May 2021 – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

SOFLO’s Dinehart, McDonald, Schleicher, Mora, Bono Win On Final Day Of SOFLO Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier; Meet Produces Four OT Cuts

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, May 30, 2021—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers dominated the third and final day of the SOFLO Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier at Academic Village Pool.

Only four Olympic cut times by two swimmers for Wave One were accomplished.

SOFLO’s Margaux McDonald of Princeton got her cut in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:02.17. McDonald will join four other SOFLO swimmers at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb.–Luke Smutny, Maddie Smutny, Mary Smutny and Liza Whitmire.

Florida State’s Izaak Bastian, 20, a St. Andrew’s alum and member of the Bahamas national team, earned his cut in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:17.83. He also made his cut in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:01.88 in a time trial.

St. Andrew’s Swimming’s Maximilian zum Tobel got his 50-meter freestyle cut of 23.16 during morning prelims of the 100-meter freestyle opening 50.

Among SOFLO’s winners were:

Double winner Dominic Bono, 17, in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:10.34 and 400-meter individual medley in 4:48.17.

Olivia Dinehart, 16, in the 200-meter breaststroke in a best time 2:34.85, dropping 2.52 off her entry time of 2:37.37.

Margaux McDonald, 19, in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:16.09, dropping 3.40 seconds off her previous best of 2:19.49.

Mallory Schleicher, 17, in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:58.24, dropping 5.21 off her previous best of 5:03.45 and cracking 5 minutes for the first time.

Juan Mora, 17, in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:21.20, dropping 1.14 off his previous best of 2:22.34.

A top international swimmer, Cherelle Thompson, 29, of Trinidad and Tobago, who has already qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, won the 50-meter freestyle in a best time 26.08, dropping 0.38 from her entry time of 26.46.

SOFLO had 22 swimmers (13 women and 9 men) entered in 128 events during the three-day meet.

All COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions were observed. The venue was not open to spectators. Face coverings were worn at all times within the venue. Only athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers were allowed on the pool deck.

SUNDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
200-meter breaststroke: 1. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 2:34.85, time drop 2.52, 2. Jessica Yeager, SOFLO 2:38.03, time drop 2.73, 3. Alexa Lantin, Unattached 2:40.04.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Cherelle Thompson, Trinidad & Tobano 26.08, 2. Elinah Phillip, GPA 26.40, 3. Gaby Banks, SOFLO 26.65, time drop 0.22; SOFLO: 7. Nathalie Valdman 27.63, time drop 0.01.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Margaux McDonald, SOFLO 2:16.09, time drop 3.40, 2. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 2:20.57, time drop 4.73, 3. Sarah Evans, RATS 2:41.38.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Julia Miranda, GPA 1:02.20, 2. Liza Whitmire, SOFLO 1:03.56, 3. Isabel Blaze, Unattached 1:03.79; SOFLO: 5. Molly Golding 1:05.66, time drop 0.12.

200-meter freestyle: 1. Phoebe Griffiths, Club Seminole 2:05.18, 2. Nathalie Valdman, SOFLO 2:06.69, time drop 2.23, 3. Ashley Zettle, CS 2:06.87; SOFLO: 9. Olivia Dinehart 2:12.17, time drop 0.57, 10. Elena Dinehart 2:12.35, time drop 2.48.

400-meter individual medley: 1. Mallory Schleicher, SOFLO 4:58.24, time drop 5.21.

MEN
200-meter breaststroke: 1. Juan Mora, SOFLO 2:21.20, 2. Dario Martin, OSC 2:21.74, 3. Kevin Jiang, BGSC 2:29.86; SOFLO: 4. Alex Golding 2:42.32.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Tre ‘V Monroe, NPB 23.81, 2. Alexander Santana, Unattached 23.93, 3. Josiah Morales, PAQ 23.97; SOFLO: 7. Hernan Gonzalez 24.84, time drop 0.21.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Dominic Bono, SOFLO 2:10.34, 2. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 2:11.36, time drop 2.78.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Joey Carbone, SAS 56.07, 2. Kyle Floyd, Unattached 56.24, 3. Jack Butera, BGSC 56.28; SOFLO: 4. Miguel Sierra 56.35.

200-meter freestyle: 1. Andres Wong, Unattached 1:56.97, 2. Sam Reynoso Williams, BGSC 2:00.22, 3. Philopatier Ibrahim, SOFLO 2:00.33, time drop 1.84.

400-meter individual medley: 1. Dominic Bono, SOFLO 4:48.17, 2. Cam Taddonio, Club Seminoles 4:50.48.

1500-meter freestyle: 1. Jack Callan, TAC 15:58.09, 2. Philip Moldovanu, WOW 16:26.11, 3. Zach Szmania, Unattached 16:29.19, 4. Cam Taddonio, Club Seminole 16:46.89.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Shine At Three-Day SoFlo Memorial Day Intrasquad Long Course Challenge

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, May 30, 2021—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers rose to the occasion at the SoFlo Memorial Day Intrasquad Long Course Challenge at Academic Village Pool.

After the third and final day of competition on Sunday, SOFLO swimmers totaled a one-meet record 131 new long course Junior Olympic qualifying cut times.

