June 2022 – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

SOFLO Swimmers Compete Friday In Lightning Firecracker BC Meet

By Sharon Robb
WEST PALM BEACH, June 30, 2022–South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers will have another shot at making BB Championships during Friday’s Lightning Firecracker BC Meet at Lake Lytal Family Aquatic Center.

SOFLO has 40 swimmers (21 boys and 19 girls) entered in 155 individual events looking for one or more qualifying times.

Among SOFLO’s top seeds are:
Santiago Zuluaga, 7, 25-yard backstroke, 22.15; 25-yard breaststroke, 27.69.
Michael Barber, 10, 50-yard freestyle 35.08.
Dylan McVeigh, 12, 50-yard backstroke, 37.39; 100-yard backstroke, 1:24.44.
Mikhel Martin, 13, 100-yard butterfly 1:11.03.

SOFLO heads the field that also includes host Lake Lytal Lightning, Pine Crest Swimming, Gulliver Swim Club, TS Aquatics, Tsunami Swim Team, PAQ, St. Andrew’s Swimming, Wahoos of Wellington, Swim Fort Lauderdale, FAST, Boca Raton Swim Team and Swim Fast.

The one-day meet begins 5:15 p.m. and expected to end 8:31 p.m. Warm-up is 4:30 p.m. There are 25 events with 1,289 entries in 141 heats. The meet was capped at 300 swimmers.

The Florida Gold Coast BB Championships are July 8-10 at Ransom Everglades for south teams including SOFLO and Boca Raton High School for north teams.

Admission is $5. Heat sheets are $2 at the door or available on Meet Mobile. More information can be found at http://www.lightningswimming.org.

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

Alia Atkinson Named FINA Athletes’ Committee Chair; Dylan Carter Selected For Committee

By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 30, 2022—Five-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson was elected the first-ever chair of FINA’s Athletes’ Committee at the 19th FINA World Aquatics Championships.

The former longtime South Florida Aquatic Club swimmer was among 20 athletes elected by their peers from their aquatic sport with six athletes later appointed and six others named honorary members by FINA, the international swimming federation. The sports represented are synchronized swimming, diving, high diving, open water swimming, swimming and water polo.

Atkinson, a four-time gold medalist at the World Swimming Championships (25-meters), will serve a four-year term. Voting took place by electronic ballots throughout the championships. Atkinson, 33, and six others ran unopposed.

“Today marks another significant step forward for both FINA and all aquatics athletes,” Atkinson said. “The Athletes’ Committee will act as a critical link between athletes and FINA.

“Having the athlete community choose those who represent them in important decisions is critical for the future development of our beloved sport.”

Atkinson’s final competitive meet was the 2021 15th FINA Short Course World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

British diver Jack Laugher, a three-time Olympic medalist, was named vice-chair of the committee.

The elected contingent includes nine other swimmers: former Plantation American Heritage swimmer Dylan Carter of Trinidad & Tobago; Therese Alshammar of Sweden, Ireland’s Shane Ryan, Hong Kong’s Siobhán Haughey, Dmitriy Balandin of Kazakhstan, Australia’s Jessica Hansen, Papua New Guinea’s Ryan Pini, Uganda’s Jamila Nsibambi Lunkuse and Matthew Sates of South Africa.

The second diving representative elected was Maria Polyakova of Russia, a former European champion in the women’s 1-meter springboard.

Synchronized swimming is represented by Egypt’s Nehal Saafan and Bill May of the U.S. Brazil’s Ana Marcela Cunha, who used to train in Davie, and the Netherlands’ Ferry Weertman will represent open water swimming.

Anna Bader of Germany and Alain Kohl of Luxembourg were elected to represent high diving, along with water polo players Margarita Plevritou of Greece and Felipe Perrone Rocha of Spain.

“Athletes are the heartbeat of aquatics,” said FINA President Husain Al-Musallam. “There is no sport without athletes. This is why I am so proud to be part of these historic elections.

“With equal gender representation and athletes from all six continents across all disciplines, I have no doubt that those elected will strengthen and promote the athletes’ voice for the benefit of the entire aquatics community.”

