March 2021 – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

SOFLO Swimmers Hit The Road For ISCA Elite Showcase Classic Championships

By Sharon Robb
ST. PETERSBURG, March 30, 2021–After a successful month of swimming in March, South Florida Aquatic Club continues its busy schedule in April with the first of several meets Wednesday through Saturday.

Seventeen swimmers (11 girls, 6 boys) will compete against clubs from throughout the nation in the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA) East Coast Elite Showcase Classic Championships at North Shore Aquatic Complex. The age group meet is sponsored by TYR.

Its the first long road trip for SOFLO swimmers and coaches in more than a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All safety precautions will be observed at the meet.

SOFLO swimmers competing in 137 individual events are:

Jaden Amores, 14, who opted to compete in the elite meet instead of last weekend’s Florida All-Star dual meet against Florida Swimming; current TYR Swimmer of the Month Jenesys Amores, 12; Gabriella DeLuna, 14; Elise Dinehart, 12; Genesis Escobar, 13; Katelyn Gembicki, 13; Amanda Grubbs, 12; Ryan Harries, 11; Tania Mantilla, 13; Alexander Miller, 14; Nicholas Pelaez, 14; Felipe Rodriguez, 13; Alexandra Strong, 12; Juan Vallmitjana, 12; Sarah Vasquez, 13; Izzy Wilson 14; and Olivia Wilson 11.

The short course yards meet is open to 14 & under swimmers with qualifying times; 10-12-14 year olds with a minimum of A times; and 9-11-13 year olds with a minimum of BB times. There are prelims and finals Wednesday through Saturday.

Among teams competing are North Baltimore, Virginia Gators, Annapolis Swim CLub, Team Pittsburgh, Club Wolverine Bolles, Parkway, Denver, Dakota Riptide, Pine Crest and Plantation Swim Team.

Last week the March 23-27 ISCA International Senior Cup was held attracting some of the nation’s top teams and swimmers including Ryan Lochte, Caeleb Dressel, Farida Osman, Joseph Schooling, former Florida Gold Coast swimmer Ilya Evdokimov and SOFLO swimmer Miguel Cancel.

North Shore Aquatic Complex is located on the St. Petersburg waterfront. It features a 50-meter pool with diving board, 25-meter training pool with zero depth entry, a play pool with a giant flume slide, splash pad, and accessible zero depth entry.

A limited number of spectators is being allowed into the venue.

Spectators will be allowed to enter to watch their swimmer’s race only. Spectators are expected to enter the facility just prior to their swimmer’s race, and to promptly exit the facility as soon as the race is completed.

Spectators will be required to always wear masks properly, all times and, without exception. Mouth and nose must be fully covered. Those with a health issue preventing the proper wear of a mask should plan to watch the live stream outside the facility on their own devices.

Spectators will be required to always maintain 6 feet of social distance.

Rows in the spectator stands are clearly marked “with blue X” and spectators should sit on a X only. 1 family or same household per X.

Spectators are not allowed to sit in seating areas behind the stands, nor are they allowed to bring chairs, cushions, towels, blankets, etc. into the facility. There is no congregating inside the facility.

There is no food or drink allowed into the facility.

Spectators wishing to speak with their swimmer should plan to do so outside the gate and fenced area. Spectators should not interact with swimmers in front of or next to the spectator stands as this causes congestion and violates proper social distance.

The marshals are parent-volunteers who are there to make sure everyone complies with the published guidelines.

Those unable to comply with the published safety protocols for any reason should plan to watch the event from outside the venue. Those determined to be non-compliant will be asked to leave the facility immediately and without warning.

The meet is being live streamed on-demand by Floswimming. There is a subscription fee.

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

Florida Swimming Sweeps Florida Gold Coast For All-Star Meet Team Titles

By Sharon Robb

FORT PIERCE, March 28, 2021—Florida Swimming won the annual All-Star Dual Meet against Florida Gold Coast Sunday at Indian River State College’s Anne Wilder Aquatic Complex.

After the fourth and final session, Florida Swimming won the combined team title, 847-581, and boys team title, 440-226.

Florida Gold Coast girls came the closest to challenge Florida Swimming for the title, losing by only 40 points, 353-313.

In 2019, Florida Swimming also swept all three titles: combined, 871-556; boys 403-263; and girls 406-259. Florida Swimming has dominated the All-Star meet for more than a decade.

South Florida Aquatic Club had seven girls and and four boys on the FGC All-Star team for the three-day meet. They were Jemma Baldwin, Gianna Martin, Sofia Rodriguez, Lydia Smutny, Amelie Bicerne. Gabrielle DeLuna, Julianne McCranie, Guillermo Mantilla, Noah Mejias, Oleksii Viazmetinov and Oliver Tejada. SOFLO Makos age group coach Isidro (Coach Issy) Planell coached the 11-12 boys.

SOFLO’s top finishers were:

Julianne McCranie, 14, third in the 200-yard backstroke in 2:07.85.

Gianna Martin, 10, third in the 50-yard breaststroke in a best time 37.08, dropping 1.06 seconds.

Jemma Baldwin, 10, sixth in the 100-yard backstroke in a best time 1:15.44, dropping 2.96 seconds.

Oliver Tejada, 13, seventh in the 200-yard butterfly in 2:10.34.

