August 2018 – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

SOFLO Swimmers Compete Saturday In P.O.W.E.R. Challenge At Pompano Beach Pier; Jennifer Martin, Lance Lesage Head Contingent

By Sharon Robb

POMPANO BEACH, August 30, 2018—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers will kick off the Labor Day holiday weekend with an open water swim.

Sixteen SOFLO swimmers will compete in the P.O.W.E.R. (Piranhas Open Water Extreme Race) Challenge 2018 Saturday at Pompano Beach Pier.

The event is sanctioned by the World Open Water Swim Association and sponsored by Pompano Piranhas, Inc., Pompano Piranhas Swim Team, City of Pompano Beach.

Races include pier-to-pier 5K swim at 8 a.m., one mile swim, 8 a.m., paddleboard, 10:15 a.m., 500 meters, 10:30 a.m. and splash and dash 100 meters, 10:45 a.m. The races begin on the beach just south of the Pompano Beach Pier.

World Police & Fire Games world record holder and gold medalist Jennifer Martin, 37, heads the SOFLO contingent. Martin, a City of Pembroke Pines police sergeant, won seven gold medals and one silver and broke five world records at the 2017 World Games.

At the June 2018 U.S. Police & Fire Championships, Martin won a meet record nine gold medals and broke three meet records including an 18-year-old record.

The former Comets Swim Team coach is currently training for the Oct. 21 U.S. Marine Corps Marathon, one of the nation’s largest marathons. Her long range training goal, however, is the Aug. 8-18 2019 World Police & Fire Games in Chengdu, China where she will compete in several swimming events.

On Saturday morning, Martin will compete in the women’s 5,000 and Lesage, 15, who just started the high school swim season at Fort Lauderdale High, will also swim the men’s 5,000.

Martin and Lesage will be joined by teammates Jemma Baldwin, 7, 100 freestyle; Fiorella Di Salvo, 10, 1500 freestyle; Jordan Evans, 7, 500 freestyle; Shelby Evans, 8, 500 freestyle; Connor Jimenez, 9, 500 freestyle; Mason Jimenez, 10, 500 freestyle; Matthew Jimenez, 10, 500 freestyle; Anastasia Lutz, 11, 1500 freestyle; Martin Petkov, 9, 500 freestyle; Mariana Pinto, 10, 1500 freestyle; Alexandra Strong, 10, 500 freestyle; Juan Vallmitjana, 9, 500 freestyle; Christian Vasquez, 15, 1500 freestyle; and Saree Young, 500 freestyle.

POOL SWIMMING

SOFLO’s Samuel Bullen, 13, will compete Saturday in the Florida Gold Coast Key West Pentathlon at Bone Island. He will compete in his age group in the 50-yard butterfly (31.31), 50-yard backstroke (31.27), 50-yard breaststroke (32.69), 50-yard freestyle (26.61) and 100-yard individual medley (1:04.84).

WATER POLO

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 4-9 p.m. at the Habit Burger Grill, 306 NW 145th Ave. in Pembroke Pines, 20 percent of sales will go to the Forza Stefano Charitable Foundation that helps teens with cancer. The foundation was formed to honor water polo player and swimmer Stefano Dioguardi. He was a member of the South Florida Water Polo Club and graduated from Pembroke Pines Charter. He was going to attend Florida Atlantic University until he succumbed to a year-long battle to Ewing’s Sarcoma, a severe form of bone cancer, at age 18.

IF YOU GO

What: P.O.W.E.R. (Piranhas Open Water Extreme Race) Challenge 2018

When: Saturday, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Pompano Beach Pier, 222 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach

Of note: Races include pier-to-pier 5K swim, 8 a.m., one mile swim, 8 a.m., paddleboard, 10:15 a.m., 500 meters, 10:30 a.m. and splash and dash 100 meters, 10:45 a.m….There is online registration and also race day registration available at the race site, 6-7:30 a.m…Pompano Beach Piranhas is the host club…Contact is head coach Jesse Vassallo at 787-315-1529…Admission is free to the general public. Parking is available on site for a fee.

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

Francesca Perry, Shelby Evans Lead SOFLO In Fall Season Opening Sizzler

By Sharon Robb

PEMBROKE PINES, August 25, 2018–South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers started off the fall season on a successful note Saturday at the TYR Back To School Sizzler at Academic Village Pool.

SOFLO’s Francesca Perry and Shelby Evans dominated the girls’ events.

Perry, 8, won two individual races and finished fourth and eighth in two other races with all best times.

Perry won the 25-yard butterfly in 18.13 and 25-yard backstroke in 20.44. She was fourth in the 25-yard breaststroke in 22.95 and eighth in the 25-yard freestyle in 17.64.

Evans 8, won one event and finished second, third and sixth in other races.

Evans won the 25-yard breaststroke in a best time 21.49; was second in the 25-yard backstroke in a best time 20.45; third in the 25-yard freestyle in a best time 16.53; and sixth in the 25-yard butterfly in a best time 19.75.