After nearly two years of not being able to swim long course meets because of the COVID-19 pandemic, swimmers more than made up for lost time and looked good doing it.

In the girls’ competition, Jemma Baldwin, Elise Dinehart, Jenesys Amores and Nat Gembicki were double winners.

Baldwin, 10, won the 50-meter freestyle in a best time 34.01, dropping 3.76 and 200-meter freestyle, also a best time 2:42.97, dropping an impressive 22.03. The 50- and 200-meter freestyle times were two of four new JO cuts over three days. She also had new cut times in the 400 freestyle and 100 freestyle.

Amores, 12, won the 50-meter freestyle in 31.91 and 50-meter backstroke in 37.60. She had new JO cuts in the 50 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke and 200 freestyle.

Dinehart, 12, won the 50-meter breaststroke in a best time 41.50, dropping 5.06 and 200-meter freestyle, another best time in 2:27.17 and whopping 22.72-second time drop. She posted JO cuts in the 400 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 200 IM, 50 breaststroke, 50 freestyle and 200 freestyle.

Gembicki, 16, won the 50-meter freestyle in 29.65 and 200-meter freestyle in 2:18.90.

In the boys’ competition, Jose Rincon, Giorgio Rusconi, Javier Colmenares and Hashan Ekanayake were double winners.

Rincon, 12, won the 50-meter freestyle in a best time 30.46, dropping 6.72 and 100-meter butterfly in 1:13.77. He posted new JO cuts in the 400 freestyle, 50 butterfly, 50 backstroke, 100 freestyle in addition to the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly.

Rusconi, 14, won the 50-meter breaststroke in 34.80 and 200-meter breaststroke in 2:50.25. He had new JO cuts in the 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke.

Colmenares, 14, won the 50-meter freestyle in a best time 25.96, dropping 4.60 and 100-meter butterfly in a best time 1:00.12, dropping 3.90. He had a new JO cut in the 50 freestyle.

Ekanayake, 14, won the 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:28.11, dropping 8.82 and 200-meter freestyle in 2:09.69, dropping 6.90 seconds. He posted new JO cuts in the 400 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 50 freestyle, 200 backstroke and 200 freestyle.

The three-day meet was part of a holiday doubleheader at Academic Village Pool. It gave 114 SOFLO swimmers (64 boys and 50 girls) the opportunity to race long course, fine tune, improve times and make qualifying cuts for various meets.

Between sessions of the two meets, the always-entertaining SOFLO alum and coaches Jack Davies and Jessica Rodriguez came out of retirement briefly for a Battle of the Sexes. Davies just out-touched Rodriguez. “Almost had him,” Rodriguez wrote on social media.

SUNDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
50-meter breaststroke: 11-12: 1. Elise Dinehart 41.50, time drop 5.06, 2. Ainsley Miller 42.53, 3. Olivia Wilson 45.70, time drop 7.76.
13-14, 1. Fiorella Di Salvo 38.54, time drop 1.95, 2. Dahlia Hirsh 40.05, time drop 1.10, 3. Anjana Andapally 43.26, time drop 7.09.
15-18, 1. Sofia Osorio 44.96, time drop 1.35.

200-meter breaststroke: 13-14, 1. Isabella Perez 3:08.07, time drop 5.04, 2. Dahlia Hirsh 3:08.85, time drop 21.19, 3. Fiorella Di Salvo 3:16.30.
15-18, 1. Sally Golding 2:59.40, 2. Maria Legaspi 2:59.88, time drop 4.71, 3. Mariann Catalasan 3:00.30.
50-meter freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Jemma Baldwin 34.01, time drop 3.76, 2. Christie Ann Lumsden 35.55, 3. Jianna Amores 35.68.
11-12, 1. Jenesys Amores 31.91, 2. Elise Dinehart 32.15, time drop 2.72, 3. Lydia Smutny 32.28, time drop 2.72.
13-14, 1. Katelyn Gembicki 30.71, 2. Dahlia Hirsh 30.86, time drop 2.97, 3. Genesis Escobar 31.44, time drop 1.71.
15-and-over, 1. Nat Gembicki 29.65, 2. JennaMarie Brames 30.98.

100-meter butterfly: 11-12, 1. Amanda Grubbs 1:14.29, 2. Lydia Smutny 1:14.78, time drop 10.97, 3. Mackenzie McPherson 1:24.17.
13-14, 1. Gabriella DeLuna 1:09.58, 2. Isabella Montes 1:15.72, 3. Sarah Vasquez 1:18.66, time drop 18.28.
15-18, 1. Michelle Marinheiro 1:10.81, 2. Sally Golding 1:12.29, 3. Lucy Smutny 1:14.09.

50-meter backstroke: 11-12, 1. Jenesys Amores 37.60, 2. Alexandra Strong 38.36, time drop 2.88, 3. Amanda Grubbs 38.50.
13-14, 1. Pilar Duranti 36.51, time drop 5.67, 2. Sarah Bedoya 38.36, time drop 3.96, 3. Kaylee Del Rio 41.84.

200-meter backstroke: 13-14, 1. Gabriella DeLuna 2:38.56, 2. Fiorella Di Salvo 2:40.15, 3. Izzy Wilson 2:41.28, time drop 11.50.

