PLANTATION, March 10, 2018–Kathleen Golding was South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher Saturday at the Speedo Championship Series Southern Zone South Sectional Championships at rain-soaked Plantation Aquatic Complex.
Golding, 17, was second in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:18.73 behind high school rival Isabel Ivey, 17, of Gator Swim Club in 2:16.77. and fourth in the 50-meter freestyle in 26.82. Golding has 109 points in the high point award standings.
SOFLO lost crucial points when the women’s 400-meter medley relay was disqualified.
SOFLO’s men’s medley relay was fifth in 4:06.45 with Lance Lesage, Marc Rojas, Rafael Rodriguez and Heath Brames.
Rojas, 24, was fourth in the 50-meter breaststroke in 30.91 behind 40-year-old Harvey Beckwith of Coral Springs in 30.88.
Mary Smutny, 17, of AquaKids Sharks won the 400-meter freestyle in 4:18.37.
Twelve-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte, continued his comeback. He won the 100-meter backstroke in 56.38 and was second in the 400-meter freestyle in 3:59.21. He has the 100-meter freestyle and 200-meter backstroke left to swim.
In the team competition, Azura Florida Aquatics overtook the lead from early leader SOFLO in the combined team standings with 1,305 ahead of Gator Swim Club with 1,240 and South Florida Aquatic Club with 1,235.
Azura also leads the men’s team standings with 920, Gator Swim Club second with 661 and SOFLO third with 582.
East Coast Aquatic Club leads the women’s team standings with 741 followed by Bolles with 548 and Blue Dolfins with 533.
The four-day meet concludes on Sunday with prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 5 p.m.
A field of more than 600 swimmers from 60 teams and 20 unattached teams are competing in one of four designated USA Swimming zones. The others are Eastern, Central and Western Zone Sectionals. The meet attracts some of the top swimming talent from across the United States and internationally.
Among Florida Gold Coast teams entered are Azura Florida Aquatic, AquaKids Sharks, East Coast Aquatic Club, Boca Raton Swim Team, Pine Crest Swimming, North Palm Beach, Martin County, Hurricane Swim Club, TS Aquatics, and host Plantation Swim Team.
Out-of-state teams include North Andover YMCA, Arizona Aquatic Club, City of Lafayette Aquatics, Elmwood Sharks, Falfins Swimming, Franco’s Fins, Peddie Aquatics and Oro Valley Swim Team.
IF YOU GO
What: Speedo Championship Series Southern Zone South Sectional Championship
When: Sunday
Schedule: Sunday, prelims 9 a.m. and finals 5 p.m.
Where: Plantation Aquatic Complex, 9151 NW Second Street.
Of note: Admission is $5 and heat sheets are $3 per session. For more information call 954-452-2526.
Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
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