TYR JANUARY SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Victoria Torres

By Sharon Robb

February 23, 2017—Victoria Torres is a quick study.

The South Florida Aquatic Club swimmer only started competitive swimming two years ago and has already made remarkable progress in Coach Luis Soler’s Asteroids Group.

Torres, 12, a seventh grader at Pembroke Pines Charter, switched from martial arts including Ju Jitsu and Muy Thai to swimming in 2015 and has yet to regret her decision.

“I was getting really tired of martial arts and decided I wanted to transfer to a new sport,” Torres said. “My cousin Anna in Colorado is a really good swimmer on a travel team so I decided to follow in her footsteps and give swimming a try.”

Torres’ progress in the pool has been remarkable. She attributes her athleticism and fitness level from martial arts to helping her pick up swimming quickly.

“I think martial arts helped me a lot with my endurance and ability to do things longer because it’s really hard,” Torres said.

“I am a quick learner,” she said. “I love being in the water. I like swimming and I love getting tired after a workout. I hate it and I love it at the same time. You can’t really get injured unless you do your stroke wrong.”

Her time improvements keep her motivated, she said. They have been impressive drops.

At the Jan. 27-29 TYR SOFLO Open, Torres had five best times. Torres dropped 1.57 in the 50-yard breaststroke in 34.91; 0.51 in the 50-yard freestyle in 30.43; 3.20 in the 50-yard backstroke in 37.35; 0.83 in the 50-yard butterfly in 38.15; and 1.86 in the 100-yard individual medley in 1:16.81.

At the Feb. 11-12 Pine Crest Panther Invite earlier this month, she had a huge 5.74 time drop in the 200-yard freestyle for a best time 2:29.82. She also dropped 4.44 in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:17.77 to finish third and 0.68 in the 50-yard freestyle in 29.75, just shy of her JO cut.

“Dropping times motivates me,” Torres said. “I don’t know why I perform really well. I think when I am with my friends they encourage me to do well and I relax.”

Torres started in SOFLO’s Dippers and is working her way up the ladder. Her goal is to get to Bronze Group before she turns 13 in October.

She would also like to get a few more Junior Olympic qualifying times. She has her JO cuts in the 50- and 100-yard breaststroke events. She is knocking on the door in the 50-yard freestyle.

“I want to try to get more JO times,” said Torres, who competes next in the March 3-5 Area 3 Championships with her SOFLO teammates in her home pool at Academic Village. The meet is a short course developmental championship meet.

“I would like to improve my strokes, too,” she said. “I want to stay with swimming for a long time.”

Each TYR Swimmer of the Month receives a free TYR backpack.

SOFLO sponsor TYR is a USA manufacturer of recreational and competitive swimwear, caps, goggles, triathlon gear and accessories and one of the nation’s top companies.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Jennifer Martin Triple Winner At Fort Lauderdale Masters Challenge

By Sharon Robb

February 19, 2017—Jennifer Martin took another big step in her training for the Aug. 7-16 World Police & Fire Games in Los Angeles.

“I am right where I need to be five months out,” the South Florida Aquatic Club masters swimmer wrote on her Facebook page.

The City of Pembroke Pines police sergeant who trains at SOFLO’s Academic Village Pool, was a triple winner on Sunday at the 24th annual Fort Lauderdale Masters Challenge at Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.

Martin, 36, won the 50-yard butterfly in 28.52, a 0.38 time drop from her seeded time in the 35-39 age group and was second overall behind Olympian and national record holder Carolina Colorado of Colombia, a former SOFLO swimmer.

The women’s butterfly field also featured Olympic gold medalist Claudia Poll, 44, of Costa Rica, who won the 40-44 age group in 32.07.

“I got to race my childhood hero and won!” Martin wrote. “What an unbelievable woman and competitor.”

Martin won the 50-yard freestyle in 25.63, a 0.27 time drop. Despite a bad turn, she won her age group and finished second overall again behind Colorado.

Martin also won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:12.84, a 3.16 time drop, to win both her age group and overall title.

Martin, also a distance runner, is fine tuning her swimming for the World Games.

The Aug. 7-16 World Police & Fire Games in Los Angeles is an Olympic-style competition that attracts 10,000 athletes from 70 countries competing in 60 events.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Kraft, Pacheco Triple Winners In Final Session Of Gulliver Winter Classic

By Sharon Robb

February 19, 2017—Cassandra Kraft of Gulliver Swim Club and Sebastian Pacheco of Metro Aquatics each won three events to highlight action Sunday in the fifth and final session of the Gulliver Winter Classic.

Kraft, 10, won the 100-yard individual medley in 1:07.82; 50-yard butterfly in 29.04; and 100-yard freestyle in 59.01. All three were time drops.

Kraft was also second in the 50-yard backstroke in 31.33, also a time drop.

Pacheco, 12, won the 100-yard individual medley in 1:04.63, 100-yard freestyle in 56.55 and 50-yard backstroke in 31.32. He had time drops in the IM and freestyle.

SUNDAY SESSION V RESULTS

GIRLS

100-yard individual medley:

12-and-under, 1.Cassandra Kraft, Gulliver 1:07.82, 2. Beverly Muzii, Miami Swimming 1:11.03, 3. Sophie Lamelas, Gulliver 1:11.19.

50-yard butterfly:

12-and-under, 1. Cassandra Kraft, Gulliver 29.04, 2. Martina Mardi, MFSC 30.35, 3. Isabella Alvarez, MAC 30.43

100-yard breaststroke;

1.Bianca Nieto, CM 1:16.83, 2. Aria Torretta, Gulliver 1:17.49, 3. Casey Perez, Blue Marlins 1:21.31.

100-yard freestyle:

1.Cassandra Kraft, Gulliver 59.01, 2. Isabella Alvarez, MAC 1:00.93, 3. Meghan Perez, Gulliver 1:00.93.

50-yard backstroke:

1.Martina Mardi, MFSC 31.17, 2. Cassandra Kraft, Gulliver 31.33, 3. Andrea Lopez-McNenney, Florida Keys 33.40.

