Podkoscielny Finishes Sixth At U.S. World Championship Trials; Will Compete At Junior Pan Pacs

By Sharon Robb
Greensboro, N.C., April 28, 2022—Julia Podkoscielny of Pine Crest Swimming was sixth in the 400-meter individual medley Thursday at the U.S. World Championship Trials at Greensboro Aquatic Center.

Podkoscielny, 17, was sixth in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:47.57. The University of Florida commit was seventh fastest in prelims in 4:48.82. It was the top finish by a Florida Gold Coast swimmer so far in the meet. She will represent the U.S. Junior team at the Junior Pan Pacs in Hawaii in August.

On Wednesday she was 14th in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:13.88 after going 2:13.30 in prelims.

Katie Grimes, 16, of Sandpipers of Nevada pulled away from the field on the freestyle leg to win the 400 IM in a best time 4:36.17. Olympic silver medalist Emma Weyant of Sarasota was second in 4:37.22 to also secure a spot on the world championship team.

“It just all goes back to my training,” Grimes said after her race. “Everybody who has seen me train for that race in practice knows that was a long time coming. The past times I’ve swum that race, it really hasn’t worked out like I wanted it to, but it all really came together very nicely. I’ve always loved the 400 IM. I think it’s a really fun race. I think it’s really interesting to watch. There are so many different components that go into it. It’s just a really cool race.”

Other Florida Gold Coast swimmer results:

Josh Zuchowski, 18, of FAST was seventh in the 200-meter backstroke in a best time 1:58.44. He went 1:58.94 in prelims, cracking 2 minutes and bettering his entry time of 2:00.22.

Erika Pelaez, 15, of Eagle Aquatics was 22nd in the 100-meter freestyle in 56.04.

Kaii Winkler, 16, of Eagle Aquatics was 20th in the 100-meter freestyle im 49.95.

In other Thursday races:

Men 400 IM: 1. Carson Foster, Texas 4:09.33, 2. Chase Kalisz, Athens Bulldogs 4:10.50.
Women 100 butterfly: 1. Torri Huske, Unattached 56.28, 2. Claire Curzan, TAC Titans 56.35.
Men 100 butterfly: 1. Caeleb Dressel, Gator Swim Club 50.20, 2. Michael Andrew, MA Swim Academy 50.88.
Women 50 breaststroke: 1. Lilly King, Indiana Swim Club 29.76, 2. Kaitlyn Dobler, Unattached 30.34.
Men 50 breaststroke: 1. Michael Andrew, MA Swim Academy 26.52, 2. Nic Fink, MAAC 26.55.
Women 50 backstroke: 1. Katharine Berkoff, NC State 27.12, 2. Regan Smith, Unattached 27.25.
Men 50 backstroke: 1. Hunter Armstrong, Ohio State 23.71, world record in non-Olympic event, 2. Justin Ress, Mission Viejo 23.92.

The International Team Trials that got under way on Tuesday, are serving as the qualifying meet for the 2022 FINA World Championships, Junior Pan Pacific Championships and Mel Zajac Jr. Invitational.

USA Swimming’s qualifying criteria for the 2022 World Championships in Budapest are:

Top-four finishers in the 100 and 200 freestyle events, along with the top-two finishers in the other Olympic events qualify for the U.S. team, as long as they both meet the FINA A standard and maximum roster size isn’t exceeded.

From there, winners of the stroke 50s and fifth and sixth-place finishers in the 100 and 200 freestyles will qualify.

The maximum U.S. roster size for the World Championships is 26 men and 26 women.

The Olympic Channel is live streaming the championship finals on Friday night. CNBC will broadcast Saturday night’s finals session. USA Swimming is streaming all prelims on their website.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Will Compete In Rescheduled FGC Swimming Open Water Championships On Friday

By Sharon Robb
POMPANO BEACH, April 28, 2022–Two weeks after rough water conditions postponed the Florida Gold Coast Swimming Open Water Championships, event organizers will try again on Friday, weather and race conditions permitting.

South Florida Aquatic Club will have 18 swimmers compete in either the 5K or 2K races off Pompano Beach Pier. The 100- and 500-meter races were cancelled.

Swimmers ages 11-12 who want to be considered for FGC Open Water Zones will compete in the 2K.

Swimmers ages 13 and over who want to be considered for FGC Open Water Zones will compete in the 5K.

SOFLO swimmers entered are:
Jaden Amores, 15, 5,000
Gabriela Avila, 16, 5,000
Jemma Baldwin, 12, 2,000
Amelie Bicerne, 15, 5,000
Kaylee Del Rio, 15, 2,000
Hashan Ekanayake, 16, 5,000
Garrett Garcia-Studdard, 16, 5,000
Natalie Gembicki, 17, 5,000
Ivan Grass, 17, 5,000
Ryan Harries, 13, 5,000
Derek Hau, 15, 5,000
Adrian Hernandez, 17, 5,000
Dahlia Hirsh, 16, 5,000
Alexander Miller, 16, 5,000
Abraham Penaloza, 15, 5,000
Mallory Schleicher, 19, 2,000
Rose Seniuk, 13, 2,000
Juan Vallmitjana, 13, 5,000

Due to covid-19 guidelines complimentary hospitality will not be available to competitors, officials, or volunteers, only water will be available.