Noah Mejias, 10, ninth in the 50-yard breaststroke in a best time 40.01, dropping 0.51 seconds.

The top six finishers at the Florida Gold Coast 14&Under Short Course Junior Olympics in Coral Springs qualified for the team.

Like all swim meets across the nation, COVID-19 safety protocols were in place during the meet. Last year the All-Star meet was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Masks were required for all swimmers when not swimming.

FGC All-Stars had an expanded socially distant seating area on the opposite side of the pool from Florida’s team.

The meet had a closed deck. No parents are allowed in the swimmer or coaches areas.

Parents were allowed in a limited spectator area to watch their swimmer race. They were asked to leave the pool area and relax in the grass fields or cars outside of the pool area so they can spread out.

For coaches and officials, all meals are being ordered in To Go containers.

Meetings required masks and held outdoors when it was available and weather permitting.

SUNDAY SESSION FOUR
TEAM TOTALS
COMBINED: Florida Swimming 847, Florida Gold Coast 581
BOYS: Florida Swimming 440, Florida Gold Coast 226
GIRLS: Florida Swimming 353, Florida Gold Coast 313

GIRLS
100-yard backstroke: 10-and-undr, 1. Catherine Sowerby, FL 1:13.40; SOFLO: 6. Jemma Baldwin 1:15.44, time drop 2.96, 14. Sofia Rodriguez 1:19.45; 11-12, 1. Maria Perez, FGC 1:01.57; SOFLO: 15. Lydia Smutny 1;10.50, time drop 0.54.

200-yard backstroke: 13-14, 1. Rory Keller, FL 2:06.53; SOFLO: 3. Julianne McCranie 2:07.85, 10. Gabriella DeLuna 2:16.03, 15. Amelie Bicerne 2:22.67.

500-yard freestyle: 11-12, 1. Juliana Kodera, FL 5:13.57.

100-yard freestyle: 13-14, 1. Aly Bozzuto, FGC 52.69; SOFLO: 23. Julianne McCranie 55.56, 35. Amelie Bicerne 59.77.

50-yard breaststroke: 10-and-under, 1. Cali Jerabek, FGC 36.15; SOFLO: 3. Gigi Martin 37.08, time drop 1.06; 11-12, 1. Tessa Broedell, FGC 32.15.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Isabella Cardenas, FL 2:23.90.

50-yard butterfly: 1. Mia Pistanek, FL 30.62; SOFLO: 13. Jemma Baldwin 34.28, 19. Sofia Rodriguez 36.15; 11-12, 1. Sofia Jorge, FGC 26.31; SOFLO: 21. Lydia Smutny 30.30.

200-yard butterfly: 13-14, 1. MaryAgnes Smith, FL 2:05.90.

BOYS
100-yard backstroke: 10-and-under, 1. Sawyer Hansen, FL 1:06.45; 11-12, 1. Owen Ekk, FL 55.22; SOFLO: 21. Oleksii Viazmetinov 1:12.31.

200-yard backstroke: 13-14, 1. Gavin Van Kersbergern, FL 1:57.67.

500-yard freestyle: 11-12, 1. Bogdan Zverev, FL 4:56.43; SOFLO: 10. Oleksii Viazmetinov 5:57.08.

100-yard freestyle: 13-14, 1. Andrew Kravchenko, FL 47.72; SOFLO: 27. Andres Tejada 53.17.

50-yard breaststroke: 10-and-under, 1. Bryce Griffith, FL 35.86; SOFLO: 9. Noah Mejias 40.01, time drop 0.51; 11-12, 1. Liam Roberts, FL 30.30.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Giulian Martin, FGC 2:04.76.

50-yard butterfly: 10-and-under, 1. Kyle Conboy, FL 29.45; 11-12, 1. Bogdan Zverev, FL 25.73.

200-yard butterfly: 13-14, 1. Ryan Walker, FL 1:57.47; SOFLO: 7. Andres Tejada 2:10.34.

Mixed 200-yard freestyle relay: 10-and-under, 1. FGC A 1:50.04 (Cali Jerabek, Nicolas Lacharme, Aria-Noelle-Mindley, Trace Colton), 2. Florida A 1:54.29, 3. Florida B 1:54.56, 4. FGC B 1:57.58, 8. FGC C 2:00.29 (Braxton Craine, Jemma Baldwin, Sofia Rodriguez, Vlad Malyshev); 11-12, 1. Florida A 1:38.09, 2. FGC A 1:38.55, 3. Florida B 1:41.31, 4. FGC B 1:43.52; 13-14, 1. FGC A 1:34.49 (George Gonzalez, Aly Bozzuto, Valentina Foster, Giulian Martin).

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

Florida Swimming Leads Florida Gold Coast Going Into Sunday All-Star Meet Final Session

By Sharon Robb

FORT PIERCE, March 27, 2021—Florida Swimming leads combined, girls and boys team standings going into the fourth and final session of the annual All-Star Dual Meet against Florida Gold Coast at Indian River State College’s Anne Wilder Aquatic Complex.

After Saturday afternoon’s third session, Florida Gold Coast girls are trailing Florida Swimming 27 points.