BOYS

100-yard individual medley:

1.Sebastian Pacheco, MAC 1:04.63, 2. Dylan Smiley, MCDA 1:07.60, 3. Leonardo Leon, CM 1:08.09.

50-yard butterfly:

1.Dylan Smiley, MCDA 28.58, 2. Parker Rosenthal, Gulliver 30.31, 3. Carlos Veccio, MAC 30.33.

100-yard breaststroke:

1.Leonardo Leon, CM 1:16.93, 2. Giancarlo Suarez, Blue Marlins 1:21.28, 3. Henry Ajo, Blue Marlins 1:22.19.

100-yard freestyle:

1.Sebastian Pacheco, MAC 56.55, 2. Dylan Smiley, MCDA 59.19, 3. Carlos Veccio, MAC 59.27.

50-yard backstroke:

1.Sebastian Pacheco, MAC 31.32, 2. Sten Erik Soomre, MFSC 33.49, 3. Carlos Veccio, MAC 34.15.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Molly Golding Leads SOFLO At Gulliver Winter Classic Fourth Session

By Sharon Robb

February 19, 2017—Molly Golding came up big again for South Florida Aquatic Club Sunday in the fourth session of the Gulliver Winter Classic.

Golding won the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:27.57, more than a second ahead of runner-up Stephanie Suarez of Metro Aquatics in 2:28.83.

Golding was also ninth in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:05.12 with a time drop.

Other SOFLO Top 10 finishers were:

Paige Lane, fourth, 100-yard freestyle, 55.16 and fourth, 100-yard butterfly, 1:00.02.

Katrina Del Vecchio, sixth, 1,650-yard freestyle, 18:59.12; eighth, 100-yard butterfly, 1:01.84, time drop and ninth, 100-yard freestyle, 55.76, time drop.

Nicolas Rossi, sixth, 1,650-yard freestyle, 17:33.93.

Lance Lesage, ninth, 100-yard backstroke, 58.24.

Javier Roman, tenth, 200-yard breaststroke, 2:25.73, time drop.

Luke Lezotte, tenth, 100-yard butterfly, 53.80, time drop.

It was SOFLO’s final session of the day. No SOFLO swimmers were entered in the fifth and final session.

SUNDAY SESSION IV RESULTS

GIRLS

200-yard individual medley:

1.Cloe Bedard-Khalid, MAC 2:12.39, 2. Anelis Roque, MAC 2:14.46, 3. Stephanie Suarez, MAC 2:15.44; SOFLO: 12. Sophia Ruppert 2:20.68, 18. Mallory Schleicher 2:25.14, time drop, 30. Alana Acevedo 2:31.54, time drop, 35. Kalin Hubbard 2:34.85.

100-yard freestyle:

1.Gabrianna Banks, HAT 53.96, 2. Emily Cordovi, Gulliver 54.10, 3. Gaby Antonini, Gulliver 55.07; SOFLO: 4. Paige Lane 55.16, 9. Katrina Del Vecchio 55.76, time drop, 17. Kyana Castro 57.37, time drop, 18. Abby Oyetunji 57.41, 19. Sophia Ruppert 57.44, 24. Molly Golding 58.66, time drop, 33. Mallory Schleicher 59.93, time drop, 34. Sara Quintero 59.96, time drop, 39. Sarah Acevedo 1:00.34, 42. Kalin Hubbard 1:01.83, 55. Valeria Garcia 1:04.46, time drop.

200-yard breaststroke:

1.Molly Golding, SOFLO 2:27.57, 2. Stephanie Suarez, MAC 2:28.83, 3. Olivia Hernandez, Gulliver 2:30.73; SOFLO: 18. Sara Quintero 2:48.80, time drop, 21. Alana Acevedo 2:55.80, time drop.

100-yard butterfly:

1.Brooke Ellis, Gulliver 58.95, 2. Jocelyn Ruiz, Blue Marlins 59.34, 3. Cloe Bedard-Khalid, MAC 59.58; SOFLO: 4. Paige Lane 1:00.02, 8. Katrina Del Vecchio 1:01.84, time drop, 11. Sophia Ruppert 1:02.17, 12. Kyana Castro 1:02.64, 23. Sarah Acevedo 1:05.79, time drop, 28. Mallory Schleicher 1:07.33, time drop, 37. Kalin Hubbard 1:10.87, time drop.

100-yard backstroke:

1.Emily Cordovi, Gulliver 58.85, 2. Gaby Antonini, Gulliver 59.75, 3. Angelina Roque, MAC 1:01.78; SOFLO: 9. Molly Golding 1:05.12, time drop, 17. Sophia Ruppert 1:06.75, 19. Paige Lane 1:06.89, time drop, 23. Kyana Castro 1:07.93, 33. Sarah Acevedo 1:11.01, 36. Alana Acevedo 1:12.32, time drop, 43. Kalin Hubbard 1:12.89, time drop, 52. Abby Oyetunji 1:20.25.

1,650-yard freestyle:

1.Marcella Ruppert-Gomez 17:21.21, 2. Alicia Mancilla, Gulliver 17:31.73, 3. Gaby Antonini, Gulliver 18:00.87; SOFLO: 6. Katrina Del Vecchio 18:59.12.

BOYS

200-yard individual medley:

1.Vladimir Quizhpe, MAC 1:54.57, 2. Adrian Aguilar, MAC 1:55.01, 3. Marcelo Lauzurique, Gulliver 1:57.71; SOFLO: 15. Tyler Bland 2:08.50, time drop, 32. Nicolas Rossi 2:16.18, 39. Marcos Vazquez 2:17.59, time drop, 40. Yannai Michael 2:17.74, time drop, 46. Nicolas Munoz 2:19.86, 52. Zackary Harris 2:23.04.