Results will be posted on the Pompano Piranhas website within 24 hours of the meet’s conclusion at Pompanopiranhas.com.

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

SOFLO White Bounces Back On Final Day Of Dual Meet, Sweeps All Three Team Titles

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, April 23, 2022–After SOFLO Blue took an early lead in the combined and boys team standings Friday night, SOFLO White bounced back to win combined, boys and girls team titles at the Intrasquad Dual Meet Saturday at Academic Village Pool.

Led by the performances of the 12-and-unders in Saturday’s highly-charged action, SOFLO White won the combined, 1,355-1,320; boys, 598-591; and girls, 609-581 and earned bragging rights.

After Friday night’s 13-and-over action, SOFLO Blue led combined, 723-719, and boys team standings, 372-277. SOFLO White led the girls, 370-275.

Nearly 180 swimmers (100 boys and 74 girls) competed in 650 events including relays in a spirited atmosphere.

Christie Ann Lumsden, 10, led the 10-and-under girls winning four events with four best times. She won the 200 IM in 3:01.63, dropping 7.73; 50 freestyle in 33.18, dropping 1.09; 100-meter freestyle in 1:11.91, dropping 2.91; and 100-meter breaststroke in 1:32.49, dropping 1.48.

Laila Harran, 12, led the 11-12 girls winning three individual events and finishing second in another. She won the 200-meter freestyle in 2:30.25, 50-meter freestyle in 30.93, 100-meter freestyle in 1:08.17 and was second in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:18.17.

Kenneth Solis, 10, and Toma Petkov, 10, led the 10-and-under boys.

Solis won four events. They were the 200-meter freestyle in 2:42.01, 50-meter freestyle in 35.09, 100-meter freestyle in 1:17.96 and 100-meter backstroke in 1:35.32.

Petkov won three events and placed second in another. He won the 200 IM in 3:04.39; 400 freestyle in 5:50.67; and 100-meter breaststroke in 1:41.74, dropping 19.44. He was also second in the 50-meter freestyle in 37.36, dropping 5.57.

Ryan Harries, 12, led the 11-12 boys. He won four events, all with best times. He won the 200-meter freestyle in 2:25.44, dropping 2.29; 50-meter freestyle in 30.67, dropping 0.81; 400-meter freestyle in 5:04.74, dropping 2.36; and 100-meter breaststroke in 1:26.63, dropping 1.55.

Noah Mejias, 11, won the 200 IM in 2:46.40, dropping 5.97 and 100-meter butterfly in 1:14.69. He was also second in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:33.94 and third in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:24.26.

SATURDAY 12&Under RESULTS
GIRLS
1500-meter freestyle:
11-12, 1. Jemma Baldwin, White 20:05.24, 2. Rose Seniuk, White 21:04.59, 3. Sofia Rodriguez, Blue 21:22.52.

Mixed 4×50-meter medley relay: 1. SOFLO White 2:24.45 (Sofia Gomez, Ryan Harries, Noah Mejias, Rose Seniuk), 2. SOFLO Blue A 2:27.24, 3. SOFLO White D 2:36.56.

200-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Joanna Valdiviezo, White 2:58.72, time drop 19.69, 2. Valentina Remmele, Blue 3:02.90, 3. Devy Otero, Blue 3:20.49.
11-12, 1. Laila Harran, Blue 2:30.25, 2. Sofia Gomez, White 2:30.98, time drop 1.76, 3. Ellie Jackson, White 2:33.84.

200-meter individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, Blue 3:01.63, 2. Valentina Remmele, Blue 3:33.54, 3. Savanna Alonso, White 4:14.69.
11-12, 1. Mackenzie McPherson, Blue 2:47.99, time drop 4.73, 2. Jemma Baldwin, White 2:51.53, time drop 2.81, 3. Saree Young, Blue 2:52.96, time drop 12.82.

50-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, Blue 33.18, time drop 1.09, 2. Joanna Valdiviezo, White, 37.98, time drop 5.11, 3. Devy Otero, Blue 38.48.
11-12, 1. Laila Harran, Blue 30.93, 2. Mackenzie McPherson, Blue 32.03, 3. Saree Young, Blue 33.39, time drop 1.07.

100-meter butterfly:
10-and-under, 1. Varvara Dmitrova, Blue 1:48.44.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, Blue 1:16.18, 2. Mackenzie McPherson, Blue 1:16.79, time drop 4.04, 3. Jemma Baldwin, White 1:18.93, time drop 5.53.

100-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, Blue 1:11.91, time drop 2.91, 2. Valentina Remmele, Blue 1:26.11, 3. Devy Otero, Blue 1:29.35.
11-12, 1. Laila Harran, Blue 1:08.17, 2. Jemma Baldwin, White 1:10.81, time drop 1.82, 3. Ellie Jackson, White 1:11.49.