Lorenzo Bagnuoli was SOFLO’s top boys’ finisher. The 8-year-old was sixth in the 25-yard backstroke in a best time 23.02; seventh in the 25-yard butterfly in a best time 21.81; seventh in the 25-yard breaststroke in 26.82; and tied for ninth in the 25-yard freestyle in a best time 20.15. He dropped an impressive 6.05 seconds off his breaststroke event.

The developmental meet was cancelled because of bad weather.

SATURDAY RESULTS
GIRLS

25-yard butterfly:
7-8, 1. Francesca Perry, SOFLO 18.13, time drop, 2. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 19.15, time drop, 3. Alicia Salazar, Unattached 19.32; SOFLO TOP 10: 6. Shelby Evans 19.75, time drop, 8. Saree Young 22.23, time drop, 9. Jordan Evans 22.26, time drop.

25-yard backstroke:
7-8, 1. Francesca Perry, SOFLO 20.44, time drop, 2. Shelby Evans, SOFLO 20.45, time drop, 3. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 20.69, time drop; SOFLO: 7. Saree Young 21.65, time drop, 10. Jordan Evans 22.83, time drop.

25-yard breaststroke:
7-8, 1. Shelby Evans, SOFLO 21.49, time drop, 2. Olivia Wilson, Unattached 22.51, 3. Alicia Salazar, Unattached 22.88; SOFLO: 4. Francesca Perry 22.95, time drop, 5. Jemma Baldwin 23.65, time drop, 6. Jordan Evans 23.78, time drop, 9. Saree Young 23.96, time drop.

25-yard freestyle:
7-8, 1. Lua Suzal, Unattached 16.26, 2. Alicia Salazar, Unattached 16.37, 3. Shelby Evans, SOFLO, time drop; SOFLO: 4. Jemma Baldwin 16.64, time drop, 8. Francesca Perry 17.64, time drop, 9. Saree Young 18.73, time drop, 10. Jordan Evans 19.52, time drop.

BOYS

25-yard butterfly:
6-and-under, 1. Mateo Virto, MWA 24.31, 2. Luis Escobar, Unattached 34.31, 3. Timofei Budyonny, MWA 35.63; 7-8, 1. Liam Fothergill, MWA 15.29, 2. Matthew Adan, Unattached 18.37, 3. Brandon Almuina, Unattached 19.56; SOFLO: 7. Lorenzo Bagnuoli 21.81, time drop, 9. Matthew Ortiz 24.20.

25-yard backstroke:
6-and-under, 1. Mateo Virto, MWA 23.83, 2. Luis Escobar, Unattached 27.31, 3. Guy Soto, CCPR 31.60; 7-8, 1. Liam Fothergill, MWA 18.50, 2. Dmitrijs Sterbs, CCPR 21.04, 3. Matthew Adan, Unattached 21.50; SOFLO: 6. Lorenzo Bagnuoli 23.02, time drop.

25-yard breaststroke:
6-and-under, 1. Mateo Virto, MWA 25.28, 2. Luis Escobar, Unattached 32.20, 3. Leonardo Zuluaga, MWA 34.47; 7-8, 1. Liam Fothergill, MWA 20.53, 2. Matthew Meneses, Unattached23.07, 3. Brandon Almuina, Unattached 23.66; SOFLO: 7. Lorenzo Bagnuoli 26.82, time drop, 9. Matthew Ortiz 28.78, 10. Julian Sibug 30.37.

25-yard freestyle:
6-and-under, 1. Mateo Virto, MWA 20.22, 2. Eli Montealegre, FFSC 24.97, 3. Luis Escobar, Unattached 25.02; 7-8, 1. Liam Fothergill, MWA 14.72, 2. Brandon Almuina, Unattached 16.40, 3. Luke James, FFSC 16.73; SOFLO: 9. tie, Lorenzo Bagnuoli and Matthew Ortiz, 20.15.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Back To Racing On Saturday

By Sharon Robb

PEMBROKE PINES, August 24, 2018–South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers return to action on Saturday at the SOFLO Back To School & TYR Aviation Sizzler Developmental Meet.

After a too short summer vacation and students returning to school, more than 50 swimmers will now return to racing in their home pool at Academic Village Pool.

To ease back into competition event distances are limited to 25, 50 and 100 yards. SOFLO swimmers will compete in 194 individual events and three relays.

Among SOFLO’s top seeds are:

Francesca Perry, 8, 25-yard butterfly, 18.31.

Shelby Evans, 8, 25-yard breaststroke, 21.51 and 25-yard backstroke, 20.94.

Mark Andre De Gracia, 14, 50-yard freestyle, 26.24 and 100-yard individual medley, 1:02.46.

