December 2014 – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

South Florida Aquatic Club Keeps Raising The Bar, Enjoys Another Great Year In 2014

By Sharon Robb

December 31, 2014—Success never gets old at South Florida Aquatic Club.

And, it’s never taken for granted.

After outstanding 2012 and 2013 seasons, SOFLO improved again across the board.

From three-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson breaking a world record to Rafael Rodriguez shattering Florida Gold Coast records, SOFLO enjoyed success at every level.

With talent, depth and good coaching, the largest team in the Florida Gold Coast bonded at every swim meet and never lost sight of the importance of the team concept.

The camaraderie among swimmers and coaches was evident on the pool deck at every short and long course meet during 2014.

As we ring in the New Year on Thursday, let’s reflect on some of the highlights.

SOFLO’s Top 10 Moments Countdown for 2014 were:

10. SOFLO’s Tiffany Oliver of Florida State finishes out college career as the first Seminole in history to defend her Atlantic Coast Conference 50- and 100-yard freestyle titles, with school records in both events and Most Valuable Swimmer honors.

9. SOFLO sends 41 swimmers in three of the four classes at the high school state championships including Julien Pinon, CJ Kopecki and Cristian Rossi of American Heritage Plantation which defended its state 2A boys’ team title.

8. SOFLO qualifies four swimmers for the USA Swimming Speedo Junior Winter Nationals in Federal Way, Wash.

7. SOFLO’s veteran coach Rose Lockie finishes runner-up in the National Age Group Coach of the Year awards.

6. SOFLO defends title at 2014 FGC Winter Championships

5. SOFLO wins 2014 FGC Short Course Senior Championships

4. SOFLO wins back-to-back long and short course Florida Gold Coast 14 & Under Junior Olympics

3. SOFLO achieves USA Swimming Level 4 recognition, the highest level, making it one of the nation’s top clubs and one of only two Level 4 teams in the Florida Gold Coast.

2. SOFLO earns USA Swimming’s Bronze Medal Club Excellence Award for 2015

1. SOFLO three-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson becomes the first black woman to break a world record and win a gold medal at the FINA World Short Course Championships.

Now entering its 15th year, the first ten as Comets Swim Team and fifth year as SOFLO, swimmers, coaches, office staff, parents and volunteers are looking forward to raising the bar even higher in 2015.

Happy New Year!!!

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

South Florida Aquatic Club Earns USA Swimming Bronze Medal Excellence Award

By Sharon Robb

December 26, 2014—South Florida Aquatic Club has been awarded USA Swimming’s Bronze Medal Club Excellence Award for 2015.

The focus of the USA Swimming voluntary program is to identify and reward up to 200 USA Swimming-sanctioned clubs that have attained a high level of athlete performance.

The program strives to meet the following initiatives:

*Promote the development of strong, well-rounded age group and senior swimming programs that produce elite 18-and-under athletes.

*Provide recognition and resources to motivate and assist member clubs to strive for the highest ideals of athlete performances.

SOFLO has been a Bronze Medal club three of the last four years (2012, 2013).

SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson praised his coaching staff for the club’s progress through the years.

“After fifteen years, SOFLO has created an infrastructure with its coaches and staff that cultivates a high level of continuing excellence,” Anderson said.

“It’s always nice for our staff to receive this prestigious award just before the year-end.”

The excellence award program is divided into gold, silver and bronze divisions.

Nation’s Capital Swim Club, led by Katie Ledecky and Andrew Seliskar, is the top-ranked gold medal team with 52,942 points followed by last year’s top-ranked team SwimMAC Carolina with 40,540 points.

Florida has three teams ranked. Bolles Sharks are ranked tenth with 21,203; Sarasota YMCA Sharks are 13th with 20,102; and Gator Swim Club is 20th with 14,009.

It was the first time Gator Swim Club achieved Gold Medal level for the first time this year.

Florida teams achieving silver medal status were St. Petersburg Aquatics (10,624), St. Andrew’s Swimming (8,953), Tampa Bay Aquatics (6,546), Highlander Aquatics (6,121), Swim Fort Lauderdale (5,236) and Pine Crest Swimming (5,178).

Joining SOFLO (3,068) on the bronze medal list are Swim Florida (4,701), Palm Harbor YMCA Piranhas (3,621), AquaKids Sharks (3,215), Metro Aquatic Club of Miami (2,975) and Blue Wave Swimming (2,249)

SOFLO, the largest team in the Florida Gold Coast, is coming off another outstanding year.

For two consecutive years SOFLO has won back-to-back short course and long course Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics team titles in the same year. SOFLO has won five consecutive JO titles and eleven overall.

SOFLO has several Florida Gold Coast record holders including Rafael Rodriguez and recently its three-time Olympian Alia Atkinson of Jamaica broke a world short course record and won her first gold medal at the World Championships.

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

SOFLO’s Julien Pinon Named All-County First Team

By Sharon Robb

December 25, 2014—Julien Pinon of South Florida Aquatic Club earned All-County first team swimming honors.

The American Heritage Plantation junior earned first team honors in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle and 400-yard freestyle relay.

Pinon was the only SOFLO swimmer to be named to first team.

Pinon’s high school coach, Nobutaka Tan, was named Boys Coach of the Year after leading his team to a second consecutive Class 2A state team title.

At the State 2A meet, Pinon was the only American Heritage swimmer to finish among the top three in individual events. He was third in the 200-yard freestyle in a season-best 1:38.66 and second in the 100-yard freestyle in 46.01, also a best time.

Pinon was also a member of the winning 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays.

Ryan Capote, a junior at Pembroke Pines Charter, was selected for second team honors for the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events.

SOFLO teammates Melissa Marinheiro of West Broward and Kelley Heron of Pembroke Pines Charter were named to the girls’ second team.

Marinheiro, a senior headed to Florida Gulf Coast next fall, was honored for her 200- and 500-yard freestyle.

Heron, a freshman, was chosen for her 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard backstroke. Heron was the only freshman honored among the second team individual event swimmers.

SOFLO swimmers earning honorable mention honors were: C.J. Kopecki of American Heritage; Kylie Herman of Cypress Bay; Juan Lucas, Lilli Calero and Bruno Berti of Pembroke Pines Charter; Ricardo Roche and Esteban Diaz-Velasco of Somerset; and Brendan Cassie of West Broward.

The All-County swimming and diving team was announced by the Sun-Sentinel in a special section on Christmas Day. It can also be found online at the newspaper’s website. The Miami Herald’s team is expected to be released in two weeks.

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

NIKE NOVEMBER SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Jacqueline Lugo

By Sharon Robb

Jacqueline Lugo of South Florida Aquatic Club is the Nike Swimmer of the Month for November.

Lugo, 12, a seventh grader at Palm Cove Middle School, started swimming a year and a half ago. Since then she has made remarkable progress.

She joined SOFLO in June 2013 and started working with Coach George. After the Florida Gold Coast Short Course Junior Olympics she joined Coach Rose’s group.

“I wanted to get active in a sport,” Lugo said. “I always liked being in the pool and stuff. It was a fun way to get active. I like competing and meeting new friends when I’m at swim meets.

“I’ve made good friends at SOFLO. They push me in practice. If they didn’t push me I wouldn’t do as well as I want to.”

Lugo had a great month of training and competing. At the Winter Championships, she was a member of two winning relays and nine time drops in seven events during prelims and finals. She totaled 29 points in high point awards.

