fire in the 200-yard freestyle relays.

The “A” relay of Leonardo Mateus, Eiza Gantus, Bryant Segui and Rafael Rodriguez won the 12-and-under title in 2:06.85.

The 13-and-over “A” relay of Alfredo Mesa, Cristian Rossi, Jordan Colon and Ryan Capote won in 1:48.52.

Rafael Rodriguez, 12, was a triple winner in the individual events in career-best long course times.

Rodriguez won the 12-and-under races in the 100-meter butterfly in 1:07.26; 100-meter backstroke in 1:10.51 and 100-meter breaststroke in 1:19.47.

Other individual winners were Nelson Diaz in the 200-meter butterfly in a best time 2:15.67; Esteban Diaz-Velasco in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:18.24 and Ervin Marin in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:44.34.

The SOFLO girls’ team had their share of winners, too.

The SOFLO “B” relay with Jacqueline Lugo, Molly Golding, Kyana Castro and Michelle Marinheiro won the 12-and-under 200-meter freestyle in 2:12.80 and “A” relay of Kathleen Golding, Kylie Herman, Delanie Perez and Olivia Katcher won the 13-and-over title in 2:02.46.

Vanessa Mesa, 12, won the 100-meter butterfly in a best time 1:14.93 (3.67 time drop).

Annita Huang, 12, won the 100-meter backstroke in a best time 1:18.01 (1.28 time drop).

Kelley Heron, 14, won the 200-meter backstroke in 2:31.46.

Elise Larin, 12, won the 100-meter breaststroke in a best time 1:24.43 (2.32 time drop).

SOFLO point-leaders in the pentathlon and sextathlon combined events were: Sally Golding, 9, 3,247 points; Zackary Harris, 9, 3,529; Sara Quintero, 10, 3,056; Kyana Castro, 11, 3,185; Joseph Lee, 11, 3,237; Marianna Serrao, 12, 2,887; Rafael Rodriguez, 12, 4,115; Kathleen Golding, 13, 4,464; and Ervin Marin, 14, 3,845;

SATURDAY IMX CHALLENGE TOP 10 RESULTS

GIRLS

200-meter freestyle relay:

12-and-under, 1. SOFLO B (Jacqueline Lugo, Molly Golding, Kyana Castro, Michelle Marinheiro), 2:12.80, 2. SOFLO C (Sara Quintero, Paola Huerta, Alana Acevedo, Katrina Del Vecchio) 2:17.65, 5. SOFLO F (Bella Leggett, Kylie McIntosh, Celnia Lumelski, Rebekah Ling) 2:29.80, 6. SOFLO D (Jasmine Ashmet, Lauren Siegman, Sophia Bedoya, Sally Golding) 2:33.46, 8. SOFLO E (Sarah Acevedo, Jena Legaspi, Salma Hegazy, Erika Pelaez) 2:36.21, SOFLO A DQ.

200-meter freestyle relay:

13-and-over, 1. SOFLO A (Kathleen Golding, Kylie Herman, Delanie Perez, Olivia Katcher), 2:02.46, 3. SOFLO B (Abolade Oyetunji, Astrid Rigau, Andrea Pereira, Jessica Rodriguez), 2:06.45, 4. SOFLO C (Jennifer Rodriguez, Katherine DeBarros, Kellie Wilcox, Zariya Harris), 2:16.66.

100-meter butterfly:

12-and-under, 1. Vanessa Mesa, SOFLO 1:14.93, best time; SOFLO: 2. Kyana Castro 1:16.64, best time, 3. Marianna Serrao 1:20.73, best time, 4. Isabella Di Salvo 1:22.03, 5. Elise Larin 1:22.31, best time, 6. Annita Huang 1:22.97, 8. Jacqueline Lugo 1:23.59, 10. Sara Quintero 1:26.46.

200-meter butterfly:

13-and-over, 1. Kelly Fertel, Rockway 2:29.43; SOFLO; 2. Kathleen Golding 2:31.77, 3. Jessica Rodriguez 2:42.04, 4. Olivia Katcher 2:44.62, 5. Delanie Perez 2:45.29, best time, 6. Kylie Herman 2:47.10, 9. Kelley Heron 2:54.74, 10. Alexandra Crespo 2:56.10, best time.

100-meter backstroke:

12-and-under, 1. Annita Huang, SOFLO 1:18.01, best time; SOFLO: 2. Isabella Di Salvo 1:18.17, best time, 3. Marianna Serrao 1:19.49, 4. Vanessa Mesa 1:21.63, best time, 5. Molly Golding 1:22.39, best time, 6. Kyana Castro 1:22.59, best time, 8. Elise Larin 1:23.69, best time, 10. Michelle Marinheiro 1:26.01, best time.