In addition to host SOFLO, other teams competing are Cooper City Cyclones, Midtown Weston Aquatics and Flying Fish Swim Club of Miami

The sizzler races for 6-and-unders and 7-8s begin 10 a.m. and end 10:30 a.m. The developmental meet for 9-14s begin after a 15-minute break around 10:45 a.m.

IF YOU GO

What: SOFLO Back To School & TYR Aviation Sizzler Developmental Meet

When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, warm-up 9 a.m.

Where: Academic Village Pool, 17191 Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines.

Of note: There is no admission. Heat sheets are free and available online at soflomeets.info/Aviation or Meet Mobile. For information call 954-538-3721.

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

Caeleb Dressel, Ryan Murphy Finish Pan Pacs With More Gold Medals

By Sharon Robb

TOKYO, Japan, August 12, 2018—Ryan Murphy won two more gold medals and Caeleb Dressel took gold and silver on the fourth day of the Pan Pacific Championships at Tatsumi International Swimming Center.

The Bolles Swim Club alums combined for a win for the U.S. on the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay team in the final race of the meet.

Murphy, Andrew Wilson, Dressel and Nathan Adrian won in 3:30.20, just 5/100ths of a second ahead of Japan.

Earlier in the day, Murphy ended up sweeping the backstroke events by sweeping the 200-meter backstroke in a meet record 1:53.57. His margin of victory was nearly two seconds ahead of Ryosuke Irie of Japan and U.S. teammate Austin Katz of Sarasota.

Dressel was second in the 50-meter freestyle in 21.93 behind U.S. teenager Michael Andrew in 21.46.

Murphy finished with three gold medals and Dressel finished with two golds, two silvers and a bronze.

The U.S. won six of the eight available gold medals and men’s 4×100-meter relay to finish on top of the medals table with 18 golds on the final day of the pool events. Australia was second with eight and Japan had six gold medals.

In other races:

Canadian teenager Taylor Ruck took silver in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:06.41 and finished with a historic fifth medal, breaking the record for most medals won by a Canadian at Pan Pacs. American Kathleen Baker won gold in the 200 backstroke in a meet record 2:06.14.

Katie Ledecky, 21, won her third gold medal of the meet running away with the 1,500-meter freestyle in 15:38.97, more than an 11-second margin of victory.

U.S. teammate Micah Lawrence Sumrall won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:21.88 ahead of teammate and double Olympic champion Lilly King in 2:22.12.

American Zane Grothe won the 800-meter freestyle in a best time 7:43.74.

World record holder Ippei Watanabe of Japan won the 200-meter breaststroke in a meet record 2:07.75 just hours after American Josh Prenot had lowered the meet record in 2:08.02.

Aussie Cate Campbell broke her own meet record to win gold in the 50-meter freestyle in 23.81 lowering her own record of 23.96. Campbell later added a fifth gold medal in the 4×100-meter medley relay.

Australia won the women’s 400-meter medley relay in a meet record in 3:52.74 ahead of the U.S. in 3:53.21. Japan was third in a national record in 3:55.03.

The 10K open water races will end the Pan Pacs on Tuesday.

The meet featured the following federations: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, People’s Republic of China, Cook Islands, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, New Zealand, Oman, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Thailand and the U.S.

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

Dressel Wins Gold, Breaks Phelps Meet Record On Day Three Of Pan Pacs; U.S. Relay Disqualified For Relay List Blunder

By Sharon Robb

TOKYO, Japan, August 11, 2018—Caeleb Dressel won his first gold medal in style on Day Three of the Pan Pacific Championships at the Tatsumi International Swimming Center.

The Bolles Club and Clay High School alum won the 100-meter butterfly and broke the meet record of Michael Phelps in 50.75. Phelps record was 50.86 set in 2010. U.S. teammate Jack Conger was second in 51.32. It was Dressel’s third medal of Pan Pacs. On Sunday, he will swim the 50-meter freestyle abd possibly the 400-meter medley relay.

Dressel would have won a second gold in the men’s 400-meter freestyle relay had they not been disqualified. Dressel, Blake Peroni, Zach Apple and Nathan Adrian set a meet record and won in a meet record 3:11.67 but was disqualified for swimming out of order. According to meet officials, the relay received the wrong relay order from coaches. The U.S. foursome got the news unfortunately after the medal ceremony. Brazil got bumped up to gold in 3:12.02.

Other than that embarrassing moment, it was a good day for the U.S. winning eight medals.

In other races:

Katie Ledecky won her second gold medal of the meet in the 400-meter freestyle in a meet record 3:58.30, breaking her previous record of 3:58.37. Ledecky was under world record pace until the final 100 meters. Aussie teenager Ariarne Titmus, 17, kept it close finishing second in 3:59.66, breaking the 4-minute barrier for the first time and becoming the third woman to ever break 4 minutes.

Chase Kalisz won gold in the 200-meter individual medley in 1:55.40. Aussie Mitch Larkin was second in 1:56.21.

