SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson Takes First, Second On Day One Of UANA Tokyo Qualifier

By Sharon Robb
CLERMONT, April 29, 2021—Four-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson opened the UANA Tokyo Qualifier with a first and second in sprint events on Thursday at Orlando Health National Training Center.

Atkinson, 32, won the 50-meter breaststroke in 31.69 for her tenth consecutive win on U.S. soil. She has not lost the event since May 2016.

She was also second in the 50-meter butterfly in 27.03 behind third-seeded 16-year-old Athena Meneses Kovacs of Mexico in a lifetime-best and 27.01.

Atkinson competes in the 100-meter breaststroke on Friday. She is seeded second in her signature event behind Melissa Rodriguez Villanueva, 26, of Britania Desert Dragons.

U.S. Olympic trials qualifier Julia Podkoscielny, 16, of Pine Crest Swim Team tied Alexia Patricia Sotomayor, 14, of Club De Regatas Lima for second in the 50-meter backstroke in 29.59.

Bahamian national team member Izaak Bastian, 20, swimming unattached-Florida State was second in the 50-meter breaststroke in 28.22.

Other winners were:
Kate Beavon, 21, Unattached-Boilermaker Aquatics, 1,500-meter freestyle, 16:55.59.

McKenna DeBever, 24, Tennessee Aquatics 50-meter backstroke, 29.52, lifetime-best after being seeded 11th in 30.82.

Top-seeded Bobby Finke, 21, Unattached-University of Florida, 800-meter freestyle, 7:55.05.

Jorge Andres Iga Cesar, 24, Mexico 24.00, lifetime-best and national record, 50-meter butterfly.

Top-seeded Adam Chaney, 19, Unattached-University of Florida, 50-meter backstroke 26.10.

Josue Dominguez, 24, Dominican Republic, 50-meter breaststroke, 27.98, lifetime-best and national record.

The four-day meet, hosted by Azura Florida Aquatics and Montverde Academy Swimming, has attracted 300 swimmers and 74 teams from 60 nations.

As a FINA-approved event, swimmers who participate will be eligible to qualify for the July 23-August 8 Tokyo Olympic Games; Sept. 9-19 Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia; Dec. 15-20 FINA SCM World Championship in Abu Dhabi and May 13-29, 2022 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

UANA (Union Americana de Natación or Swimming Union of the Americas) is the international governing body in the Western Hemisphere for amateur aquatics. UANA is one of five continental regions within FINA.

Friday through Sunday, prelims are 9 a.m. and finals 5 p.m. Friday’s events are: men’s and women’s 200-meter freestyle, 100-meter breaststroke, 100-meter backstroke and 400-meter individual medley.

The meet is being shown on the Pan Am Sports TV channel available on an app which can be downloaded for free on various devices.

THURSDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
1,500-meter freestyle: 1. Kate Beavon, Unattached 16:55.59, 2. Chloe Kim, SCAR 17:03.70, 3. Kate Hurst, SCAR 17:06.14.

50-meter butterfly: 1. Athena Meneses Kovacs, EMEX 27.01, 2. Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 27.03, 3. Jenny Holden, Unattached 27.20.

50-meter backstroke: 1. McKenna DeBever, TINAQ 29.52, 2. tie, Julia Podkoscielny, PC 29.59 and Alexia Patricia Sotomayor, RL 29.59.

50-meter breaststroke: 1. Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 31.69, 2. Melissa Rodriguez-Villanueva, BDD 31.83, 3. Emily Santos, MVAC 32.77.

MEN
800-meter freestyle: 1. Bobby Finke, Unattached 7:55.05, 2. Alfonso Mestre, Unattached 7:56.94, 3. Ricardo Vargas Jacobo, EMEX 8:03.20.

50-meter butterfly: 1. Jorge Andres Iga Cesar, EMEX 24.00, 2. Kent Olsen-Stavrakas, STAR 24.15, 3. Isaac Davis, Unattached 24.18; 26. Miguel Cancel, Unattached Florida 25.89, time drop 1.66.

50-meter backstroke: 1. Adam Chaney, Unattached 26.10, 2. Yeziel Morales, Azura 26.13, 3. Diego Camacho Salgado, OLYM 26.26, 4. Patrick Groters 26.41, time drop 0.19, 16. Miguel Cancel, Unattached Florida 27.44, time drop 0.17, 23. Juan Colmenares, VEN 28.83, time drop 0.11.

50-meter breaststroke: 1. Josue Dominguez, DOM 27.98, 2. Izaak Bastian, Unattached FSU 28.22, 3. Edgar Crespo, SA 28.23, 19. Miguel Cancel, Unattached Florida 30.39, time drop 3.07, 26. Javier Colmenares, VEN 31.14.

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

Michelle Morgan, Joshua Brown Win Opening Day Events At TYR 18&Under Spring Cup

By Sharon Robb
ORLANDO, April 29, 2021—The TYR 18&Under Spring Cup got under way Thursday with distance events at Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center.

Michelle Morgan, 16, of Pipeline Swimming won the women’s 800-meter freestyle in 9:00.53 ahead of Paige Housman, 16, of Flying Fish Arizona in 9:01.74.

Erin Miller, 16, of St. Andrew’s Aquatics coming off two open water events, was 13th in 9:20.03. She was the only Florida Gold Coast swimmer in the field.

Joshua Brown, 18, of Highlander Aquatics won the men’s 1500-meter freestyle in 15:48.87. Andrew Taylor of Tampa Bay Aquatics was second in 15:49.77. No Florida Gold Coast swimmers were in the men’s event.

Blue Dolfins lead the women’s team standings after Day One with 33 points. Pipeline Swimming is second with 20. St. Andrew’s is 11th with four points.

Area Tallahassee lead the men’s team standings with 31 points. Highlander Aquatic Club is second with 20 points.