200-meter backstroke:

13-and-over, 1. Kelley Heron, SOFLO 2:31.46; SOFLO: 3. Kathleen Golding 2:35.56, best time, 4. Jessica Rodriguez 2:37.78, 8. Andrea Pereira 2:47.61, 10. Kylie Herman 2:48.51.

100-meter breaststroke:

12-and-under, 1. Elise Larin, SOFLO 1:24.43, best time; SOFLO: 2. Marianna Serrao 1:27.84, 3. Molly Golding 1:30.68, best time, 5. Vanessa Mesa 1:34.33, best time, 6. Annita Huang 1:34.65, best time, 7. Kyana Castro 1:35.16, best time, 10. Isabella Di Salvo 1:36.96, best time.

200-meter breaststroke:

13-and-over, 1. Kelly Fertel, Rockway 2:45.49; SOFLO: 2. Jessica Rodriguez 2:48.58, 3. Kelley Heron 2:54.92, 4. Kathleen Golding 2:54.98, 5. Delanie Perez 3:02.94, 7. Jennifer Rodriguez 3:07.60, 10. Katherine De Barros 3:13.05.

BOYS

200-meter freestyle relay:

12-and-under, 1. SOFLO A (Leonardo Mateus, Eiza Gantus, Bryant Segui, Rafael Rodriguez), 2:06.85, 2. SOFLO B (Nicolas Rossi, Joseph Lee, Zackary Harris, Brandon Moran), 2:14.04, 3. SOFLO C (Sebastian Sierra, Marcos Vazquez, Roberto Garrido, Derek Tom), 2:21.97, 4. SOFLO D (Aldo Zepeda, Alex Golding, Alejandro Mateus, Tanner Gibson), 2:41.58.

13-and-over: 1. SOFLO A (Alfredo Mesa, Cristian Rossi, Jordan Colon, Ryan Capote), 1:48.52, 2. SOFLO B (Esteban Diaz-Velasco, Ervin Marin, CJ Kopecki, Juan Lucas), 1:49.15, 4. SOFLO C (Simon Ortiz, Juan Osorio, Tyler Gibson, Kevin Porto), 1:58.30.

100-meter butterfly:

12-and-under, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 1:07.26, best time; SOFLO: 2. Bryant Segui 1:13.93, best time, 3. Leonardo Mateus 1:15.53, best time, 4. Brandon Moran 1:17.70, best time, 5. Joseph Lee 1:18.65, best time, 6. John Paul Handal 1:19.65, best time, 7. Sebastian Sierra 1:20.43, best time.

200-meter butterfly:

13-and-over, 1. Nelson Diaz, SOFLO 2:15.67, best time; SOFLO: 2. CJ Kopecki 2:16.27, best time, 5. Alfredo Mesa 2:26.01, best time, 6. Ervin Marin 2:29.52, 8. tie, Jordan Colon 2:32.84, best time and Juan Lucas 2:32.84, best time, 10. Kevin Porto 2:35.72, best time.

100-meter backstroke:

12-and-under, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 1:10.51, best time; SOFLO: 2. Leonardo Mateus 1:13.52, best time, 3. Bryant Segui 1:18.91, best time, 5. John Paul Handal 1:20.06, best time, 6. Brandon Moran 1:20.39, best time, 7. Joseph Lee 1:22.79, best time, 8. Eiza Gantus 1:23.75, best time, 9. Nicolas Rossi 1:26.76, best time, 10. Roberto Garrido 1:27.27, best time.

200-meter backstroke:

13-and-over, 1. Esteban Diaz-Velasco, SOFLO 2:18.24; SOFLO; 2. Juan Lucas 2:23.20, 3. Kevin Porto 2:28.04, 6. Alfredo Mesa 2:30.99, 8. Juan Osorio 2:32.84, best time, 10. Samuel Quintero 2:36.22, best time.

100-meter breaststroke:

12-and-under, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 1:19.47, best time; SOFLO: 2. Brandon Moran 1:23.20, best time, 4. Bryant Segui 1:26.78, best time, 5. Eiza Gantus 1:30.71, best time, 6. Leonardo Mateus 1:32.28, best time, 7. Joseph Lee 1:33.62, best time, 10. Nicolas Rossi 1:42.80.

200-meter breaststroke:

13-and-over, 1. Ervin Marin, SOFLO 2:44.34; SOFLO: 2. CJ Kopecki 2:52.47, best time, 5. Samuel Quintero 2:57.47, 7. Alfredo Mesa 3:01.26, best time, 10. Kevin Porto 3:02.53, best time.

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

SOFLO’s Kathleen Golding, Ervin Marin Double Winners At IMX Challenge

By Sharon Robb

April 26, 2014

South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers continue to build on their talented reputation in the Florida Gold Coast.

Several SOFLO swimmers won events and turned in career-best long course times on Day One of the IMX Challenge Friday night at Academic Village Pool.

Teenagers Kathleen Golding, 13, and Ervin Marin, 14, were double winners.