SOFLO’s Julianne McCranie, 14, was third in the 100-yard butterfly in 57.99. McCranie was also a member of the second place 200-yard medley relay. Jemma Baldwin, 10, was fifth in the 100-yard butterfly in 1:16.14.

Florida Swimming leads the combined, 619-431 and the boys team standings, 327-174.

SOFLO’s Noah Mejias, 10, was sixth in the 100-yard butterfly in 1:11.10 and tenth in the 100-yard individual medley in 1:15.49.

The final session is Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Last year Florida Swimming swept all three titles: combined, 871-556; boys 403-263; and girls 406-259.

SOFLO has seven girls and and four boys on the team for the three-day meet. SOFLO Makos age group coach Isidro (Coach Issy) Planell is coaching the 11-12 boys.

The top six finishers at the Florida Gold Coast 14&Under Short Course Junior Olympics in Coral Springs qualified for the team.

Like all swim meets across the nation, COVID-19 safety protocols are in place during the meet. Last year the All-Star meet was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Masks are required for all swimmers when not swimming.

FGC All-Stars has an expanded socially distant seating area on the opposite side of the pool from Florida’s team.

The meet has a closed deck. No parents are allowed in the swimmer or coaches areas.

Parents are allowed in a limited spectator area to watch their swimmer race. They are asked to leave the pool area and relax in the grass fields or cars outside of the pool area so they can spread out.

For coaches and officials, all meals are being ordered in To Go containers.

Meetings require masks and held outdoors when it’s available and weather permitting.

SATURDAY SESSION THREE
TEAM TOTALS
COMBINED: Florida Swimming 619, Florida Gold Coast 431
BOYS: Florida Swimming 327, Florida Gold Coast 174
GIRLS: Florida Swimming 264, Florida Gold Coast 237

GIRLS
200-yard individual medley: 13-14, 1. Isabella Cardenas, FL 2:07.21; SOFLO: 15. Gabriella DeLuna 2:16.99; 11-12, 1. Sofia Judge, FGC 1:01.81; SOFLO: 21. Lydia Smutny 1:12.12.

100-yard individual medley: 10-and-under, 1. Cali Jerabek, FGC 1:11.76; SOFLO: 10. Jemma Baldwin 1:16.56, 19. Gigi Martin 1:18.71, time drop 2.51, 24. Sofia Rodriguez 1:21.20.

50-yard freestyle: 13-14, 1. Alania Santiago, FL 24.53; SOFLO: 16. Julianne McCranie 25.70; 11-12, 1. Sofia Judge, FGC 24.98; 10-and-under, 1. Aria-Noelle Mindley, FGC 28.97; SOFLO: 12. Gigi Martin 30.83.

100-yard butterfly: 13-14, 1. Isabel Sayag, 57.43; SOFLO: 3. Julianne McCranie 57.99, 26. Gabreilla DeLuna 1:03.07; 11-12, 1. Sofia Jorge, FGC 59.20; SOFLO: 13. Lydia Smutny 1:07.06; 10-and-under, 1. Mia Pistanek, FL 1:07.02; SOFLO: 5. Jemma Baldwin 1:16.14.

500-yard freestyle: 13-14, 1. Sidney Brann, FL 5:01.89; SOFLO: 13. Amelie Bicerne 5:26.07, time drop 2.73.

200-yard freestyle: 11-12, 1. Juliana Kodera, FL 1:56.71; 10-and-under, 1. Cali Jerabek, FGC 2:14.08.

200-yard medley relay: 13-14, 1. Florida Swimming 1:47.00, 2. FGC A 1:48.92 (Carolyn Powell, Aly Bozzuto, Julianne McCranie, Valentina Foster), 3. Florida Swimming C 1:49.99, 5. FGC C 1:52.16, 6. FGC B 1:52.33 (Gabriella DeLuna, Reese Rosenthal, Sahara Idler, Paola Negrin). 8. FGC D 1:58.78 (Sofia Moreno, Emma Herrera, Leorah Rotchin, Amelie Bicerne).

BOYS
200-yard individual medley: 13-14, 1. Wyatt Porch, FL 1:56.80; SOFLO: 20. Oliver Tejada 2:12.39.

100-yard individual medley: 11-12, 1. Ethan Bathala, FL 1:00.55; 10-and-under, 1. Reef McMeeking, FL 1:09.47; SOFLO: 10. Noah Mejias 1:15.49.

50-yard freestyle: 13-14, 1. Andrew Kravchenko, FL 20.85; 11-12, 1. Bogdan Zverev, FL 23.82; 10-and-under, 1. Trace Colton, FGC 26.59.

100-yard butterfly: 13-14, 1. Ryan Walker, FL 52.91; SOFLO: 28. Andres Tejada 58.95; 11-12, 1. Joseph Campagnola, FL 57.05; 10-and-under, 1. Kyle Conboy, FL 1:06.09; SOFLO: 6. Noah Mejias 1:11.10.

500-yard freestyle: 13-14, 1. Aidan Clements, FL 4:43.42.

200-yard freestyle: 11-12, 1. Owen Ekk, FL 1:47.65; SOFLO: 12. Oleksii Viazmetinov 2:10.18; 10-and-under, 1. Lincoln Driesse, FL 2:06.18.