200-meter freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Jemma Baldwin 2:42.97, time drop 22.03, 2. Sofia Rodriguez 2:48.06, 3. Jianna Amores 2:50.76.
11-12, 1. Elise Dinehart 2:27.17, time drop 22.72, 2. Jenesys Amores 2:29.72, 3. Lydia Smutny 2:31.11, time drop 14.41.
13-14, 1. Izzy Wilson 2:22.26, 2. Amelie Bicerne 2:26.73, time drop 4.08, 3. Sarah Vasquez 2:27.10, time drop 7.28.
15-and-over, 1. Nat Gembicki 2:18.90, 2. Lucy Smutny 2:19.56, 3. Michelle Marinheiro 2:19.63.

BOYS
50-meter breaststroke: 11-12, 1. Joshua Menezes 40.87, time drop 3.41, 2. Ryan Harries 40.92, time drop 3.55, 3. Connor Jimenez 41.69, time drop 6.52.
13-14, 1. Giorgio Rusconi 34.80, 2. Felipe Rodriguez 37.24, 3. Nicholas Pelaez 38.79, time drop 6.10.
15-18, 1. Vinay Gurnani 35.22, 2. Sebasti Fernandez 38.30, time drop 5.63, 3. Giovanni Otrello 39.73.

200-meter breaststroke: 13-14, 1. Giorgio Rusconi 2:50.25, 2. Felix Gonzalez 2:51.42, 3. Ethan McPeek 2:58.78.
15-18, 1. Manuel Melendez 2:37.99, time drop 5.91, 2. Alan Bertea 2:51.89, 3. Zackary Harris 2:52.42.

50-meter freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Eric Ferrer 34.13, time drop 13.39, 2. Guillermo Mantilla 34.16, time drop 9.89, 3. Noah Mejias 35.88.
11-12, 1. Jose Rincon 30.46, 2. Connor Jimenez 31.25, time drop 0.51, 3. Ryan Harries 31.76, time drop 5.64.
13-14, 1. Javier Colmenares 25.96, time drop 4.60, 2. Hashan Ekanayake 27.85, time drop 2.98, 3. Luca Hincapie 27.90, time drop 3.08.
15-and-over, 1. Michael Arias 25.30, 2. Robert Wilson 27.08, 3. Enrique Rodriguez 27.37, time drop 1.65.

100-meter butterfly: 11-12, 1. Jose Rincon 1:13.77, 2. Juan Vallmitjana 1:13.79, time drop 11.12, 3. David Valdiviezo 1:26.25.
13-14, 1. Javier Colmenares 1:00.12, time drop 3.90, 2. Luca Hincapie 1:06.54, time drop 12.46, 3. Jaden Amores 1:07.49, time drop 16.24.
15-18, 1. Adrian Hernandez 1:02.99, time drop 1.06, 2. Brennan Binder 1:03.80, 3. Christian Tijero 1:04.81, time drop 1.96.

50-meter backstroke: 11-12, 1. Connor Jimenez 35.89, time drop 0.37, 2. Jose Rincon 36.57, time drop 8.42, 3. Maximilliano Remmele 38.35.
13-14, 1. Matt McVeigh 35.70, time drop 4.40, 2. Benjamin Kim 36.17, time drop 2.51, 3. Mason Jimenez 37.40, time drop 6.12.
15-18, 1. Diego Nazario-Vazquez 31.60, time drop 3.24, 2. Zackary Harris 31.78, time drop 0.78, 3. Nico Rossi 33.85, time drop 6.22.

200-meter backstroke: 13-14, 1. Hashan Ekanayake 2:28.11, time drop 8.82, 2. Andres Tejada 2:32.00, 3. Jaden Amores 2:33.67.
15-18, 1. Enrique Rodriguez 2:24.52, 2. Nathaniel Garrick 2:30.31, time drop 2.88, 3. Zackary Harris 2:40.73.

200-meter freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Noah Mejias 2:44.84, 2. Eric Ferrer 2:45.05, 3. Guillermo Mantilla 2:52.52.
11-12, 1. Juan Vallmitjana 2:15.90, time drop 13.31, 2. Joshua Menezes 2:31.01, time drop 21.71, 3. Martin Petkov 2:44.92.
13-14, 1. Hashan Ekanayake 2:09.69, time drop 6.90, 2. Luca Hincapie 2:15.95, time drop 18.47, 3. Jaden Amores 2:16.00.
15-and-over, 1. Ivan Grass 2:06.36, time drop 9.15, 2. Adrian Hernandez 2:07.20, time drop 0.54, 3. Manuel Melendez 2:08.10, time drop 15.30.

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

SOFLO Women Dominate Day Two Of SOFLO Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier; McDonald Makes Olympic Cut

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, May 29, 2021—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers won three of the six women’s events Saturday at the SOFLO Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier at Academic Village Pool.

Four-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson, 32, won her signature event 100-meter breaststroke in 1:08.76, dropping 1.20 from her entry time of 1:09.96. Her winning time is a U.S. Olympic Trials Wave 2 cut (1:09.55 or better). Atkinson is a U.S. citizen but chose to represent Jamaica, her native country. Atkinson is already qualified for her fifth Olympics in Tokyo.