Golding won the 200-meter individual medley in 2:26.11 and 400-meter freestyle in a best time 2:34.20 (0.18 time drop).

Marin won the 200-meter individual medley in a best time 2:19.98 (2.70 time drop) and 400-meter individual medley in 5:01.46.

Individual winners were Sara Quintero and CJ Kopecki.

Quintero, 10, won the 10-and-under 200-meter freestyle in a best time of 2:37.96 with a huge time drop of 5.47.

Kopecki, 14, won the 11-and-over 400-meter freestyle in a best time 4:24.43 (1.47 time drop).

In the boys’ 200-meter individual medley, seven of SOFLO’s top 10 finishers turned in career-best times. In the boys’ 11-and-over 400-meter freestyle, six of SOFLO’s top 10 finishers swam best times. In the girls 10-and-under 200-meter freestyle, five of SOFLO’s top 10 finishers had best times.

The IMX Challenge is a USA Swimming-sanctioned meet that is both fun and motivational and helps young swimmers reach the next level in their swimming careers.

IMX includes a series of five or six events where swimmers can see where their times and scores rank nationally, in their LSC and own home club. The two-day meet concludes on Saturday.

IMX CHALLENGE FRIDAY TOP 10 RESULTS

GIRLS

200-meter individual medley:

Open: 1. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 2:26.11; SOFLO: 3. Olivia Katcher 2:35.02, 5. Kylie Herman 2:42.52, 6. Maria Lopez 2:43.42, 7. Delanie Perez 2:43.55, 8. Vanessa Mesa 2:43.85, best time, 9. Marianna Serrao 2:44.08, best time, 10. Jennifer Rodriguez 2:46.71, best time.

200-meter freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Sara Quintero, SOFLO 2:37.96, best time; SOFLO: 4. Erika Pelaez 2:52.00, best time, 5. Sally Golding 2:53.04, best time, 6. Jasmine Ahmet 2:53.74, 7. Jena Legaspi 2:59.53, best time, 8. Sarah Acevedo 3:00.43, best time.

400-meter freestyle:

11-and-over, 1. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 4:34.20, best time; SOFLO: 2. Kelley Heron 4:41.16, best time, 4. Kylie Herman 4:45.12, 5. Olivia Katcher 4:52.95, 7. Jessica Rodriguez 4:55.04, 8. Maria Lopez 4:55.71, 9. Marianna Serrao 4;57.48.

400-meter individual medley:

13-and-over, 1. Kelly Fertel, Rockway 5:04.58; SOFLO: 2. Kathleen Golding 5:11.08, 3. Olivia Katcher 5:32.80, 4. Kylie Herman 5:41.79, 5. Delanie Perez 5:43.96, 7. Andrea Pereira 5:48.82, 8. Jennifer Rodriguez 5:50.55, 9. Katherine DeBarros 6:01.88.

BOYS

200-meter individual medley:

Open, 1. Ervin Marin, SOFLO 2:19.98, best time; SOFLO: 2. CJ Kopecki 2:21.92, best time, 4. Rafael Rodriguez 2:24.26, best time, 5. Nelson Diaz 2:26.47, best time, 6. Juan Lucas 2:27.18, 8. Kevin Porto 2:27.84, best time, 9. Alex Monti 2:28.18, best time, 10. Esteban Diaz-Velasco 2:32.82.

200-meter freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Dominic Bono, AquaKids Sharks 2:40.42; SOFLO: 2. Zackary Harris 2:45.07, best time, 3. Alex Golding 2:56.52, best time, 4. Alejandro Mateus 2:59.14, 5. Aldo Zepeda 2:59.14, 7. Mark Andre De Gracia 3:12.86, best time, 8. Tanner Gibson 3:23.21, 9. Noah Hew 3:25.24, 10. Miguel Crespo 3:30.57.

400-meter freestyle:

11-and-over, 1. CJ Kopecki, SOFLO 4:24.43, best time; SOFLO: 3. Rafael Rodriguez 4:28.42, best time, 4. Juan Lucas 4:29.19, 5. Alex Monti 4:32.00, best time, 6. Jordan Colon 4:33.22, best time, 7. Kevin Porto 4:33.76, 8. Ervin Marin 4:34.80, 9. Ryan Capote 4:35.27, best time, 10. Esteban Diaz-Velasco 4:35.36, best time.

400-meter individual medley:

13-and-over, 1. Ervin Marin, SOFLO 5:01.46; SOFLO: 2. Nelson Diaz 5:03.60, best time, 3. Juan Lucas 5:07.46, best time, 5. Alfredo Mesa 5:16.69, best time, 6. Alex Monti 5:22.64, 8. Esteban Diaz-Velasco 5:26.52, 9. Juan Osorio 5:26.24, 10. Gustavo Valery 5:27.52.