South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers Elena Dinehart, 16, 200-meter freestyle and 100 butterfly; Olivia Dinehart, 16, 100-meter breaststroke and 400 IM; Maddie Smutny, 15, 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly; Dominic Bono, 17, 400 IM; Miguel Sierra, 18, 100 butterfly and Juan Mora, 18, 100 breaststroke begin competing on Friday.

The USA Swimming long course meter competition features four host sites across the country, all scheduled from Thursday through Sunday.

The meet was created in March as an additional opportunity for in-person competition for young swimmers to earn qualifying cuts for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in June in Omaha, Nebraska.

USA Swimming was recently made aware of California Department of Health restrictions that will no longer allow out-of-state teams to compete at the Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine, Calif., location of the TYR 18&Under Spring Cup.

Affected teams have the opportunity to attend any of the other three sites at Wellmark YMCA in Des Moines, Iowa; SwimRVA in Richmond, Va. or Orlando, if they choose. It is the only geographical exemption permitted.

The event is the third national event for 18&Under swimmers hosted by USA Swimming since December 2020, following the 18&Under Winter Championships and the 18&Under Spring Virtual Championships.

Prelims and finals events are Friday through Sunday 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday’s events are: 200-meter freestyle, 100-meter breaststroke, 100-meter butterfly and 400-meter individual medley.

The meet will be live streamed on iSWIMTV and will be updated on social media @iSWIMTV.

THURSDAY RESULTS
WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Blue Dolfins 33, 2. Pipeline Swimming 20, 3. Flying Fish 17, 4. Area Tallahassee 15, 5. Gulf Coast 14, 11. St. Andrew’s Aquatics 4.

WOMEN
800-meter freestyle:

1. Michelle Morgan, PIP 9:00.53, 2. Paige Housman, FLYF 9:01.74, 3. Carlie Rose, BD 9:02.23; FGC: 13. Erin Miller, SAS 9:20.03.

MEN
MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Area Tallahassee 31, 2. Highlander Aquatic Club 20, 3. Tampa Bay 17, 4. Flying Fish Arizona 14, 5. T2 Aquatics 13, 6. Blue Dolfins 12.

1500-meter freestyle:

1. Joshua Brown, HIGH 15:48.87, 2. Andrew Taylor, TB 15:49.77, 3. Stuart Higdon, AT 15:56.66

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

SOFLO Super Six Will Compete In TYR 18&Under Spring Cup That Begins Thursday

By Sharon Robb
ORLANDO, April 28, 2021—South Florida Aquatic Club will be well-represented at the TYR 18&Under Spring Cup that begins Thursday at Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center.

Fifteen-year-old U.S. Olympic trials qualifier Maddie Smutny heads SOFLO’s contingent that also includes twin sisters Olivia and Elena Dinehart, 16, Dominic Bono, 17, Juan Mora, 16, and Miguel Sierra, 16. They will swim a total of 27 individual events.

The USA Swimming long course meter competition features four host sites across the country, all scheduled from Thursday through Sunday. The meet was created in March as an additional opportunity for in-person competition for young swimmers to earn qualifying cuts for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in June in Omaha, Nebraska.

USA Swimming was recently made aware of California Department of Health restrictions that will no longer allow out-of-state teams to compete at the Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine, Calif. location of the TYR 18&Under Spring Cup.

Affected teams will have the opportunity to attend any of the other three sites at Wellmark YMCA in Des Moines, Iowa; SwimRVA in Richmond, Va. or Orlando, if they choose. It is the only geographical exemption permitted.

The event is the third national event for 18&Under swimmers hosted by USA Swimming since December 2020, following the 18&Under Winter Championships and the 18&Under Spring Virtual Championships.

Smutny made her first trials cut in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:14.37 at the Piranhas Senior Invitational in March. She dipped under the first wave cut of 2:14.59.

Smutny is entered in the 200-meter freestyle, 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, 400-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley.

Bono, headed to Youngstown State University in the fall, is entered in the 200- and 400-meter individual medley, 400-meter freestyle and 200-meter backstroke.

Elena Dinehart will swim the 200-meter freestyle, 100-meter butterfly, 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter backstroke.

Olivia Dinehart is entered in six events: 100- and 200-meter breaststroke, 200- and 400-meter individual medley and 100- and 400-meter freestyle. She is seeded first in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:37.29.

Mora will swim the 100- and 200-meter breaststrokes and 100-meter freestyle.

Sierra is entered in the 100- and 200-meter butterfly events, 50- and 100-meter freestyles and 100-meter backstroke.

Thursday’s timed final events are the women’s 800-meter freestyle and 1500-meter freestyle at 5 p.m. Prelims and finals events are Friday through Sunday.

The meet will be live streamed on iSWIMTV and will be updated on social media @iSWIMTV.

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

SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson Heads Field For UANA Tokyo Qualifier That Begins Thursday In Clermont

By Sharon Robb
CLERMONT, April 28, 2021—Four-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson heads a fast field for the UANA Tokyo Qualifier that gets under way Thursday at Orlando Health National Training Center.

The four-day meet, hosted by Azura Florida Aquatics and Montverde Academy Swimming, has attracted 300 swimmers and 74 teams from 60 nations.

As a FINA-approved event, swimmers who participate will be eligible to qualify for the July 23-August 8 Tokyo Olympic Games; Sept. 9-19 Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia; Dec. 15-20 FINA SCM World Championships in Abu Dhabi and May 13-29, 2022 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

“The UANA Tokyo Qualifier is a significant opportunity for swimmers throughout the world to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games,” said Dale Neuberger, newly-named FINA Treasurer. “With athletes from over 60 countries competing, the state of Florida has established itself as an important and desirable location for international competition.”