100-yard freestyle:

1.Alfred Pappe, MAC 46.48, 2. Miguel Cancel, Gulliver 47.03, 3. Adrian Aguilar, MAC 47.08; SOFLO: 14. Luke Lezotte 49.93, 16. Michael Arias 50.45, time drop, 24. Lance Lesage 51.63, time drop, 47. Tyler Bland 53.86, 54. Juan Colmenares 54.28, time drop, 58. Nicolas Rossi 54.59, 64. John Paul Handal 55.01, time drop, 65. Nicolas Munoz 55.03, time drop, 69. Wyatt Jennessee 55.63, 71. Gabriel Quiros 55.89, time drop, 84. Chris Vasquez 57.43, time drop, 89. Ty Lezotte 57.93, time drop, 92. Zackary Harris 58.51, 94. Mark Andre De Gracia 59.33, time drop.

200-yard breaststroke:

1.Marcelo Lauzurique, Gulliver 2:06.35, 2. Brandon Vives, MAC 2:12.35, 3. Miguel Cancel, Gulliver 2:13.88; SOFLO: 10. Javier Roman 2:25.73, time drop, 11. Yannai Michael 2:30.09, time drop, 17. Juan Colmenares 2:35.13, time drop, 21. Mark Andre De Gracia 2:38.88.

100-yard butterfly:

1.Vladimir Quizhpe, MAC 49.31, 2. Adrian Aguilar, MAC 50.45, 3. Adrian Moya, MAC 51.07; SOFLO: 10. Luke Lezotte 53.80, time drop, 52. Marcos Vazquez 1:10.16, time drop, 57. Javier Roman 1:02.38, time drop, 70. Chris Vasquez 1:04.57, time drop, 73. Zackary Harris 1:05.35, time drop, 88. Nicolas Munoz 1:13.24, time drop.

100-yard backstroke:

1.Aitor Fungairino, MAC 51.83, 2. Miguel Cancel, Gulliver 52.45, 3. Trey Gribble, Gulliver 55.33; SOFLO: 9. Lance Lesage 58.24, 15. Wyatt Jennessee 1:00.73, 21. Michael Arias 1:02.87, 26. John Paul Handal 1:03.54, 27. Marcos Vazquez 1:03.78, 31. Juan Colmenares 1:04.20, time drop, 33. Ty Lezotte 1:04.65, time drop, 42. Nicolas Munoz 1:05.80, 44. Gabriel Quiros 1:05.90, time drop, 51. Mark Andre De Gracia 1:08.58, 54. Chris Vasquez 1:09.39.

1,650-yard freestyle:

1.Andres Vargas, MAC 16:23.56, 2. Richie Almagro, Gulliver 16:53.91, 3. Roberto Valdes, Gulliver 16:54.44; SOFLO: 6. Nicolas Rossi 17:33.93.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

National Age Group Record Falls At Gulliver Winter Classic Third Session

By Sharon Robb

February 19, 2017—Kaii Winkler gave Florida Gold Coast fans a treat Saturday during the third session of the Gulliver Winter Classic.

Winkler, 10, of Miami Swimming set the 10-and-under national age group record in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:57.75.

Swimming in Lane 4, his splits were 27.32, 29.63, 30.62 and 30.18, Winkler won by half a pool length and time drop of 2.07 seconds. His previous best was 1:59.82.

SATURDAY SESSION III RESULTS

GIRLS

200-yard freestyle:

12-and-under, 1. Cassandra Kraft, Gulliver 2:10.08, 2. Corley Smith, Florida Keys 2:12.99, 3. Meghan Perez, Gulliver 2:13.10.

100-yard backstroke:

12-and-under, 1. Cassandra Kraft, Gulliver 1:07.91, 2. Andrea Lopez-McNenney, Florida Keys 1:11.26, 3. Martina Mardi, MFSC 1:11.27.

50-yard breaststroke:

12-and-under, 1. Bianca Nieto, CM 35.07, 2. Casey Perez, Blue Marlins 37.48, 3. Sophie Lamelas, Gulliver 38.31.

50-yard freestyle:

12-and-under, 1. Cassandra Kraft, Gulliver 27.09, 2. Martina Mardi, MFSC 27.36, 3. Meghan Perez, Gulliver 28.11.

100-yard butterfly:

12-and-under, 1. Casey Perez, Blue Marlins 1:05.49, 2. Cassandra Kraft, Gulliver 1:05.60, 3. Isabella Alvarez, MAC 1:11.26.

BOYS

200-yard freestyle:

12-and-under, 1. Kaii Winkler, Miami Swimming 1:57.75, 10-and-under national record; 2. Sebastian Pacheco, MAC 2:03.41, 3. Carlos Veccio, MAC 2:07.10.

100-yard backstroke:

1.Sebastian Pacheco, MAC 1:05.84, 2. Henry Ajo, Blue Marlins 1:08.58, 3. Dylan Smiley, MCDA 1:10.33.

50-yard breaststroke:

1.Sebastian Pacheco, MAC 33.80, 2. Dylan Smiley, MCDA 34.46, 3. Leonardo Leon, CM 34.97.

50-yard freestyle:

1.Dylan Smiley, MCDA 26.64, 2. Carlos Veccio, MAC 27.09, 3. Henry Ajo, Blue Marlins 27.09.

100-yard butterfly:

1.Dylan Smiley, MCDA 1:07.23, 2. Carlos Veccio, MAC 1:09.12, 3. Leonardo Leon, CM 1:10.70.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Molly Golding Top Finisher, Rossi Posts Huge Time Drop In Gulliver Winter Classic Session II

By Sharon Robb

February 18, 2017—Molly Golding of South Florida Aquatic Club was her team’s only individual winner Saturday in the second session of the Gulliver Winter Classic.

Golding, 13, topped a field of 77 swimmers to win the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:09.09.

Golding swam a best time in the 500-yard freestyle which she finished seventh in 5:24.31, dropping 5.00. She was also 14th in the 50-yard freestyle in 26.84, dropping 0.60.

Other top SOFLO finishers in session two were:

Paige Lane was fourth in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:58.47. She was also fifth in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:18.50.