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

Clara Smiddy Wins Gold At Mesa Arena Grand Prix; SOFLO’s Atkinson Competes Saturday

By Sharon Robb

April 25, 2014

Clara Smiddy of AquaKids Sharks led from start-to-finish against a strong women’s field to win the 200-meter backstroke Friday night at the Arena Grand Prix at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa, Arizona.

The University of Michigan-bound Smiddy, 18, swam a near-perfect race, taking it out strong and building a good lead against a field that included Megan Romano and Elizabeth Beisel to win in 2:12.53.

“I know I was dying that last 50,” Smiddy said. “I was just trying to keep it together. I just want to get faster.”

Smiddy also swam the prelims of the 200-meter freestyle in a best time 2:04.50 and 50-meter freestyle in 26.72.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s three-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson, 25, swam the 50- and 200-meter freestyles. She finished the 50 in 31.58 and 200 free in 2:05.68 that included an opening 28.91 split. She was 25th in the 200.

On Saturday, the third and final day of the meet, Atkinson will swim the 100-meter breaststroke, her signature event, and 100-meter backstroke.

On Friday morning, Michael Phelps swam the butterfly during the 50-meter freestyle prelims and finished in 24.06.

“I just wanted to get the stroke back and feel the water,” Phelps said. “As a whole, I felt pretty good just to get back in the water and race again. I can’t say it enough. I felt like a kid and that was the coolest part about it.”

In other championship finals:

Women’s 400-meter individual medley: Elizabeth Beisel, 21, of Bluefish Swim Club took control of the race during the breaststroke leg to win in 4:39.68. Clearwater’s Becca Mann, 16, of North Baltimore Aquatic Club, was second in 4:42.78. “I just tried to finish,” Beisel said. “We have definitely been working on the breaststroke. I am only two to three weeks into my training. I took a nice break after NCAA’s so I am definitely happy with the race.”

Men’s 400-meter individual medley: Tyler Clary, 25, of SwimMAC easily won in 4:19 ahead of Conor Dwyer, 25, of North Baltimore Aquatic Club in 4:22.26. “The whole race I felt very strong,” Clary said. “I had a different kind of strategy than I normally have and glad it paid off. I have been working really hard all the days leading up to this especially adapting to new program.” Clary said he plans to bounce back between Charlotte and Ann Arbor Mich to train.

Women’s 200-meter freestyle: In a close race, Katie Ledecky, 17, of Nation’s Capital pulled away from defending Olympic champion Allison Schmitt in the final 15 meters to win in a best time 1:56.27. Schmitt, 23, of North Baltimore Aquatic Club was second in 1:56.90. Katie Hoff, 24, of Hurricane Aquatics was third 1:59.93. “I am just getting stronger and feel better in the shorter races,” Ledecky said. “I am happy how my training is paying off in these events. I know Allison is a great closer. It was a very talented field.”

Men’s 200-meter freestyle: Floridian Ryan Lochte, 29, of SwimMAC overtook South African Darian Townsend, 29, of the New York Athletic Club in the final stretch to win in 1:49.48. Townsend was second in 1:49.94.

Men’s 200-meter backstroke: Lanky Russian, Arkady Vyatchanin, 30, of the New York Athletic Club led from start to finish. He had a body length lead for most of the race to win in 1:58.04. Tyler Clary, 25, of SwimMAC was second in 1:59.26. Vyatchanin, who has lived in the U.S. for three years, hopes to swim for the U.S. team. “I am just enjoying the process,” he said. “I know where I am going. I actually wanted to go a little faster about a second faster, but the open outside pools are really tricky for me.” Lochte scratched from the final opting to swim only one event Friday night. He was fifth fastest seed in 2:02.54 after morning prelims.

Women’s 50-meter freestyle: Cheyenne Coffman, 24, of Fresno State knocked off a stacked field to win by 3/10ths of a second in a best time 25.16. Olympian Natalie Coughlin, 31, quickest off the blocks (.69) was leading until Coffman surged in the final five meters. Amanda Weir was second in 25.45 and Coughlin was third in 25.54. “I just stayed with it like practice,” Coffman said. “I put my head down and went for it against a pool full of studs. I just thought I could do this. I saw myself with the girls, I didn’t think I was ahead.”

Men’s 50-meter freestyle: Nathan Adrian, 25, of California Aquatics, looked strong from the start to win by nearly a half-body length in 21.73, the fifth fastest time in the world. “That was a great time, I am certainly happy with that,” Adrian said. “I didn’t have the best start in the world but I’ll take it.”

Women’s 800-meter freestyle relay: SwimMac won the three-team race in 8:48.88 with Katie Meili, 23, Stephanie Nelson, 15, Catherine Maxey, 16, and Becca Postoll, 17.

Men’s 800-meter freestyle relay: Phoenix Swimming, the only relay in the event, won in 8:13.62 with Brian Poon, 16, Joe Turk, 16, James Allen, 17, and Yunseo Jung, 16.