Aussie teammates Jack McLoughlin and Mack Horton finished one-two in the 400-meter freestyle. American Zane Grothe was third in 3:45.37.

Australia, with Cate Campbell swimming a 51.36 anchor leg, won the women’s 400-meter freestye relay in 3:31.58. The U.S. took silver in 3:33.45

Japan’s Rikako Ikee won the 100-meter butterfly in 56.08 ahead of Kelsi Worrell Dahlia in 56.44.

Japan teammate Yui Ohashi won the women’s 200-meter individual medley in 2:08.16.

The meet runs through Aug. 14 and features the following federations: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, People’s Republic of China, Cook Islands, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, New Zealand, Oman, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Thailand and the U.S.

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

Bolles Alum Ryan Murphy Wins On Day Two Of Pan Pacs; Murphy, Dressel Make World Team

By Sharon Robb

TOKYO, Japan, August 10, 2018—The comeback of world record holder Ryan Murphy continued on Day Two of the Pan Pacific Championships Friday at the Tatsumi International Swimming Center.

The Bolles alum, after a shaky 2017 season, dominated the 100-meter backstroke to win in 51.94, less than a tenth off his world record. It was a Pan Pacs record and third-fastest swim in history. He was the only swimmer in the field under 52 seconds.

Murphy was coming off sweeping the backstroke events at the Phillips 66 USA Swimming Championships two weeks ago.

Japan’s Ryosuke Irie out-touched Aussie Mitch Larkin for second in 52.78. Larkin finished in 52.88. American Matt Grevers, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, was fourth in 52.99.

The U.S. leads the medal count with 19 (7 gold, 6 silver, 6 bronze) followed by Australia with 11 (4 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze). The finals will be televised on NBC Saturday at 4 p.m. and Olympic Channel at 8 p.m.

In other races:

Aussie Cate Campbell won the 100-meter freestyle in a Pan Pacs record 52.03 ahead of American Simone Manuel in 52.66 and Canadian teenager Taylor Ruck in 52.72.

In the men’s 100-meter freestyle Aussie Kyle Chalmers won in 48.00. Another Bolles Sharks Club swimmer and Clay High School graduate, Caeleb Dressel and Aussie Jack Cartwright tied for the silver medal in 48.22, qualifying Dressel for his first world championship spot. Dressel bumped Nathan Adrian out of an individual event. Adrian will still go to worlds as a relay swimmer.

Dressel and Murphy will compete at next year’s FINA World Championships in South Korea. Dressel has two more events, the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley and Murphy competes Sunday in the 200 backstroke.

American Hali Flickinger won the 200-meter butterfly in 2:07.35 and U.S. teammates Katie Drabot was third in 2:08.40. Japan’s Sachi Mochida was second in 2:07.66.

Japan’s Daiya Seto outsprinted Brazilian Leonardo De Deus in the back half to win the 200-meter butterfly, 1:54.34-1:54.89. American Zach Hartung was third in 1:55.05.

Canadian Kylie Masse topped an impressive field to win the 100-meter backstroke in 58.61. Aussie Emily Seebohm was second in 58.72 and American Kathleen Baker was third in 58.83.

Australia won the women’s 800-meter freestyle relay in a Pan Pacs record 7:44.12, beating the Americans and Katie Ledecky in 7:44.37 and Canadians in 7:47.28.

The U.S. team, led by anchor leg Townley Haas, won the 800-meter freestyle relay in 7:04.36. The Aussies were second in 7:04.70 and Japan was third in 7:08.07.

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

SWIMMING NOTEBOOK: Canadian Taylor Ruck Knocks Off Katie Ledecky At Pan Pacs; Atkinson Honored In Jamaica

By Sharon Robb

TOKYO, Japan, August 9, 2018—Canadian teenager Taylor Ruck knocked off five-time Olympian champion Katie Ledecky on opening night of the Pan Pacific Championships at Tatsumi International Swimming Center.

Ruck, 18, won the 200-meter freestyle in a meet record 1:54.44 breaking Ledecky’s 2014 record by 1.3 seconds. Japan’s Rikako Ikee was second in 1:54.85 and Ledecky settled for third place in 1:55.15.

“I was nervous before the race,” Ruck told reporters. “It’s the name. She is the fastest woman on the planet in a lot of races. My coach saw I was nervous and told me to focus on my lane and my race.”

Ledecky lowered the meet record in the 200 prelims in 1:55.16 before Ruck broke it.

Earlier in the day, Ledecky won the 800-meter freestyle in 8:09.13, fifth fastest time in the world and fifth time she dipped under 8:10.

“I knew it was going to be tough,” Ledecky said. “It’s a tough double. I’ve done it a number of times but it’s always a difficult thing. I really put in a lot of work into not having that happen again. But I still have two more years to go until the Big Show here in Tokyo.”

In other races:

American Olympic champion Lilly King won the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:05.44. King has not lost this event since 2015.