Michael Arias, 14, had a huge time drop of 10.95 in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:04.60 to finish 16th.

He also had a nice time drop of 4.74 in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:50.62 for 16th place.

Nicolas Rossi, 13, also had a huge time drop of 16.29 in the 500-yard freestyle to finish in 5:12.59.

Tyler Bland, 15, had a 5.22 time drop in the 100-yard breaststroke to finish 18th in 1:06.92.

Juan Colmenares, 13, dropped 4.23 in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:10.84.

SATURDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

200-yard freestyle:

1.Stephanie Hernandez, MAC 1:57.10, 2. Emily Cordovi, Gulliver 1:57.35, 3. Olivia Hernandez, Gulliver 1:58.34; SOFLO: 4. Paige Lane 1:58.47, 8. Kyana Castro 2:01.52, 9. Katrina Del Vecchio 2:01.54, 14. Sophie Ruppert 2:04.13, 15. Abby Oyetunji 2:05.07, 22. Mallory Schleicher 2:07.25, 23. Rebekah Ling 2:07.36, 31. Sarah Acevedo 2:09.86, 42. Kalin Hubbard 2:13.12, 58. Fabiana Avendano 2:20.26, time drop, 63. Valeria Garcia 2:22.91, time drop.

100-yard breaststroke:

1.Molly Golding, SOFLO 1:09.09, 2. Olivia Hernandez, Gulliver 1:09.57, 3. Stephanie Suarez, MAC 1:09.84; SOFLO: 21. Sara Quintero 1:18.31, time drop, 32. Rebekah Ling 1:21.20, time drop, 35. Alana Acevedo 1:22.23, time drop, 42. Valeria Garcia 1:27.15.

200-yard backstroke:

1.Gaby Antonini, Gulliver 2:09.81, 2. Marcella Ruppert-Gomez, Gulliver 2:11.06, 3. Katie Rogers, Gulliver 2:14.52; SOFLO: 17. Rebekah Ling 2:24.55, 22. Sarah Acevedo 2:29.72, 30. Kalin Hubbard 2:34.97.

50-yard freestyle:

1.Gabrianna Banks, Heritage Aquatics 24.76, 2. Stephanie Hernandez, MAC 25.32, 3. Anelis Roque, MAC 25.77; SOFLO: 12. Sophie Ruppert 26.50, 14. Molly Golding 26.84, time drop, 18. Kyana Castro 27.20, time drop, 27. Sara Quintero 27.56, time drop, 31. Mallory Schleicher 27.87, 38. Kalin Hubbard 28.40, 38. Fabiana Avendano 28.40, time drop, 63. Valeria Garcia 30.32.

200-yard butterfly:

1.Emily Cordovi, Gulliver 2:05.37, 2. Anelis Roque, MAC 2:07.54, 3. Alicia Mancilla, Gulliver 2:07.87; SOFLO: 9. Sophia Ruppert 2:16.61, 12. Kyana Castro 2:21.14, 20. Sarah Acevedo 2:27.57, 21. Mallory Schleicher 2:28.47, 23. Alana Acevedo 2:30.36, time drop.

500-yard freestyle:

1.Alicia Mancilla, Gulliver 5:08.17, 2. Marcella Ruppert-Gomez, Gulliver 5:09.36, 3. Emily Cordovi, Gulliver 5:10.40; SOFLO: 5. Paige Lane 5:18.50, 7. Molly Golding 5:24.31, time drop, 11. Katrina Del Vecchio 5:28.66, 13. Abby Oyetunji 5:34.47, 29. Kalin Hubbard 6:07.90, time drop.

BOYS

200-yard freestyle:

1.Aitor Fungairino, MAC 1:40.08, 2. Vladimir Quizhpe, MAC 1:42.14, 3. Adrian Aguilar, MAC 1:43.72; SOFLO: 16. Michael Arias 1:50.62, time drop, 40. Tyler Bland 1:56.74, 46. Lance Lesage 1:57.60, 47. Nicolas Rossi 1:57.65, 58. Nicolas Munoz 1:59.67, time drop, 60. Javier Roman 2:00.15, time drop, 75. Zackary Harris 2:04.83, time drop, 81. Chris Vasquez 2:08.19, 88. Wyatt Jennessee 2:09.64, 90. Mark Andre De Gracia 2:10.27, time drop, 92. Ty Lezotte 2:11.36, time drop, 108. Gabriel Quiros 2:22.94.

100-yard breaststroke:

1.Brandon Vives, MAC 59.12, 2. Marcelo Lauzurique, Gulliver 59.61, 3. Diego Faucher, MAC 1:00.30; SOFLO: 18. Tyler Bland 1:06.92, 23. Javier Roman 1:08.85, time drop, 32. Yannai Michael 1:09.87, 33. Juan Colmenares 1:10.84, time drop, 42. Mark Andre De Gracia 1:13.86, 58. Zackary Harris 1:17.27, time drop, 59. Chris Vasquez 1:18.48.

200-yard backstroke:

1.Miguel Cancel, Gulliver 1:53.22, 2. Aitor Fungairino, MAC 1:53.32, 3. Andres Wong, MAC 2:02.06; SOFLO: 4. Lance Lesage 2:04.25, 16. John Paul Handal 2:19.00, 19. Gabriel Quiros 2:21.63, time drop.

50-yard freestyle:

1.Luciano Gonzalez, Unattached 20.63, 2. Vladimir Quizhpe, MAC 21.09, 3. Alfred Pape, MAC 21.43; SOFLO: 7. Luke Lezotte 21.81, 14. Michael Arias 23.19, time drop, 37. Tyler Bland 24.37, 44. Lance Lesage 24.82, 48. Nicolas Rossi 25.01, 49. Nicolas Munoz 25.03, time drop, 58. Juan Colmenares 25.19, 61. Wyatt Jennessee 25.33, 66. Javier Roman 25.55, time drop, 69. John Paul Handal 25.76, time drop, 71. Gabriel Quiros 25.78, time drop, 80. Ty Lezotte 26.22, time drop, 82. Yannai Michael 26.40, 85. Chris Vasquez 26.46, time drop, 89. Zackary Harris 26.80, time drop, 98. Mark Andre De Gracia 27.41, time drop, 121. Johnny Bastos 33.73.