400-meter freestyle:
11-12, 1. Sofia Gomez, White 5:09.25, time drop 4.09, 2. Mackenzie McPherson, Blue 5:11.12, 3. Rose Seniuk, White 5:23.60.

100-meter backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Joanna Valdiviezo, White 1:33.37, time drop 6.12, 2. Stephanie Dmitrova, White 1:42.78, 3. Varvara Dmitrova, Blue 1:43.96, time drop 1.01.
11-12, 1. Saree Young, Blue 1:17.20, time drop 4.64, 2. Laila Harran, Blue 1:18.17, 3. Sofia Gomez, White 1:21.69.

100-meter breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, Blue 1:32.49, time drop 1.48, 2. Amber Connor, Blue 1:51.69, 3. Valentina Remmele, Blue 1:53.57.
11-12, 1. Gianna Martin, White 1:32.97, time drop 0.37, 2. Sofia Gomez, White 1:37.60, 3. Sophie Szutkowski, Blue 1:40.19.

Mixed 4×50-meter freestyle relay: 1. SOFLO Blue A 2:09.12 (Lance Bergeron-Menard, Eric Ferrer, Sofia Rodriguez, Laila Harran), 2. SOFLO White A 2:13.54, 3. SOFLO White B 2:13.87.

BOYS
1500-meter freestyle:
11-12: 1. Atharv Agashe, White 22:00.52.

200-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Kenneth Solis, Blue 2:42.01, 2. Zachary Snigur, White 2:49.86, 3. Reynaldo Manzanarez, Blue 2:59.89.
11-12, 1. Ryan Harries, White 2:25.44, time drop 2.29, 2. Eric Ferrer, Blue 2:27.23, time drop 6.87, 3. Guillermo Mantilla, White 2:29.96, time drop 11.08.

200-meter individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Toma Petkov, White 3:04.39, 2. Ethan Phan, White 3:14.37, 3. Zachary Sniur, White 3:26.41.
11-12, 1. Noah Mejias, White 2:46.40, time drop 5.97, 2. David Valdiviezo, Blue 2:49.50, time drop 7.41, 3. Eric Ferrer, Blue 2:56.19, time drop 12.26.

50-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Kenneth Solis, Blue 35.09, 2. Toma Petkov, White 37.36, time drop 5.57, 3. Niccolo Miccolis, White 38.21.
11-12, 1. Ryan Harries, White 30.67, time drop 0.81, 2. Guillermo Mantilla, White 31.12, time drop 2.10, 3. Lance Bergeron-Menard, Blue 32.57, time drop 1.02.

100-meter butterfly:
10-and-under, 1. Ethan Phan, White 1:26.72, 2. Leonardo Zuluaga, Blue 1:47.95.
11-12, 1. Noah Mejias, White 1:14.69, 2. David Valdiviezo, Blue 1:18.60, time drop 4.35, 3. Matthew Ortiz, White 1:38.34.

100-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Kenneth Solis, Blue 1:17.96, 2. Zachary Snigur, White 1:18.96, 3. Ethan Phan, White 1:20.74.
11-12, 1. Guillermo Mantilla, White 1:08.44, time drop 6.45, 2. Rainier Leyva Riestra, Blue 1:08.71, time drop 7.07, 3. Eric Ferrer, Blue 1:09.52, time drop 2.77.

400-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Toma Petkov, White 5:50.67.
11-12, 1. Ryan Harries, White 5:04.74, time drop 2.36, 2. Eric Ferrer, Blue 5:10.45, time drop 18.23, 3. Atharv Agashe, White 5:44.69, time drop 5.67.

100-meter backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Kenneth Solis, Blue 1:35.32, 2. Gabriel Ferrer, Blue 1:41.57, 3. Michael Barber, White 1:44.08.
11-12, 1. David Valdiviezo, Blue 1:20.21, time drop 10.81, 2. Guillermo Mantilla, White 1:23.62, time drop 6.61, 3. Noah Mejias, White 1:24.26.

100-meter breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Toma Petkov, White 1:41.74, time drop 19.44, 2. Zachary Snigur, White 1:43.72, 3. Ethan Phan, White 1:45.61.
11-12, 1. Ryan Harries, White 1:26.63, time drop 1.55, 2. Noah Mejias, White 1:33.94, 3. David Valdiviezo, Blue 1:37.82.

Mixed 4×50-meter freestyle relay: 1. SOFLO Blue A 2:09.12 (Lance Bergeron-Menard, Eric Ferrer, Sofia Rodriguez, Laila Harran), 2. SOFLO White A 2:13.54, 3. SOFLO White B 2:13.87.

13&Over 1500 Complete Results
GIRLS
13-14, 1. Amelie Bicerne, Blue 19:21.36, 2. Sarah Vasquez, White 19:24.96, 3. Elise Dinehart, Blue 20:21.25.
15-and-over, 1. Natalie Gembicki, White 19:13.22, 2. Cali Harries, White 20:24.08.

BOYS
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, White 17:37.39, 2. Tristan Dons, Blue 20:12.05.