Other U.S winners were Jordan Wilimovsky in the 1500-meter freestyle in 14:46.93; Townley Haas in the 200-meter freestyle in 1:45.56 and Chase Kalisz in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:07.95.

Japan had two champions. Yasuhiro Koseki won the men’s 100-meter breaststroke in 59.08 and Yui Ohashi won the women’s 400-meter individual medley in 4:33.77.

Austrailia’s only win was in the mixed medley relay in 3:38.91 ahead of Japan and U.S. with Kathleen Baker, Michael Andrew, Simone Manuel and Caeleb Dressel.

ATKINSON HONORED IN JAMAICA

Four-time Olympian Alia Atkinson, 29, was among 171 Jamaicans honored recently with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander. She joined Gracie Jones, Harry Belafonte and Winston Barnes among others. They were honored for their contributions and achievements on National Heroes Day. Atkinson was coming off the CAC Games where she won three gold and two bronze medals.

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

ECAC’s Anna Auld Wins Title; Kelley Heron Leads SOFLO On Final Day Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb

CARY, N.C., August 5, 2018—Anna Auld of East Coast Aquatic Club was the top Florida Gold Coast finisher on the final day of the USA Swimming Futures Championships Sunday at Triangle Aquatic Center.

Auld, 15, won the 1500-meter freestyle in a lifetime-best 17:02.20, shaving 3.58 off her previous best of 17:05.78. Auld finished with 55 points.

Daniella Van Den Berg, 22, of Club Seminole was third in a best time 17:07.88. She dropped 30.55 off her previous best of 17:38.43. She finished with 27 points. They were the only Florida Gold Coast swimmers in the women’s field.

The Florida Gold Coast’s top boys finisher was Elvis Kotikovski, 16, third in the 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:05.49, dropping 1.30. He finished with 32 points.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher was Kelley Heron. Michigan State-bound Heron, 18, a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, finished fifth in the 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:20.58, dropping 0.37. Heron finished with 14 points.

SOFLO’s top boys finisher was Rafael Rodriguez, 16, 22nd in the 800-meter freestyle in 8:44.63. Rodriguez competed in five events and one time trial. He finished with 10 points.

Dynamo Swim Club of Atlanta swept the combined (793), men’s (413) and women’s (380)team titles. East Coast Aquatic Club was the only Florida Gold Coast team in the Top 10 placing ninth with 157.5 ahead of Bolles in tenth with 145.

The meet is one of four Futures meets held across the country. The championships are open to swimmers who are USA Swimming members and have achieved the time standards in one or more events. The summer meet provides swimmers with a new stepping stone between Sectionals and Junior Nationals. Some call the Futures meet a “junior” Junior Nationals.

Several Florida teams competed including Gator Swim Club, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Highlander, Area Tallahassee, TS Aquatics, East Coast Aquatic, Pine Crest Swimming, Boca Raton Swim Team and Blue Wave Swimming.

SUNDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 793, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 585, 3. TAC Titans 564, 4. Aquatic Team of Mecklenburg 493, 5. SwimMAC 312, 6. Cardinal Aquatics 195, 7. Baylor Swim Club 172, 8. Blue Dolfins 163, 9. East Coast Aquatic Club 157.5, 10. Bolles 145, 30. Pine Crest Swimming 46, 31. SOFLO 31, 50. AquaKids Sharks 20 58. Boca Raton Swim Team 15.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 413, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 319, 3. TAC Titans 282, 4. Mecklenburg 235, 5. Sarasota Tsunami 127, 23. Pine Crest 32, 37. Boca Raton Swim Team 15, 46. SOFLO 10.

GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 380, 2. TAC Titans 282, 3. Marlins of Raleigh 266, 4. Mecklenburg 258, 5. SwimMAC 192, 18. SOFLO 35, 28. AquaKids Sharks 20, 35. Pine Crest 14.

GIRLS

400-meter medley relay:
1. Baylor Swim Club 4:18.10, 2. Dynamo 4:19.41, 3. Marlins of Raleigh 4:19.57, 24. SOFLO 4:34.30 (Kelley Heron, Molly Golding, Jessica Rodriguez, Gaby Banks).

1500-meter freestyle:
1. Anna Auld, ECAC 17:02.20, time drop 3.58, 2. Alixandra Roy, HIGH 17:07.53, 3. Daniella Van Den Berg, CS 17:07.88.

100-meter freestyle:
1. Leah Gingrich, HURR 57.32, 2. Elizaveta Susorova, CARD 57.49, 3. Abigail Pilkenton, DYN 58.09; FGC: 11. Athena Meneses Kovacs, EA 58.71.

200-meter backstroke:
1. Eliza Whitmire, ATOM 2:18.04, 2. Katie Rauch, ATOM 2:18.67, 3. Mary Kelley, Unattached 2:19.08; FGC: 4. Madison Cummings, ECAC 2:19.80, 9. Athena Meneses Kovacs, EA 2:19.31; SOFLO: 5. Kelley Heron, SOFLO 2:20.58, time drop 0.37.