“I just listen to my coach and do what she says,” Lugo said. “I take her pointers. I’m working on my butterfly and I really like freestyle.’

Lugo was happiest with her 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle on the last day of the meet.

“I was really happy with those two swims,” Lugo said. “I dropped in finals more from prelims. I had a better attitude in finals. Coach Rose told me to have fun.

“My freestyle times improved and I was happy with that. I trained for that meet very hard.”

Lugo has seen how swimming carries over into her every day life in school and when she is taking her singing lessons.

“In swimming I listen to Coach Rose and in school I listen to my teachers and I am more focused in class,” she said. “Swimming has helped my breathing for singing. It helps me get a better breath when I sing and I can sing more without having to breathe again.”

When she doesn’t have swim meets, Lugo is singing on the weekends. She has performed during a parade, talent show and recital.

Lugo is back in the pool working hard toward her next JOs. She would also like to make all-stars.

“I am gearing up for the new year and training hard for future meets,” Lugo said.

Lugo joins other SOFLO Swimmers of the Month sisters Kathleen and Molly Golding for January, Sebastian Sierra for February, Jessica Rodriguez for March, Leonardo Mateus for April, Rafael Rodriguez for May, Valentina Carrion for June, Erika Pelaez for July, Isabella Di Salvo for August, Kellie Wilcox for September and Sara Quintero for November.

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 can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

SOFLO’s Wynter Makes “C” Final; Bolles Wins Combined, Boys Team Titles At Speedo Winter Junior National Championship

By Sharon Robb

December 13, 2014—South Florida Aquatic Club’s Timothy Wynter may just be following in the footsteps of three-time Olympian and world record holder Alia Atkinson.

The Jamaican has been training with SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson since the Commonwealth Games and his progress has been remarkable.

In his Speedo Winter Junior National Championships debut in Federal Way, Wash., Wynter, 18, qualified for the “C” final of the 200-yard backstroke where he finished third in a lifetime-best 1:46.70. His prelim time was 1:47.76.

During the four-day meet, he also competed in the 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke. He had four best times including back-to-back best times in the 200-yard backstroke.

It was only the sixth time Wynter has competed in short course yards. “I am still learning about racing short course,” Wynter said.

Wynter will swim a 200 freestyle long course time trial on Sunday morning before returning to South Florida. SOFLO teammates Melissa Marinheiro and Jessica Rodriguez will also time trial.

Wynter graduated in May from a boarding school in Massachusetts and took a gap year to focus on his training in swimming. He plans to start college (still undecided) next August. He first met SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson at the 2012 World Short Course Championships. He has known Atkinson since he was 11.

“I am training toward qualifying for the Jamaican Olympic team,” said Wynter who broke his first long course national record at age 15.

“It’s been a great experience here training,” Wynter said. “I already see major improvement. My training regimen is changed in and out of the pool and I feel a lot stronger.”

Wynter was pleased with his final race of the meet.

“For my 200 I tried to be as relaxed as possible,” Wynter said. “I settled my nerves and my start felt really good. I felt it was pretty fast. I tried to keep my tempo for the full 200.

“I normally get nervous before all my races. It’s not a bad nervous, it’s more of an adrenaline rush. It’s what I do before every race. I am very pleased with my swims and I know I am only going to get better.”

Anderson was also pleased with Wynter’s showing.

“It was a good swim and I was very, very pleased with it,” Anderson said. “It was a nice way for him to close the meet. He’s been training well. He is working on staying consistent. He has great potential and is something special.”

In other SOFLO news, top Florida Gold Coast official Allan Golding made his national debut as an official at the Speedo Winter Junior National Championships. Golding and his wife have four children who swim at SOFLO, including Kathleen, who competed this past week.

BOLLES WINS IN COACH’S LAST APPEARANCE

Bolles Sharks won the combined and men’s team titles.

With its incredible depth and talent, Bolles won the combined team title with 591 points, a 61-point cushion over runner-up Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics with 530. Scottsdale Aquatic Club was third with 477.

Bolles was the only Florida team in the Top 20.

Bolles won the boys’ team title with 426 points, more than 100 points ahead of runner-up Palo Alto Stanford with 307. Nitro Swimming was third with 300.

Scottsdale Aquatic Club and Y-Spartaquatics Swim Club tied for the women’s team title with 235 points. Bolles was sixth with 165 points.

For Bolles’ coach Sergio Lopez the victory was bittersweet. It was his last appearance with his team. The 45-year-old was recently named head coach of the Singapore Swimming Association’s national team and will leave Jacksonville on Dec. 26.

For nearly eight years, Lopez has been head coach and aquatics director at Bolles. In 2008, Bolles won its first junior national title in Lopez first year with the team.

“Working with the swimmers, coaches and parents, we became a family and built something special from Day One when I got to Bolles,” Lopez said. “It’s been a very good experience watching them do what they did. It shows us that the work we have done had continuity. There is a special meaning here for me since it is my last one.”

Throughout the day, the hashtags on Bolles Facebook page were all-telling: Win This Championship, We Rolling, Believe, Strategy, Championship Drive, On A Mission, Keep Pushing, Mission Accomplished and We Believed.

“In the morning we did a very good job positioning ourselves,” Lopez said. “We had one more final than them. I thought if we could stay the same way at night we would win the meet.

“We are very excited,” Lopez said. “It was a good team effort. We had some very good swims. We had some young kids here and we had swimmers who were at the state meet four weeks ago on a second taper.”

Bolles ended the night with an exciting victory and junior national title in the 400-yard freestyle relay in 2:57.76 with Tyler Rice, Jabari Baptiste, Grady Heath and Andrea Vergani.

In other South Florida highlights:

Marta Ciesla, 16, of Pine Crest Swimming was fifth in the 100-yard freestyle “A” final in 49.29.

Marco Guarente, 17, of Azura Florida Aquatics was fifth in the “B” final in 2:01.48 less than 24 hours after the 100-yard breaststroke where he went 55.86 to finish fourth in the “B” final.

Laine Morgan, 18, of Miami Swimming was fifth in the “C” final of the 100-yard freestyle in 50.80.

Lindsey Swartz, 17, of Pine Crest Swimming was eighth in the “B” final of the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:16.22.

In other final day highlights:

Buoyed by Abbey Weitzeil’s blistering American, U.S. Open and 17-18 NAG 100-yard freestyle (22.29, 24.00 splits) record of 46.29 on leadoff leg, Canyons Aquatics won the 400-yard freestyle relay in 3:18.51. Other relay members were Tamara Santoyo, Mik Ranslem and Alexa Skorus-Neely.

Ryan Hoffer, 16, of Scottsdale became the first 15-16 swimmer to crack the 43-second mark in the 100-yard freestyle in 42.67, his fifth 15-16 NAG record and fourth win of the meet. He went 43.05 in morning prelims. His record time ranks eighth in the nation this year at every level including pro and college.

Ella Eastin, 17, of SOCAL Aquatics broke the 17-18 NAG record in the 200-yard butterfly in 1:54.37.

Sean Grieshop, 16, of Nitro Swimming broke the 15-16 NAG and meet records in the 1,650-yard freestyle in 14:45.40. The previous NAG record was 14:51.81 and previous meet record was 14:55.32. Grieshop’s previous best was 15:01.15.

Gabrielle Kopenski, 14, of Texas Ford Aquatics won the 1,650-yard freestyle in a meet record 15:56.39.