The meet will be live-streamed at usaswimming.org at noon EST with the prelims and 8 p.m. EST with the finals. Universal Sports Network will air live coverage of the meet on Saturday at 8 p.m.

The meet concludes on Saturday. Events are women’s and men’s 200-meter butterfly, 100-meter breaststroke, 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter individual medley, women’s 800-meter freestyle, men’s 1500-meter freestyle and 400-meter medley relays.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Florida Swimmers Dominate Final Day Of CARIFTA Pool Events

By Sharon Robb

April 25, 2014

On the final night of pool swimming, Florida swimmers once again dominated the medal count at the 29th CARIFTA Swimming Championships Friday at the Piscina Olimpico Roly Bislik in Oranjestad, Savaneta, Aruba.

Going into Saturday’s open water 5K events, the Bahamas lead the team standings with 748 points followed by Aruba, 616, Guadeloupe, 538, Martinique, 470, Trinidad and Tobago, 464, Barbados, 435, Jamaica, 401, Suriname, 341, Curacao, 193, and Cayman Islands, 170.

Brothers Jordy Groters, 17, and Patrick Groters, 14, of Aruba and Pine Crest Swimming continued their winning ways in the pool.

Jordy Groters won the 15-17 100-meter breaststroke in 1:04.25. Wayne Denswil, 17, of Suriname and Metro Aquatics took the bronze in 1:07.87.

Patrick Groters won a gold medal in the 13-14 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:15.73, dropping from 2:19.98. He first bettered his best time in prelims with a 2:16.32.

Patrick Groters also was second in the 13-14 400-meter freestyle in a best time 4:13.86, dropping from 4:22.28.

Against a star-studded field, Zuhayr Pigot, 16, of Suriname won the gold medal in the 15-17 50-meter freestyle in 23.80 knocking off David McLeod, 17, of Trinidad and Tobago who finished second in a best time 23.97. Sidrell Williams, 17, of Jamaica and St. Andrew’s Swimming was third in 24.21. Christian Selby, 16, of Barbados was fifth in a best time 24.51 and Jabari Baptiste, 16, of Trinidad and Tobago was sixth in 24.63.

Jordy Groters was the fastest qualifier in the 50-meter freestyle morning prelims in a best time 23.79 but scratched from the final. It was the first time he cracked 24 seconds.

Christian Selby, 16, of Barbados took gold in the 15-17 400-meter freestyle in a best time 4:04.70, dropping from 4:05.24.

Keanan Dols, 15, of Jamaica won the 15-17 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:08.91, dropping from 2:12.20. Baptiste took bronze in a best time 2:13.28, bettering his previous best of 2:16.52. Matthew Lyn, 16, of Jamaica and Pine Crest Swimming was seventh in a best time 2:22.14.

Baptiste was also a member of Trinidad and Tobago’s winning 15-17 200-meter freestyle relay that won in 1:37.67.

Sisters Daniella, 17, and Andrea, 15, of Aruba and Azura Florida Aquatics won a gold medal in the 200-meter freestyle relay in 1:52.55 with teammates Ginayla Arends and Rebecca Maduro.

In the girls’ 15-17 400-meter freestyle, Michelle Dols, 16, of Jamaica took silver in a best time 4:31.03 dropping from 4:32.88 and Daniella van den Berg, 17, of Aruba and Azura Florida Aquatics won the bronze in 4:34.31.

Nicholas Vale, 12, of Jamaica and Azura Florida Aquatics was fourth in the 11-12 400-meter freestyle in a best time 4:41.27, dropping from 4:42.98.

Matthew Lyn, 16, of Jamaica was sixth in the 15-17 400-meter freestyle in 4:22.29 and Keanan Dols, 15, of Jamaica was eighth in 4:24.95.

Annabella Lyn, 13, of Jamaica was 11th in the 13-14 400-meter freestyle in 4:53.22. Lyn, swimming anchor leg, took a bronze medal on Jamaica’s third place 13-14 200-meter freestyle relay in 1:52.94 with teammates Anjuii Barrett, Angara Sinclair and Annastazia Chin.

The Caribbean Free Trade Association-sponsored meet, which features most of the top junior age group swimmers in the Caribbean, is a qualifier for both the Youth Olympic Games and Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships.

The meet concludes on Saturday with the open water 5K events.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson Wins Gold, Breaks Two National Records; Lochte Beats Phelps On Day One Of Mesa Arena Grand Prix

By Sharon Robb

April 24, 2014

Three-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson of South Florida Aquatic Club blew past the women’s field to break her own national record and win gold on opening night of the Arena Grand Prix Thursday at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa, Arizona.

Atkinson, 25, making her meet debut for Speedo, won the 200-meter breaststroke by a body length in a lifetime-best 2:25.52, breaking her own Jamaican national record of 2:28.77. She picked up $500 for first place.