Atkinson was also fastest morning qualifier in the 100-meter freestyle in 57.71 but scratched from the final.

Princeton’s Margaux McDonald, training at SOFLO, won the 100-meter backstroke in 1:02.17, dropping 0.62, making the U.S. Olympic cut in Wave 1 (under 1:02.69).

Princeton teammate Jessica Yeager, also training at SOFLO, won the 200-meter individual medley in 2:20.40, dropping 3.86.

SOFLO’s Ricardo Roche, 20, was second in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:00.27, shaving 1.04 seconds off his entry time. Teammate Juan Mora, 17, was second in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:04.43, dropping 2.84 off his entry time.

Florida State’s Izaak Bastian, 20, a member of the Bahamas national team, won the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:02.17.

2016 Barbados Olympian Alex Sobers, 22, won the 400-meter freestyle in 4:04.42, shaving 7.41 seconds off his entry time of 4:11.83.

Competition concludes Sunday with another full schedule of events. The prelims are 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. The 1500-meter freestyle is Sunday at 4 p.m.

U.S. swimmers have one more day to earn Olympic Trials cuts. The qualification period runs through Sunday.

SOFLO has 23 swimmers (14 women and 9 men) entered in 128 events during the three-day meet.

All COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions will be observed. The venue will not be open to spectators. Face coverings must be worn at all times within the venue. Non-compliance will result in ejection from the venue and school grounds. Only athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers will be allowed on the pool deck. The meet is being live streamed.https://youtu.be/Z-4ihmRrNIs

SATURDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
200-meter butterfly: 1. Lockett Bowley, BD 2:18.28, 2. Isabel Blaze, Unattached 2:19.00.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Margaux McDonald, SOFLO/Princeton 1:02.17, time drop 0.62, 2. Sarah Evans, RATS 1:02.83, 3. Julia Miranda, GPA 1:04.76; SOFLO: 4. Elena DInehart 1:05.52.

100-meter freestyle: 1. Ashleigh Scott, Unattached 58.47, 2. Eriana Temperino, GPS 58.70, 3. Elinah Phillip, GPA 58.83; SOFLO: 4. Nathalie Valdman, SOFLO/Princeton 59.20, 7. Gaby Banks 59.80.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 1:08.76, time drop 1.20, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 1:12.70, time drop, 0.88, 3. Alex Lantin, Unattached 1:15.40; SOFLO: 4. Molly Golding 1:16.60.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Jessica Yeager, SOFLO/Princeton 2:20.40, time drop 3.86, 2. Liza Whitmire, SOFLO/Princeton 2:22.13, time drop 2.64; SOFLO: 5. Molly Golding 2:29.83.

400-meter freestyle: 1. Phoebe Griffiths, CS/FSU 4:23.35, 2. Mallory Schleicher, SOFLO 4:26.31, time drop 1.94, 3. Ashley Zettle, CS 4:31.51; SOFLO: 4. Elena Dinehart 4:32.33, 8. Mariangela Cincotti 4:52.83.

MEN
200-meter butterfly: 1. Joey Carbone, SAS 2:02.37, 2. Dario Martin, OSC 2:05.92, 3. Philopatier Ibrahim, SOFLO 2:15.61, time drop 1.38.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Diego Balbi, SAS 59.83, 2. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 1:00.27, time drop 1.04, 3. Hernan Gonzalez, SOFLO 1:01.18

100-meter freestyle: 1. Tre ‘V Monroe, NPB 51.73, 2. Maximillian Zum Tobel, SAS 52.42, 3. Alexander Santana, Unattached 52.65.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Izaak Bastian, Unattached 1:02.17, 2. Juan Mora, SOFLO 1:04.43, time drop 2.84, 3. Jack Butera, BGSC 1:07.05; SOFLO: 7. Javier Colmenares 1:09.96.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Dario Martin, OSC 2:09.27, 2. Kyle Floyd, Unattached 2:12.09, 3. Theo Bodet, BGSC 2:14.77; SOFLO: 4. Javier Colmenares 2:16.41, 5. Alex Golding 2:16.67, time drop 6.21.

400-meter freestyle: 1. Alex Sobers, Unattached 4:04.42, 2. Adrian Aguilar, MAC 4:08.16, 3. Zach Szmania, Unattached 4:08.69, time drop 7.41.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Post Huge Time Drops On Day Two Of SoFlo Memorial Day Intrasquad Long Course Challenge

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, May 29, 2021—The second day of competition at the SoFlo Memorial Day Intrasquad Long Course Challenge brought out the best in South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers.

The girls had 30 time drops, some more than 20 seconds including Elise Dinehart’s 22.12-second drop in the 200-meter individual medley.

The boys had 35 time drops including a 31.63-second drop in the 200-meter butterfly by Alan Bertea, 17, who was second in 2:35.31, the first time he cracked 3 minutes. His previous best was 3:06.94.

Giorgio John Carl Rusconi, 14, got his spring sectionals cut in the 100-meter breaststroke, winning the 13-14 age group in 1:14.07. It was his first long course cut.