UANA (Union Americana de Natación) is the international governing body in the Western Hemisphere for amateur aquatics. UANA is one of five continental regions within FINA.

Recently, Atkinson was named an an athlete member to the UANA Technical Committee for swimming through 2023.

Atkinson, 32, one of the oldest swimmers in the meet, has already qualified for her fifth Olympics in Tokyo in her signature 100-meter breaststroke event.

In addition to the 100-meter breaststroke, Atkinson is also entered in the 50-meter butterfly, 50-meter breaststroke and 100-meter butterfly. She is seeded first in the 50-meter butterfly (26.61) and breaststroke (30.58) events, second in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.00) and third in the 100-meter butterfly (1:00.87).

She will be joined by four other SOFLO teammates: Mariangela Cincotti Serafini, 17, and Andrea Santander, 19, both of Venezuela; Julio Horrego, 22, of Honduras and Leo Mateus, 19, of Colombia.

All five swimmers are representing SOFLO.

Horrego is entered in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter breaststroke events and is an Olympic hopeful. Horrego represented Honduras at the Central American and Caribbean Games where he was fifth in the 200 breast in 2:16.40 and eighth in the 200 IM in 2:05.40. At the 2018 CCCAN meet he won the 100 breast (1:03.30); 200 breaststroke (2:20.87) and 200 IM (2:04.85). He was a two-time high school state champion at Mater Academy and former Florida State swimmer.

Cincotti Serafini, headed to Drexel University in the fall, will swim the 100, 200, 400 and 800 freestyle events. She will graduate from Nova Southeastern University School where she qualified for the state meet as a junior and broke school records in the 200 and 500 freestyles. She is a member of Venezuela’s national team and has competed in the Pan American and South American Games. In 2018, she qualified for the Open Water Junior World Championships in Eilat. She is a member of two Venezuelan national age group relay records.

Santander, a former Broward County High School Swimmer of the Year and state champion for Pine Crest, earned a scholarship to University of Southern California her senior year. As a junior, she represented Venezuela in international meets including the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires at age 16. She has competed in five international meets, her first three 17-18 meets and junior worlds. Santander is entered in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter freestyles and 200-meter individual medley.

Mateus, an Everglades High School alum currently enrolled at Yale, swims for the Colombian Swimming Federation and has limited international experience. He is entered in the 200-meter backstroke and breaststroke events and 200- and 400-meter individual medleys.

Miguel Cancel, who trains at SOFLO when he’s not attending and swimming at University of Florida, is competing unattached for Florida. Cancel, a Gulliver Prep alum where he won four individual state titles, has competed on the international scene for Puerto Rico. Among his events are the 50 butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke sprints and 200 and 400 IM.

Also competing are SOFLO’s Juan Colmenares, 17, and Javier Colmenares, 14, representing Venezuela and competing for international meet experience.

There will be several other familiar faces with Florida ties in the meet.

Aruba’s Patrick Groters, 22, coached by his brother Jordy, is a NSU University School alum. Their mother is UANA President Maureen Croes.

“I am extremely pleased with the event that UANA, together with Azura, Montverde, Orlando Health National Training Center and Greater Orlando Sports Commission, put together in a very short time,” Croes said.

“Organization of any sporting event during the pandemic is very challenging and requires more attention to details to ensure our athletes and coaches are able to do what they do best safely. I am grateful to all involved, as cooperation and willingness to support has been beyond my wildest dreams.”

Pine Crest will have a talented group of swimmers led by 16-year-old U.S. Olympic trials qualifier Julia Podkoscielny.

Host Azura has a large contingent entered led by El Salvador Olympian Marcelo Acosta, 24. He was the first swimmer from El Salvador to qualify for the Olympics with an “A” cut in 2016.

St. Andrew’s alum Izaak Bastian, 20, swimming unattached for Florida State, is representing the Bahamas as a member of the national team and national record holder.

On Thursday timed finals session begins 5 p.m. Events are women’s 1500-meter freestyle, men’s 800-meter freestyle and men’s and women’s 50-meter butterfly, 50-meter backstroke and 50-meter breaststroke. Friday through Sunday, prelims are 9 a.m. and finals 5 p.m.

The meet is being shown on the Pan Am Sports TV channel available on an app which can be downloaded for free on various devices.

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

SOFLO Swimmers, Coaches Kick It Up A Notch For Successful SoFlo500 Club Fundraiser

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, April 26, 2021–It was a total team effort for South Florida Aquatic Club’s SoFlo500 fundraiser earlier this month at Academic Village pool.

The successful SoFlo500 lap-a-thon raised much-needed funding for the Comets Booster Club by swimming 500 miles non-stop in 21 hours. The teamed logged 883,650 yards for 535.55 miles.

The top girls were Izzy Wilson with 10,350 yards and Katelyn Gembicki with 10,200 yards.

The top boys all with 10,000 yards each were Enrique Rodriguez, Ivan Grass, John Paul Handal, Adrian Hernandez, Manuel Melendez and Javier Roman.

The breakdown of groups and yardage leaders were:

GOLD: 186,050, Manuel Melendez, 10,000; Gabriela Avila, 9,050.

SILVER: 162,900, Hashan Ekanayake, 9,650; Amelie Bicerne, 8,550.

NATIONAL: 116,850, Enrique Rodriguez, John Paul Handal and Javier Roman, 10,000; Molly Golding, 9,000.

GREAT WHITE SHARKS: 92,550, Ivan Grass and Adrian Hernandez, 10,000; Natalie Gembicki, 6,750.

MAKO SHARKS: 82,600, Jaden Amores, 8,000; Izzy Wilson 10,350.

BRONZE: 81,800, Ryan Harries and Juan Vallmitjana, 8,000; Mackenzie McPherson 7,050.

ASTEROIDS: 48,850, Ian Barrios and Maximiliano Remmele, 4,500; Mikhel Martin, 5,250.