It was a near-perfect swim as Atkinson attacked the race going out fast from the opening 50 meters with a 33.57 split. She led at the 100 at 1:11.07 and by the third 50 meters was ahead by a body length in 1:48.08.

The talented field included Micah Lawrence of SwimMAC, Breeja Larson of Texas A&M, competing in her home pool, and Caitlin Leverenz of California Aquatics.

“I am very happy with my race,” Atkinson said. “In college (Texas A&M) I focused on the 100 and now I am gradually getting back into the 200. I definitely had to focus on my own race.

“I am getting ready for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Scotland,” Atkinson said. “I only have half the world to worry about.”

In morning prelims, Atkinson finished second in her heat in 2:31.86 with the fourth fastest time overall.

Atkinson also showed her versatility with a ninth place seeding in the 100-meter butterfly prelims in a best time 1:01.38 as top qualifier in the “B” final. She came back and won the “B” final in another best time 1:00.87, bettering her Jamaican national record twice. Her previous best was 1:02.52.

“Two personal bests in one night is a great job,” said her longtime SOFLO coach Chris Anderson. “I know it’s been a long time for her 200 to click. She is really understanding the patience in the race. That was a world-class breaststroke. I am very excited about the swim. She is starting to emerge as the best 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke swimmer in the world. It is coming.”

On Friday Atkinson will swim the 50- and 200-meter freestyles and end the meet on Saturday with the 100 breaststroke and 100 backstroke.

In his first race since the 2012 Olympics, Michael Phelps of North Baltimore Aquatic Club posted the fastest 100-meter butterfly time in 52.84 during morning prelims. Despite the time away from the pool, the winningest Olympian of all-time hit his stroke count, underwater kick and distance. He earned the top seed over Ryan Lochte, who came back in finals to finish first in 51.93. Phelps was second in 52.13.

“I felt like a kid, I was enjoying it…I literally felt like a 10-year old kid,” Phelps said after prelims.

Another veteran swimmer in the midst of a comeback also had a good showing.

Katie Hoff, 24, of Hurricane Aquatics was ninth in the 100-meter freestyle prelims in 56.04, bettering her 56.46 seed time and came back in the 100-meter butterfly to qualify fifth in 1:00.67. Hoff finished tenth in the 100 freestyle in 56.17 and was fifth in the 100 butterfly in 1:00.95.

Also in prelims, teenager Katie Ledecky, 17, broke the FINA junior world record in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:05.27, breaking the previous mark of 4:06.30 set in 2008 by Russian Elena Sokolova. Ledecky came back at night to re-break her own record in finals winning in 4:03.84.

In other championship finals:

Women’s 100-meter freestyle: On the comeback trail, Allison Schmitt, 23, of North Baltimore Aquatic Club re-established herself as a force with a victory in 54.46. “It was a great race, I was happy with it,” she said. “I tried to take it out as fast as I could.” She was second fastest qualifier in the 100 freestyle in 55.11 and sixth fastest qualifier in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:12.12. Clara Smiddy, 18, of AquaKids Sharks was second in the “C” final and 18th overall in 56.61.

Men’s 100-meter freestyle: Olympian Nathan Adrian, 25, of California Aquatics, went out quickly in 23.00 and won in 48.23. Roland Schoeman, 33, of Phoenix Swim Club was second in 49.39. Conor Dwyer was third in 49.57 and Lochte was fourth in 49.68. “Not a bad time,” Adrian said. “I am absolutely happy with a 48.2. This meet is a good time to try things. The goal this summer is always to go best times. I have been fortunate to go pretty fast. I know I have to put together a pretty good one to do that.”

Men’s 200-meter breaststroke: In an international-flavored final, Jorge Murillo Valdes, 22, of Bolles, the fourth seed, won in 2:14.81 ahead of top-seed Azad Al-Barazi, 26, of Trojan Swim Club in 2:15.43.

Women’s 400-meter freestyle: Katie Ledecky, 17, of Nation’s Capital, after finishing fourth in the 100 freestyle in 55.22, tied for the fastest time in the world winning in 4:03.84. “That felt pretty good,” she said. “The 100 got me going a little bit for my 400. My coach does a good job of mixing it up in practice.” Clearwater’s Becca Mann, 16, swimming unattached for North Baltimore, was third in 4:08.70.

Men’s 400-meter freestyle: Michael McBroom, 22, of The Woodlands won in 3:50.87 ahead of Conor Dwyer in 3:53.85. “I felt good at the 200 but the second 200 didn’t feel that good,” McBroom said. “I am just coming into the season. I am listening to my coaches more and trying to swim and race better.” Marcelo Acosta, 17, of Azura Florida Aquatics was eighth in 4:00.83.