200-meter individual medley:
1. Brooke Zettel, TAC 2:18.62, 2. Katharine Ward, DYN 2:21.27, 3. Elena Dry, TAC 2:21.45.

BOYS

400-meter medley relay:
1. Dynamo 3:49.40, 2. Mecklenburg 3:54.00, 3. TAC Titans 3:54.56.

800-meter freestyle:
1. Noah Smith, CFM 8:24.48, 2. Joshua Legge, MOR 8:26.41, 3. Neal Wolfram, RACE 8:29.57; SOFLO: 22. Rafael Rodriguez 8:44.63.

100-meter freestyle:
1. Matthew Nutter, SRQ 51.23, 2. Wen Zhang, DDST 51.43, 3. Ethan Long, AAC 51.78.

200-meter backstroke:
1. Braeden Haughey, TAC 2:04.30, 2. William McCloud, TCSC 2:05.21, 3. Elvis Kotikovski, PC 2:05.49; FGC: 14. Lucas Duarte 2:09.70.

200-meter individual medley:
1. Tyler Watson, NFS 2:07.30, 2. Scott Piper, MMA 2:07.74, 3. Phillip Meffert, MMA 2:08.22.

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

Florida Gold Coast Finishes Sixth On Final Day Of Southern Zones Championships; Schleicher Top SOFLO Swimmer

By Sharon Robb

MIDLAND, Tex., August 5, 2018—Florida Gold Coast, one of the meet underdogs, finished among the Top 10 on the fifth and final day of Southern Zones Age Group Championships Saturday at FMH Foundation Natatorium.

Florida Gold Coast swept sixth place in combined (385.5), boys (180.5) and girls (187) team categories.

Florida Swimming swept the combined (1,432), boys (679.5) and girls (700.5) team titles.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Mallory Schleicher, who enjoyed her finest week of swims at a national-caliber meet, was SOFLO’s top finisher placing ninth in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:30.43.

Schleicher, 14, finished with 29 points after competing in seven events which included a title in the 400-meter individual medley.

SOFLO teammates Valerie Vank and Christian Tijero competed on the 11-12 girls and boys 200-meter freestyle relays that finished in the Top 7. Vank, 12, had three points and competed in 11 events. Tijero, 12, competed in eight events.

SATURDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Florida Swimming 1,432, 2. Georgia 1,313.5, 3. Southeastern 1,217.5, 4. North Carolina 1,155, 5. South Texas 581.5, 6. Florida Gold Coast 385.5, 7. North Texas 335, 8. Kentucky 231, 9. Louisiana 192, 10. Border Swimming 156.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Florida Swimming 679.5, 2. Southeastern 672.5, 3. Georgia 573, 4. North Carolina 515.5, 5. South Texas 262.5, 6. Florida Gold Coast 180.5.

GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Florida Swimming 700.5., 2. Georgia 680.5, 3. North Carolina 585.5, 4. Southeastern 507, 5. South Texas 295, 6. Florida Gold Coast 187.

GIRLS

200-meter individual medley:
11-12, 1. Gracie Weyant, FL 2:25.34, 2. Sasha Dauletau, STX 2:26.58, 3. Addison Reese, FL 2:27.59; 13-14, 1. Emily Campbell, NCS 2:26.70, 2. Sonia Vaishnani, STX 2:26.80. 3. Isabelle Sealey, FL 2:27.51; FGC: 9. Mallory Schleicher 2:30.43; 15-18, 1. Letitia Sim, SES 2:23.24, 2. Katie Wong, GA 2:24.59, 3. Sarah Brown, GA 2:26.43.

50-meter freestyle:
11-12, 1. Gaby Van Brunt, GA 27.14,2. Addison Sauickie, FL 27.80, 3. Lily Welsh, NCS 27.94; 13-14, 1. Blair Stomeburg, FL 26.83, 2. Karen Zhao, GA 26.95, 3. Madeline Smith, NCS 27.23; FGC: 8. Isabella Chambers 28.26, 9. Kiara Caamano 28.28; 15-18, 1. Bethany Tart, NCS 27.41, 2. Summer Eaker, NCS 27.59, 3. Anna Summers, GA 27.66.

50-meter butterfly:
11-12, 1. Gaby Van Brunt, GA 28.93, 2. Sasha Dauletau, STX 29.11, 3. Addison Reese, FL 29.26.

200-meter butterfly:
13-14, 1. Blair Stoneburg, fL 2:21.95, 2. Usabelle Sealey,FL 2:23.54, 3. Jenna Taylor, GA 2:25.08; FGC: 8. Rebecca Montero 2:30.15; 15-18, 1. Tori Rucker, GA 2:19.82, 2. Jordan Edwards, GA 2:25.08, 3. Mary Miller Goldberg, SES 2:26.47.