METEORITES: 33,250, Kyle Wehn, 4,250; Joanna Valdiviezo, 2,150.

DIPPERS: 23,750, Zachary Snigur, 3,750; Sofia Duranti, 2,150.

SENIOR DEVELOPMENT: 12,100, Jovanni London, 6,100.

PROFLO: 11,600, Leonardo Mateus, 8,600.

STAFF: 9,500, Chris Anderson, 2,200; Adrienne Brown, 5,500.

BLUE SHARKS: 6,800, Lydia Smutny, 6,800.

AGE GROUP DEVELOPMENT: 5,050, Noslen De Lapuente, 3,000; Catalina Restrepo, 2,050.

BULL SHARKS: 5,000, Jiana Amores, 5,000.

HAMMERHEAD SHARKS: Sydney Sever, 5,000.

The funds raised will be ear-marked for the club’s 21 graduating seniors’ special farewell night at the pool; pool enhancement equipment including new timing pads, timing system equipment and dryland training essentials at both club sites in Pembroke Pines and Miami. It is the club’s only fundraiser of the year.

The seniors’ club scholarships are an annual tradition for the 20-year-old Florida Gold Coast USA Swimming silver medal club.

Seniors are awarded $100 for every year they have been with SOFLO. It helps to encourage the swimmers to stay in the sport and inspire them to swim in college. It’s also a way to give back to the swimmers for their dedication to SOFLO through the years.

SOFLO is donating a percentage of the proceeds to the family of fallen FBI agent Laura Schwartzenberger killed while on duty last month. She leaves behind a husband and two children. Schwartzenberger was instrumental in donating her time to help SOFLO raise awareness of Safe Sport and keeping SOFLO athletes safe.

SOFLO is also donating a percentage of the proceeds to Feeding South Florida to help those still struggling in our community because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Leonardo Mateus, Nat Gembicki Top SOFLO Finishers At FGC Open Water Championship

By Sharon Robb
POMPANO BEACH, April 25, 2021—Leonardo Mateus and Nat Gembicki were top finishers for South Florida Aquatic Club in the Florida Gold Coast Open Water Championship Saturday in less than ideal racing conditions at the north side of the Pompano Beach Pier.

Mateus, 20, was third in 48 minutes and 30 seconds in the 3K men’s race despite choppy water and wind. Pompano Beach Piranhas teammates Marcus Szabo, 15, and Gary Stevens, 15, finished one-two, both in 46:33, with just 100ths of a second separating them.

Mateus’ younger brother Alejandro, 16, was fifth in 50:17. SOFLO had four swimmers in the top 11. Jaden Amores, 14, was ninth in 53:09, Felix Gonzalez, 15, was tenth in 53:13 and Ivan Grass, 16, was 11th in 53:15.

The men’s 3K field featured 39 swimmers.

Gembicki, 16, was fifth in the women’s 3K in 52:53 followed by teammate Izzy Wilson, 15, in 53:12.

Erin Miller, 16, of St. Andrew’s Swimming won the 3K race in 49:41, the only girl swimmer to crack 50 minutes. Teammate Ella Martinez, 18, was second in 50:54. Both were coming off last weekend’s USA Swimming Women’s Open Water National Championship.

St. Andrew’s Swimming had seven girls among the top 11 finishers. The girls field had 25 swimmers.

The 3K started 50 meters north of Pompano Beach Pier about 5 to 10 meters from the shoreline. Swimmers entered the ocean and swam east about 75 meters towards the 4-foot blue triangle buoy. Once past the buoy swimmers turned left and headed north to the 500-meter keeping marking buoys on their left shoulder to loop at the 4-foot light green pyramid buoy. Swimmers completed three loops of the course. On the last leg of the race swimmers passed the 30-inch red marking buoy before turning right and heading west toward the shore finish line chute.

Pompano Beach Piranhas finished one-two again in the men’s 1K race. Famiano Gianni, 15, won in 17:57 and Hardin Kolby, 15, was second in 17:59. The field had 27 finishers.

Kenny Paas, 13, was top SOFLO finisher placing 13th in 21:41 followed by Ryan Harries, 12, 14th in 22:01 and Victor Valdiviezo, 14, 15th in 22:06.

Addison Byrne, 14, of Pompano Beach Piranhas won the women’s 1K race in 18:32. Alexis Christensen, 16, was SOFLO’s top finisher placing sixth in 19:19. Teammate Tania Mantilla, 14, was tenth in 20:56.

The 1K race had the same start. Swimmers raced about 75 meters towards the blue triangle buoy and followed the same course going only one loop of the course. On the last leg of the race swimmers passed the red marking buoy before heading to the beach and finish line chute.

Davi Moreira, 14, of Pompano Beach Piranhas won the boys 14-and-under half kilometer (500) in 9:03, just ahead of Caleb Caponera, 11, of St. Andrew’s Swimming, also in 9:03. Guillermo Mantilla, 10, was SOFLO’s top finisher in 11:06 and only SOFLO swimmer in the top 10. The field had 20 finishers.

Katya Malyshev, 14, won the girls 14-and-under half kilometer race in 8:33. The field had 20 finishers.

The half-kilometer race also had the same starting point, heading east toward the blue buoy and then north for 250 meters. Once past the buoy swimmers turned left and headed 250 meters back to shore.

SOFLO had 30 girls and 22 boys competing in the various distances.

In addition to SOFLO and host Pompano Beach Piranhas, swimmers from the Wahoos of Wellington, St. Andrew’s Swimming, Plantation Swim Team, Hurricane Swimming, Boca Raton Swim Team, Delray Stingers, North Miami Swim Team and Sunrise Swimming competed. Entries were capped at 350.