200-yard medley relay: 13-14, 1. Florida Swimming A 1:37.74, 3. FGC A 1:41.90, 5. FGC C 1:46.43 (Dylan Ferguson, Alessandro Pereira, Andres Tejada, Julian Lezcano); 11-12, 1. Florida Swimming 1:46.94, 2. FGC A 1:50.41, 8. FGC D 2:02.55 (Andrew Fiedor, Kai Hall, Duy Vuong, Oleksii Viazmetinov); 10-and-under, 1. Florida Swimming 2:05.21, 2. FGC A 2:08.55.

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

Texas Longhorns Win NCAA Division 1 Men’s Swimming And Diving Championships

By Sharon Robb
GREENSBORO, N.C., March 27, 2021–On an exciting final day, Texas knocked off defending champion California to win the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship Saturday at Greensboro Aquatic Center.

Texas, leading by 42 points going into the fourth and final day, took back the title with 595 points. It was the Longhorns and head coach Eddie Reese’s 15th national championship in the program’s history and sixth in the last 11 years.

Reese, the most decorated coach in NCAA history, is in his 43rd season coaching the Longhorns. He has now won a national title in five different decades.

Texas is the first team since Auburn in 2006 to win the men’s national title without winning an individual swimming event. But all 20 of its swimmers scored points in every individual and relay event.

California finished in the top two with 568 points for the 11th consecutive year. Texas was runner-up in 2019. No NCAAs were held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, Texas won it four consecutive years with California runner-up those four years.

Rounding out the top five teams on Saturday night, University of Florida was third with 367 for its first top four finish since 2017; Georgia was fourth with 268 for its first top four finish since 1997; and Louisville fifth with 211 for the second consecutive year. University of Miami was 19th with 54 points. Florida State was 23rd with 32.5.

Florida junior Bobby Finke won the 1,650-yard freestyle in a meet and pool record 14:12.52. The meet record was 14:22.41 set by Clark Smith of Texas in 2017. The pool record was 14:23.52 set by Connor Jaeger of Club Wolverine in 2014.

Texas A&M junior Shaine Casas won the 200-yard backstroke in 1:35.75, breaking the pool record of 1:37.19 set in morning prelims by Cal’s Destin Lasco, who finished second in finals in 1:35.99.

Cal senior Ryan Hoffer won the 100-yard freestyle in a pool record 40.89 breaking his own pool record set in prelims in 40.90. Florida’s Kieran Smith was sixth in 41.89.

Minnesota junior Max McHugh won the 200-yard breaststroke in a pool record 1:49.02. The previous pool record was 1:49.87 set by Cal’s Reece Whitley, second at night in 1:49.54.

Florida State junior Izaak Bastian, a St. Andrew’s alum and Bahamas national team member, was 36th in the 200 breaststroke in 1:56.50.

Louisville senior Nicolas Albiero, son of Louisville head coach Arthur Albiero, won the 200-yard butterfly in a pool record 1:38.64. He broke his own pool record set in prelims in 1:38.65.

In the men’s platform diving, Purdue senior Brandon Loschiavo won with 469.05 points. Miami’s Zach Cooper was third with 442.65. Former Fort Lauderale diver Jordan Windle of Texas was fourth with 422.75 points. Windle scored the most points for the Longhorns with 52.

With Texas leading 37 points going into the relay, California (Bjorn Seeliger, Ryan Hoffer, Destin Lasco, Hugo Gonzalez) came from behind to win the 400-yard freestyle relay in 2:46.60. Florida (Adam Cheney, Kieran Smith, Eric Friese, Trey Freeman) was second in 2:46.88. Texas (Daniel Krueger, Chris Staka, Jake Sannem, Drew Kibler) finished fourth in 2:48.28.

A total of 235 swimmers from 41 teams competed.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s championships looked a lot different, much like last week’s women’s NCAAs.

Due to the mass gathering restrictions in place in North Carolina, spectators were not allowed to attend the meet including parents, family members and friends.

There was no participant seating on the pool deck. All teams and individuals were assigned seating in the grandstand seating area.

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

Florida Gold Coast Girls Close Gap On Florida Swimming After Session Two Of All-Star Meet

FORT PIERCE, March 27, 2021—With a little help from South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers, Florida Gold Coast girls team closed the gap with Florida Swimming in the annual All-Star Dual Meet Saturday morning at Indian River State College’s Anne Wilder Aquatic Complex.

After Session Two of the three-day meet, only seven points separated the two teams. Florida Gold Coast trailed, 140-133.

SOFLO’s Julianne McCranie, 14, was second in the 100-yard backstroke in 58.70. Maeve Eckerman of Florida Swimming won in 57.64. McCranie was the lead-off swimmer on the fifth-place 200-yard freestyle relay that finished in 1:40.88.

SOFLO’s Jemma Baldwin, 10, was third in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:41.80. Baldwin was also a member of the 10-and-under 200-yard freestyle relay that finished in 2:02.54.

In the boys’ competition, Florida Swimming leads, 172-101. Florida Swimming continues to lead the combined team totals, 340-254.

SOFLO’s Noah Mejias, 10, had a time drop in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:25.64, shaving 2.21 seconds off his previous best. He also dropped time in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:38.58, dropping 0.15 seconds.

Last year Florida Swimming swept all three titles: combined, 871-556; boys 403-263; and girls 406-259.