There was one triple winner and four double winners among the girls.

Amanda Grubbs, 12, was a triple winner in the 50-meter butterfly in 33.40, 100-meter freestyle in 1:08.23 and 100-meter backstroke in 1:20.97. On opening day she was second in the 400-meter freestyle in 5:06.70.

Elise Dinehart, 12, was a double winner in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:28.90, an 8.30 time drop and 200-meter individual medley in 2:46.63, a 22.12-second time drop. She was also second in the 100-meter freestyle in 1:08.28, a time drop of 7.51. She also won the 400-meter freestyle in 5:05.41, a 52.82 drop on opening day.

Gabriella DeLuna, 14, won the 200-meter butterfly in 2:39.47 and 200-meter individual medley in 2:33.84. She also won the 400 IM in 5:28.18 on opening day.

Isabella Perez, 14, won the 50-meter butterfly in 32.44, a drop of 2.33 and 100-meter breaststroke in 1:27.17, a drop of 1.11.

Sally Golding, 17, was a double winner in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:14.22, a drop of 3.19 and 200-meter individual medley in 2:34.86.

There was one triple winner and two double winners among the boys.

Juan Vallmitjana, 12, was a triple winner in the 50-meter butterfly in 31.83, a 4.79 drop; 100-meter freestyle in 1:02.16, a drop of 7.50 and 200-meter individual medley in 2:36.88, a drop of 18.67. He also won the 400-meter freestyle in 4:38.08 on opening day.

Adrian Hernandez, 15, was a double winner in the 100-meter freestyle in 57.40, a 5.58 drop and 200-meter individual medley in 2:21.68, a drop of 3.97.

Jaden Amores, 14, won the 200-meter butte4rfly in 2:27.06 and 100-meter backstroke in 1:09.78, a drop of 11.94.

SOFLO silver and senior developmental coach Jack Davies was happy with the multitude of time drops and swimmers picking up sectional and more JO and BB cuts.

“With the pandemic they didn’t swim any long course last year so they are all two years older,” Davies explained. “I’m super happy with my kids. It’s been a really good meet.”

The three-day meet, part of a holiday doubleheader at Academic Village Pool, is giving 114 SOFLO swimmers (64 boys and 50 girls) the opportunity to race long course, fine tune, improve times and make qualifying cuts for various meets.

Sunday’s session begins 12:30 p.m. The meet is being live streamed at https://youtu.be/Z-4ihmRrNIs.

SATURDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
50-meter butterfly: 11-12, 1. Amanda Grubbs 33.40, 2. Lydia Smutny 34.26, time drop 4.12, 3. Jenesys Amores 35.44.
13-14, 1. Isabella Perez 32.44, time drop 2.33, 2. Fiorella Di Salvo 32.97, time drop 1.98, 3. Dahlia Hirsh 33.95, time drop 5.68.
15-18, 1. Sofia Osorio 34.96.

200-meter butterfly:
13-14, 1. Gabriella DeLuna 2:39.47, 2. Izzy Wilson 2:41.67, 3. Tania Mantilla 3:11.14.
15-18, 1. Michelle Marinheiro 2:34.21, time drop 2.34, 2. Nat Gembicki 2:37.25, time drop 9.47, 3. JennaMarie Brames 2:47.55.

100-meter freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Jemma Baldwin 1:15.80, time drop 8.86, 2. Sofia Rodriguez 1:17.19, time drop 12.01, 3. Christie Ann Lumsden 1:17.55.
11-12, 1. Amanda Grubbs 1:08.23, 2. Elise Dinehart 1:08.28, time drop 7.51, 3. Jenesys Amores 1:09.26.
13-14, 1. Dahlia Hirsh 1:06.57, time drop 6.88, 2. Amelia Bicerne 1:07.25, time drop 5.03, 3. Isabella Perez 1:07.48, time drop 4.00.
15-and-over, 1. Alexis Christensen 1:05.84, 2. JennaMarie Brames 1:07.86, 3. Maria Legaspi 1:12.00, time drop 4.69.

100-meter backstroke: 11-12, 1. Amanda Grubbs 1:20.97, 2. Lydia Smutny 1:21.12, time drop 23.13, 3. Alexandra Strong 1:21.56, time drop 8.22.
13-14, 1. Izzy Wilson 1:16.65, time drop 6.55, 2. Gabriela Avila 1:18.10, time drop 3.01, 3. Pilar Duanti 1:18.16, time drop 10.92.
15-18, 1. Sally Golding 1:14.22, time drop 3.19, 2. Lucy Smutny 1:15.62, 3. Mariann Catalasan 1:50.90.

100-meter breaststroke: 11-12, 1. Elise Dinehart 1:28.90, time drop 8.30, 2. Ainsley Miller 1:32.97, 3. Olivia Wilson 1:42.83, time drop 13.91.
13-14, 1. Isabella Perez 1:27.17, time drop 1.11, 2. Dahlia Hirsh 1:28.22, time drop 3.83, 3. Fiorella Di Salvo 1:30.30, time drop 3.00.
15-18, 1. Maria Legaspi 1:25.11, time drop 2.10, 2. Lucy Smutny 1:30.64, time drop 5.47.