SOFLO and Bolles were among 27 swim clubs competing from around the state. Others were Azura Florida Aquatics, South Florida Aquatic Club, Loggerhead Aquatics, Miami Swimming, Highlander Aquatics, Southwest Stars, Academy Aquatics, Blue Dolfins, Gator Swim Club, Central Florida, West Florida, Area Tallahassee, Makos Aquatics, Swim Florida, Patriot Aquatics, Pine Crest Swimming, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Greater Tampa, Coral Springs Swim Club, Clearwater Aquatics, Charlotte County, Wahoos of Wellington, Kissimmee Swimming, Fast Lane Aquatics, West Florida and St. Augustine.

SATURDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Bolles School Sharks 591, 2. Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics 530, 3. Scottsdale 477; FLORIDA: 26. Highlander 63, 35. Gator Swim Club 44, 43. Pine Crest Swimming 32, 56. Azura Florida Aquatics 25.5, 70. Blue Dolfins 19, 109. Tampa Bay Aquatics 5.5, 111. Greater Tampa Swimming Association 5, 121. Southwest Stars 2.

MEN’S TEAM TOTALS: 1. Bolles 426, 2. Palo Alto Stanford 307, 3. Nitro Swimming 300; FLORIDA: 29. Azura Florida Aquatics 25.5, 38. Blue Dolfins 19, 49. Academy Aquatics 10, 60. Tampa Bay 5.

WOMEN’S TEAM TOTALS: 1. tie, Scottsdale Aquatic Club, Spartaquatics 235, 3. Palo Alto Stanford 223; FLORIDA: 6. Bolles School Sharks 165, 18. Highlander 63, 25. Gator Swim Club 44, 32. Pine Crest Swimming 32.

WOMEN

200-yard backstroke: 1. Taylor Ruck, Scottsdale 1:53.13, 2. Erin Earley, Hopkins Mariner 1:54.61, 3. Abby Richter, Boulder City 1:54.88; FLORIDA: 17. Erin Falconer, Patriot Aquatics 1:58.15, 23. Morgan Tankersley, Greater Tampa Swimming 2:00.16, 30. Katie Duggan, Highlander 1:59.96, 54. Sherridon Dressel, Bolles 2:01.77, 59. Annika Kollevoll, Bolles 2:02.11, 60. Abi Wilder, Bolles 2:02.16, 61. Abbey Duncan, Clearwater 2:02.19, 77. Ashley Boddiford, Blue Dolfins 2:03.22, 84. Chloe Miller, Bolles 2:04.06, 88. Harley Lopez Miro, Bolles 2:04.21.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Stanzi Moseley, Roadrunner 48.44, 2. Taylor Ruck, Scottsdale 48.54, 3. Katrina Konopka, Spartaquatics 48.86 FLORIDA: 5. Marta Ciesla, Pine Crest Swimming 49.29, 15. Katie Schorr, STAR 50.50, 21. Laine Morgan, Miami Swimming 50.80, 23. Claire Rasmus, Bolles 51.41, 40. Kasey Schmidt, Bolles 51.00, 47. tie, Abby Burke, Highlander 51.17 and Sherridon Dressel, Bolles 51.17, 49. Alena Kraus, MACG 51.18, 55. Kyla Valls, Miami Swimming 51.31, 67. Morgan Tankersley, GTSA 51.52, 73. Nata Gvakharia Mgebrishvi, Bolles 51.61, 89. Emma Layton, ATAC 51.90, 96. Lindsey Trematerra, GSC 51.98, 99. Taylor Anderson, Tampa Bay 52.05, 109. Paulina Watson Valero, Bolles 52.14, 112. Gracie Redding, Highlander 52.21, 119. Catharine Cooper, CSSC 52.29, 127. Paige Hamilton, Highlander 52.44.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Emma Schanz, Spokane Waves 2:10.85, 2. Lauren Barber, Jewish Community 2:10.89, 3. Vanessa Pearl, Metroplex Aquatics 2:13.37; FLORIDA: 9. Annie Kyriakidis, Bolles 2:13.52, 16. Lindsey Swartz, Pine Crest Swimming 2:16.22, 22. Olga Lapteva, Bolles 2:17.17, 26. Hannah Burns, Gator Swim Club 2:17.59, 70. Emily Jurich, Pine Crest Swimming 2:20.72, 72. Isabel Ivey, Gator Swim Club 2:20.88, 77. Jessica Rodriguez, South Florida Aquatic Club 2:21.40, 94. Kathleen Golding, South Florida Aquatic Club 2:22.70, 99. Dani Gordon, JCLA 2:23.13, 111. Lauren Peavy, ATAC 2:28.09.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Ella Eastin, SOCAL Aquatics 1:54.37, 2. Ruby Martin, Iowa Flyers 1:56.68, 3. Sonia Wang, Aquazot 1:56.82; FLORIDA: 15. Jessica Nava, Pine Crest Swimming 2:00.49, 48. Carley Lowe, Highlander 2:02.42, 51. Annie Kyriakidis, Bolles 2:02.53, 59. Hannah Burns, Gator Swim Club 2:03.27, 71. Kyla Valls, Miami Swimming 2:04.02, 78. Kahra Williams, Gator Swim Club 2:04.47, 83. Gracie Redding 2:04.86, 88. Alena Kraus, MACG 2:05.14, 97. Chloe Miller, Bolles 2:05.76, 107. Isabel Ivey, Gator Swim Club 2:06.64.

1,650-yard freestyle: 1. Gabrielle Kopenski, TFA 15:56.39, 2. Erin Earley, HMST 16:08.20, 3. Haley Rowley, TOPS 16:11.17; FLORIDA: 11. Kahra Williams, Gator Swim Club 16:26.76, 12. Katie Duggan, Highlander 16:27.91, 25. Emma Layton, ATAC 16:44.40, 33. Kensey McMahon, Bolles 16:51.37, 37. Katelyn Kilpatrick, CFM 16:52.64, 41. Melissa Marinheiro, South Florida Aquatic Club 16:57.13.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Canyons Aquatic Club 3:18.51 (Abbey Weitzeil, Tamara Santoyo, Mik Ranslem, Alexa Skorus-Neely), 2. Spartaquatics 3:20.75, 3. Scottsdale 3:20.91; FLORIDA: 5. Bolles “A” 3:23.06 (Kasey Schmidt, Sherridon Dressel, Nata Gvakharia Mgebrishvi, Claire Rasmus), 8. Highlander Aquatic Club 3:23.57 (Paige Hamilton, Abby Burke, Gracie Redding, Katie Duggan), 18. Southwest Stars 3:26.24 (Sofia Bernard, Katie Schorr, Emily Kliewer, Sarah Passilla), 19. Gator Swim Club 3:26.86, 29. Bolles “B” 3:28.50 (Lindsey Trematerra, Kahra Williams, Isabel Ivey, Hannah Burns).