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

Azura Wins Three Events; SOFLO’s Rodriguez Seventh In Prelims At Puerto Rico International Swimming Open

By Sharon Robb
SALINAS, Puerto Rico, April 23, 2022—Despite a pool water problem that forced Friday’s finals to be moved, swimmers overcame the adversity to swim well Saturday morning.

Four of the finals on Friday had to be rescheduled because of an issue with the pool water being cloudy. The events were moved to another pool and four of the finals were held Saturday morning before Saturday’s prelims.

SOFLO’s Enrique Rodriguez, 17, was seventh in the 400-meter freestyle prelims in 4:16.09 on Friday. The final is being rescheduled because of the pool problem.

SOFLO’s Aldo Zepeda, 16, was 27th in the 100-meter freestyle in 57.23.

Azura Florida Aquatics picked up three more wins.

Top-seeded Julimar Avila, 24, of Honduras won the 100-meter butterfly in 1:02.18. She also won the 50-meter butterfly earlier in the meet in 28.40. She was her country’s only woman swimmer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Nicole Frank, 18, of Uruguay won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:34.11. She was second in the 50-meter breaststroke in 33.10. She also competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Two-time Olympian Abbas Qali, 29, of Kuwait won the 100-meter butterfly in 54.68. He was the only male swimmer to represent Kuwait at the Olympics.

The four-day meet runs through Sunday. Prelims are 9 a.m. and finals are 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to SOFLO, swimmers from Azura Florida Aquatics (21 swimmers) and Plantation Swim Team (24 swimmers) are among the 35-team field. Swimmers from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Uruguay and Puerto Rico head the field.

The FINA meet is a qualifying event for the May 13-29 19th FINA World Swimming Championship in Hungary and 8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY MORNING FINALS
WOMEN
100-meter butterfly: 1. Julimar Avila, Azura 1:02.18, 2. Gabriela Robles Cortes, Azura 1:04.58, 3. Alexandria Hope Cotter, FPN 1:04.74.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Nicole Frank Rodriguez, Azura 2:34.11, 2. Emily Santos, MVAC 2:36.14, 3. Elisa Alejandra Funes, GCMST 2:39.86.

MEN
100-meter butterfly: 1. Abbas Qali, Azura 54.68, 2. Yeziel Morales, Puerto Rico 54.81, 3. Erick Gordillo, GUA 54.83, 4. Davidson Vincent, Azura 55.00, 9. Renato Herran, PST 57.95.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Xavier Ruiz, SJC 2:20.41, 2. Ryan Tirado, MST 2:26.62, 3. Jorell Melendez Figueroa, LMDM 2:27.72, 4. Emanuel Cuarta, PST 2:32.34.

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

SOFLO Blue Tops SOFLO White On Opening Day Of Dual Meet; Amores, Smutny, Hau, Vallmitjana Shine

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, April 22, 2022–On a fun, vocal opening night, SOFLO Blue edged SOFLO White in the Intrasquad Dual Meet Friday night at Academic Village Pool.

The 13-and-over competition went down to the wire with the 4×50-meter freestyle relay clinching it for SOFLO Blue in combined, 723-719.

The SOFLO Blue relay of Alex Golding, Sophia Grubbs, Javier Colmenares and Mallory Schleicher won in 1:52.33 with a second place from SOFLO Blue teammates Ana Villamil, Manuel Melendez, Izzy Wilson and Agustin Rodrigues in 1:53.86.

SOFLO Blue defeated SOFLO White, 372-277 in the boys races and SOFLO White defeated SOFLO Blue, 370-275, in the girls competition.

Jenesys Amores, 13, of Blue won four events and had three time drops. She won the 200-meter freestyle in 2:17.63, dropping 12.09 seconds; 100-meter backstroke in 1:13.96, dropping 4.51; 100-meter freestyle in 1:04.40, dropping 4.86; and 200-meter backstroke in 2:38.56.

Lydia Smutny, 13, won the 200-meter butterfly in 2:46.46 and 400-meter freestyle in 4:57.71.

Juan Vallmitjana, 13, won the 1500-meter freestyle in 17:37.39 with a time drop of 29.27 seconds; 100-meter freestyle in 58.75, dropping 2.67 and 200-meter backstroke in 2:33.74. He was also second in the 100-meter butterfly in 1:06.39 with a time drop of 7.40.

Derek Hau, 14, won the 100-meter butterfly in 1:05.15; 100-meter backstroke in 1:07.43 with a time drop of 2.47; and 100-meter breaststroke in 1:15.60.

SOFLO Blue swept the relays, winning the opening event, mixed 4×50-meter medley relay in 2:07.21 with the same foursome of Colmenares, Schleicher, Alex Golding and Grubbs.

The intrasquad meet concludes Saturday with Session II for 12-and-unders beginning 11 a.m.

Nearly 180 swimmers (100 boys and 74 girls) are competing in 650 events including relays in a spirited atmosphere.

Awards will be presented to top eight finishers, improvement, team spirit, team support and sportsmanship, determined by SOFLO coaches, a USA Swimming official and Boster Club Board of Director member.