SATURDAY RESULTS
MEN 3K

1. Marcus Szabo, PB 46:33, 2. Gary Steven, PB 46:33, 3. Leonardo Mateus, SOFLO 48:30, 4. Caeleb DaSilva, WOW 49:13, 5. Alejandro Mateus, SOFLO 50:17, 6. Ian Meiselman, DSST 50:29, 7. Andres DaSilva, WOW 50:34, 8. Alex Marquez, PB 50:51, 9. Jaden Amores, SOFLO 53:09, 10. Felix Gonzalez, SOFLO 53:13; SOFLO: 11. Ivan Grass 53:15, 13. Hashan Ekanayake 53:44, 20. Ethan McPek 57:11, 22. Felipe Rodriguez 57:55, 25. Juan Vallmitjana 59:57, 29. Mason Jimenez 1:03:11, 32. Nicholas Pelaez 1:08:00.

MEN 1K

1. Gianni Famiano, PB 17:57, 2. Kolby Hardin, PB 17:59, 3. Alex Marrero, PST 18:36, 4. Ivan Capalbo, PST 18:40, 5. Charles Wingold, PB 18:43, 6. Bryce Hardin, PB 18:54, 7. Jose Robles, PST 18:57, 8. Adriano Brunetti, PB 19:20, 9. Roberto Valdes, AJSC 19:34, 10. Andrew Smith, PB 19:44; SOFLO: 13. Kenny Paas 21:41, 14. Ryan Harries 22:01, 15. Victor Valdiviezo 22:06, 18. Abraham Penaloza 22:42.

BOYS 14-and-Under 500

1. Davi Moreira, PB 9:03, 2. Caleb Caponera, SAS 9:03, 3. Aiden O’Day, SAS 9:26, 4. Stepan Golik, SAS 9:28, 5. Becket Menacho, PB 9:34, 6. Vlad Malyshev, WOW 9:48, 7. Amir Vaelizadeh, PB 9:51, 8. Guillermo Mantilla, SOFLO 11:06, 9. Robbie Lilienthal, SAS 11:13, 10. Matthew Smith, PB 11:14; SOFLO: 15. Martin Petkov 12:35.

WOMEN 3K

1. Erin Miller, St. Andrew’s Swimming 49:41, 2. Ella Martinez, SAS 50:54, 3. Lilia Blanco, PB 51:20, 4. Sofia Hollos, SAS 52:31, 5. Nat Gembicki, SOFLO 52:53, 6. Izzy Wilson, SOFLO 53:12, 7. Rachel Lilienthal, SAS 56:00, 8. Sam Schoenborn, SAS 59:04, 9. Lillian Smith, SAS 59:06, 10. Amelie Bicerne 59:51; SOFLO: 14. Katelyn Gembicki 1:01:19, 16. Sabrina Osorio 1:04:52, 17. Elise Dinehart 1:05:10, 19. Gabriela Avila 1:07:06.

WOMEN 1K

1. Addison Byrne, PB 18:32, 2. Reese Andres, SAS 18:45, 3. Evelyn Balog, PB 18:48, 4. Sara Miller, SAS 18:52, 5. Sarah Porras, PST 18:54, 6. Alexis Christensen, SOFLO 19:19, 7. Jaclyn Nelson, PB 19:48, 8. Rachel Lilienthal, SAS 19:55, 9. Cecilia Mirones, SUN 20:00, 10. Tania Mantilla, SOFLO 20:56; SOFLO: 13. Fiorella DiSalvo 21:26, 19. Genesis Escobar 22:03, 21. Cali Harries 22:09, 23. Sarah Bedoya 22:14, 24. Dahlia Hirsh 22:21, 25. Mariann Catalasan 22:28, 26. Alexandra Strong 22:31, 34. Mikhel Martin 30:10, 35. Jemma Baldwin 30:17, 36. Sophia Avila 30:20, 37. Saree Young 30:21.

GIRLS 14-And-Under 500

1. Katya Malyshev, WOW 8:33, 2. Sam Schoenborn, SAS 8:56, 3. Evie Smith, Unattached 9:42, 4. Sadie Suarez, SAS 9:49, 5. Sofia Bolivar, SAS 10:16, 6. Lucia Blanco, PB 10:18, 7. Alina Rodriguez, PB 10:18, 8. Norah Reno, CANE 10:38, 9. Lilly Mirones, SUN 11:24, 10. Ulyana Egorova, SAS 11:30.

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

TYR MARCH GIRL SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Elise Dinehart

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, April 23, 2021–It was only natural Elise Dinehart would follow in the footsteps of her older twin sisters Elena and Olivia in swimming.

The family affair has turned into an advantage for the young talented swimmer.

Dinehart, 12, is in seventh grade and swims for Southwood Middle School along with South Florida Aquatic Club’s Mako Sharks group coached by Isidro Planell.

“It definitely helps having her sisters around,” Planell said. “They both work very hard and are positive influences for Elise when it comes to work ethic, attitude and being good people.”

Her work ethic paid off at the March 11-14 Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics at Coral Springs and March 31-April 3 International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA) East Coast Elite Showcase Classic Championship in St. Petersburg.

Dinehart scored 34 points (ninth place in high point for 11-12 girls) at JOs where she placed third in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:18.63 dropping 4.76 seconds off her previous best; fourth in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:28.65, dropping 19.51 and fifth in the 100-yard individual medley in 1:04.23, dropping 5.95.

“I think at the end of the meet I was really, really tired,” she said. “I was really happy with all my races.”

At ISCA, she was fifth in the 200-yard breaststroke, scoring 15 points and leading SOFLO girls in high point scoring. “That was really cool, the meet was a new experience because it was national,” she said.

Dinehart has been swimming for most of her life. She was 7 when she started competing in swim meets.

“I followed my sisters in swimming,” Dinehart said. “I was swimming already but I did watch them practice. It’s an advantage having older sisters because I can look up to them. I want to be like them when I’m older.