MEN

200-yard backstroke: 1. Michael Taylor, Dynamo 1:42.61, 2. Braxton Flowers, CFSC 1:44.24, 3. Brennan Balogh, Lincoln Select 1:44.29; FLORIDA: 13. Andy Song An, Bolles 1:47.79, 19. Timothy Wynter, South Florida Aquatic Club 1:46.70, 32. Zachary Poti, Blue Dolfins 1:48.58, 51. Dakota Mahaffey, Bolles 1:49.96, 57. Mateo Gonzalez, Azura 1:50.10, 68. Jake Gibbons, Bolles 1:50.65, 121. Fernando Alatorre, Azura 1:53.28, 128. Robert Ballestas, Miami Swimming 1:54.31, 130. Ziemowit Sokolowski, Bolles 1:55.38.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Ryan Hoffer, Scottsdale 42.67, 2. Tabahn Afrik, Michigan Lakeshore 43.88, 3. Andrea Vergani, Bolles 43.91; FLORIDA: 7. Tyler Rice, Bolles 44.50, 10. Jabari Baptiste, Bolles 44.72, 35. Cody Cline, Wahoos of Wellington 45.81, 39. Raiz Tjon-A-Joe 45.87, 47. Jhonny Perez, Unattached 46.04, 50. Hans Schroeder, CCS 46.08, 54. Cooper Hoffman, Tampa Bay 46.13, 59. Scott Bole, Bolles 46.25, 62. tie, Noah Hensley, Blue Dolfins 46.29 and Mateo Gonzalez, Azura 46.29, 66. Grady Heath, Bolles 46.35, 82. Stefan Spiric, West Florida 46.75, 111. Andy Song An, Bolles 49.55.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Thomas Brewer, Current Swimming 1:57.04, 2. Carson Sand, East Bay Aquatic 1:58.09, 3. Joe Kmak, Palo Alto Stanford 1:58.58; FLORIDA: 6. James Daugherty, Bolles 2:01.00, 10. Rio Kurihara, Bolles 1:59.34, 11. Austin Sellers, AAC 2:00.07, 13. Marco Guarente, Azura 2:01.48, 58. Leonis Lau, Bolles 2:05.14, 59. John Fulginiti, Blue Dolfins 2:05.35, 64. Daniel Pereira, Azura 2:05.53, 81. Ben Whitty, Blue Dolfins 2:06.31, 99. Jason Tillotson, SWIM 2:08.16, 102. John Legge, West Florida 2:08.57, 103. Richard Graves, AAC 2:08.71.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Michael Thomas, Upper Dublin 1:44.33, 2. Matthew Grauslys, Executive Swimming 1:45.14, 3. Javier Barrena, Bolles 1:46.01; FLORIDA: 8. Joey Carbone, Bolles 1:49.18, 37. Ariel Spektor, Bolles 1:50.27, 64. Robert Ballestas, Miami Swimming 1:52.03, 70. Noah Hensley, Blue Dolfins 1:52.22, 82. Eric Geunes, Gator Swim Club 1:52.93, 83. Joshua Monacelli, Highlander 1:53.05, 87. Pablo Martinez, Bolles 1:53.18, 90. Zachary Poti, Blue Dolfins 1:53.35, 93. Marco Leo, SWIM 1:53.65, 102. Gian Garcia, Bolles 1:56.75

1,650-yard freestyle: 1. Sean Grieshop, Nitro Swimming 14:45.40, 2. Taylor Abbott, Nitro Swimming 15:01.46, 3. Sam Magnan, Parkland Aquatics 15:05.26; FLORIDA: 40. Eric Geunes, Gator Swim Club 15:43.38, 45. Jake Gibbons, Bolles 15:46.03, 64. Brandon Christian, West Florida 16:15.80.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Bolles 2:57.76 (Tyler Rice, Jabari Baptiste, Grady Heath, Andrea Vergani), 2. Palo Alto Stanford 2:59.55, 3. Scottsdale 2:59.73; FLORIDA: 14. Bolles “B” 3:03.86 (Scott Bole, Ariel Spektor, Nicholas Hackettm Dakota Mahaffey), 16. Blue Dolfins 3:04.93 (Zachary Poti, John Fulginiti, Jackson Auer, Noah Hensley).

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

SOFLO’s Timothy Wynter Competes In Three Races; Bolles Leads Speedo Winter Junior Nationals

By Sharon Robb

December 13, 2014—South Florida Aquatic Club’s Timothy Wynter continues to gain race experience against the nation’s best swimmers at the Speedo Winter Junior National Championships at Weyerhauser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash.

The Jamaican teenager had a workhorse of a day competing in three events on the third day of the meet.

Wynter, 18, swam 50.20 in the 100-yard butterfly, a 1.05 drop. He went 1:41.19 in the 200-yard freestyle. He went 50.01 in the 100-yard backstroke to finish 37th. It was an 0.10 drop.

Wynter competes in the 200-yard backstroke on Saturday.

Teammate Kathleen Golding went 4:23.96 in the 400-yard individual medley and 1:51.91 in the 200-yard freestyle. Melissa Marinheiro finished the 200-yard freestyle in 1:51.76 and 59.59 in the 100-yard backstroke. Jessica Rodriguez went 1:06.02 in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Buoyed by depth and talent, Bolles leads the combined team and men’s scoring headed into the fourth and final day.

After Day Three, Bolles continues to lead the combined team standings with 422 points. Palo Alto Stanford is second with 408.

Bolles leads the men with men’s standings with 294 points and Palo Alto has 229. Palo Alto leads the women’s with 179 and Bolles is fifth with 128.

Bolles continued to pile up the points with its relays. The Sharks finished second in the boys’ 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:21.86 with Andrea Vergani, Jabari Baptiste, Tyler Rice and Joey Carbone.

Bolles girls finished fourth in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:32.46 with Kasey Schmidt, Sherridon Dressel, Annie Kyriakidis and Claire Rasmus.

Bolles James Daugherty was sixth in the 100-yard breaststroke in 54.98. Teammates Tyler Rice was seventh in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:37.79 and Javier Barrena was ninth in the 100-yard butterfly in 48.20.

In other Florida results:

Hannah Burns, 18, of Gator Swim Club, seeded fourth after morning prelims in 4:15.58, finished third in the 400-yard individual medley in a best time 4:13.14, a 3.62 time drop.

Mateo Gonzalez, 18, of Azura Florida Aquatics was sixth in the 100-yard butterfly in 48.07, just 1/100th off his best time.

In other meet highlights:

In the 100-yard butterfly, Ryan Hoffer, 16, of Scottsdale Aquatic Club broke the meet record and 15-16 NAG record in 46.42. It was his second NAG record of the meet. The previous NAG record was 46.99 by Alexander Valente and meet record was 46.70 by Bolles’ Joseph Schooling.

Eva Merrell, 14, of Aquazot broke the 13-14 NAG in the100-yard butterfly in 53.19. Her previous best was 54.61 before swimming 53.81 in prelims.

Swimming lead-off on the 200-yard freestyle relay, Abbey Weitzeil of Canyons Aquatic Club broke the 17-18 NAG in the 50 freestyle in 21.49.

Stanzi Moseley, 16, won her second event of the meet in the 200-yard freestyle in a meet record 1:44.55. The previous record was held by Florida Gold Coast swimmer Lindsey McKnight, now swimming for University of Florida.

Saturday’s events are 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, 1,650-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly and 400-yard freestyle relay.

Prelims and finals will be webcast live at usaswimming.org. Prelims are noon and finals at 8 p.m. EST.

The state of Florida is well-represented at junior nationals with 27 teams.

In addition to South Florida Aquatic Club there is Bolles,Loggerhead Aquatics, Miami Swimming, Highlander Aquatics, Southwest Stars, Azura Florida Aquatics, Academy Aquatics, Blue Dolfins, Gator Swim Club, Central Florida, West Florida, Area Tallahassee, Makos Aquatics, Swim Florida, Patriot Aquatics, Pine Crest Swimming, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Greater Tampa, Coral Springs Swim Club, Clearwater Aquatics, Charlotte County, Wahoos of Wellington, Kissimmee Swimming, Fast Lane Aquatics, West Florida and St. Augustine.