Britain’s three-time Olympic and eight-time World Championship swimming gold medalist Adam Peaty was among the six current athletes appointed by Al-Musallam to join the Athletes’ Committee. Hungary’s Dániel Gyurta and Italy’s Federica Pellegrini are also set to serve on the panel as elected members of the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission.

The Athletes’ Committee is responsible for offering input into the organization of the World Championships and the development of technical rules, and is designed to serve as the “athletes’ voice in aquatics sport”.

This is Musallam’s first World Championships as President, which was marked by FINA’s decision to require transgender athletes to have completed transition by the age of 12 to be eligible for women’s events.

OPEN WATER SWIMMING: Florida’s Anna Auld Seventh In 25K

Brazilian Ana Cunha, who once trained in Davie, won a close race in the women’s 25K at the 19th FINA World Championships in 5:24:15.0. She was followed by Lea Boy of Germany, 5:24:15.2 and Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands, 5:24:15.3. University of Florida’s Anna Auld of West Palm Beach, representing the U.S., was seventh in 5:26:25 among a field of 15 swimmers.

Italy’s Dario Verani won the men’s 25K title in 5:02:21 followed by Axel Raymond of France, 5:02:22 and Hungary’s Peter Galicz, 5:02:35. Azura’s Maximiliano Paccot of Uruguay was unable to finish after swimming for 1:34:08 among a field of 25 swimmers.

In the men’s 10K, Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy’s won in 1:50:56 followed by teammate Domencio Acerenza, 1:50:58 and Germany’s Florian Wellbrock, 1:51:11. Azura’s Jahir Lopez of Ecuador was 46th in 2:03:23 and Maximiliano Paccot of Uruguay was 48th in 2:05:01.

In the women’s 10K, Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands won in 2:02:29.2 followed by Leonie Beck of Germany, 2:02:29.7 and Cunha, 2:02:30. American Katie Grimes was fifth in 2:02:37.

In the men’s 5K, Germany’s Florian Wellbrock won in 52:48 followed by Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri, 52:52 and Mykhailo Romanchuk of Ukraine, 53:13. Azura’s Maximiliano Paccot of Uruguay was 41st in 59:43.

In the women’s 5K, Cunha also won in 57:52 followed by Aurelie Muller of France in 57:53 and Italy’s Giulia Gabbreilleschi in 57:54. University of Florida’s Anna Auld of West Palm Beach was 20th in 1:00:57. Azura’s Fatima Portillo, 19, of El Salvador was 37th in 1:04:56.

In the opening event, the 6K mixed relay, Germany (1:04:40), Hungary (1:04:43.0) and Italy (1:04:43.0) were the top three finishers. The U.S. finished seventh in 1:05:50. Twenty-three nations competed.

CARIBBEAN GAMES
The historic inaugural Caribbean Games are underway in Guadeloupe. More than 800 athletes from 29 countries began competing on Thursday. Seven sports over five days are being held. The event is being televised on Panam Sports Channel.

Panam Sports President Neven Ilic watched with sport leaders throughout the continent and wished the athletes nothing but success during the Games.

“It’s nice to see the joy of the athletes parading. They are the future of our sport and our work must focus largely on them, on the new generations. We started with the Cali 2021 Junior Pan American Games, then came the Rosario 2022 Youth South American Games and now the Caribbean has its own celebration of U-23 sport. I congratulate CANOC and Guadalupe for this fantastic and historic party and wish much success to the enthusiastic athletes.”

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

SOFLO Swimmers End On Good Note On Final Day Of SOFLO TYR Last Chance Summer Invite

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, June 26, 2022—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers ended on a good note at the SOFLO TYR Last Chance Summer Invite Sunday at Academic Village Pool.

A handful of swimmers competed on the third and final day of timed finals.

Jemma Baldwin ended a successful weekend with a win in the 1500-meter freestyle in 20 minutes and 26.54 seconds. Baldwin finished with 62 points after winning seven events.

SOFLO teammates Sofia Gomez (20:44.92), Elise Dinehart (19:45.39) and Natalie Gembicki (19:01.95) all finished runners-up in their age group.

Other girls winners were Ainsley Miller in the 50-meter breaststroke in 39.81 and Sofia Rodriguez in the 200-meter breaststroke in 3:22.15.

In the boys’ 1500, Eric Ferrer won 11-12 in 19:37.54 and Juan Vallmitjana won 13-14 in 17:50.75.