“We’re not competitive against each other. They do help me and give me advice about meets and stuff.”

Like many of her teammates, Dinehart loves to race.

“I love being competitive and racing people a lot,” she said. “I’m glad I stayed with swimming. It’s what I want to do. I really like it. I feel like when I am not doing well in practice or a meet, the next day I get more excited to try and go faster. It motivates me.”

Swimming has helped Dinehart with her time management when it comes to school.

“I’ve been working hard in school just like I do in swimming,” Dinehart said. “There is an advantage being home schooled because I can relax more, but I really want to go back to school.”

Dinehart’s long range goals include high school and college swimming and maybe even a trip to the Olympics one day. Dinehart is also in the art magnet program at middle school where she paints and draws.

Planell enjoys coaching Dinehart and watching her progress.

“Her work ethic is incredibly admirable,” he said. “Whenever she comes on deck for practice she brings positive energy along. She usually and almost always is the first person in the water. She always asks me to watch her strokes and see where she needs improvement.

“She never backs down from the challenges I throw at her during practice. In fact, she always responds positively by accepting the challenge and pushing through the entire set whether or not she hits the mark. She truly does set the example of what it means to be a Mako.”

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.

TYR, created by athletes, is named for the Norse god of warriors in Germanic mythology. Among its female-sponsored athletes are Simone Manuel, Katie Ledecky, Kelsi Dahlia, Lilly King, Melanie Margalis, Ashley Twichell and Molly Hannis.

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

TYR MARCH BOY SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Juan Vallmitjana

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, April 20, 2021–Swimming is music to Juan Vallmitjana’s ears.

The talented violinist is making great progress with Coach Rose Lockie’s Bronze Group which was evident at last month’s Junior Olympics and ISCA meets.

Vallmitjana, 12, a sixth grader at Montessori Academy, scored 51 points in 11-12 boys at JOs and 23 points at ISCA. He led SOFLO in high point scoring at both meets.

At the March 11-14 Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics at Coral Springs, Vallmitjana was second in the 1,650-yard freestyle in a best time 18:04.71, dropping 27.26 off his previous best; second in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:16.21, dropping 7.38; and third in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:12.04, dropping 10.09. He was also second in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:58.31, the first time he swam under 2 minutes while shaving 3.34 seconds off his previous best.

“I was happy with JOs the most,” he said. “I dropped time on everything that I wanted and I got basically all of my goal times for it.”

At the March 31-April 3 International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA) East Coast Elite Showcase Classic Championship in St. Petersburg, Vallmitjana was third in the 1,000-yard freestyle in a best time 10:49.38, dropping 1:09.31. His previous best was 11:58.69. He was also fifth in the 100-yard butterfly in 1:02.11, dropping 1.67 and sixth in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:50.51, dropping 6.68 seconds.

Vallmitjana has been swimming competitively for SOFLO since he was 6. At age 2 1/2, his mother Sonia taught him water-safe basic swimming in his backyard pool.

“When I started to learn I liked it right away,” he said. “All the pictures of me I have my eyes wide open.”

Vallmitjana competed in soccer and tennis but decided to focus solely on swimming when he turned 7.

“I liked the competitiveness of swimming, the coaches and people there,” Vallmitjana said. “I like to race. I really like Coach Rose. She’s good. She’s only tough because she tries to help us get better. She brings out the best in me.”

Swimming has enabled Vallmitjana to work on his fitness and time management when it comes to school and violin practice and lessons.

“It’s definitely gotten me more fit,” he said. “It’s helped me be more interactive with people outside of my school. I like socializing with my teammates. I’ve definitely made more friends. And, it’s definitely helped me more with time management because I have to squeeze everything together.”

His favorite stroke is freestyle and when it comes to events, he loves going the distance. On Saturday he will compete in the 3,000 event at the FGC Open Water Championship in Pompano Beach. “I think it’s going to be choppy,” he said.

“I like the longer races,” Vallmitjana said. “While I’m racing I just think of my goal I want to do and the people who I want to pass and beat so I can get the time that I want and feel good about it afterwards.

“Sometimes in a race a song repeats itself over and over again in my head, just random songs I hear on the radio, and I talk to myself when I’m bored.”

Among Vallmitjana’s “smaller” goals are moving up into the Silver Group and “bigger” goals, getting his national cuts and competing at nationals. He would also like to compete on a high school team.

To relax, Vallmitjana has been playing the violin since he was 4. “It’s more of a hobby that relaxes me,” he said. “After school he practices for an hour and then heads to Academic Village Pool for swim practice. “I would like to continue playing it in the future.”

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. TYR, created by athletes, is named for the Norse god of warriors in Germanic mythology. Among its male-sponsored athletes are Ryan Lochte, Michael Andrew, Matt Grevers, Tom Shields, Maxime Rooney and Jacob Pebley.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Head Field For FGC Open Water Championship On Saturday

By Sharon Robb
POMPANO BEACH, April 21, 2021—With more than 50 swimmers entered, South Florida Aquatic Club heads the field for the Florida Gold Coast Open Water Championship Saturday at the north side of the Pompano Beach Pier.

The open water event will be a nice change from staring at the bottom of the Academic Village Pool while training.

SOFLO has 30 girls and 22 boys competing at various distances. They are:

3,000: Jaden Amores, 14; Jenesys Amores, 13; Gabriela Avila, 15; Amelie Bicerne, 14; Elise Dinehart, 12; Hashan Ekanayake, 15; Katelyn Gembicki, 14; Natalie Gambicki, 16; Felix Gonzalez, 15; Ivan Grass, 16; Amanda Grubbs, 13; Connor Jimenez, 12; Mason Jimenez, 13; Alejandro Mateus, 16; Leonardo Mateus, 20; Ethan McPeek, 15; Sabrina Osorio, 17; Sofia Osorio, 17; Nicholas Pelaez, 15; Felipe Rodriguez, 14; Juan Vallmitjana, 12; Izzy Wilson, 15; Olivia Wilson, 11.