FRIDAY RESULTS

WOMEN

400-yard individual medley: 1. Ella Eastin, SCAL 4:08.71, 2. Regan Barney, NITRO 4:10.99, 3. Hannah Burns, Gator Swim Club 4:13.14; FLORIDA: 54. Kathleen Golding, South Florida Aquatic Club 4:23.96, 61. Carley Lowe, Highlander 4:25.02, 77. Olga Lapteva, Bolles 4:27.42, 84. Isabel Ivey, Gator Swim Club 4:28.76, 88. Abi Wilder, Bolles 4:29.44, 93. Kahra Williams, Gator Swim Club 4:30.98.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Mackenzie Rumrill, MVA 52.77, 2. Eva Merrell, Aquazot 53.19, 3. Victoria Edwards, TXLA 53.43; FLORIDA: 26. Nata Gvakharia Mgebrishvi, Bolles 54.81, 27. Jessica Nava, Pine Crest Swimming 54.82, 37. Annie Kyriakidis, Bolles 55.20, 41. Laine Morgan, Miami Swimming 55.42, 52. Abby Duncan, Clearwater 55.64, 53. Reilly Lanigan, Patriot Aquatics 55.68, 55. Sherridon Dressel, Bolles 55.70, 63. Kasey Schmidt 55.85, 71. Piage Hamilton, Highlands 56.09, 76. Chloe Miller, Bolles 56.26, 90. Gracie Redding, Highlander 56.56, 143. Katie Schorr, Southwest Stars 57.62, 150. Annie Kollevoll, Bolles 57.80, 151. Abby Burke, Highlander 57.84, 154. Lindsey Trematerra, Gator Swim Club 58.03, 160. Carley Lowe, Highlander 58.24.

200-yard freestyle: 1.Stanzi Moseley, Roadrunner Aquatic 1:44.55, 2. Lauren Pitzer, Lakeside 1:45.68, 3. Taylor Ruck, SAC 1:45.81; FLORIDA: 29. Claire Rasmus, Bolles 1:49.82, 31. Katie Duggan, Highlander 1:49.84, 46. Kyla Valls, Miami Swimming 1:50.50, 55. Haley Nelson, Patriot Aquatics 1:50.83, 59. Abby Burke, Highlander 1:50.94, 74. Melissa Marinheiro, South Florida Aquatic Club 1:51.76, 77. Valero Watson, Bolles 1:51.89, 78. Kathleen Golding, South Florida Aquatic Club 1:51.91, 81. Harley Lopez Miro, Bolles 1:51.98, 82. Mgeb Gvakharia, Bolles 1:52.00, 83. Hannah Burns, Gator Swim Club 1:52.02, 89. Kasey Schmidt, Bolles 1:52.39, 99. Kahra Williams, Gator Swim Club 1:52.79, 112. Lindsey Trematerra, Gator Swim Club 1:53.36, 113. Katie Schorr, Southwest Stars 1:53.37, 127. Kensey McMahon, Bolles 1:54.22.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Lindsey Horejsi, Mantas Swim Club 1:00.24, 2. Nikol Popov, Canyons 1:00.86, 3. Vivian Tafuto, Hershey 1:01.08; FLORIDA: 19. Lindsey Swartz, Pine Crest Swimming 1:03.05, 35. Ann Kyriakidis, Bolles 1:03.57, 70. Olga Lapteve, Bolles 1:04.72, 81. Emily Jurich, Pine Crest Swimming 1:05.23, 103. Jessica Rodriguez, South Florida Aquatic Club 1:06.02, 105. Isabel Ivey, Gator Swim Club 1:06.16.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Taylor Ruck, SAC 52.95, 2. Maddie Banic, QSTS 53.04, 3. Hanni Leach, MAC 53.08; FLORIDA: 29. Abby Duncan, Clearwater 55.40, 37. Sherridon Dressel, Bolles 55.71, 42. Haley Nelson, Patriot Aquatics 55.83, 51. Morgan Tankersley, Greater Tampa Swimming 56.20, 58. Laine Morgan, Miami Swimming 56.30, 66. tie, Erin Falconer, Patriot Aquatics 56.46, Abi Wilder, Bolles 56.46, 86. Katie Duggan, Highlander 56.85, 97. Anni Kollevoll, Bolles 57.10, 99. Chloe Miller, Bolles 57.16, 102. Jessica Nava, Pine Crest Swimming 57.25, 122. Harley Lopez Miro, Bolles 57.79, 123. Abby Burke, Highlander 57.80, 141. Melissa Marinheiro, South Florida Aquatic Club 59.59.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Canyons 1:31.14 (Abbey Weitzeil, Tamaro Santoyo, Nikol Popov, Mik Ranslem), 2. Palo Alto 1:31.98, 3. Scottsdale 1:32.03; FLORIDA: 4. Bolles 1:32.46 (Kasey Schmidt, Sherridon Dressel, Annie Kyriakidis, Claire Rasmus), 10. Highlander 1:34.22 (Katie Duggan, Abby Burke, Gracie Redding, Paige Hamilton), 22. Southwest Stars 1:35.83 (Sofia Bernard, Katie Schorr, Sarah Passilla, Bridget Kelley), 23. Bolles 1:36.00 (Nata Gvakharia Mgehrishvi, Harley Lopez Miro, Paulina Watson Valero, Chloe Miller), 28. Gator Swi Club 1:36.20 (Lindsey Trematerra, Isabel Ivey, Hannah Burns, Kahra Williams).