Women’s 100-meter butterfly: Olympic gold medalist Claire Donahue, 25, of Western Kentucky, who frequently trains with Atkinson and SOFLO, won in 59.05. “This is a pretty good time for now, I am just trying to do and find everything I can to get faster,” Donahue said.

Men’s 100-meter butterfly: And the rivalry resumes. Swimming alongside each other, Daytona Beach’s Ryan Lochte, 29, of Swim MAC won in 51.93 and Phelps was second in 52.13. “At the turn I peaked over and almost started smiling at him,” Lochte said. “Why? Because you were beating me,” Phelps said with a laugh. Added Phelps, “I am my hardest critic. I know what I can do there to improve. There is nothing like being here, having fun in front of packed stands cheering us on. We don’t want to lose to each other but that’s what makes us swim faster. I think I was more calm tonight. Two races down, let’s see what happens tomorrow.” Phelps will compete in the 50-meter freestyle in the same heat as 15-year-old phenom Michael Andrew.

Women’s 400-meter freestyle relay: SwimMAC won the two-team race in 3:55.09 with Katie Meili, Becca Postoll, Alyssa Marsh and Kathryn Sauborn.

Men’s 400-meter freestyle relay: Nitro Swimming won the three-team race in 3:36.12 with Tate Jackson, Sean Grieshop, Mason Tenney and Taylor Abbott.

The meet will be live-streamed at usaswimming.org at noon EST with the prelims and 8 p.m. EST with the finals. Universal Sports Network will air live coverage of the meet on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Friday’s events are women’s and men’s 400-meter individual medley, 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter backstroke, 50-meter freestyle and 800-meter freestyle relays.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Florida Gold Coast’s Groters, Pigot, Van den Berg, Williams Win Gold At CARIFTA

By Sharon Robb

April 24, 2014

Brothers Jordy and Patrick Groters of Aruba and Zuhayr Pigot of Suriname took up where they left off Wednesday night and Daniella van den Berg of Aruba and Sidrell Williams of Jamaica shared the spotlight.

The Florida Gold Coast and international age group stars picked up more gold to add to their medal haul on Day Three of the 29th CARIFTA Swimming Championships Thursday night at the Piscina Olimpico Roly Bislik in Oranjestad, Savaneta, Aruba.

Jordy Groters, 17, of Aruba and Pine Crest Swimming, seeded third going into finals, won the 15-17 200-meter individual medley in 2:10.08. Jamaica’s Keanan Dols, 15, of Jamaica, the top-seed, finished third in a best time 2:10.87, lowering his previous best of 2:14.30.

Also in the 200 IM, Jonathan Farah, 16, of Trinidad and Tobago and American Heritage, making his international debut, was fifth in 2:19.27. Matthew Lyn, 16, of Jamaica was tenth in a best time 2:20.74.

Jordy Groters, the top morning seed, also took a silver medal in the 50-meter breaststroke in 29.37 and Wayne Denswil, 17, of Suriname and Metro Aquatics took the bronze in a best time 30.31. Jordy Groters, swimming leadoff leg, took another silver medal in the 800-meter freestyle relay.

Patrick Groters, 14, of Aruba and Pine Crest Swimming won the 13-14 200-meter individual medley in 2:16.91. Groters swam back-to-back best times including 2:18.91 in prelims bettering his previous best of 2:23.30.

Zuhayr Pigot, 16, of Suriname and Metro Aquatics won the 15-17 100-meter freestyle in a best time 51.59, dropping from 52.40, followed by fifth-seed Christian Selby, 16, of Barbados in a best time, 52.70, dropping from 53.10 for the silver medal. Jabari Baptiste, 16, of Trinidad and Tobago was fourth in 53.14.

After winning relay gold earlier in the meet, Daniella van den Berg, 17, of Aruba and Azura Florida Aquatics won her first individual gold medal in the 15-17 200-meter butterfly in a best time 2:25.52, dropping from 2:31.41.

Sisters Daniella and Andrea, 15, van den Berg won relay gold leading Aruba to a gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle relay in 8:50.77 with teammates Ginayla Arends and Rebecca Maduro.

Daniella Van den Berg also took a bronze medal in the 200-meter individual medley in a best time 2:28.02, dropping from 2:29.06.

Jamaica’s Sidrell Williams, 17, of St. Andrew’s Swimming, seeded second, won the 200-meter butterfly in a lifetime-best 2:09.66, dropping from 2:15.39. It was the first of two gold medals for Williams. Christian Selby, 16, of Barbados took the bronze in 2:14.00 and Kean Dols, 15, of Jamaica was fifth in 2:19.31 after going a best time 2:14.53 in prelims, dropping from 2:24.41.

Jamaica’s Matthew Lyn, 16, Keanan Dols, 15, Sidrell Williams, 17, and Nico Campbell, 16, won the 800-meter freestyle relay in 8:05.78 in the final event of the night.