200-meter individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Jemma Baldwin 3:03.15, time drop 26.59.
11-12, 1. Elise Dinehart 2:46.63, time drop 22.12, 2. Jenesys Amores 2:59.86, 3. Ainsley Miller 3:06.49.
13-14, 1. Gabriella DeLuna 2:33.84, 2. Sarah Vasquez 2:46.91, time drop 16.07, 3. Fiorella Di Salvo 2:47.62.
15-and-over, 1. Sally Golding 2:34.86, 2. Nat Gembicki 2:38.65, time drop 0.92, 3. Mariann Catalasan 2:45.43.

BOYS
50-meter butterfly: 11-12, 1. Juan Vallmitjana 31.83, time drop 4.79, 2. Jose Rincon 32.06, 3. Joshua Menezes 36.40, time drop 4.12.
13-14, 1. Luca Hincapie 28.99, time drop 4.19, 2. Andres Tejada 29.95, time drop 5.42, 3. Marvan Ekanayake 29.96, time drop 4.56.
15-18, 1. Diego Nazario-Vazquez 28.51, time drop 0.16, 2. Robert Wilson 28.82,3. Zackary Harris 29.51, time drop 0.83.

200-meter butterfly: 13-14, 1. Jaden Amores 2:27.06, 2. Felix Gonzalez 2:39.77, 3. Carlos Salas 3:01.97.
15-18, 1. Brennan Binder 2:21.69, time drop 1.67, 2. Alan Bertea 2:35.31, time drop 31.63.

100-meter freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Guillermo Mantilla 1:14.89, 2. Eric Ferrer 1:16.34, 3. Noah Mejias 1:19.53, time drop 17.53.
11-12, 1. Juan Vallmitjana 1:02.16, time drop 7.50, 2. Jose Rincon 1:06.97, time drop 17.22, 3. Connor Jimenez 1:07.96, time drop 4.03.
13-14, 1. Hashan Ekanayake 1:00.30, time drop 6.20, 2. Carlos Rincon 1:00.85, 3. Luca Hincapie 1:02.51, time drop 8.12.
15-and-over, 1. Adrian Hernandez 57.40, time drop 5.58, 2. Robert Wilson 57.94, 3. Austin Nelson 58.91, time drop 3.38.

100-meter backstroke: 11-12, 1. Connor Jimenez 1:17.14, time drop 2.44, 2. Maximiliano Remmele 1:22.59, 3. Aleksander Chaussky 1:24.83.
13-14, 1. Jaden Amores 1:09.78, time drop 11.94, 2. Hashan Ekanayake 1:09.81, time drop 7.13, 3. Andres Tejada 1:10.86, time drop 18.67.
15-18, 1. Austin Nelson 1:05.56, time drop 0.48, 2. Diego Nazario-Vazquez 1:09.18, time drop 1.78, 3. Zackary Harris 1:09.73.

100-meter breaststroke: 11-12, 1. Joshua Menezes 1:27.53, time drop 10.40, 2. Connor Jimenez 1:28.62, time drop 12.71, 3. Martin Petkov 1:44.67, time drop 7.10.
13-14, 1. Giorgio Rusconi 1:14.07, 2. Felipe Rodriguez 1:19.86, 3. Ethan McPeek 1:23.93, time drop 9.89.
15-18, 1. Manuel Melendez 1:10.14, time drop 0.88, 2. Alan Bertea 1:18.55, 3. Vinay Gurnani 1:20.75.

200-meter individual medley: 11-12, 1. Juan Vallmitjana 2:36.88, time drop 18.67, 2. Joshua Menezes 2:47.71, time drop 22.02, 3. Ryan Harries 2:51.86, time drop 28.54.
13-14, 1. Andres Tejada 2:32.08, time drop 15.01, 2. Luca Hincapie 2:33.07, time drop 38.22, 3. Jaden Amores 2:33.96.
15-18, 1. Adrian Hernandez 2:21.68, time drop 3.97, 2. Enrique Rodriguez 2:24.13, 3. Ivan Grass 2:30.07, time drop 2.42.

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

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Michael Arias

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, May 28, 2021—When he was little, Michael Arias and his brother got lost on a beach in Cuba. It didn’t take long for their father to decide they were taking swimming lessons when they returned home.

That was the beginning of Arias’ 14-year swimming career, the last nine with South Florida Aquatic Club.

“I was 4 years old when I learned to swim after getting lost on a beach in Cuba,” Arias said. “My dad panicked and he said when we got back to the U.S. we were going to take swimming lessons.

“My parents went with my mom’s family on a boat for a quick 15-minute trip. My dad had told my mom’s sister he would take care of us. It was just some miscommunication. My brother and I ended up wondering off and walking across the beach. I ended up finding my dad on the beach because I kept describing him as a tall, bald-headed person.”

Arias, 18, first swam for Hialeah and Blue Marlins Swim Clubs before switching to SOFLO when he was 9.

“SOFLO had a very strong team,” Arias said. “They had Rafael Rodriguez, Leonardo Mateus and some other really great swimmers that drove and motivated me to become better.”

A year after he joined SOFLO, Arias’ big turning point was at the 2012 Winter Championships when had two of the fastest times for his age in the 100 and 200 freestyles.