MEN

400-yard individual medley: 1. Sean Grieshop, NITRO 3:44.52, 2. Alex Lebed, Unattached MA 3:47.36, 3. Brennan Balogh, LSS 3:49.36; FLORIDA: 71. Jake Gibbs, Bolles 4:04.24, 78. Eric Geunes, Gator Swim Club 4:04.98, 80. Jason Tillotson, SWIM 4:05.68, 91. Marco Leo, SWIM 4:12.95.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Ryan Hoffer, Scottsdale 46.42, 2. Michael Andrew, Indianapolis 47.38, 3. Michael Jensen, UDAC 47.45; FLORIDA: 6. Mateo Gonzalez, Azura 48.07, 9. Javier Barrena, Bolles 48.20, 15. Rio Kurihara, Bolles 49.17, 23. Noah Hensley, Blue Dolfins 49.45, 30. Ariel Spektor, Bolles 49.34, 33. Jabari Baptiste, Bolles 49.41, 41. Walker Brooks, Kissimmee Swimming 49.67, 45. Zachary Poti, Blue Dolfins 49.84, 50. Jhonny Perez, Unattached 49.92, 52. Robert Ballestas, Miami Swimming 49.96, 60. Joey Carbone, Bolles 50.16, 64. Joshua Monacelli, Highlander 50.19, 65. Timothy Wynter, South Florida Aquatic Club 50.20, 66. Noah Lense, Tampa Bay 50.22, 72. James Daugherty, Bolles 50.28, 76. Cristian Tapia-Vera, Bolles 50.33, 77. Nicholas Hackett, Bolles 50.35, 82. Gian Garcia, Bolles 50.42, 87. Nicholas Loomis, SAST 50.49, 90. Richard Graves, AAC 50.54.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Michael Jensen, UDAC 1:35.40, 2. Aidan Burns, SCSC 1:36.50, 3. Knox Auerbach, DYNA 1:36.82; FLORIDA: 7. Tyler Rice, Bolles 1:37.79, 10. Andrea Vergani, Bolles 1:38.28, 13. Scott Bole, Bolles 1:39.13, 32. Hans Schroeder, CCS 1:39.91, 37. Andy Song An, Bolles 1:40.10, 39. Dakota Mahaffey, Bolles 1:40.14, 42. Grady Heath, Bolles 1:40.23, 43. Cody Cline, Wahoos of Wellington 1:40.24, 66. Timothy Wynter, South Florida Aquatic Club 1:41.19, 77. Eric Geunes, Gator Swim Club 1:41.49, 83. Nicholas De La Osa, Patriot Aquatics 1:41.70, 93. Stanislav Van Genderen, SWIM 1:42.06, 107. Brandon Christian, West Florida 1:42.93, 116. Noah Hensley, Blue Dolfins 1:43.81, 121. Pablo Martinez, Bolles 1:44.59, 123. Joey Carbone, Bolles 1:44.91, 125. Cristian Tapia-Vera, Bolles 1:44.98, 126. Nicholas Hackett, Bolles 1:46.21, 128. Ariel Spektor, Bolles 1:49.95.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Blair Bish, LRAD 53.42, 2. Jeremy Babinet, 53.70, 3. Carson Sand, EBA 54.09; FLORIDA: 6. James Daugherty, Bolles 54.98, 11. Rio Kurihara, Bolles 55.69, 12. Marco Guarente, Azura 55.86, 13. Austin Sellers, AAC 55.90, 16. Andrea Vergani, Bolles 56.46, 38. Raiz Tjon-A-Joe, Azura 56.79, 80. Ben Whitty, Blue Dolfins 57.93, 83. John Fulginiti, Blue Dolphins 57.95, 84. Leonis Lau, Bolles 57.96, 88. Richard Graves, AAC 58.01, 90. Joshua Monacelli, Highlander 58.09, 107. John Legge, West Florida 58.70, 109. Daniel Pereira, Azura 58.73, 111. Ryan Graff, Pine Crest 58.79,112. Cory Klemm, SWIM 58.83, 119. Parker Andrews, Bolles 59.06.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Ryan Hoffer, Scottsdale 47.19, 2. Michael Thomas, UDAC 47.34, 3. Michael Taylor, DYNA 47.92; FLORIDA: 14. Zachary Poti, Blue Dolfins 49.24, 15. Jabari Baptiste, Bolles 49.38, 22. Dakota Mahaffey, Bolles 49.84, 30. Andy Song An, Bolles 49.77, 37. Timothy Wynter, South Florida Aquatic Club 50.01, 46. Javier Barrena, Bolles 50.24, 49. Hans Schroeder, CCS 50.35,60. Tyler Rice, Bolles 50.68, 73. Mateo Gonzalez, Azura 50.98, 76. Cooper Hoffman, Tampa Bay 51.01, 96. Noah Hensley, Blue Dolfins 51.49, 106. Stefan Spiric, West Florida 51.68, 111. Robert Ballestas, Miami Swimming 51.81, 116. Jake Gibbons, Bolles 51.95, 118. Fernando Alatorre, Azura 51.99, 133. Walker Brooks, KSA 52.39, 140. Ziemowit Sokolowski, Bolles 52.81, 151. Nicholas Loomis, SAST 53.77.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Scottsdale 1:20.86 (Ryan Hoffer, Jack Blake, DJ Brown, Thomas Ottman), 2. Bolles 1:21.86 (Andrea Vergani, Jabari Baptiste, Tyler Rice, Joey Carbone), 3. Palo Alto 1:21.95; FLORIDA: 12. Bolles “B” 1:23.81 (Scott Bole, Grady Heath, Ariel Spektor, Dakota Mahaffey), 20. Blue Dolfins 1:25.15 (Jackson Auer, John Fulginiti, Zachary Poti, Noah Hensley), 22. Azura Florida Aquatics 1:25.68 (Raiz Tjon-A-Joe, Marco Guarente, Mateo Gonzalez, Fernando Alatorre).

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

SOFLO’s Golding, Wynter Have Best Showing; Bolles Leads Combined, Boys Standings At Winter Junior Nationals

REVISED STORY:

By Sharon Robb

December 11, 2014—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers got off to a good start at the Speedo Winter Junior National Championships Thursday at Weyerhauser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash.

Despite the pressure-packed atmosphere in the national spotlight, Kathleen Golding, 14, had an impressive showing in the 200-yard individual medley.

Golding dropped nearly a second for a lifetime-best 2:03.98 in short course. Her long course time is 2:21.43. Her splits were 26.81 (butterfly), 31.73 (backstroke), 36.62 (breaststroke) and 28.82 (freestyle).

Jamaican Timothy Wynter, 18, won his 100-yard freestyle time trial. Despite a late start, Wynter swam 45.32, just off his best time of 45.01.

“Timothy did a nice job,” SOFLO coach Chris Anderson said. “It’s giving him a lot of confidence. I think he is going to pop a nice one.”

Melissa Marinheiro and Jessica Rodriguez, who also swam on Thursday, round out SOFLO’s four-swimmer contingent, one of the largest groups SOFLO has qualified for junior nationals.

“Being here is all about experience for our swimmers,” Anderson said. “I still want to see results but I know it’s going to take time for them to get used to being at this level.”

Bolles Sharks made it a clean sweep in the medley relay national age group records.

A day after Bolles broke the 15-16 national age group record in the 200-yard medley relay, the foursome of Dakota Mahaffey, 16, James Daugherty, 16, Ariel Spektor, 15, and Tyler Rice, 16, broke the 15-16 NAG record in the 400-yard medley relay in 3:16.18 and finished second overall.

The Sharks broke the old record by nearly three seconds. The previous mark of 3:18.91 was held by Aquazot.

The splits were 49.19 by Mahaffey, 54.05 by Daugherty, 48.82 by Spektor and blistering 44.12 anchor leg by Rice.

Bolles “A” relay was third in 3:16.33 with Andy Song An, Andrea Vergani, Javier Barrena and Jabari Baptiste.

The finish of the 400-yard medley relays were delayed when a wind storm passing through the area knocked out the power in the middle of a race leaving the indoor facility in pitch dark and swimmers on their backstroke leg during heat six of the women’s relays. The meet was delayed for 30 minutes. Officials decided to complete the remainder of the relay races. After a 15-minute warm-up, the meet resumed.

“Yes, it’s crazy,” wrote Olympian Maritza Correia McClendon of Nike on her Facebook page after posing a video of the black out.

After Day Two, Bolles leads the combined team standings with 292 points ahead of Palo Alto Stanford with 256. Bolles lead the men’s standings with 194 followed by Palo Alto Stanford with 151. Spartaquatics leads the women’s standings with 117 points. Palo Alto Stanford is second with 105 and Bolles is third with 98 points.

Two more NAG records were broken on Thursday.

Nitro’s top-seed Sean Grieshop, 16, broke the 15-16 NAG record in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:16.59.

Ryan Hoffer, 16, of Scottsdale broke his own 15-16 national age group record twice, first in morning prelims in 19.45 and then finals to win in 19.38. His previous mark was 19.53.