Nicolas Vale, 12, of Jamaica and Azura Florida Aquatics won two more silver medals. He took second in the 11-12 200-meter individual medley in a best time 2:30.49. His previous best was 2:33.43. Vale, seeded third after prelims, also took second in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:27.49, another best time dropping from 2:31.82.

Annabella Lyn, 13, of Jamaica and Pine Crest Swimming, was eighth in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:45.39 after going a best time of 2:43.50 in prelims dropping from 2:48.37.

The meet concludes on Saturday with the open water 5K events.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Florida Swimmers Dominate Day Two Of CARIFTA Swimming Championships

By Sharon Robb

April 23, 2014

Brothers Patrick and Jordy Groters of Aruba, Christian Selby of Barbados and Zuhayr Pigot of Suriname all struck gold on Day Two of the 29th CARIFTA Swimming Championships Wednesday night at the Piscina Olimpico Roly Bislik in Oranjestad, Savaneta, Aruba.

Patrick Groters, 14, of Pine Crest Swimming won two individual gold medals and bronze medal. He won the 13-14 100-meter backstroke in 1:01.99. Groters earned the top seed in a best time 1:01.96, lowering his previous best of 1:05.39.

Groters also won the 400-meter individual medley in a career-best 4:49.31, bettering his previous best of 4:59.32 and winning by more than a body length and nearly seven seconds.

In the night’s opening event, Groters finished third in the 13-14 200-meter freestyle in a best time 1:59.53, the first time he broke 2 minutes. Groters, the top seed after morning prelims, swam back-to-back best times including 2:00.52 in prelims. His previous best was 2:05.17. It was his third bronze medal of the meet.

Older brother Jordy Groters, 17, won his second individual gold medal of the meet in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:39.83, off his best time of 4:31.56. Keanan Dols, 15, of Jamaica took second in a best time 4:40.14, dropping from 4:44.95.

Selby, 16, the top-seed, won the 15-17 200-meter freestyle in a lifetime-best 1:53.58. His previous best was 1:56.02. It was Selby’s second gold medal. He also won the 1500-meter freestyle in 16:28.53 on opening night.

In a thrilling race, Pigot, 16, of Suriname and Metro Aquatics tied with Dorian Pedro-Leal, 17, of French Guyana for the gold medal in the 15-17 50-meter butterfly in 25.32. Pigot, the fastest qualifier in prelims, posted back-to-back best times of 25.49 and 25.32 lowering his previous best of 25.68.

Sidrell Williams, 17, of Jamaica and St. Andrew’s Swimming took a bronze medal in the 50-meter butterfly in a best time 25.71. His previous best was 26.22. Jabari Baptiste, 16, of Trinidad and Tobago was ninth in 26.79.

Baptiste took a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke in 59.82 behind teammate David McLeod, 17, in 58.72. Both swimmers turned in best times. Baptiste bettered his previous best of 59.87 and McLeod lowered his previous best of 59.65. Keanan Dols, 15, of Jamaica took the bronze in the race in a best time 1:01.16, dropping from 1:06.94. Matthew Lyn, 16, of Jamaica was seventh in a best time 1:04.34, dropping from 1:04.73. Lyn also took a seventh in the 400-meter individual medley in a best time 4:59.93, the first time he cracked 5 minutes bettering his previous best of 5:00.28.

Daniella van den Berg, 17, of Aruba and Azura Florida Aquatics won two individual silver medals. She took second in the 15-17 200-meter freestyle in 2:09.23. Michelle Dols, 16, of Jamaica was fifth in a best time 2:10.97, lowering her previous best of 2:18.14.

Van den Berg also took silver in the 400-meter individual medley in a best time 5:11.61, dropping from 5:17.32.

Sisters Daniella and Andrea, 15, took silver in the 15-17 400-meter medley relay that finished second in 4:39.89 with teammates Ginayla Arends and Rebecca Maduro.

Brienne Renfrum, 16, of Suriname and Metro Aquatics won a silver medal in the 15-17 100-meter backstroke in a best time 1:07.85, dropping from 1:09.11. It was her second silver medal and career-best time.

Nicholas Vale, 12, of Jamaica and Azura Florida Aquatics took a bronze medal in the 11-12 200-meter freestyle in 2:13.22, lowering his previous best of 2:15.86 for the second time. He was fourth fastest qualifier in prelims in a best time 2:15.03. It was his second bronze medal of the meet. Vale was disqualified in the 400-meter individual medley.

In the boys 15-17 400-meter medley relay, Baptiste anchored Trinidad and Tobago’s winning relay that won in 4:00.36. Keanan Dols led off and Sidrell Williams swam third leg of Jamaica’s third place relay (4:02.77).

Annabella Lyn, 13, of Jamaica was sixth in the 13-14 400-meter individual medley in 5:34.98.

The meet concludes on Saturday with the open water 5K events.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com