200-yard butterfly:

1.Brandon Vives, MAC 1:51.79, 2. Miguel Cancel, Gulliver 1:52.49, 3. Max Garcia del Pozo, MAC 1:56.65.

500-yard freestyle:

1.Adrian Aguilar, AC 4:36.10, 2. Trey Gribble, Gulliver 4:48.11, 3. Nestor Montero, MAC 4:52.13; SOFLO: 16. Michael Arias 5:04.60, time drop, 19. Lance Lesage 5:11.73, 20. Tyler Bland 5:12.08, 21. Nicolas Rossi 5:12.59, 24. Nicolas Munoz 5:16.57, time drop, 26. Juan Colmenares 5:21.39, time drop, 29. John Paul Handal 5:25.90.

IF YOU GO

What: Gulliver Winter Classic (SCY)

When: Sunday.

Schedule: Sunday, Session IV, 9:30 a.m., Session V, 30 minutes after the previous session.

Where: Gulliver Swim Club, 6575 North Kendall Drive, Miami.

Of note: All sessions are timed finals. Admission is $3 per session. Heat sheets are $3 per session. For more information call Derek Gelber, 305-666-7937, ext. 1465.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Mallory Schleicher Leads SOFLO On Day One Of Gulliver Winter Classic

By Sharon Robb

February 17, 2017—Mallory Schleicher, making her debut in the 1,000-yard freestyle, finished third in the event on the opening day of the Gulliver Winter Classic.

Schleicher, 13, seeded 17th among a field of 18 swimmers, was third in 11:25.78.

Schleicher was also 14th in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:58.82 with a time drop of 2.68. It was the first time she broke the 5-minute barrier. Her previous best was 5:01.50.

Chris Vasquez, 13, was 19th in the boys’ 1,000-yard freestyle in 11:58.48 with a huge time drop of 44.58. It was the first time he swam under 12 minutes in the distance event. His previous best was 12:43.06.

FRIDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

400-yard individual medley:

1.Cloe Bedard-Khalid, MAC 4:34.29, 2. Emily Cordovi, Gulliver 4:36.10, 3. Brooke Ellis, Gulliver 4:36.25; SOFLO: 14. Mallory Schleicher 4:58.82, time drop, 20. Sarah Acevedo 5:05.89.

1000-yard freestyle:

1.Valeria Strohmeier, Gulliver 11:01.52, 2. Anelis Roque, MAC 11:05.80, 3. Mallory Schleicher, SOFLO 11:25.78.

BOYS

400-yard individual medley:

1.Miguel Cancel, Gulliver 4:04.91, 2. Nestor Montero, MAC 4:09.65, 3. Brandon Vives, AC 4:10.92; SOFLO: 18. John Paul Handal 4:43.90, 22. Nicolas Rossi 4:52.66.

1000-yard freestyle:

1.Adrian Aguilar, MAC 9:29.62, 2. Aitor Fungairino, MAC 9:29.86, 3. Andres Vargas, MAC 9:42.65; SOFLO: 19. Chris Vasquez 11:58.48, time drop.

IF YOU GO

What: Gulliver Winter Classic (SCY)

When: Saturday-Sunday.

Schedule: Friday, Session 1, 4 p.m.; Saturday, Session II, 9 a.m.; Session III, 30 minutes after the previous session; Sunday, Session IV, 9:30 a.m., Session V, 30 minutes after the previous session.

Where: Gulliver Swim Club, 6575 North Kendall Drive, Miami.

Of note: All sessions are timed finals. Admission is $3 per session. Heat sheets are $3 per session. For more information call Derek Gelber, 305-666-7937, ext. 1465.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO Heads To Gulliver Winter Classic Invite This Weekend

By Sharon Robb

February 16, 2017—South Florida Aquatic Club, coming off last weekend’s successful Panther Invite in Fort Lauderdale, heads to Miami for the Gulliver Winter Classic this weekend.

The short course yards meet, that begins Friday with distance events, is timed finals.

Host Gulliver Swim Club and South Florida Aquatic Club have the largest swimmer contingents in the Florida Gold Coast meet.

Most of the field are Dade County teams including Metro Aquatics, Hialeah, Blue Marlins, Hurricanes Swimming and Miami Swimming.

SOFLO has 37 swimmers competing in 207 individual events.

SOFLO swimmers entered are: Alana Acevedo, 15; Sarah Acevedo, 13; Michael Arias, 14; Fabiana Avendano, 13; Johnny Williams Bastos, 14; Tyler Bland, 15; Kyana Castro, 14; Juan Colmenares, 13; Kayla Cunningham, 13; Kerry Ann Cunningham, 11; Daniela Curbelo, 14; Mark Andre De Gracia, 13; Katrina Del Vecchio, 13; Valeria Garcia, 13; Molly Golding, 13; John Paul Handal, 14; Zackary Harris, 12; Zariya Harris, 17; Kalin Hubbard, 13; Wyatt Jennessee, 17; Paige Lane, 14; Lance Lesage, 14; Luke Lezotte, 15; Ty Lezotte, 14; Rebekah Ling, 14; Raquel Lugo, 17; Yannai Michael, 12; Nicolas Munoz, 14; Abby Oyetunji 17; Sara Quintero, 13; Gabriel Quiros, 14; Javier Roman, 13; Nicolas Rossi, 13; Sophia Ruppert, 13; Mallory Schleicher, 13; Christian Vasquez, 13; and Marcos Vasquez, 14.

MASTERS SWIMMING

SOFLO’s Jennifer Martin will compete in this weekend’s 24th annual Fort Lauderdale Masters Challenge at Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex. Martin, 36, is entered in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke and 50-yard butterfly.

IF YOU GO

What: Gulliver Winter Classic (SCY)

When: Friday-Sunday.