Arias said his favorite SOFLO memory was the Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics.

“I remember I had to do something on the weekend, but I still drove all the way up to Sailfish Splash Waterpark in Stuart for the 4×50 relay with Sebastian Lares, Lance Lesage and Nicolas Rossi,” Arias remembered. “We were behind in points and as anchor I caught up and we won. That was pretty amazing.”

Over nine years, Arias made some lasting friendships with swimmers and coaches.

“I will miss Chris, all my friends and the feeling of the water,” Arias said. “I’m not going to be swimming in college. This summer will be the last time I see them all. I know I will miss it. The next time I look at a pool I know I will get very emotional.”

Arias said swimming played a big role in his life.

“It gave me a lot of discipline, friends and especially a lot of memories,” he said. “It showed me that hard work pays off and you get out what you put in.”

Arias graduates from Mater Academy, where he competed his junior and senior years, on June 3rd. Arias will attend Florida International University where he plans to major in architecture.

“I want to design and be able to come up with a building for a purpose, a home or a hospital that will be able to serve the community and at the same time be very memorable that will be there for a very long time,” Arias said.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Race Well On Opening Day Of SoFlo Memorial Day Intrasquad Long Course Challenge

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, May 28, 2021—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers got in some much-needed racing on Day One of the SoFlo Memorial Day Intrasquad Long Course Challenge on Friday.

The three-day meet, part of a holiday meet doubleheader at Academic Village Pool, is giving 114 SOFLO swimmers (64 boys and 50 girls) the opportunity to race and fine tune.

The 400-meter freestyle and 400-meter individual medley were held on opening day.

In the girls’ 400-meter freestyle, Jemma Baldwin, 10; Elise Dinehart, 12; Amelie Bicerne, 13; and Lucy Smutny, 18, won their age group titles.

In the boys’ 400-meter freestyle, Eric Ferrer, 10; Juan Vallmitjana, 12; Javier Colmenares, 14; and Ivan Grass, 16, won their age group titles.

Mariann Catalasan, 15, won the 15-18 400-meter individual medley in a best time 5:48.36. Gabriella DeLuna, 14, won the 13-14 age group in 5:28.18.

Nicholas Pelaez, 14, won the 13-14 and Alan Bertea, 17, won the 15-18 boys age group titles in the 400 IM.

On Saturday and Sunday, each session begins 12:30 p.m. The meet is being live streamed.

FRIDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
400-meter freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Jemma Baldwin 5:33.84, 2. Sofia Rodriguez 5:53.74.
11-12, 1. Elise Dinehart 5:05.41, 2. Amanda Grubbs 5:06.70, 3. Jenesys Amores 5:16.55.
13-14, 1. Amelie Bicerne 5:01.07, 2. Pilar Duranti 5:06.60, 3. Gabriela Avila 5:08.93.
15-and-over, 1. Lucy Smutny 4:47.76, 2. Sally Golding 4:48.61, 3. Nat Gembicki 4:51.87.

400-meter individual medley:
13-14, 1. Gabriella DeLuna 5:28.18, 2. Izzy Wilson 5:36.08, 3. Fiorella Di Salvo 5:48.99.
15-18, 1. Mariann Catalasan 5:48.36.

BOYS
400-meter freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Eric Ferrer 5:36.76, 2. Noah Mejias 5:40.88, 3. Guillermo Mantilla 5:53.79.
11-12, 1. Juan Vallmitjana 4:38.08, 2. Ryan Harries 5:08.41, 3. Jose Rincon 5:16.93.
13-14, 1. Javier Colmenares 4:30.03, 2. Felix Gonzalez 4:37.00, 3. Andres Tejada 4:38.36.
15-and-over, 1. Ivan Grass 4:20.77, 2. Adrian Hernandez 4:21.92, 3. Austin Nelson 4:24.34.

400-meter individual medley:
13-14, 1. Nicholas Pelaez 5:20.05, 2. Jaden Amores 5:22.36, 3. Ethan McPeek 5:22.54.
15-18, 1. Alan Bertea 5:33.39.

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

SOFLO’s Mallory Schleicher Wins Opening Event At SOFLO Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, May 28, 2021—Mallory Schleicher of South Florida Aquatic Club won the opening event of the SOFLO Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier Friday at Academic Village Pool.

Schleicher, 17, won the 800-meter freestyle in 9:07.70, off her entry time of 9:03.34. The Wave 1 U.S. Olympic Trials cut is 8:48.09. Phoebe Griffiths, 20, of Club Seminole was second in 9:15.82. Her yards entry time was 10:16.14.

Barbados 2016 Olympian Alex Sobers, 22, won the men’s 800-meter freestyle in 8:28.83, just off his entry time of 8:28.44.

Competition resumes Saturday with a full schedule of events. There are prelims at 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The 1500-meter freestyle is Sunday at 4 p.m.

U.S. swimmers have only two more days to earn Olympic Trials cuts. The qualification period runs through Sunday.

SOFLO has 23 swimmers (14 women and 9 men) entered in 128 events during the three-day meet.

FRIDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
800-meter freestyle: 1. Mallory Schleicher, SOFLO 9:07.70, 2. Phoebe Griffiths, Club Seminole 9:15.82, 3. Ashley Zettle, Club Seminole 9:21.89, 4. Helvina Huet, Golden Panther Aquatics 9:24.40.

MEN
800-meter freestyle: 1. Alex Sobers, Unattached 8:28.83, 2. Sam Reynoso Williams, BGSC 8:51.19.

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

Weekend Doubleheader Includes SoFlo Memorial Day Intrasquad Long Course Challenge

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, May 27, 2021—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers will be looking to get in some good long course racing this weekend in the friendly confines of their Academic Village Pool.

SOFLO will stage the Memorial Day Intrasquad Long Course Challenge with 114 of its swimmers (64 boys and 50 girls) in 619 individual events.

The three-day meet will enable swimmers to race while fine tuning under the watchful eyes of their coaches.

The meet gets underway on Friday at 6:30 p.m. with the open 13-18 400-meter mixed freestyle and 400-meter mixed individual medley. On Saturday and Sunday, each session begins 12:30 p.m.

Among SOFLO’s top seeds are Robert Wilson, Brennan Binder, Ethan McPeek, Enrique Rodriguez, Manuel Melendez, Austin Nelson, Maria Legaspi, Michael Arias, Alan Bertea and Zachary Harris.

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

SOFLO’s Olivia Dinehart, Miguel Sierra Sweep Miami-Dade Swimmer Of The Year Honors

By Sharon Robb
MIAMI, May 27, 2021—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers swept Miami-Dade Swimmer of the Year honors during the Miami Herald’s All-County Awards ceremony on Wednesday.

Olivia Dinehart, 16, of Cutler Bay was named Miami-Dade Girls’ Swimmer of the Year.

Miguel Sierra, 18, also of Cutler Bay, was selected Miami-Dade Boys Swimmer of the Year.

Both were selected off their performances at the Nov. 15, 2020 FHSAA State 1A Swimming and Diving Championship at Sailfish Splash Waterpark.

Dinehart, a sophomore, swam the third fastest qualifying time in prelims in the 200-yard individual medley in a lifetime best 2:03.88, an 0.96 drop and finished fourth in 2:04.19.

Dinehart then came back to finish second in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:02.79. She went a best time in prelims in 1:02.71, a drop of 1.06. Dinehart finished with 32 points in high point.

Sierra, a senior, finished with 33 points, highest among SOFLO swimmers in the state meet. Sierra finished third in the 100-yard butterfly in 47.93, an automatic All-American time. Sierra had the fastest morning swim.

In addition to his All-American swim in the butterfly, Sierra was second in the 100-yard backstroke in a best time 50.78.

Gulliver Prep’s Chris George was named Girls’ Coach of the Year and Caesar Asadi of Mater Lakes was Boys’ Coach of the Year.

In Broward County, Julia Podkoscielny of Pine Crest was named Broward County Girls Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive year. She was also selected as the Class 4A-1A Female of the Year for all sports.

Pine Crest Diver Kevin Mendez was named Swimmer/Diver of the Year.

Pine Crest’s Mariusz Podkoscielny was chosen Coach of the Year.

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

SOFLO Hosts Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier; U.S. Swimmers Have Three More Days To Get Cuts

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, May 27, 2021—South Florida Aquatic Club will host the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier Friday through Sunday at Academic Village Pool.

Only U.S. swimmers can qualify since it is not a FINA-sanctioned meet.

U.S. swimmers have only three more days to earn Olympic Trials cuts. The qualification period runs through Sunday. Foreign swimmers will have opportunities to make their cuts in various upcoming FINA meets.

SOFLO has 23 swimmers (14 women and 9 men) entered in 128 events during the three-day meet. They are swimmers with qualifying times in the Pro Group, Great White Sharks, National and Gold Groups.

Four-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson, 32, will use the meet as lead-up preparation for her fifth and final appearance at the Summer Olympics. Already qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Atkinson will compete in the 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter breaststroke, her signature event.

Other SOFLO swimmers entered are: Gaby Banks, 18; Dominic Bono, 17; Mariangela Cincotti, 18; Javier Colmenares, 14; Elena Dinehart, 16; Olivia Dinehart, 16; Alex Golding, 17; Molly Golding, 18; Hernan Mauricio Gonzalez, 22; Philopatier Ibrahim, 18; Andres Lares, 21; Julianne McCranie, 15; Margaux McDonald, 19; Juan Mora, 17; Ricardo Roche, 21; Andrea Santander, 19; Mallory Schleicher, 17; Miguel Sierra, 18; Maddie Smutny, 16; Nathalie Valdman, 19; Eliza Whitmire, 19; and Jessica Yeager, 19.

The meet opens Friday with the 800-meter freestyle at 6 p.m. There are prelims at 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The 1500-meter freestyle is Sunday at 4 p.m.

Among other notable swimmers entered are American Heritage alum Cathy Cooper, who represents Panama internationally; Florida State’s Izaak Bastian, a member of the Bahamas national team; Florida International University’s Helvina Huet, who has competed in several French Championships; 2016 Olympian Alex Sobers, who represents Barbados; and Cherelle Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago.

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