SOFLO has seven girls and and four boys on the team for the three-day meet.

SOFLO Makos age group coach Isidro (Coach Issy) Planell is coaching the 11-12 boys.

The top six finishers at the Florida Gold Coast 14&Under Short Course Junior Olympics in Coral Springs qualified for the team.

Like all swim meets across the nation, COVID-19 safety protocols are in place during the meet. Last year the All-Star meet was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Masks are required for all swimmers when not swimming.

FGC All-Stars has an expanded socially distant seating area on the opposite side of the pool from Florida’s team.

The meet has a closed deck. No parents are allowed in the swimmer or coaches areas.

For coaches and officials, all meals are being ordered in To Go containers.

Meetings require masks and held outdoors when it’s available and weather permitting.

SATURDAY SESSION TWO RESULTS
TEAM TOTALS
COMBINED: Florida Swimming 340, Florida Gold Coast 254
BOYS: Florida Swimming 172, Florida Gold Coast 101
GIRLS: Florida Swimming 140, Florida Gold Coast 133

GIRLS
50-yard backstroke: 10-and-under, 1. Aria-Noelle Mindley, FGC 33.48; SOFLO: 17. Sofia Rodriguez 37.78; 11-12, 1. Alera Hurwitz, FGC 28.98.

100-yard backstroke: 13-14, 1. Maeve Eckerman, FL 57.64; SOFLO: 2. Julianne McCranie 58.70, 13. Gabriella DeLuna 1:02.52, 24. Amelie Bicerne 1:07.30.

100-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Cali Jerabek, FGC 1:00.86; SOFLO: 13. Jemma Baldwin 1:07.13, 17. Gigi Martin 1:10.10, time drop 1.93; 11-12, 1. Sofia Jorge, FGC 53.35; SOFLO: 20. Lydia Smutny 1:00.48.

200-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Olivia Moore, FL 1:53.75; SOFLO: 23. Julianne McCranie 2:04.01, 28. Amelie Bicerne 2:05.74.

100-yard breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Shelby Evans, FGC 1:19.71; SOFLO: 6. Gigi Martin 1:25.06; 11-12, 1. Isabel Viera, FGC 1:09.82; 13-14, 1. Emma Sundermeyer, FL 1:05.67; SOFLO: 14. Gabriella DeLuna 1:13.34, time drop 0.34.

200-yard individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Mia Pistanek, FL 2:36.62; SOFLO: 3. Jemma Baldwin 2:41.80; 11-12, 1. Sofia Jorge, FGC 2:14.31; SOFLO: 15. Lydia Smutny 2:28.62.

400-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Isabella Cardenas, FL 4:32.20; SOFLO: 14. Gabriella DeLuna 4:47.76.

200-yard freestyle relay: 10-and-under, 1. Florida Gold Coast A 1:54.73, 4. FGC B 2:02.54 (Jemma Baldwin, Gigi Martin, Shelby Evans, Sofia Rodriguez), 5. FGC C 2:02.81; 11-12, 1. FGC A 1:41.65, 2. Florida Swimming A 1:42.49, 3. Florida Swimming B 1:45.62, 4. FGC B 1:47.22, 5. FGC C 1:48.98; 13-14, 1. Florida Swimming A 1:29.07, 2. Florida Swimming B 1:29.68, 3. FGC A 1:29.96, 5. FGC C 1:35.41 (Julianne McCranie, Leorah Rotchin, Kiera Ramoersad, Paola Negrin), 7. FGC D 1:38.32.

BOYS

50-yard backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Sawyer Hansen, FL 31.53; SOFLO: 12. Guillermo Mantilla 38.63; 11-12, 1. Bogdan Zverev, FL 27.01.

100-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Aidan Clements, FL 53.06.

100-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Trace Colton, FGC 57.52; SOFLO: 19. Guillermo Mantilla 1:08.47; 11-12, 1. Owen Ekk, FL 49.38; SOFLO: 29. Olga Viazmetinov 1:01.46.

200-yard freestyle: 13-14, 1. Giulian Martin, FGC 1:46.04.

100-yard breaststroke: 10-and-under, 1. Reef McMeeking, FL 1:16.98; SOFLO: 6. Noah Mejias 1:25.64, time drop 2.21; 11-12, 1. Owen Ekk, FL 1:05.55; SOFLO: 15. Olga Viazmetinov 1:24.90; 13-14, 1. Giulian Martin, FGC 58.29.

200-yard individual medley: 10-and-under, 1. Trace Colton, FGC 2:26.14; SOFLO: 9. Noah Mejias 2:38.58, time drop 0.15; 11-12, 1. Owen Ekk, FL 2:03.02.

400-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Hayden Sunman, FL 4:14.51.

200-yard freestyle relay: 10-and-under, 1. Florida Swimming A 1:51.39, 2. FGC A 1:52.16, 3. FGC B 1:56.12; 11-12, 1. Florida Swimming A 1:35.92, 2. FGC A 1:39.17, 3. Florida Swimming B 1:40.05, 6. FGC B 1:43.82; 13-14, 1. Florida Swimming A 1:29.07, 2. Florida Swimming B 1:29.68, 3. FGC A 1:29.96, 5. FGC C 1:35.41, 7. FGC D 1:38.32.