Canyon Aquatic Club broke a meet record in the women’s 400-yard medley relay and won in 3:37.37 with Mik Ranslem, Nikol Popov, Tamara Santoyo and Abbey Weitzeil.

Palo Alto Stanford broke the meet record in the men’s 400-yard medley relay in 3:14.80 with Benjamin Ho, Joe Kmak, Joe Molinari and Alberto Gwo.

Friday’s events are 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard freestyle relay.

Prelims and finals will be webcast live at usaswimming.org. Prelims are noon and finals at 8:30 p.m. EST.

The state of Florida is well-represented at junior nationals with 27 teams.

In addition to Bolles, there is South Florida Aquatic Club Loggerhead Aquatics, Miami Swimming, Highlander Aquatics, Southwest Stars, Azura Florida Aquatics, Academy Aquatics, Blue Dolfins, Gator Swim Club, Central Florida, West Florida, Area Tallahassee, Makos Aquatics, Swim Florida, Patriot Aquatics, Pine Crest Swimming, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Greater Tampa, Coral Springs Swim Club, Clearwater Aquatics, Charlotte County, Wahoos of Wellington, Kissimmee Swimming, Fast Lane Aquatics, West Florida and St. Augustine.

THURSDAY RESULTS

WOMEN

500-yard freestyle: 1. Taylor Ruck, SAC-AZ 4;41.38, 2. Lauren Pitzer, LAC 4:42.80, 3. Sandra Soe, SCSC 4:45.18; FLORIDA: 5. Katie Duggan, Highlands 4:45.71, 12. Morgan Tankersley, Great Tampa Swimming 4:49.36, 19. Reilly Lanigan, Patriot Aquatics 4:49.68, 26. Hannah Burns, Gator Swim Club 4:51.72, Alena Kraus, Makos Aquatics 4:52.70, 29. Alena Kraus, MAC 4;52.70, 40. Emma Layton, Area Tallahassee 4:54.64, 45. Kahra Williams, Gator Swim Club 4:55.14, 49. Kendall Dawson, Fast Lane Aquatics 4:55.93, 66. Melissa Marinheiro, South Florida Aquatic Club 4:58.65, 69. Harley Lopez Miro, Bolles 4:59.21, 74. Paulina Watson Valero, Bolles 5:00.36, 77. Kensey McMahon, Bolles 5:01.32, 81. Katelyn Kilpatrick, Central Florida 5:02.91.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Ella Eastin, SCAL 1:56.55, 2. Lauren Barber, JCCS 1:57.98, 3. Kim Williams, BC 1:59.58; FLORIDA: 57. Annie Kyriakidis, Bolles 2:03.92, 60. Kathleen Golding, South Florida Aquatic Club 2:03.98, 62. Hannah Burns, Gator Swim Club 2:04.04, 67. Lindsey Swartz, Pine Crest 2:04.20, 80. Laine Morgan, Miami Swimmng 2:04.70, 83. Carley Lowe, Highlander 2:04.85, 113. Claire Rasmus, Bolles 2:06.14, 119. Ashley Boddiford, BD 2:06.29, 132. Isabel Ivey, Gator Swim Club 2:06.86, 150. Olga Lapteva, Bolles 2:07.57, 165. Jessica Rodriguez, South Florida Aquatic Complex 2:08.94.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Stanzi Moseley, Roadrunner Aquatics 22.11, 2. Katrina Konopka, YSSC 22.43, 3. Kasey Schmidt, Bolles 22.55, 4. Marta Ciesla, Pine Crest Swimming 22.56; FLORIDA: 17. Sherridon Dressel, Bolles 23.07, 22. Morgan Tankersley, GTSA 23.48, 53. Taylor Anderson, Tampa Bay 23.66, 58. Katie Schorr, STAR 23.70, 66. Claire Rasmus, Bolles 23.74, 72. Nata Gvakharia Mgebrishvi, Bolles 23.76, 74. Gracie Redding, Highlander 23.77, 75. Alena Kraus, MAC 23.78, 78. Abby Burke, Highlander 23.79, 83. Catharine Cooper, CSSC 23.84, 85. Paige Hamilton, Highlander 23.86, 106. Isabel Ivey, Gator Swim Club 24.04, 109. Abbey Duncan, Clearwater 24.06, 112. Lindsey Trematerra, Gator Swim Club 24.08, 112. Jessica Nava, Pine Crest 24.08.

400-yard medley relay: 1. Canyon 3:37.37 (Mik Ranslem, Nikol Popov, Tamara Santoyo, Abbey Weitzeil), 2. Spartaquatics 3:39.62, 3. Aquazot 3:49.87; FLORIDA: 4. Bolles “A” 3:41.80 (Sherridon Dressel, Annie Kyriakidis, Nata Gvakharia Mgebrishvi, Kasey Schmidt), 12. Bolles “B” 3:46.45 (Annika Kollevoll, Olga Lapteva, Chloe Miller, Claire Rasmus), 28. Highlander 3:49.37 (Abby Burke, Carley Lowe, Paige Hamilton, Gracie Redding), 39. Gator Swim Club 3:51.26 (Isabel Ivey, Hannah Burns, Kahra Williams, Lindsey Trematerra), 43. Southwest Stars Swim Club 3:53.25 (Sofia Aledo, Sami Schieffelin, Emily Kliewer, Katie Schorr).

MEN

500-yard freestyle: 1. Sean Grieshop, NITRO 4:16.59, 2. Aidan Burns, SCSC 4:21.17, 3. Walker Higgins, TNAQ 4:23.13; FLORIDA: 59. Eric Geunes, Gator Swim Club 4:33.49, 62. Dakota Mahaffey, Bolles 4:33.97, 67. Scott Bole, Bolles 4:34.29, 68. Stanislav Van Genderen Swim Florida 4:34.31, 84. Brandon Christian, West Florida 4:36.94, 85. Jake Gibbons, Bolles 4:37.08, 87. Nicholas De La Osa, Patriot Aquatics 4:37.58, 96. Pablo Martinez, Bolles 4:42.60.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Michael Thomas, UDAC 1:45.54, 2. Michael Andrew, IS 1:45.75, 3. Aidan Burns, SCSC 1:47.04; FLORIDA: 6. Rio Kurihara, Bolles 1:47.84, 18. Javier Barrena, Bolles 1:48.93, 24. Mateo Gonzalez, Azura 1:51.23, 29. Tyler Rice, Bolles 1:50.30, 40. Joey Carbone, Bolles 1:50.97, 49. Marco Guarente, Azura 1:51.74, 57. John Fulginiti, Blue Dolfins 1:52.18, 75. Ariel Spektor, Bolles 1:52.81, 92. Austin Sellers, AAC 1:53.57, 105. Fernando Alatorre, Azura 1:54.13, 110. Marco Leo, SWIM 1:54.20, 117. Daniel Pereira, Azura 1:54.59, 123. Gian Garcia, Bolles 1:54.90, 129. Jason Tillotson, SWIM 1:55.47, 133. Nicholas De La Osa, Patriot Aquatics 1:55.72, 136. Cristian Tapia-Vera, Bolles 1:55.82, 141. Richard Graves, AAC 1:56.58, 142. Ziemowit Sokolowski, Bolles 1:56.66.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Ryan Hoffer, SAC 19.38, 2. Tate Jackson, NITRO 20.09, 3. Albert Gwo, PASA 20.11; FLORIDA: 8. Andrea Vergani, Bolles 20.48, 11. Cooper Hoffman, Tampa Bay 20.61, 21. Jabari Baptiste, Bolles 20.72, 22. Noah Hensley, Bolles 20.78, 24. Cody Cline, Wahoos of Wellington 21.21, 26. Tyler Rice, Bolles 20.77, 34. Raiz Tjon-A-Joe, Azura 20.90, 42. Jhonny Perez, Unattached 21.00, 56. Hans Schroeder, CCS 21.10, 68. Marco Guarente, Azura 21.22, 76. Stefan Spiric, West Florida 21.29, 93. Walker Brooks, KSA 21.44, 104. John Fulginiti, Blue Dolfins 21.62, 117. Joey Carbone, Bolles 24.48.