SOFLO had the largest team with 112 swimmers (61 boys and 51 girls) in 628 individual events.

In addition to host SOFLO, other clubs that competed were Azura, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Gulliver, Boca Raton Swim Team, Olympus, Coral Springs Swim Club, El Paso Borderland Swim Team, Shelton Doral, Hialeah Swim Club, Florida Keys Swim Club, Cooper City Cyclones, Heritage Aquatic Team, Homestead Wahoos, Tsunamis, North Miami Swim Team and Miami Swimming.

Meet and SOFLO club 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.

SUNDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
1500-meter freestyle:
11-12, 1. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 20:26.54, 2. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 20:44.92, 3. Lauren Meyer, BR 22:14.80.
13-14, 1. Layne Smith, FKSC 19:26.94, 2. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 19:45.39, 3. Alexandra Strong, Azura 20:55.94.
15-and-over, 1. Corley Smith, FKSC 18:21.12, 2. Natalie Gembicki, SOFLO 19:01.95, 3. Elia Bethke, BR 19:46.75.

50-meter butterfly:
13-14, 1. Sahara Idler, USDST 29.63, 2. Alani Lopez, Azura 31.52, 3. Sofia Lugo, SOFLO 33.57.
15-and-over, 1. Gabriela Robles Cortes, Azura 30.29, 2. Ava Martinez, TSU 31.40, 3. Elizabeth Sikes, BR 31.42.

200-meter butterfly:
12-and-under, 1. Camila Canelon, BLST 3:01.72.

50-meter backstroke:
13-14, 1. Ainnara Lazzaro, SDST 33.68, 2. Sahara Idler, USDST 34.09, 3. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 35.53.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonzalez, USDST 33.52, 2. Ava Martinez, TSU 33.99, 3. Mariann Catalasan, SOFLO 35.83

200-meter backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Eva Kolobova, NMST 3:14.83.
11-12, 1. Antonia Moreno, GRSC 2:58.28, 2. Camila Canelon, BLST 2:58.56, 3. Sophie Szutkowski, SOFLO 3:02.16.

50-meter breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Ainsley Miller, SOFLO 39.81, time drop 48.29, 2. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 41.13, 3. Sahara Idler, USDST 41.33.
15-and-over, 1. Lucia Miller, Azura 34.50, 2. Paola Gonzalez, USDST 35.27, 3. Abbie Sargent, FHSC 35.91.

200-meter breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Eva Kolobova, NMST 3:39.70, 2. Penelope Suarez, SWAT 3:50.35.
11-12, 1. Sofia Rodriguez, SOFLO 3:22.15, 2. Gabriela Vargas, GRSC 3:31.20.

BOYS
1500-meter freestyle:
11-12, 1. Eric Ferrer, SOFLO 19:37.54, 2. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 19:37.62.
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 17:50.75, 2. Joshua Menezes, SOFLO 19:25.36, 3. Martin Petkov, SOFLO 20:33.59.
15-and-over, 1. Sauod Alshamroukh, Azura 16:44.28, 2. Daniel Gonzalez Jimenez, Azura 17:23.28, 3. Abrahan Flores, Azura 17:29.51.

50-meter butterfly:
13-14, 1. George Gonzalez, USDST 26.32, 2. Anthony Pineiro USDST 27.05, 3. Jose Rincon, SOFLO 30.04.
15-and-over, 1. Davidson Vincent, Azura 25.42, 2. Sidrell Williams, Azura 26.06, 3. Nikita Efimov, OSC 26.59.

50-meter backstroke:
13-14, 1. Anthony Pineiro, USDST 28.57, 2. George Gonzalez, USDST 29.42, 3. Julian Lozano, GRSC 32.32.
15-and-over, 1. Dario Martin, OSC 28.90, 2. Nikita Efimov, OSC 29.61, 3. Marcelo Mansur, USDST 29.66.

200-meter backstroke:
12-and-under, 1. Andres De Angulo, MS 2:40.06, 2. Tikhon Kolobov, NMST 2:50.18, 3. Adlai Nixon, Unattached 2:57.45.