1,000: Jianna Amores, 11; Sophia Avila, 13; Jemma Baldwin, 11; Sarah Bedoya, 14; Mariann Catalasan, 15; Alexis Christensen, 16; Fiorella DiSalvo, 14; Pilar Duranti, 14; Genesis Escobar, 14; Calista Harries, 14; Ryan Harries, 12; Dahlia Hirsh, 15; Tania Mantilla, 14; Mikhel Martin, 13; Kenny Paas, 13; Abraham Penaloza, 14; Sofia Rodriguez, 11; Victor Valdiviezo, 14; Sarah Vasquez, 14; Saree Young, 12.

500: Guillermo Mantilla, 10; Gabriela Marin, 13; Gianna Martin, 10; Martin Petkov, 12; Alexandra Strong, 13.

100: Mariann Catalsan, 15; Andres Gonzalez, 14; David Gonzalez, 10; Calista Harries, 14; Ryan Harries, 12; Gabriela Marin, 13; Bruno Martins, 15; Toma Petkov, 9.

Swimmers will be swimming most of the race about 75 meters to 100 meters from parallel to the Pompano Beach public beach shore which will be well-monitored by lifeguards, coaches and race officials. Six lifeguards will also be on kayaks or paddle boards throughout the course.

The first event is the men’s 3K at 9 a.m. followed by the women’s 3K at 9:15 a.m.; men’s 1K at 10 a.m.; women’s 1K at 10:20 a.m.; men’s 500 meters, 10:40 a.m.; women’s 500 meters, 10:50 a.m.; 100-yard sprint, 11:15 a.m. and women’s 100-yard sprint at 11:30 a.m.

The start times listed are tentative. The Event Director in conjunction with the approval of the Head Referee, may have male and female wave starts within appropriate interval splits or combined heats, as deemed necessary to ensure safety and fairness for all competitors.

Age group categories are:

Race 1-2: Three KM, 14 & Under, 15-17, 18 & Over.

Race 3-4: One KM, 12 & Under, 13-14, 15-17, 18 & Over.

Race 5-6: 0.5 KM, 10 & Under, 11-12, 13-14.

Race 7-8: 100 yards, 10 & Under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-17, 18 & Over.

The 3K, 1K and 0.5K will start from the shore about 5 meters from the shoreline and finish 5 meters from shoreline into an onshore chute finish. The 100 Yard Sprint race will start on shore near the water line and will finish on shore near the water line.

Swimmers not completing the race course within 30 minutes of the first athlete to cross the finish line will be notified that the race is over and that they must leave the water at that time.

All events will be awarded with Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for the top three finishers by categories. Results are expected to be posted on the Piranhas website within 24 hours.

In addition to SOFLO and host Pompano Beach Piranhas, swimmers from the Wahoos of Wellington, St. Andrew’s Swimming, Plantation Swim Team, Hurricane Swimming, Boca Raton Swim Team, Delray Stingers, North Miami Swim Team and Sunrise Swimming are competing. Entries were capped at 350.

Last summer amid pool closures and social distancing requirements during the pandemic, Piranhas head coach and former world record holder and 1984 Olympian Jesse Vassallo had his swimmers train in open water swimming sets using colorful 12-inch buoys to guide swimmers through the water. Vassallo would place homemade hula hoops (PVC pipe) on the beach six feet apart to help swimmers with social distancing. Vassallo has a 5-minute tutorial on YouTube.

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

SOFLO’s Mallory Schleicher Top 10 In USA Swimming 5K Open Water National Championship

By Sharon Robb
FORT MYERS BEACH, April 18, 2021–In rough water conditions, Mallory Schleicher of South Florida Aquatic Club finished tenth in the USA Swimming Women’s 5K Open Water National Championship Sunday.

Schleicher, 17, finished the 3.1-mile course in 1 hour, 9 minutes and 22 seconds among a field of 16 swimmers. Schleicher was the only Florida Gold Coast swimmer in the field.

U.S. Olympian Ashley Twichell, 31, of TAC Titans won the race in 1:01:31. Twichell added to her silver medal finish in Friday’s 10K race. It was Twichell’s final open water race before she competes at the Tokyo Olympics in August.

Twichell overtook 10K champion Erica Sullivan on the third lap and went on to win. Haley Anderson, 29, of Mission Viejo was second in 1:01:38.

“I feel like my endurance and speed are both really there, which is really exciting,” Twichell said. “I’m just looking forward to continuing to train and competing at (the U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials) in the pool and then heading to Tokyo.

“The competition and atmosphere will be different there but the U.S. has a lot of talent so these races weren’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. This definitely gives me confidence.”

David Heron, 26, of Mission Viejo, the 10K champion, won the men’s 5K race in 59:29. Heron led throughout the race. University of Florida sophomore Brennan Gravley was second in 59:33 and his younger brother Dylan, 18, was third in 59:36.

“This competition was really exciting because it was truly open water, the conditions were a little bit more rough than swimming in a lake,” Heron said. “It’s fun not knowing what to expect in a race, and I like that about open water.”

Indiana-bound Mariah Denigan, 17, of Lakeside Swim Team won the junior 7.5K in 1:40:05 finishing ahead of Sandpipers of Nevada’s Paige Kuwata in 1:40:38. Both earned berths on USA Swimming’s junior national team that will travel to compete in Seychelles.

“It felt really good,” Denigan said. “The waves got harder on the back half, but I knew I was in a good spot and just had to finish strong.”