200-meter freestyle relay:
11-12, 1. Florida Swimming 1:50.78, 2. Team Georgie 1:52.21, 3. South Texas 1:52.90, 7. Florida Gold Coast 1:59.45 (Sara Lin, Sidney Anton, Giovanna Musiello, Valerie Vank); 13-14, 1. Georgia 1:49.79, 2. Florida Swimming 1:49.82, 3. North Carolina 1:51.17, 5. Florida Gold Coast 1:52.01 (Kiara Caamano, Isabella Chambers, Lydia Lanahan, Nicole Aguilar); 15-18, 1. North Carolina 1:49.96, 2. Southeastern 1:50.30, 3. Georgia 1:50.50.

BOYS

200-meter individual medley:
11-12, 1. Andrew Li, NCS 2:21.34, 2. Max Hatcher, NTX 2:24.16, 3. Isaac Lee, SES 2:24.34; 13-14, 1. Riley Sampson, FL 2:14.40, 2. Logan Ingerick, FL 2:14.78, 3. Spencer Freeman, NCS 2:16.05; 15-18, 1. Noah Evans, FL 2:12.08, 2. Thomas Nagle, FL 2:13.33, 3. Ethan Bevill, SES 2:15.18.

50-meter freestyle:
11-12, 1. Michael Robinson, MS 25.59, 2. River Paulk, WT 25.93, 3. Lucca Battaglini, NCS 26.76; 13-14, 1. Sage Sungail, FL 24.57, 2. Cash Woolsey, LA 24.81, 3. Reid Miller, NCS 24.84; FGC: 10. Matthew Tarafa 25.72; 15-18, 1. Tucker Schroer, GA 24.78, 2. Reid Chafin, GA 24.89, 3. Samuel Tiblier, SES 24.90.

50-meter butterfly:
11-12, 1. Michael Robinson, MS 28.02, 2. Lucca Battaglini, NCS 28.44, 3. Troy Keen, NCS 28.60.

200-meter butterfly:
13-14, 1. Sage Sungali, FL 2:08.60, 2. Spencer Freeman, NCS 2:09.42, 3. Tais Brown, SES 2:10.20; FGC: 6. Angelo Martinez 2:18.41; 15-18, 1. Mason Mathias, SES 2:10.21, 2. Max Ransom, SES 2:11.32, 3. Jackson Caudill, KY 2:14.26.

200-meter freestyle relay:
11-12, 1. North Carolina 1:47.31, 2. Southeastern 1:49.42, 3. Florida Swimming 1:51.29, 7. Florida Gold Coast 1:53.85 (Evan Pelletier, Christian Tijero, Makar Goncharov, Landon Kyser); 13-14, 1. Florida Swimming 1:39.44, 2. North Carolina 1:41.46, 3. Georgia 1:41.64, 6. Florida Gold Coast 1:44.08 (Victor Valdes, Nicolas Gallego, Aiden Kohanyi, Matthew Tarafa); 15-18, 1. Southeastern 1:39.15, 2. Florida Swimming 1:39.33, 3. Georgia 1:39.50.

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

Jerew Wins For AK Sharks; Golding, Rodriguez SOFLO’s Top Finishers On Day Three Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb

CARY, N.C., August 4, 2018—Hailey Jerew of AquaKids Sharks was the only Florida Gold Coast winner Saturday at the USA Swimming Futures Championships at Triangle Aquatic Center.

Jerew, 17, won the 50-meter freestyle in a lifetime-best 26.15, dropping 0.50. Two other FGC swimmers finished in the Top 8 of the sprint event. Rachel Botting, 16, of Pine Crest was fifth in 26.97 after going 26.85 in prelims. Athena Meneses-Kovacs, 13, of East Coast Aquatic Club was eighth in 27.11 after going 27.07 in prelims.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher was Molly Golding in the 200-meter breaststroke. Golding, 15, was ninth in a lifetime-best 2:39.79, shaving 2.12 off her previous best of 2:41.91.

SOFLO teammate Rafael Rodriguez, 16, was the top boys finisher, placing 14th in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:08.17.

The four-day meet ends Sunday with prelims and finals. Several Florida teams are competing including Gator Swim Club, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Highlander, Area Tallahassee, TS Aquatics, East Coast Aquatic, Pine Crest Swimming, Boca Raton Swim Team and Blue Wave Swimming.

SATURDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 586, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 446, 3 Aquatic Team of Meckelnburg 324, 4. TAC Titans 317, 5. SwimMAC 226, 6. Bolles 133, 7. Baylor Swim Club 132, 8. Cardinal Aquatics 120, 9. East Coast Aquatic Club 114.5, 10. Blue Dolfins 97, 29. South Florida Aquatic Club 31.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 316, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 243, 3. TAC Titans 167, 4. Aquatic Team of Mecklenburg 163, 5. Bolles 103, 41. South Florida Aquatic Club 10.

GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 270, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 203, 3. Aquatic Team of Mecklenburg 161, 4. TAC Titans 150, 5. SwimMAC 145, 22. South Florida Aquatic Club 21.

GIRLS

200-meter butterfly:
1. Leah Gingrich, HURR 2:14.47, 2. Ashley Worden, MOR 2:15.13, 3. Chloe Hampson, BD 2:17.75; FGC: 8. Madison Cummings, ECAC 2:22.07.

50-meter freestyle:
1. Hailey Jerew, AquaKids Sharks 26.15, 2. Elizaveta Susorova, CARD 26.26, 3. Leah Gingrich, HURR 26.32; FGC: 5. Rachel Botting, PCS 26.97/26.85, 8. Athena Meneses Kovacs, ECAC 27.11/27.07; 23. Megan Murphy, ECAC 27.59/27.30; 71. Chloe Hernandez, GRSC 28.27; 86. Josefine Richter, PC 28.46; 106 Esther Lin, PC 29.46; SOFLO: 18. Gaby Banks 26.65, time drop 0.08/27.49.

200-meter breaststroke:
1. Alicia Henry, DYNA 2:35.06, 2. Sophie Anderson, TAC 2:35.53, 3. Brooke Zettel, TAC 2:38.40; SOFLO: 9. Molly Golding 2:39.79, time drop 2.12, 2:42.58; 27. Jessica Rodriguez 2:46.37; FGC: 23. Anna Auld, ECAC 2:43.82/2:44.54, 25. Olivia Dinehart, AKS 2:45.64, 35. Emily Weiss, PC 2:48.12, 39. Ryan Flynn, ECAC 2:49.31, 43. Emily Santos, Unattached 2:50.01.

100-meter backstroke:
1. Ellie Waldrep, BAY 1:03.15, 2. Brooke Zettel, TAC 1:04.25, 3. Mary Kelley, Unattached 1:04.80; FGC: 5. Athena Meneses Kovacs, ECAC 1:05.47/1:05.25, 6. Madison Commings, ECAC 1:05.93/1:05.36; 46. Megan Murphy, ECAC 1:07.35; 64. Kayla Kraft, GRSC 1:08.27; 76. Josefine Richter, PC 1:08.64; 106. Amanda Kopas, Azura 1:10.64; SOFLO: 43. Kelley Heron 1:07.31

400-meter freestyle:
1. Abigail Pilkenton, DY 4:20.48, 2. Adrianna Cera, MOR 4:22.31, 3. Katie Rauch, ATOM 4:23.43; FGC: 4. Anna Auld, ECAC 4:26.12/4:25.58, 11. Paige Maceachern, ECAC 4:27.02/4:27.86; 30. Daniella Van Den Berg, CS 4:32.05, 50. Olivia Hernandez, GRSC 4:37.77, 54. Olivia Dinehart, AKS 4:39.45.

BOYS

200-meter butterfly:
1. Tyler Watson, NFS 2:02.72, 2. Scott Piper, MMA 2:04.61, 3. Mason Laur, T2 2:04.80; SOFLO: 14. Rafael Rodriguez 2:08.17/2:08.90; FGC: 17. Carlos Vasquez, TSA 2:06.08/2:09.26, 33. Sebastian Silva, Unattached 2:11.94.

50-meter freestyle:
1. Wen Zhang, DSDST 23.34, 2. Dawson Joyce, SA 23.51, 3. Jacob Rauch, ATOM 23.64; FGC: 23. Diego Mas, Unattached 24.58/ 24.39, 33. Diego Machado, TSA 24.77, 62. Nicholas Vale, PC 25.30, 81. Elvis Kotikovski, PC 26.20.

200-meter breaststroke:
1. Owen Downs, DYN 2:19.22, 2. Connor Dalbo, MOR 2:20.35, 3. Cameron Luarde, SWAC 220.70; SOFLO: 25. Samuel Quintero 2:28.65, time drop 0.01; FGC: 43. Alejandro Panting, Unattached 2:31.24, 48. Jimmy Hart, PC 2:31.91, 54. Jacob Silberman, PC 2:32.84.

100-meter backstroke:

1. Joseph Licht, TBAC 57.74, 2. Jacob Rauch, ATOM 57.78, 3. Elvis Kotikovski, PCS 58.04/58.64; SOFLO: 39. Lance Lesage 1:01.18, time drop 0.49; FGC: 60. Diego Mas, Unattached 1:02.56, 64. Nicholas Vale, PC 1:03.04.

400-meter freestyle:
1. Braeden Haughey, TAC 4:00.46, 2. John Vandeusen, Bolles 4:01.91, 3. Noah Smith, CFM 4:04.03; FGC: 26. Luis Bucaro, TSA 4:10.61, 42. Cameron Taddonio, BRST 4:13.01; SOFLO: 49. Rafael Rodriguez 4:14.97.

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