50-meter breaststroke:
13-14, 1. George Gonzalez, USDST 30.91, 2. Anthony Pineiro, USDST 34.93, 3. Christopher De Angulo, MS 36.58.
15-and-over, 1. Brandon Moran, Azura 31.15, 2. Dario Martin, OSC 31.63, 3. Nikita Efimov, OSC 31.70.

200-meter breaststroke:
12-and-under, 1. Tikhon Kolobov, NMST 3:14.02.

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

Baldwin, Lumsden, Petkov Lead SOFLO On Day Two Of SOFLO TYR Last Chance Summer Invite

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, June 25, 2022—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers had another good day at the SOFLO TYR Last Chance Summer Invite Saturday at Academic Village Pool.

Jemma Baldwin, 11, and Christie-Ann Lumsden, 10, led the girls with five wins and best times. Baldwin won three events with all best times and Lumsden won two events with one best time.

Baldwin has totaled 53 points over two days. She won the 50-meter freestyle in 31.11 dropping 0.24 and tying with Boca Raton’s Lauren Meyer. She also won the 50-meter backstroke in 36.33, dropping 1.98 and 200-meter freestyle in 2:25.17, dropping 3.39. Baldwin has the 1500-meter freestyle remaining on Sunday.

Lumsden won the 50-meter breaststroke in 41.75, dropping 0.91 and 100-meter butterfly in 1:35.46. Lumsden has 43 points.

SOFLO girls also won eight individual events. They were:

Olivia Dinehart, 400 IM, 5:12.62.
Elise Dinehart, 200 breaststroke, 3:02.53, time drop 0.40.
Elena Dinehart, 200 backstroke, 2:25.85.
Katelyn Gembicki, 50 freestyle, 28.21, time drop 0.51.
Jianna Amores, 100 butterfly, 1:13.06, time drop 3.24.
Molly Golding, 100 butterfly, 1:06.02.
Joanna Valdiviezo, 200 freestyle, 2:48.03, time drop 10.69.
Maddie Smutny, 200 freestyle 2:08.33.

Toma Petkov, 10, led SOFLO boys with two wins. He won the 50 breaststroke in 46.18 and 200 freestyle in a best time 2:46.75, dropping 0.04. Petkov has 35 points.

There were five individual winners. They were:
Ethan Hall, 50 freestyle, 28.98, time drop 1.62.
Maximiliano Remmele, 200 backstroke, 2:31.82, time drop 5.67.
Ethan Phan, 100 butterfly, 1:25.49, time drop 1.23.
David Valdiviezo, 100 butterfly, 1:17.49.
Juan Vallmitjana, 100 butterfly, 1:07.00.

The three-day meet ends on Sunday with timed finals at 10:30 a.m. and expected to end at 11:37 a.m.

SOFLO heads the field with 112 swimmers (61 boys and 51 girls) in 628 individual events.

In addition to host SOFLO, other clubs competing are Azura, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Gulliver, Boca Raton Swim Team, Olympus, Coral Springs Swim Club, El Paso Borderland Swim Team, Shelton Doral, Hialeah Swim Club, Florida Keys Swim Club, Cooper City Cyclones, Heritage Aquatic Team, Homestead Wahoos, Tsunamis, North Miami Swim Team and Miami Swimming.

Admission is $5 per session. Admission allows spectators to enter the pool only within the barricaded area.

SATURDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
400-meter individual medley:
12-and-under: 1. Antonia Moreno, GRSC 6:20.30.
13-14, 1. Pilar Duranti, Azura 5:41.98, 2. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 5:45.72, 3. Amanda Grubbs, SOFLO 5:47.77.
15-and-over, 1. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 5:12.62, 2. Paola Gonzalez, USDST 5:13.03, 3. Gabriela Robles Cortes, Azura 5:21.48.

200-meter breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 3:02.53, time drop 0.40, 2. Ainsley Miller, SOFLO 3:05.85, time drop 0.20, 3. Sarah Vasquez, SOFLO 3:19.12.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonalez, USDST 2:44.30, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 2:44.68, 3. Abbie Sargent, FKSC 2:51.91.

50-meter breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 41.75, 0.91 time drop, 2. Sofia De Angulo, MS 48.41, 3. Amber Connor, SOFLO 48.68.
11-12, 1. Emma Baker, CSSC 41.49, 2. Laila Harran, SOFLO 43.14, time drop 1.44, 3. Rafaela Dabus, GRSC 43.46.