4×100-yard medley relay: 1. Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics 3:14.80, 2. Bolles “B” 3:16.18 (Dakota Mahaffey, James Daugherty, Ariel Spektor, Tyler Rice), 3. Bolles “A” 3:16.33 (Andy Song An, Andrea Vergani, Javier Barrena, Jabari Baptiste), FLORIDA: 16. Blue Dolfins 3:21.54 (Zachary Poti, Ben Whitty, Noah Hensley, John Fulginiti), 17. Azura 3:22.38 (Fernando Alatorre, Marco Guarente, Mateo Gonzalez, Raiz Tjon-A-Joe), 37. Academy Aquatic Club 3:29.48 (Sam Sands, Austin Sellers, Richard Graves, Tommy Shaffer).

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

SOFLO’s Golding, Wynter Have Best Showing; Bolles Leads Combined, Boys Standings At Winter Junior Nationals

By Sharon Robb

Despite the pressure-packed atmosphere in the national spotlight, Kathleen Golding, 14, had an impressive showing in the 200-yard individual medley.

Golding dropped 17.45 seconds to swim a lifetime-best 2:03.98. Her previous best was 2:21.43. Her splits were 26.81 (butterfly), 31.73 (backstroke), 36.62 (breaststroke) and 28.82 (freestyle).

Jamaican Timothy Wynter, 18, won his 100-yard freestyle time trial. Despite a late start, Wynter swam 45.32, just off his best time of 45.01.

“Timothy did a nice job,” SOFLO coach Chris Anderson said. “It’s giving him a lot of confidence. I think he is going to pop a nice one. Kathleen had a good swim.”

Melissa Marinheiro and Jessica Rodriguez, who also swam on Thursday, round out SOFLO’s four-swimmer contingent, one of the largest groups SOFLO has qualified for junior nationals.

“Being here is all about experience for our swimmers,” Anderson said. “I still want to see results but I know it’s going to take time for them to get used to being at this level.”

Bolles Sharks made it a clean sweep in the medley relay national age group records.

The Sharks broke the old record by nearly three seconds. The previous mark of 3:18.91 was held by Aquazot.

The splits were 49.19 by Mahaffey, 54.05 by Daugherty, 48.82 by Spektor and blistering 44.12 anchor leg by Rice.

Bolles “A” relay was third in 3:16.33 with Andy Song An, Andrea Vergani, Javier Barrena and Jabari Baptiste.

“Yes, it’s crazy,” wrote Olympian Maritza Correia McClendon of Nike on her Facebook page after posing a video of the black out.

Two more NAG records were broken on Thursday.

Nitro’s top-seed Sean Grieshop, 16, broke the 15-16 NAG record in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:16.59.

Ryan Hoffer, 16, of Scottsdale broke his own 15-16 national age group record twice, first in morning prelims in 19.45 and then finals to win in 19.38. His previous mark was 19.53.

Canyon Aquatic Club broke a meet record in the women’s 400-yard medley relay and won in 3:37.37 with Mik Ranslem, Nikol Popov, Tamara Santoyo and Abbey Weitzeil.

Palo Alto Stanford broke the meet record in the men’s 400-yard medley relay in 3:14.80 with Benjamin Ho, Joe Kmak, Joe Molinari and Alberto Gwo.

Friday’s events are 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard freestyle relay.

Prelims and finals will be webcast live at usaswimming.org. Prelims are noon and finals at 8:30 p.m. EST.

The state of Florida is well-represented at junior nationals with 27 teams.

THURSDAY RESULTS

WOMEN

MEN

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

SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson’s World Record Named Speedo Performance Of The Week

By Sharon Robb

December 10, 2014—South Florida Aquatic Club’s Alia Atkinson was honored by Speedo after her world record performance at last week’s 12th FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The three-time Jamaican Olympian became the first black swimmer to break a world record and first Jamaican to win a gold medal at world championships.

Atkinson out-touched reigning Olympic and defending champion Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania to win the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:02.36, also a meet record which Meilutyte had broken the day before in 1:02.43.

Meilutyte, 17, has held the world record since 2012 and now shares it with Atkinson, who has now beaten the teenager three times in the last two months.

It was also a Jamaican national record for Atkinson bettering her previous best of 1:02.54.

Atkinson, a Speedo-sponsored elite athlete, is a leading candidate for Jamaica’s Sportswoman of the Year which will be announced later this month.

Enith Brigitha, born on the West Indian island of of Curacao, represented the Netherlands was the first black swimmer to win an Olympic medal (bronze in the 100-meter freestyle) at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Atkinson’s post-race photos of her surprised reaction after breaking the world record and winning a gold medal has been used worldwide in newspapers, websites and television broadcasts.

Tumblr also paid tribute to Atkinson. The popular social media platform used her picture as one of the site’s background photo images to its welcome page.

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

Alia Atkinson-Inspired SOFLO Swimmers Ready For Speedo Winter Junior National Championships

By Sharon Robb

December 9, 2014—After watching teammate Alia Atkinson win gold and tie a world record at the recent FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships, South Florida Aquatic Club’s contingent at the Speedo Winter Junior National Championships have a little added motivation.

“It’s definitely going to play into it at this meet,” SOFLO coach Chris Anderson said.

“It added to the momentum our kids already had after states and winter championships. They have been building off each other and it’s positive momentum.”

SOFLO has qualified four swimmers for the four-day meet that begins on Wednesday with a relay-only session at Weyerhauser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash.

SOFLO qualifiers are Florida Gulf Coast-bound Melissa Marinheiro, 17, Jamaican national record holder Timothy Wynter, 18, Jessica Rodriguez, 15, and Kathleen Golding, 14.

A field of more than 1,100 swimmers will compete in the short course yards meet. The prelims and finals will be webcast live at usaswimming.org. Prelims are noon and finals at 8 p.m. EST.

“This is one of our biggest groups going in a long time,” Anderson said. “I am really excited to see them representing us at the national level. They have been training well and they are going after best times and second swims.

“They were all inspired at what Alia did and know that anything is possible.”

The state of Florida will be well-represented with 27 teams having qualified at least one swimmer.

In addition to SOFLO, other Florida teams competing are Bolles, Loggerhead Aquatics, Miami Swimming, Highlander Aquatics, Southwest Stars, Azura Florida Aquatics, Academy Aquatics, Blue Dolfins, Gator Swim Club, Central Florida, West Florida, Area Tallahassee, Makos Aquatics, Swim Florida, Patriot Aquatics, Pine Crest Swimming, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Greater Tampa, Coral Springs Swim Club, Clearwater Aquatics, Charlotte County, Wahoos of Wellington, Kissimmee Swimming, Fast Lane Aquatics, West Florida and St. Augustine.

Bolles has the largest contingent with 32 swimmers.

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