FRIDAY RESULTS
COMBINED: 1. SOFLO Blue 723, 2. SOFLO White 719.
MEN: 1. SOFLO Blue 372, 2. SOFLO White 277.
WOMEN: SOFLO White 370, 2. SOFLO Blue 275.

GIRLS
Mixed 4×50-meter medley relay: 1. Blue A (Javier Colmenares, Mallory Schleicher, Alex Golding, Sophia Grubbs) 2:07.21, 2. White A 2:07.35, 3. Blue B 2:10.72.

200-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, Blue 2:17.63, time drop 12.09, 2. Lydia Smutny, White 2:23.86, time drop 1.25, 3. Tania Mantilla, Blue 2:24.12.
15-and-over, 1. Maddie Smutny, White 2:13.74, 2. Olivia Dinehart, White 2:13.83, 3. Michelle Marinheiro, White 2:17.95.

100-meter backstroke:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, Blue 1:13.96, 2. Sofia Lugo, White 1:19.12, 3. Mikhel Martin, Blue 1:21.10.
15-and-over, 1. Mallory Schleicher, Blue 1:10.22, 2. Gabriella DeLuna, White 1:11.65, 3. Mariann Catalasan, White 1:14.12, time drop 1.61.

100-meter breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Ainsley Miller, White 1:28.10, time drop 1.37, 2. Elise Dinehart, Blue 1:30.39, 3. Katelyn Gembicki, White 1:33.57.
15-and-over, 1. Olivia Dinehart, White 1:18.96, 2. Ana Villamil, Blue 1:19.26, 3. Sophia Grubbs, Blue 1:21.22.

200-meter butterfly:
13-14, 1. Lydia Smutny, White 2:46.46, 2. Tania Mantilla, Blue 2:58.44.
15-and-over, 1. Maddie Smutny, White 2:31.42, 2. Gabriella DeLuna, White 2:33.01, 3. Michelle Marinheiro, White 2:34.76.

50-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Katelyn Gembicki, White 28.96, time drop 0.41, 2. Anjana Andapally, White 30.53, time drop 0.36, 3. Amelia Bicerne, Blue 30.65, time drop 0.30.
15-and-over, 1. Ana Villamil, Blue 28.25, 2. Sally Golding, White 28.98, time drop 0.55, 3. Sabrina Osorio, Blue 30.75, time drop 2.42.

100-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, Blue 1:04.40, time drop 4.86, 2. Tania Mantilla, Blue 1:07.37, 3. Katelyn Gembicki, White 1:08.01.
15-and-over, 1. Maddie Smutny, White 1:01.90, 2. Mallory Schleicher, Blue 1:02.48, 3. Gabriela Avila, White 1:04.11.

200-meter backstroke:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, Blue 2:38.56, 2. Lydia Smutny, White 2:53.75.
15-and-over, 1. Mariann Catalasan, White 2:42.18, 2. Sophia Grubbs, Blue 2:47.44, 3. Sofia Osorio, Blue 2:49.79.

200-meter breasstroke:
13-14, 1. Elise Dinehart, Blue 3:17.48, 2. Katelyn Gembicki, White 3:23.63, 3. Haley Garcia, Blue 3:30.63.
15-and-over, 1. Olivia Dinehart, White 2:47.76, 2. Mariann Catalasan, White 2:59.14, 3. Sabrina Osorio, Blue 3:03.49.

400-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Lydia Smutny, White 4:57.71, 2. Amelie Bicerne, Blue 4:57.81, 3. Tania Mantilla, Blue 5:13.74.
15-and-over, 1. Maddie Smutny, White 4:45.64, 2. Cali Harries, White 5:16.44.

100-meter butterfly:
13-14, 1. Sofia Lugo, White 1:15.83, 2. Anjana Andapally, White 1:19.61, time drop 4.72, 3. Isabella Montes, White 1:20.81.
15-and-over, 1. Mallory Schleicher, Blue 1:09.03, 2. Gabriella DeLuna, White 1:09.14, 3. Ana Villamil, Blue 1:09.25.

400-meter individual medley:
13-14, 1. Sarah Vasquez, White 5:52.89, time drop 1.71, 2. Mikhel Martin, Blue 6:20.70.
15-and-over, 1. Olivia Dinehart, White 5:21.48, 2. Gabriella DeLuna, White 5:27.71.

1500-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Amelie Bicerne, Blue 19:21.36, 2. Sarah Vasquez, White, 19:24.96, time drop 6.20, 3. Elise Dinehart, Blue 20:21.25.

BOYS
200-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Felipe Rodriguez, Blue 2:16.39, 2. Joshua Menezes, Blue 2:22.63, time drop 8.34, 3. Matt McVeigh, Blue 2:24.52, time drop 2.54.
15-and-over, 1. Agustin Rodriguez, Blue 2:03.65, 2. Manuel Melendez, Blue 2:04.43, time drop 3.67, 3. Adrian Hernandez, Whiter 2:05.44.

100-meter backstroke:
13-14, 1. Derek Hau, Blue 1:07.43, time drop 2.47, 2. Maximiliano Remmele, White 1:13.53, time drop 2.63, 3. Matt McVeigh, Blue 1:15.27.
15-and-over, 1. Jaden Amores, Blue 1:06.70, time drop 0.41, 2. Alexander Miller, White 1:07.97, 3. Sebastian Lares, White 1:08.20.