50-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Jameela Rashad, CSSC 32.22, 2. Amber Connor, SOFLO 36.57, 3. Temperance Horan, BR 36.94.
11-12, 1. tie, Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 31.11, 0.24 time drop and Lauren Meyer, BR 31.11, 3. Melissa Ramos, HSC 31.28.
13-14, 1. Katelyn Gembicki, SOFLO 28.21, time drop 0.51, 2. Sahara Idler, USDST 28.86, 3. Amanda Grubbs, SOFLO 29.21, time drop 0.84.
15-and-over, 1. Lucia Miller, Azura 27.67, 2. Ana Villamil, SOFLO 28.06, 3. Elyse Wood, GRSC 28.13.

200-meter backstroke:
13-14, 1. Ainnara Lazzaro, SDST 2:32.74, 2. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 2:34.94, time drop 5.88, 3. Mikhel Martin, SOFLO 2:54.42.
15-and-over, 1. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 2:25.85, 2. Gio Musiello, GRSC 2:28.99, 3. Izzy Wilson, SOFLO 2:38.12.

50-meter backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Jameela Rashad, CSSC 40.04, 2. Valentina Remmele, SOFLO 43.70, 3. Varvara Dmitrova, SOFLO 44.84, 2.27 time drop.
11-12, 1. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 36.33, 1.98 time drop, 2. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 37.26, 3. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 37.30, time drop 2.82.

100-meter butterfly:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 1:35.46, 2. Temperance Horan, BR 1:43.23, 3. Sofia De Angulo, MS 1:45.90.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 1:13.06, 3.24 time drop, 2. Laila Harran, SOFLO 1:17.17, 7.07 time drop, 3. Antonia Moreno, GRSC 1:17.60.
13-14, 1. Sahara Idler, USDST 1:05.96, 2. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 1:10.47, time drop 0.30, 3. Alani Lopez, Azura 1:10.54.
15-and-over, 1. Molly Golding, SOFLO 1:06.02, 2. Ana Villamil, SOFLO 1:07.42, 3. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 1:07.58.

200-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Joanna Valdiviezo, SOFLO 2:48.03, 10.69 time drop, 2. Valentina Remmele, SOFLO 2:48.94, 13.96 time drop, 3. Skyla Carroll, CSSC 2:56.80.
11-12, 1. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 2:25.17, 3.39 time drop, 2. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 2:28.97, 2.01, time drop, 3. Melissa Ramos, HSC 2:32.56.
13-14, 1. Pilar Duranti, Azura 2:19.36, 2. Sahara Idler, USDST 2:19.60, 3. Layne Smith, FKSC 2:19.99.
15-and-over, 1. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 2:08.33, 2. Paola Gonzalez, USDST 2:11.01, 3. Gabriela Robles Cortes, Azura 2:12.32.

BOYS
400-meter individual medley:
12-and-under: 1. John Albornoz, CSSC 5:33.25, 2. Ethan Hall, SOFLO 5:39.87, 3. David Valdiviezo, SOFLO 5:56.28.
13-14, 1. George Gonzalez, USDST 4:49.20, 2. Adrian Rendon, SOFLO 5:19.84, 3. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 5:20.18.
15-and-over, 1. Dario Martin, OSC 4:45.55, 2. Javier Colmenares, SOFLO 4:52.47, 3. Enrique Rodriguez, SOFLO 4:53.64.

200-meter breaststroke:
13-14, 1. George Gonzalez, USDST 2:30.42, 2. Anthony Pineiro, USDST 2:37.90, 3. Derek Hau, SOFLO 2:46.42.
15-and-over, 1. Nikita Efimov, OSC 2:31.87, 2. Brandon Moran, Azura 2:34.69, 3. Jacques Sonnier, BR 2:39.84.

50-meter breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Toma Petkov, SOFLO 46.18, 2. Dylan Ehrlich, CSSC 48.10, 3. Edmond Negrin, HSC 48.50.
11-12, 1. John Albornoz, CSSC 37.06, 2. David Valdiviezo, SOFLO 41.88, 2.71 time drop, 3. Jayden Guo, CSSC 41.89.