Schedule: Friday, Session 1, 4 p.m.; Saturday, Session II, 9 a.m.; Session III, 30 minutes after the previous session; Sunday, Session IV, 9:30 a.m., Session V, 30 minutes after the previous session.

Where: Gulliver Swim Club, 6575 North Kendall Drive, Miami.

Of note: All sessions are timed finals. Admission is $3 per session. Heat sheets are $3 per session. For more information call Derek Gelber, 305-666-7937, ext. 1465.

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

SOFLO’s Giada Porven Triple Winner; SOFLO Boys Win Relay At Panther 8&Under Sizzler

By Sharon Robb

February 13, 2017—Giada Porven of South Florida Aquatic Club was a triple winner at the recent Panther 8&Under Sizzler at Pine Crest.

Porven, 8, won the 7-8 25-yard butterfly in 18.73, 25-yard backstroke in 19.91 and 25-yard freestyle in 16.68.

Porven was also second in the 25-yard breaststroke in 23.87

SOFLO boys’ 100-yard freestyle relay won the 8-and-under race in 1:18.02 with brothers Connor Jimenez, 7, Mason Jimenez, 8, Matthew Jimenez, 8, and Joseph-Blake Natino, 7.

PANTHER 8&UNDER SIZZLER RESULTS

GIRLS

25-yard butterfly:

6-and-under, 1. Sabina LaPietra, Plantation 26.72; 7-8, 1. Giada Porven, SOFLO 18.73; SOFLO: 22. Asana Easton 27.63, 31. Clara Bland 30.03.

25-yard backstroke:

6-and-under, 1. Sabina LaPietra, Plantation 25.62; 7-8, 1. Giada Porven, SOFLO 19.91; SOFLO: 24. Clara Bland 26.06, 37. Asana Easton 28.98.

25-yard breaststroke:

6-and-under, 1. Gianna Martin, CSSC 30.53; 7-8, 1. Sofia Egizi, Pine Crest 21.73; SOFLO: 2. Giada Porven 23.87, 31. Asana Easton 33.61, 36. Clara Bland 34.87.

25-yard freestyle:

6-and-under, 1. Sabina LaPietra, Plantation 22.51; 7-8, 1. Giada Porven, SOFLO 16.68; SOFLO: 26. Clara Bland 22.48, 32. Asana Easton 24.21.

100-yard freestyle relay:

1.Pine Crest A 1:23.62, 2. Pine Crest B 1:39.52, 3. Coral Springs Swim Club 1:53.47.

100-yard medley relay:

1.Pine Crest 1:23.69, 2. Swim Fort Lauderdale 1:45.59.

BOYS

25-yard butterfly:

6-and-under, 1. Caleb Caponera, Pompano Beach 22.57; 7-8, 1. David Rodriguez, CSSC 18.79; SOFLO: 5. Stefano Mazzi 19.65, 9. Joseph-Blake Natino 22.30, 12. Connor Jimenez 25.43, 13. Mason Jimenez 25.80; 16. Brandon Lozano 27.13, 26. Matthew Jimenez 29.99, 28. Jason Moya 30.39.

25-yard backstroke:

6-and-under, 1. Caleb Caponera, Pompano 22.53; BRST: 6. Maddox Colman 32.12 7-8, 1. Jared Berke, Pine Crest 19.30; SOFLO: 4. Joseph-Natino Blake 22.20, 7. Matthew Jimenez 22.62, 12. Connor Jimenez 23.38, 14. Juan Vallmitjana 24.49, 16. Jason Moya 25.08, 21. Mason Jimenez 25.88, 23. Brandon Lozano 25.96, 27. Martin Petkov 27.02.

25-yard breaststroke:

6-and-under, 1. Caleb Caponera, Pompano Beach 27.73; 7-8, 1. Gabriel Amorim, Blue Marlins 22.46; SOFLO: 2. Joseph-Blake Natino 23.04, 3. Juan Vallmitjana 23.27, 7. Stefano Mazzi 25.88, 10. Connor Jimenez 26.83, 21. Mason Jimenez 28.75, 22. Jason Moya 29.24, 23. Martin Petkov 29.76, 24. Matthew Jimenez 29.94, 45. Brandon Lozano 41.77.

25-yard freestyle:

6-and-under, 1. Caleb Caponera, Pompano Beach 18.78; 7-8, 1. Jared Berke, Pine Crest 16.69; SOFLO: 4. Stefano Mazzi 16.99, 6. Juan Vallmitjana 17.69, 8. Connor Jimenez 18.14, 11. Joseph-Blake Natino 19.48, 19. Mason Jimenez 20.47, 31. Jason Moya 23.13, 47. Brandon Lozano 34.60, 48. Martin Petkov 34.85.

100-yard freestyle relay:

1.SOFLO 1:18.02 (Connor Jimenez, Mason Jimenez, Matthew Jimenez, Joseph-Blake Natino), 2. Pine Crest 1:22.93, 3. Coral Springs 1:23.50, 4. Boca Raton Swim Team 1:26.97.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Pando, Dulieu, Pereira Lead SOFLO At Panther Invite; SOFLO Finishes Runner-Up Among Teams

By Sharon Robb

February 13, 2017—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers had another good showing on the final day of the 14&Under Panther Invite Sunday at Schlesinger Aquatics Center on the Pine Crest School campus.

Diego Dulieu and Alessandro Pereira were triple winners and Leah Pando was a double winner to lead SOFLO.

Pando, 10, won the 10-and-under 100-yard individual medley in 1:16.43 with a time drop of 1.57. She also won the 50-yard backstroke in 36.25.

Pando was second in the 200-yard freestyle in 2:25.26 and second in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:26.52 with a time drop of 0.43.

Diego Dulieu, 12, won the 200-yard freestyle in 2:04.33 with a time drop of 4.41; won the 50-yard freestyle in 27.30 with a time drop of 0.42; and won the 50-yard backstroke in 31.53 with a time drop of 0.73.