Two Florida Gold Coast swimmers finished in the Top 11. Anna Auld, 17, of East Coast Aquatic Club was fifth in 1:47:34. Ella Martinez, 17, of St. Andrew’s Aquatics was 11th in 1:57:55.

Jacob Pishko, 17, of TAC Titans won the men’s junior 7K in 1:35:24, 20 seconds ahead of Joshua Brown, 18, of Highlander Aquatic Club in 1:35:44. Pishko was one of four swimmers under 1:36:00.

“It was kind of weird, this was my first time ever swimming a 7.5K,” Pishko said. “I had a couple of friends who were in the 10K so I kind of picked their brains on the course and how it felt. What I got from that was going north, up the coast, it is better to swing out a little bit and then go back into the buoy, so that’s what I tried doing most of my race. When I did that in the first lap, I don’t think anyone really noticed me and then things just kind of took off from there.”

SUNDAY RESULTS
WOMEN 5K

1. Ashley Twichell, TAC Titans 1:01:31, 2. Haley Anderson, Mission Viejo 1:01:38, 3. Erica Sullivan, Sandpipers of Nevada 1:01:14, 4. Katie Grimes, Sandpipers of Nevada 1:02:24, 5. Bella Sims, Sandpipers of Nevada 1:06:58, 6. Caroline Benda, North Baltimore AC 1:07:07, 7. Cadence Fort, Gulf Coast ST 1:07:15, 8. Mary McKenna, Long Island Express 1:07:45, 9. Juli Arzave, Tritons AC 1:08:41, 10. Mallory Schleicher, SOFLO 1:09:22, 11. Jacqueline Tinneny, Pittsburgh 1:09:50, 12. Lexie Vanderloo, Nation’s Capital SC 1:12:20, 13. Revere Schmidt, Rancho San Dieguito 1:12:24, 14. Abby Licht, Pittsburgh 1:13:41, 15. Maya Lofland, Texas Gold 1:14:38, 16. Brooke Zettel, TAC Titans 1:16:00.

WOMEN 7.5K

1. Mariah Denigan, Lakeside ST 1:40:05, 2. Paige Kuwata, Sandpipers of Nevada 1:40:38, 3. Blair Stoneburg, Treasure Coast 1:44:28, 4. Sanna Peterson, NOVA of Virginia Aquatics 1:47:06, 5. Anna Auld, East Coast Aquatic Club 1:47:34, 6. Gabriele Goodwin, Blue Dolfins 1:47:59, 7. Marin Rose, Blue Dolfins 1:50:59, 8. Maren Conze, Nation’s Capital SC 1:52:00, 9. Makayla Ciancanelli, Marlins of Raleigh 1:55:29, 10. Emma Gettys, Texas Gold 1:55:30, 11. Ella Martinez, St. Andrew’s Aquatics 1:57:55, 12. Emily Bucaro, Barrington SC 1:59:16, 13. Regan Geldmacher, Tri-City Channel Cats 2:00:15, 14. Olivia Busch, Magnolia AC 2:01:58, 15. Claire Dafoe, NOVA of Virginia Aquatics 2:03:33, 16. Morgan Wimberly, Chattahoochee Gold SC 2:04:88, 17. Emma Flickinger, Machine Aquatics 2:04:50, 18. Lydia Reade, Fishers Area ST 2:07:31, 19. Liv Dorshorst, Barrington SC 2:07:57.

MEN 5K

1. David Heron, Mission Viejo 59:29, 2. Brennan Gravley, UFlorida 59:33, 3. Dylan Gravley, Sandpipers of Nevada 59:36, 4. Simon Lamar, FAST 59:45, 5. Ivan Puskovitch, USC Aquatics 1:00:07, 6. Joey Tepper, Unattached 1:00:11, 7. Kieran Smith, UFlorida 1:00:13, 8. Aaron Apel, Scottsdale AC 1:00:42, 9. T.C. Smith, University of Louisville 1:02:44, 10. Dylan Becker, Unatatched 1:03:49, 11. William Mullen, Nation’s Capital SC 1:03:56, 12. Noah Smith, Gulf Coast ST 1:03:57, 13. Ryan Schonbachler, Pittsburgh 1:04:01, 14. Andrew Taylor, Tampa Bay AC 1:06:52, 15. Joshua Miller, FAST 1:09:09.

MEN 7.5K

1. Jacob Pishko, TAC Titans 1:35:24, 2. Joshua Brown, Highlander AC 1:35:44, 3. Brice Barrieault, Sandpipers of Nevada 1:35:51, 4. Jackson Carlile, Fishers Area ST 1:35:59, 5. Connor Hunt, Sarasota Sharks 1:39:21, 6. Kyle Ponsler, Fishers Area SW 1:40:35, 7. John Fitzsimmons, North Baltimore AC 1:41:20, 8. Ronan Lauinger, Nation’s Capital SC 1:42:13, 9. Jack Lambert, Sarasota Sharks 1:43:08, 10. Will Glassm NOVA of Virginia Aquatics 1:43:09, 11. Hubert Huang, T2Aquatics 1:43:37, 12. Skyler Kao, FAST 1:43:38, 13. Nathaniel Chon, Highlander 1:43:52, 14. Fabrian Gines Torres, Sarasota Sharks 1:45:06, 15. Nick Walkley, Tri-City Channel Cats 1:45:11, 16. Aidan Pflieger, Reno AC 1:46:02, 17. Tommy Brunner, Concord SC 1:46:54, 18. Maksim Maskalenka, Sandpipers of Nevada 1:47:25, 19. John Koebel, North Baltimore AC 1:47:25, 20. Adam Shaaban, Team Santa Monica 1:47:53, 21. Leo Luna, Alamo Area Aquatic Association 1:48:55, 22. Matthew Stephenson, Longhorn Aquatics 1:50:19, 23. Devin Bauman, Sandpipers of Nevada 1:52:58.

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