50-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Noah Parker, Unattached 33.97, 2. Guy Soto, CCPR 34.41, 3. Ethan Phan, SOFLO 36.00, time drop 1.47.
11-12, 1. Ethan Hall, SOFLO 28.98, 1.62 time drop, 2. Adlai Nixon, Unattached 29.52, 3. Andres De Angulo, MS 29.73.
13-14, 1. Leonardo Moncada, SDST 27.65, 2. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 27.99, time drop 0.30, 3. Michael Kazar, Azura 28.04.
15-and-over, 1. Sidrell Williams, Azura 23.90, 2. Elias Segovia, Azura 25.29, 3. Michele Vandenbossche, Azura 25.35.

200-meter backstroke:
13-14, 1. Maximiliano Remmele, SOFLO 2:31.82, 5.67 time drop, 2. Matt McVeigh, SOFLO 2:37.21, 3. Joshua Menezes, SOFLO 2:39.49
15-and-over, 1. Abrahan Flores, Azura 2:11.71, 2. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 2:14.72, 3. Alex Golding, SOFLO 2:18.45.

50-meter backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Guy Soto, CCPR 41.24, 2. Noah Parker, Unattached 41.91, 3. Dylan Ehrlich, CSSC 2.46.
11-12, 1. Andres De Angulo, MS 33.62, 2. Francesco Corrales, SFTL 37.51, 3. Cameron Brown, Unattached 37.66.

100-meter butterfly:
10-and-under, 1. Ethan Phan, SOFLO 1:25.49, 1:23 time drop, 2. Samuel Ramos, GRSC 1:40.36.
11-12, 1. David Valdiviezo, SOFLO 1:17.49, 2. Cameron Brown, Unattached 1:17.58, 3. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 1:18.66.
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 1:07.00, 2. Adrian Rendon, SOFLO 1:08.02, 1.98 time drop, 3. Oliver Cannings, GRSC 1:10.03.
15-and-over, 1. Davidson Vincent, Azura 55.60, 2. Dario Martin, OSC 57.54, 3. Sidrell Williams, Azura 58.67.

200-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Toma Petkov, SOFLO 2:46.75, 0.04 time drop, 2. Michael Barber, SOFLO 2:54.32, 2.40 time drop, 3. Samuel Ramos, GRSC 2:54.55.
11-12, 1. Andres De Angulo, MS 2:22.63, 2. Eric Ferrer, SOFLO 2:23.10, 4.13 time drop, 3. Francesco Corrales, SFTL 2:25.57.
13-14, 1. George Gonzalez, USDST 1:56.45, 2. Anthony Pineiro, USDST 1:58.56, 3. Leonardo Moncada, SDST 2:14.16.
15-and-over, 1. Sauod Alshamroukh, Azura 1:56.55, 2. Elias Segovia, Azura 1:59.83, 3. Agustin Rodriguez, SOFLO 2:01.08.

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

U.S. Swimmers Wrap Up FINA World Aquatics Championships With Record Medal Haul; Sarasota’s Emma Weyant Takes Bronze

By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 25, 2022–The final night of the 19th FINA World Aquatics Championships was an emotional roller coaster for swimmers and coaches Saturday night at Duna Arena.

In a dramatic turn of events, American Justin Ress was disqualified after winning the gold medal in the 50-meter backstroke for being completely submerged at the finish only to be re-instated less than a hour later after a closer review of the race by officials.

U.S. teammate and world record holder Hunter Armstrong gladly returned the gold medal after finishing 2/100ths of a second behind Ress who won in 24.12. Poland’s 17-year-old Ksawery Masiuk took the bronze in a national record 24.49. It was Ress’ first individual long course gold medal.

“It was definitely an emotional roller coaster,” Armstrong said before the ruling was reversed. “I am really proud of Justin. That was a great race. There was only 2/100ths of second separating us.

“I would rather take second and have him with me, then getting the title with a disqualification. It’s not how I wanted it. He is an amazing athlete, completely talented. To have that taken away from him, it sucks.”

Italy came up with two of the biggest upsets of the night.

Veteran distance freestyler Gregorio Paltrinieri, 27, flirting with the world record in Lane 1, pulled away early in the race and never faltered to win in championship and European record time of 14:32.80, second fastest time in history.