Alessandro Pereira, 10, won the 100-yard butterfly in 1:0.92 with a time drop of 1.48 and won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:17.73 with a time drop of 1.31; and won the 50-yard backstroke in 33.78 with a time drop of 0.25.

Pereira was also second in the 200-yard freestyle in 2:11.24 with a time drop of 2.26.

Logan Gonzalez, 12, was second in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:51.31 with an impressive time drop of 9.31; third in the 100-yard individual medley in 1:10.54 with a time drop of 1.01; third in the 50-yard freestyle in 27.72 with a time drop of 0.03 and third in the 50-yard backstroke in 32.08 with a time drop of 0.46.

Other SOFLO Top three finishers were:

Giada Porven, second, 100-yard butterfly, 1:26.09.

Valerie Vank, second, 100-yard breaststroke, 1:16.85, time drop of 2.19.

Victoria Torres, second, 100-yard breaststroke, 1:17.77, time drop of 4.44.

Mariann Catalasan, third, 100-yard butterfly, 1:27.25, time drop of 1.91.

Fiorella Di Salvo, third, 100-yard individual medley, 1:20.67, time drop of 3.71.

Javier Colmenares, second in the 50-yard backstroke, 34.56, time drop of 0.89; third, 200-yard freestyle, 2:17.20, time drop of 1.89; and third, 50-yard freestyle 29.62, time drop of 1.07.

SOFLO finished second in the combined, men’s and women’s team scoring. Host Pine Crest won the combined and women’s team titles and Azura won the men’s team title. SOFLO’s next meet is this weekend’s Gulliver Invite.

PANTHER INVITE RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM SCORES: 1. Pine Crest 768.33, 2. South Florida Aquatic Club 695, 3. Azura 684.33, 4. East Coast Aquatic 508.50, 5. North Palm Beach 375.50.

WOMEN’S TEAM SCORES: 1. Pine Crest 473, 2. SOFLO 263, 3. North Palm Beach 262, 4. East Coast Aquatic 257, 5. Swim Fort Lauderdale 146.

MEN’S TEAM SCORES: 1. Azura 568.33, 2. SOFLO 330, 3. Pine Crest 295.33, 4. Swim Fort Lauderdale 153, 5. TS Aquatics 146.

(Sessions 2, 3, 4)

GIRLS

500-yard freestyle:

11-12, 1. Becca Montero, AquaKids Sharks 5:31.37; SOFLO: 9. Alexis Christensen 6:21.98, time drop; 11. Luna Delgado 6:27.39; 13-14, 1. Simone Vale, PC 5:26.44.

200-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Lilia Blanco, PB 2:16.83; SOFLO: 2. Leah Pando 2:25.26, 9. Anastasia Lutz 2:41.21, time drop, 12. Carleigh Schleicher 2:49.09; 11-12, 1. Becca Montero, AKS 2:00.73; SOFLO: 5. Emma Twombly 2:11.60, 9. Mia Escudero 2:17.39, time drop, 12. Alexis Christensen 2:22.22, time drop, 13. Ava Kuznik 2:23.13, time drop, 14. Kaitlyn Barrios 2:23.89, 18. Luna Delgado 2:29.04, 19. Victoria Torres 2:29.83, time drop, 20. Shayna Blitz 2:30.93, 22. Reagan Lowe 2:34.27, time drop; 13-14, 1. Jo-Jo Richter, PCS 2:01.02; SOFLO: 5. Isabella Di Salvo 2:07.42, 18. Fabiana Avendano 2:18.95, time drop.

100-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Leah Pando, SOFLO 1:16.43, time drop; SOFLO: 3. Fiorella Di Salvo 1:20.67, time drop, 7. Natalia Sibug 1:23.60, time drop, 11. Anastasia Lutz 1:26.65, time drop, 14. Carleigh Schleicher 1:29.06, time drop, 32. Pilar Duranti 1:46.53; 11-12, 1. Aspen Gersper, SAS 1:08.22; SOFLO: 4. Valerie Vank 1:09.54, time drop, 5. Mia Escudero 1:12.68, 15. Kaitlyn Barrios 1:17.12, time drop, 16. Ava Kuznik 1:17.80, time drop, 17. Luna Delgado 1:18.44, time drop, 23. Shayna Blitz 1:21.60, time drop, 24. Samantha Solis 1:21.86, 40. Kaitlyn Consuegra 1:39.15, time drop; 13-14, 1. Jo-Jo Richter, PCs 1:04.00; SOFLO: 24. Camelia Wieck 1:31.91.

100-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Lilia Blanco, PB 1:15.37; SOFLO: 2. Giada Porven 1:26.09, 3. Mariann Catalasan 1:27.25, time drop; 11-12, 1. Becca Montero, AKS 1:02.25; SOFLO: 10. Luna Delgado 1:16.14, time drop; 13-14, 1. Adrianna Barone, PC 1:02.91.

50-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Isabella Gisonni, Unattached 31.06; SOFLO: 4. Natalia Sibug 33.09, time drop, 6. Fiorella Di Salvo 33.60, time drop, 7. Mariann Catalasan 33.91, 14. Carleigh Schleicher 34.61, 31. Anvitaa Pottigari 40.33, time drop, 32. Pilar Duranti 40.47, time drop; 11-12, 1. Olivia Dinehart, AKS 26.98; SOFLO: 7. Emma Twombly 28.34, 8. Valerie Vank 28.71, time drop, 10. Victoria Torres 29.75, time drop, 13. Mia Escudero 29.93, best time, 15. Kaitlyn Barrios 30.10, time drop, 17. Samantha Solis 30.30, time drop, 21. Luna Delgado 30.95, time drop, 27. Shayna Blitz 31.41, time drop, 29. Alexis Christensen 31.48, time drop, 32. Reagan Lowe 32.68, time drop, 39. Saani Pottigari 34.29, time drop, 49. Kaitlyn Consuegra 37.78; 13-14, 1. Lucy Miller, SAS 26.07; SOFLO: 22. Fabiana Avendano 29.25, 33. Camelia Wieck 33.65.