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

Texas Regains Lead After Day Three Of NCAA Division 1 Men’s Swimming And Diving Championship

By Sharon Robb
GREENSBORO, N.C., March 26, 2021–Defending champion California and Texas are still locked in a battle after three days of competition in the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship at Greensboro Aquatic Center.

Texas regained the lead with 414 points. All 16 of its swimmers have made at least one final and scored. Defending national champion California dropped to second with 372 points. University of Florida is third with 282.

University of Miami is tied with Tennessee for 18th with 38 points. Florida State is 23rd with 24.5.

Florida State junior Izaak Bastian, a St. Andrew’s alum and Bahamas national team member, was 19th in the 100-yard breaststroke in 52.29, off his best time of 51.84.

Indiana diver Andrew Capobianco knocked off former Fort Lauderdale diver Jordan Windle of Texas for the 3-meter springboard title. Capobianco finished with 505.20 points and Windle had 484.60. Miami sophomore Brodie Scapens was fifth with 413.75. Miami freshman teammate Jack Matthews was 121th with 389.85.

In swimming action, Florida junior Bobby Finke opened with a win in the 400-yard individual medley in a pool record 3:36.90. The pool record was first broken in prelims by Texas freshman Carson Foster in 3:37.79.

California senior Ryan Hoffer won the 100-yard butterfly in 44.25, his second win of the meet.

Florida junior Kieran Smith won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:30.10 just ahead of Texas junior Drew Kibler in 1:30.39.

Minnesota junior Max McHugh won the 100-yard breaststroke in a pool record 50.87. McHugh is a great comeback story after recovering from a gunshot injury in 2019.

Texas A&M junior Shaine Casas won the 100-yard backstroke in 44.20 ahead of N.C. State sophomore Kacper Stokowski in 44.37.

Louisville pulled off a win in the 200-yard medley relay in a pool record 1:22.11 with Mitchell Whyte, Evgeni Somov, Nicolas Albiero and Haridi Sameh.

Florida was second in 1:22.41 with Adam Chaney, Dillon Hillis, Eric Friese and Will Davis. Chaney had a 20.55 opening split.

A total of 235 swimmers from 41 teams are competing. California is defending champion and Texas was runner-up in 2019. No NCAAs were held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, Texas won it four consecutive years with California runner-up those four years.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s championships looks a lot different, much like last week’s women’s NCAAs.

Due to the mass gathering restrictions in place in North Carolina, spectators were not allowed to attend the meet including parents, family members and friends.

There is no participant seating on the pool deck. All teams and individuals were assigned seating in the grandstand seating area.

The meet is airing on ESPN3 for both preliminary and finals sessions.

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

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

Florida Swimming Takes Early Lead After Day One Of All-Star Dual Meet

FORT PIERCE, March 26, 2021—Defending champion Florida Swimming took the early lead in the annual Florida Gold Coast-Florida Swimming All-Star Dual Meet Friday night at Indian River State College’s Anne Wilder Aquatic Complex.

Florida Swimming leads the combined team standings, 89-49; girls, 28-17; and boys, 33-12.

Julianne McCranie, 14, was South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher placing third on Florida Gold Coast 13-14 mixed 200-yard medley relay in 1:43.13 with teammates Aly Bozzuto, George Gonzalez and Giulian Martin). McCranie had the second-fastest split of 25.78.

McCranie has six events left to swim: 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard backstroke and 100-yard freestyle.

SOFLO’s Noah Mejias, 10, swam a best time in the 500-yard freestyle to finish eighth in 6:21.57, dropping 9.36 seconds. Mejias was also on the ninth place 10-and-under 200-yard medley relay that finished in 2:19.32.

Mejias has the 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard individual medley, 100-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly and 50-yard breaststroke left to swim.

SOFLO’s Sofia Rodriguez, 10, was a member of the sixth place 10-and-under 200-yard medley relay that finished in 2:13.70 with teammates Jayden Park, Marcos Machado and Alma Cancio Jorge. Rodriguez has six events left to swim.

Last year Florida Swimming swept all three titles: combined, 871-556; boys 403-263; and girls 406-259.

SOFLO has seven girls and and four boys on the team for the three-day meet.

SOFLO Makos age group coach Isidro (Coach Issy) Planell is coaching the 11-12 boys.

The top six finishers at the Florida Gold Coast 14&Under Short Course Junior Olympics in Coral Springs qualified for the team.

Like all swim meets across the nation, COVID-19 safety protocols are in place during the meet. Last year the All-Star meet was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Masks are required for all swimmers when not swimming.

FGC All-Stars has an expanded socially distant seating area on the opposite side of the pool from Florida’s team.

The meet has a closed deck. No parents are allowed in the swimmer or coaches areas.

For coaches and officials, all meals are being ordered in To Go containers.

Meetings require masks and held outdoors when it’s available and weather permitting.

FRIDAY RESULTS
TEAM TOTALS
COMBINED: Florida Swimming 89, Florida Gold Coast 49
BOYS: Florida Swimming 33, Florida Gold Coast 12
GIRLS: Florida Swimming 28, Florida Gold Coast 17

GIRLS
1,000-yard freestyle:
13-14, None; 11-12, 1. Karrington Hansen, FL 11:07.00, 2. Brinkleigh Hansen, FL 11:11.39, 3. Ale Gendarmi, FGC 11:37.75; FGC: 4. Allison Connors 11:44.29.