100-meter breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Derek Hau, Blue 1:15.60, 2. Felipe Rodriguez, Blue 1:18.88, 3. Benjamin Kim, White 1:22.49, time drop 0.68.
15-and-over, 1. Javier Colmenares, Blue 1:09.57, 2. Manuel Melendez, Blue 1:10.42, 3. Alex Golding, Blue 1:15.30.

200-meter butterfly:
15-and-over, 1. Nicholas Pelaez, White 2:27.22, 2. Wisthon Rendon, White 2:15.31, 3. Javier Roman, Blue 2:17.50.

50-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Tristan Dons, Blue 28.55, 2. Felipe Rodriguez, Blue 28.56, time drop 0.51, 3. Mason Jimenez, White 29.80, time drop 0.69.
15-and-over, 1. Agustin Rodriguez, Blue 26.29, 2. Adrian Hernandez, White 26.69, 3. Sebastian Lares, White 27.22.

100-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, White 58.75, time drop 2.67, 2. Derek Hau, Blue 59.82, 3. Mason Jimenez, White 1:03.82, time drop 1.05.
15-and-over, 1. Javier Colmenares, Blue 57.82, 2. Agustin Rodriguez, Blue 57.83, 3. Manuel Melendez, Blue 58.40.

200-meter backstroke:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, White 2:33.74, 2. Maximiliano Remmele, White 2:38.20, 3. Diego Reveron, White 3:14.57.
15-and-over, 1. Alex Golding, Blue 2:23.58, 2. Jaden Amores, Blue 2:25.34, time drop 0.68, 3. Alexander Miller, White 2:33.18.

200-meter breasstroke:
13-14, 1. Leo Shee, Blue 2:59.33, time drop 2.62, 2. Joshua Menezes. Blue 3:00.89, 3. Joseph Blake-Natino, White 3:03.35.
15-and-over, 1. Javier Colmenares, Blue 2:40.27, 2. Manuel Melendez, Blue 2:40.67, 3. Giorgio Rusconi, Blue 2:57.93.

400-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Maimiliano Remmele, White 5:06.18, 2. Kenny Paas, White 5:08.08, time drop 29.27, 3. Martin Petkov, Blue 5:19.09, time drop 17.42.
15-and-over, 1. Ivan Grass, White 4:34.87, 2. Hashan Ekanayake, Blue 4:35.19, 3. Felix Gonzalez, White 4:38.66.

100-meter butterfly:
13-14, 1. Derek Hau, Blue 1:05.15, 2. Juan Vallmitjana, White 1:06.39, time drop 7.40, 3. Benjamin Kim, White 1:10.42, time drop 4.78.
15-and-over, 1. Jaden Amores, Blue 1:02.83, time drop 1.40, 2. Agustin Rodriguez, Blue 1:03.06, 3. Adrian Hernandez, White 1:03.12.

400-meter individual medley:
13-14, 1. Joshua Menezes, Blue 5:34.39, time drop 15.22, 2. Maximiliano Remmele, White 5:45.43, 3. Tristan Dons, Blue 5:46.44.
15-and-over, 1. Javier Colmenares, Blue 5:14.08, 2. Luke Mercier, Blue 6:11.02, 3. Javier Roman, Blue 5:00.61.

4×50-meter freestyle relay: 1. Blue A (Alex Golding, Sophia Grubbs, Javier Colmenares, Mallory Schleicher) 1:52.33, 2. Blue B 1:53.86, 3. White A 1:54.65.

1500-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, White 17:37.39, time drop 29.27, 2. Tristan Dons, Blue 20:12.05.

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

SOFLO’s Luciano Gonzalez Takes Silver At Puerto Rico International Swimming Open

By Sharon Robb
SALINAS, Puerto Rico, April 21, 2022—Luciano Gonzalez was South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher Thursday at the Puerto Rico International Swimming Open at Albergue Olimico German Rieckehoff.

Gonzalez, 27, was SOFLO’s top finisher placing second in the 50-meter butterfly in 25.04. He was fourth fastest in prelims in 25.29.

SOFLO’s Enrique Rodriguez, 17, finished sixth in the 800-meter freestyle in 8:47.40, dropping 10.65 off his previous best of 8:58.05.

SOFLO’s Aldo Zepeda, 16, placed ninth in the 50-meter backstroke prelims in a best time 28.67, dropping 3.73 and came back in finals to finish ninth in 28.83.

Azura Florida Aquatics had three individual winners.

Julimar Avila, 24, Kito Campbell, 18, and Jayhan Odlum-Smith, 19, won individual events.

Avila, the top seed, won the 50-meter butterfly in 28.40.

Campbell, also the fastest morning qualifier, won the 50-meter breaststroke in a best time 28.36, dropping 1.16.

Odlum-Smith, second fastest in morning prelims, won the 50-meter butterfly in 24.63.

The four-day meet runs through Sunday. Prelims are 9 a.m. and finals are 5:30 p.m. Friday, Satuday and Sunday.