100-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Lilia Blanco, PB 1:26.13; SOFLO: 2. Leah Pando 1:26.52, time drop, 5. Natalia Sibug 1:32.52, time drop, 11. Anastasia Lutz 1:37.55, time drop, 22. Anvita Pottigari 1:52.79, time drop; 11-12, 1. Olivia Dinehart, AKS 1:13.63; SOFLO: 2. Valerie Vank 1:16.85, time drop, 3. Victoria Torres 1:17.77, time drop, 5. Mia Escudero 1:19.78, 14. Shayna Blitz 1:30.01, time drop, 15. Samantha Solis 1:30.49, time drop, 24. Saanvi Pottigari 1:42.24, time drop; 13-14, 1. Regina Gallastegui, PC 1:12.14.

50-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Leah Pando, SOFLO 36.25; SOFLO: 6. Natalia Sibug 38.97, 7. Fiorella Di Salvo 39.90, time drop, 8. Anastasia Lutz 40.12, 26. Anvitaa Pottigari 47.88, 31. Pilar Duranti 50.96, time drop; 11-12, 1. Elena Dinehart, AKS 31.88; SOFLO: 9. Emma Twombly 36.13, 11. Alexis Christensen 36.81, time drop, 12. Kaitlyn Barrios 36.90, 15. Victoria Torres 37.53, 17. Shayna Blitz 38.54, time drop, 19. Samantha Solis 39.08, 21. Reagan Lowe 40.70, time drop, 29. Kaitlyn Consuegra 45.69, time drop, 30. Saanvi Pottigari 46.73, time drop; 13-14, 1. Jo-Jo Richter, PC 28.79; SOFLO: 19. Fabiana Avendano 34.40, 27. Camelia Wieck 42.71.

400-yard individual medley:

11-12, 1. Becca Montero, AKS 4:56.54; 13-14, 1. Adrianna Barone, PC 4:47.87.

1,650-yard freestyle:

11-12, 1. Rebeca Levin, SF 19:52.04; 13-14, 1. Alana Deo, AKS 19:26.89, 2. Emma Gomez, PC 20:00.69, 3. Paige Gelenski, BR 21:49.60, time drop.

BOYS

500-yard freestyle:

11-12, 1. Dylan Felt, SFTL 5:46.84; SOFLO: 2. Logan Gonzalez 5:51.31, time drop, 8. Matthew Kim 6:31.46, time drop; 13-14, 1. Dominic Bono, AKS 5:05.26.

200-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Makar Goncharov, SFTL 2:10.68; SOFLO: 2. Alessandro Pereira 2:11.24, time drop, 3. Javier Colmenares 2:17.20, time drop, 6. Jonathan Lozano 2:28.21, time drop; 11-12, 1. Diego Dulieu, SOFLO 2:04.33, time drop; SOFLO: 4. Logan Gonzalez 2:13.83, time drop, 5. Nathaniel Garrick 2:14.92, 10. Moises Rodriguez 2:23.22, 11. Matthew Kim 2:24.61, 32. Matthew Mendieta 3:01.02, time drop; 13-14, 1. Dominic Bono, AKS 1:55.27.

100-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Makar Goncharov, SFTL 1:10.04; SOFLO: 4. Jonathan Lozano 1:21.24, 11. Benjamin Kim 1:30.77, 12. Stefano Mazzi 1:31.09, time drop, 16. Alessio Mazzi 1:36.12; 11-12, 1. Joshua Justin, PST 1:07.55; SOFLO; 3. Logan Gonzalez 1:10.54, time drop, 7. Christian Tijero 1:12.67, time drop, 8. Nathaniel Garrick 1:13.31, time drop, 9. Lucas Porven 1:14.10, 16. Moises Rodriguez 1:19.94; 13-14, 1. Tiago Pereira, PC and Joshua Hans, PC 1:00.36.

100-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Alessandro Pereira, SOFLO 1:06.92, time drop; 11-12, 1. Dylan Felt, SFTL 1:04.36; 13-14, 1. Joshua Balbi, SAS 54.94.

50-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Jason Cuffe, SFTL 28.87; SOFLO: 3. Javier Colmenares 29.62, time drop, 15. Stefano Mazzi 35.96, time drop, 21. Benjamin Kim 39.28, 22. Matthew Escudero 39.57, time drop; 11-12, 1. Diego Dulieu, SOFLO 27.30, time drop; SOFLO: 3. Logan Gonzalez 27.72, time drop, 5. Nathaniel Garrick 29.55, 7. Christian Tijero 29.68, 9. Moises Rodriguez 30.03, time drop, 11. Lucas Porven 30.29, time drop, 16. Matthew Kim 30.82, time drop, 39. Matthew Mendieta 35.64, time drop; 13-14, 1. Joshua Balbi, SAS 23.53.

100-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Alessandro Pereira, SOFLO 1:17.73, time drop; SOFLO: 5. Stefano Mazzi 1:41.64, time drop, 7. Benjamin Kim 1:43.43; 11-12, 1. Wyatt Denhard, PCS 1:14.39; SOFLO: 4. Matthew Kim 1:23.09, 5. Christian Tijero 1:23.56, time drop; 13-14, 1. Georgy Goncharov, SFTL 1:07.77.

50-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Alessandro Pereira, SOFLO 33.78, time drop; SOFLO: 2. Javier Colmenares 34.56, time drop, 6. Benjamin Kim 41.43, time drop, 13. Alessio Mazzi 45.81, 29. Matthew Escudero 55.42; 11-12, 1. Diego Dulieu, SOFLO 31.53, time drop; SOFLO: 3. Logan Gonzalez 32.08, time drop, 9. Christian Tijero 34.92, time drop, 10. Moises Rodriguez 35.10, 11. Matthew Kim 35.11, time drop, 14. Lucas Porven 36.80, time drop; 13-14, 1. Joshua Balbi, SAS 25.67.
Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com