500-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Mia Pistanek, FL 5:54.17, 2. Cali Jerabek, FGC 5:56.80, 3. Maya Szylkowski, FL 6:02.05.

BOYS
1,000-yard freestyle: 13-14: 1. Ryan Erisman, FL 9:46.78, 2. Graham Evans, FL 9:51.94, 3. Brody Singley, FL 9:52.38; FGC: 4. Gabriel Tortola 10:10.57; 11-12, 1. Owen Ekk, FL 9:57.10, 2/Colin Jacobs, FL 10:04.11, 3. Lucas Fernandez-Chung, FGC 10:41.08.

500-yard freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Sawyer Hansen, FL 5:33.16, 2. Lincoln Driesse, FL 5:36.29, 3. Vlad Malyshev, FGC 5:50.23; SOFLO: 8. Noah Mejias 6:21.57, time drop 9.36.

Mixed 200-yard medley relay:
13-14, 1. Florida Swimming A 41.15, 2. Florida Swimming B 1:42.77, 3. FGC A 1:43.13 (Aly Bozzuto, George Gonzalez, Julianne McCranie, Giulian Martin), 6. FGC B 1:45.66, 13. FGC 1:49.01 (Gabriella DeLuna, Carlos Flores, Leorah Rotchin, Mateo Silva).

11-12, 1. Florida Swimming A 1:48.22, 2. FGC A 1:50.57, 3. FGC B 1:53.23.

10-and-under, 1. FGC A 2:07.68 (Nicolas Lacharme, Cali Jerabek, Trace Colton, Aria-Noelle Mindley), 2. Florida 2:08.42, 3. FGC B 2:10.69, 6. FGC 2:13.70 (Sofia Rodriguez, Jayden Park, Marcos Machado, Alma Cancio Jorge), 9. FGC E 2:19.32 (Alicia Salazar, AAleyah Osouna, Noah Mejias, Sule Erkuloglu).

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

Former Fort Lauderdale Diver Jordan Windle Wins 1-Meter; California Takes Lead At NCAA Division 1 Men’s Swimming And Diving Championship

By Sharon Robb
GREENSBORO, N.C., March 25, 2021–Defending champion California overtook opening day leader and chief rival Texas Thursday in the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship at Greensboro Aquatic Center.

The Cal Bears lead with 230 points followed by Texas with 203 and University of Florida with 161 points. University of Miami is 19th with 19 points and Florida State is 20th with 18.5.

Texas senior Jordan Windle, who grew up in Fort Lauderdale, won the 1-meter springboard title with 435.60 points, bettering his prelim total of 379.30. It was Texas’ first 1-meter title since 2012. Longhorns freshman teammate Noah Duperre was second with 405.45. The pair totaled 37 points. University of Miami sophomore Brodie Scapens was seventh with 337.15 points and freshman teammate Jack Matthews was tenth with 342.65 points.

Defending national champion California opened the night with a win in the 200-yard freestyle relay in a pool record 1:14.36 with relay members Bjorn Seeliger, Ryan Hoffer, Daniel Carr and Nate Biondi, oldest son of 11-time Olympic medalist and one of Cal’s most accomplished athletes, Matt Biondi.

Top-seed Florida was second in 1:14.48 with Adam Chaney, Will Davis, Kieran Smith and Eric Friese, who had an 18.38 anchor split and nearly reeled in Biondi. Florida State was 15th in 1:17.07 with Peter Varjasi, Kuba Ksiazek, Mason Herbet and Max McCusker.

Georgia freshman Jake Magahey won the 500-yard freestyle in a meet record 4:07.97. He was the only freshman in the Top 16. The previous mark was 4:08.19 set by Townley Haas of Texas in 2019.

Smith, a junior, came back after the relay to finish second in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:08.07, also breaking the meet record. Gator teammates Bobby Finke was sixth in 4:11.11, Trey Freeman was 11th in 4:12.21 and Alfonso Mestre was 14th in 4:14.97 for 39 total points.

Texas A&M junior Shaine Casas won the 200-yard individual medley in 1:39.53. Cal junior Hugo Gonzalez was second in 1:39.99 and Bears freshman teammate Destin Lasco was third in 1:40.01. The top three finishers all dipped below the previous pool record of 1:40.61 set in prelims by Lasco.

Cal senior Ryan Hoffer won the 50-yard freestyle in 18.33, breaking his own pool record of 18.43 set in morning prelims. Cal freshman Bjorn Seeliger was second in 18.71 and Florida freshman Adam Chaney was third in 18.88.

In the final event of the night, Texas edged California in the 400-yard medley relay. The Longhorns won in a pool record 3:00.23 with Chris Staka, Caspar Corbeau, Alvin Jiang and Daniel Krueger. The Bears were a close second in 3:00.73 with Destin Lasco, Reece Whitley, Ryan Hoffer and Bjorn Seeliger. Florida was third in 3:01.51 with Adam Cheney, Dillon Hillis, Eric Friese and workhorse Smith. Florida State was 11th in 3:04.83 with St. Andrew’s alum Izaak Bastian swimming the second leg in a 51.31 split.