In addition to SOFLO, swimmers from Azura Florida Aquatics (21 swimmers) and Plantation Swim Team (24 swimmers) are among the 35-team field. Swimmers from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Puerto Rico head the field.

The FINA meet is a qualifying event for the May 13-29 19th FINA World Swimming Championship in Hungary and 8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships.

THURSDAY FINALS
WOMEN
50-meter backstroke: 1. Liznel Ortiz, CAM 29.99, 2. Daniela Gutierrez, UN-CC 30.52, 3. Maria Jose Arrua, Azura 30.66.

50-meter breaststroke: 1. Emily Santos, MVAC 32.87, 2. Nicole Frank Rodriguez, Azura 33.10, 3. Marissa Marie Lugo, HUM 33.69.

50-meter butterfly: 1. Julimar Avila, Azura 28.40, 2. Alexandria Hope Cotter, FPN 28.83, 3. Regina Torres Pomar, MVAC 29.22.

MEN
50-meter backstroke: 1. Yeziel Morales, Puerto Rico 26.19, 2. Erick Gordillo, GUA 26.98, 3. Carlos Cobos, Azura 27.33.

50-meter breaststroke: 1. Kito Campbell, Azura 28.36, 2. Kebo Stubbs, MVAC 29.77, 3. Xavier Ruiz, SJC 29.94.

50-meter butterfly: 1. Jayhan Odlum-Smith, Azura 24.6; 2. Luciano Gonzalez, SOFLO 25.04, 3. Davidson Vincent, Azura 25.08.

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

SOFLO White & Blue Intrasquad Meet Gets Under Way Friday

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, April 21, 2022–South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers will turn up the team spirit at the SOFLO White & Blue Dual Meet at Academic Village Pool.

The intrasquad meet begins Friday with Session I for swimmers in the 13-14 and 15-and-over age groups at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, Session II for 12-and-unders begins 11 a.m.

Nearly 180 swimmers (100 boys and 74 girls) will compete in 650 events including relays over two days in a spirited atmosphere.

Awards will be presented to top eight finishers, improvement, team spirit, team support and sportsmanship, determined by SOFLO coaches, USA Swimming official and Booster Club Board of Director member.

Among some of the 13-and-over top-seeded swimmers and some of their events are Maddie Smutny of White, 200-meter freestyle; Sebastian Lares of White, 200-meter freestyle; Mallory Schleicher of Blue, 100-meter backstroke; Javier Colmenares of Blue, 100-meter breaststroke; Olivia Dinehart of White, 100-meter breaststroke; and Ana Villamil of Blue, 50-meter freestyle.

Some of the top-seeded 12-and-unders are Sofia Gomez of White, 200-meter freestyle; Ryan Harries of White, 200-meter freestyle; Noah Mejias of White, 200-meter individual medley; Jemma Baldwin of White, 100-meter freestyle; and Eric Ferrer of Blue, 100-meter freestyle.

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

SOFLO’s Rendon, Rodriguez, Zepeda Head To Puerto Rico For International Competition

By Sharon Robb
SALINAS, Puerto Rico, April 19, 2022—South Florida Aquatic Club will have three swimmers competing at the Puerto Rico International Swimming Open.

The four-day meet gets underway Thursday and runs through Sunday at Albergue Olimico German Rieckehoff. Thursday events are 5 p.m. for prelims and 8 p.m. for finals. Prelims are 9 a.m. and finals are 5:30 p.m. Friday, Satuday and Sunday.

Wisthon Rendon, 17, Enrique Rodriguez, 17, and Aldo Zepeda, 16, will compete in the international meet. The trio will each compete in six events.

SOFLO will be joined by swimmers from Azura Florida Aquatics (21 swimmers) and Plantation Swim Team (24 swimmers) among the 35-team field. Swimmers from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Puerto Rico head the field.

The FINA meet is a qualifying event for the May 13-29 19th FINA World Swimming Championship in Hungary and 8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Compete This Weekend In FGC Open Water Championships

By Sharon Robb
POMPANO BEACH, April 14, 2022–South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers will have a nice change of pace from pool swimming when they compete this weekend in the Florida Gold Coast Open Water Championships off Pompano Beach Pier.

Swimmers have the choice of competing in the 0.5K, 2K or 5K races.

Swimmers ages 11-12 who want to be considered for FGC Open Water Zones will compete in the 2K. Swimmers ages 13 and over who want to be considered for FGC Open Water Zones will compete in the 5K.

Competitors will swim most of the race about 75 meters to 100 meters parallel to the beach never leaving the designated swim zone.

The 5K will be point-to-point swimming from south to north starting just north of the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Pier to the south side of the Pompano Beach Pier.

All other races will be swimming in the north side of the Pompano Beach Pier in the city’s public beach area. The 2K and 500-meter races will be loop courses.

SOFLO has entered 26 swimmers (13 boys and 13 girls). Swimmers and events are:

Jaden Amores, 15, 5,000
Gabriela Avila, 16, 5,000
Jemma Baldwin, 12, 2,000
Sarah Bedoya, 15, 5,000
Amelie Bicerne, 15, 5,000
Kaylee Del Rio, 15, 2,000
Elise Dinehart, 14, 5,000
Hashan Ekanayake, 16, 5,000
Garrett Garcia-Stuaddard, 16, 5,000
Natalie Gembicki, 17, 5,000
Felix Gonzalez, 16, 5,000
Ivan Grass, 17, 5,000
Calista Harries, 15, 5,000
Ryan Harries, 13, 5,000
Derek Hau, 15, 5,000
Adrian Hernandez, 17, 5,000
Dahlia Hirsh, 16, 5,000
Guillermo Mantilla, 11, 2,000
Tania Mantilla, 15, 5,000
Alexander Miller, 16, 5,000
Sabrina Osorio, 18, 5,000
Abraham Penaloza, 15, 5,000
Jackson Puntervold, 11, 100
Mallory Schleicher, 19, 2,000
Rose Seniuk, 13, 2,000
Juan Vallmitjana, 13, 5,000

Due to covid-19 guidelines complimentary hospitality will not be available to competitors, officials, or volunteers, only water will be available.

Results will be posted on the Pompano Piranhas website within 24 hours of the meet’s conclusion at Pompanopiranhas.com.

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

TYR MARCH GIRL SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Natalie Gembicki

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, April 10, 2022–Natalie Gembicki loves training in her team’s 25-yard pool at Westminster Christian School.

“I love the small atmosphere, it creates a sense of family and I love that vibe,” said Gembicki, 17, a junior at Cutler Bay Senior High School.

At the Florida Gold Coast Senior Championships, Gembicki competed in 11 events at Academic Village Pool. She had 10 best times in individual and relay events including six in individual events. She totaled 91 points in high point.

Gembecki’s highest finish at seniors was sixth in the 100-yard individual medley in a best time 59.73, dropping 0.26 seconds. Her biggest time drop was 4.25 seconds in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:03.64 for sixth place.

“I went into senior champs thinking ‘you know what, I’m going to do good at this meet,'” Gembicki said. “I was telling my sister I thought I was going to do really well. I was just ready to swim fast. Before my last race, the 200 IM finals, I went into the Ready Room and I was like ‘All right guys, last race, let’s go crazy.’ I was really hyped up for senior champs.”

Gembicki has been swimming since she was 7. She trained with the Riptides, Big Gators and Gulliver Prep before moving to SOFLO 13 months ago and training with Coach Lou and Great Whites Group.

“I love it, he is the best coach I’ve ever had when I think of all my coaches,” praised Gembicki. “He really puts the work and dedication into coaching his swimmers at every practice.

“I love my teammates, they are so positive during practice. They are there for me and they get me through it. We get each other through it.”

Her two biggest meets have been FGC Senior Championships and FHSAA Class 1A State Championships which she has qualified for three times. She has two USA Swimming Futures cuts in the 200 IM and 100 freestyle and hopes to pick up a few more.

“At states I focused more on my sprinting events and when I focus more on my sprinting I do very well,” Gembicki said. “I swam the 200 free and 100 free and I improved on those at states. At senior champs, I did well in all my other races except the 100 free. I’ve improved on everything this last season.”

Gembicki has a true passion for swimming and is self-motivated to do well.

“When you achieve your goals it’s the best feeling ever,” Gembicki said. “To have your teammates there you form a bond, too. I just love swimming. Then some days you kind of hate it because you don’t do so well at practice or it’s a distance set and it’s boring. But you look back on that, it’s all the memories.”

Swimming has helped her manage her time.

“I go from morning practice to home, I have 30 minutes to get ready for school, then I go to school. Then after school ends, I have 30 minutes we start swim practice and dryland. The rest of the day is relaxing but then you have to do homework. It’s tough but you learn it and it gets easier as you learn it. I’ve been doing it for such a long time it’s now a regular thing.”

With school and swimming Gembicki doesn’t have a lot of free time, but she does love photography and a few of her photos will appear in the school’s yearbook. She’s also done dance, gymnastics and soccer but decided to focus solely on swimming. Making it even better is her mom Deb is a USA Swimming official.

“My mom saw all these swim moms on the pool deck relaxing when I was playing soccer,” Gembicki said. “She introduced me to swimming and I loved it so we continued with that.”

Recently, Gembicki visited the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs where she hopes to continue her swimming and academics. She got a chance to train in high altitude which took some adjusting to. She hopes to be a meteorologist and “fly into hurricanes taking photos that you’ll probably see on the Weather Channel.”

Gembicki also lifeguards at a summer camp at her home pool along with her teammates who are camp swim instructors. “We live at the pool in the summer,” Gembicki said.

Each TYR Swimmer of the Month receives a free TYR backpack. Gembicki joins SOFLO teammates Sofia Lugo and Valentina Remmele as 2022 Swimmers of the Month.

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 2020 Olympians Simone Manuel, Katie Ledecky, Lilly King, Annie Lazor, Ashley Twichell and other elite swimmers Melanie Margalis, Molly Hannis and Kelsi Dahlia.

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