Bastian, a Bahamian national team member, will compete in the 100 breaststroke on Friday.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s championships looks a lot different, much like last week’s women’s NCAAs.

Due to the mass gathering restrictions in place in North Carolina, spectators were not allowed to attend the meet including parents, family members and friends.

There is no participant seating on the pool deck. All teams and individuals were assigned seating in the grandstand seating area.

The meet is airing on ESPN3 for both preliminary and finals sessions.

Friday’s events are: 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard medley relay and 3-meter diving.

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

TYR FEBRUARY BOY SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Eric Ferrer

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, March 25, 2021–Eric Ferrer found his favorite sport and it’s swimming.

Ferrer, 10, a fourth grader at Pembroke Pines West Elementary School, trains with Coach Luis Soler and the Asteroids.

Ferrer has been swimming with South Florida Aquatic Club for nearly three years and is improving with every meet. At last month’s Florida Gold Coast Short Course Yards BB Silver Championships South, Ferrer made four Junior Olympic cuts

“I didn’t like any of the other sports like soccer, it just got boring,” Ferrer explained.

After he was involved in taekwondo for five years and earned a black belt at age 9, his mom suggested swimming. Ferrer said taekwondo helped him with swimming with his “flexibility, confidence, muscles and strength.”

Ferrer and is younger brother Gabriel, a SOFLO Dipper, turned out to be naturals in the sport.

“I can to talk to my friends,” said Ferrer when asked what he likes so much about swimming. “I can get very competitive and I like that.”

Swimming also helps with time management and discipline, Ferrer said. He trains Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 5:30-7 p.m and Tuesday and Thursday, 7-8:30.

While he does every stroke and most events except the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle, his favorite is the backstroke. He said his biggest meets have been BBs and JOs and attributed his success to several factors. He said his mom was a big help making him healthy smoothies before BBs and JOs.

“My mom’s good drinks with bananas and beets, stretching and practice,” Ferrer said. “I really liked JOs because having to come back for finals was fun. It was really hard swimming morning and night. I was tired but it was a good experience.”

Ferrer has several goals for the future including “getting 11-12 JOs cuts, to move up to Bronze and work on my breaststroke.”

Between school and swimming, Ferrer likes to bike and reads a lot, he said. Currently, he is reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

His mom and swimming chaffeur, Lily Ferrer said “We are very proud of him. He works really hard.

“He had already maxed out on taekwondo so we were looking for something more of an overall workout,” she said.

“We had friends that used to be a part of the club and told us about it. He had been swimming already since he was 5 so we figured that would be the next best move for him. Something individual but at the same time a team-oriented sport.”

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

Texas Opens NCAA Division 1 Men’s Swimming And Diving Championship With A Relay Win

By Sharon Robb
GREENSBORO, N.C., March 23, 2021–University of Texas got on the scoreboard first Wednesday in the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship at Greensboro Aquatic Center.

The Longhorns won the 800-yard freestyle relay in a pool record 6:07.25 with Drew Kibler, Austin Katz, Carson Foster and Jake Sannem.

Defending national champion California was second in 6:08.68 with Trenton Julian, Daniel Carr, Destin Lasco and Bryce Mefford. Texas A&M was third in 6:10.79.

University of Florida was fourth in 6:10.91 with Kieran Smith, Troy Freeman, Alfonso Mestre and Bobby Finke.

The top four teams all finished under the previous pool record of 6:11.84 set in 2019 by Louisville.

A total of 235 swimmers from 41 teams are competing. California is defending champion and Texas was runner-up in 2019. Before that, Texas won it four consecutive years with California runner-up those four years.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s championships will look a lot different, much like last week’s women’s NCAAs.

Due to the mass gathering restrictions in place in North Carolina, spectators are not allowed to attend the meet including parents, family members and friends.

There is no participant seating on the pool deck. All teams and individuals were assigned seating in the grandstand seating area.

The meet is airing on ESPN3 for both preliminary and finals sessions.

Thursday’s events are 200-yard freestyle relay, 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley, 50-yard freestyle, 1-meter diving and 400-yard medley relay.

ELSEWHERE

ST. PETERSBURG—Six-time Olympian Ryan Lochte held off Caeleb Dressel in the 200-meter individual medley and won the 100-meter backstroke in the ISCA TYR International Senior Cup Wednesday at North Shore Aquatic Complex.

Lochte, 36, training for his fifth Olympic Games, won the 200 IM in 1:59.72 ahead of Gator Swim Club teammates Dressel was second in 2:00.50. He won the 100 backstroke in 55.92.

Dressel won the 50-meter butterfly in 23.98 and Singapore Olympic gold medalist Joseph Schooling tied Will Davis for second in 24.08.

Erika Pelaez, 14, of Eagle Aquatics won the 16-and-under 100-meter backstroke in 1:01.88. Cornell grad Ilya Evdokimov, 25, of Pinnacle (Va.) Racing won the men’s 100-meter breaststroke in 1:02.04. Evdokimov is a Florida Gold Coast swimmer who competed for Taravella High School and Coral Springs Swim Club.

SOFLO will compete in the ISCA East Elite Showcase Classic March 31-April 3.

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