University of Florida’s Bobby Finke, the Olympic champion and favorite, could not pull off his patent comeback down the stretch, that’s how far the Italian was ahead. Finke took silver breaking his own American record 14:36.70 and Germany’s Florian Wellbrock was third in 14:36.94.

“I knew that they were coming, but I had quite a big lead, so that was enough for me,” Paltrinieri said. “That was my strategy, actually, to go out fast and try to open a gap with the others. So I’m really glad I did it.”

Ironically, Paltrinieri was the seventh fastest qualifier for the final, just three seconds away from not making the final.

“In the beginning, I was just trying to keep up with him, but he just kept getting farther and farther ahead,” Finke said. “Hats off to Greg. I wasn’t able to run him down. He had a great race, and I’m really proud of him.”

“Greg had a great race, starting from the get go,” Finke said. “I broke the record by three seconds so I’m happy with it. I was just trying the do best I could. I am going away happy after this meet. It was stressful. I have never been in this scenario as expected to take the title again and being reigning Olympic champion.”

The Italian 4×100-meter relay of world record holder backstroker Thomas Ceccon, 100 breaststroke gold medalist Nicolo Martinenghi, Federico Burdisso and Alessandro Miressi upset the U.S. team of Ryan Murphy, Nic Fink, Michael Andrew and Ryan Held, 3:27.51-3:27.79. Great Britain was third in 3:31.31 just ahead of the Aussies in 3:31.81.

There were 23 Florida Gold Coast swimmers that competed on one of swimming’s biggest international stages.

Four swimmers, including University of Florida’s Anna Auld of West Palm Beach, are entered in open water events which begin on Sunday with the 6K team relay (4×1500) off Lupa Beach. The 5K is Monday, 10K on Wednesday and 25K on Thursday.

In other finals Saturday night:

WOMEN’S 50 BREASTSTROKE: Ten years after winning gold at the London Olympics, Ruta Meilutyte, 25, of Lithuania came out of retirement in 2021 after missing three doping tests and serving a 24-month suspension, started training again and ended up winning another title in 29.70. Italy’s world record holder Benedetta Pilato was second in 29.80 and Lara van Niekerk of South Africa was third in 29.90. American Lilly King was seventh in 30.40.

“It’s nice to be a world champion, I’m super proud of myself,” said Meilutytė, who won her second world title nine years after winning the 100 breaststroke in 2013. “I’m grateful for every step taken in my life, the bad ones and the good ones as well.”

WOMEN’S 400 IM: Canadian teenager sensation Summer McIntosh won her second gold medal, fourth overall and broke her third world junior record en route to the win in 4:32.04. McIntosh, 15, held off another outstanding teenager, American Katie Grimes, 16, second in 4:32.67. Sarasota’s Emma Weyant, who waited all week to swim, took the bronze in 4:36. It’s been 17 years since two Americans won medals in the same race. Hungarian Katinka Hosszu was unable to win her fifth straight gold in the event fading to fourth.

“Since it was the last day, I definitely felt, not the freshest in the water,” McIntosh said. “But I just tried my best to get my hand on the wall first and I’m so happy with the placement.”

50-METER FREESTYLE: Swedish world record holder Sarah Sjostrum won her 20th career gold medal in 23.98. It was her second world title of the meet. Poland’s Katarzyna Wasick took the silver in 24.18 and Meg Harris of Australia and American Erika Brown tied for the bronze in 24.38.

“It means so much to me,” Sjostrum said. “Every journey is different to winning a gold medal. I am super proud of achievening this medal. I came off a broken elbow and struggled with motivation, but now I remember why it was worth putting in all the time.”

WOMEN’S 4×100 MEDLEY RELAY: The U.S. won its third straight world title with Regan Smith, Lilly King, Torri Huske and Claire Curzan in 3:53.78. It was Curzan who broke open a tight race and pulled away on anchor. The U.S. had only qualified seventh and was in the outside lane. Australia was second in 3:54.24 and Canada was third in 3:55.01.

“The faster we finish, the faster we get pizza,” King joked after the race.

The U.S. finished with a record 45 medals (17 gold, 12 silver and 16 bronze. Australia was second with 17 total (6 golds, 9 silver, 2 bronze). Canada was third with its best-ever world finish with 11 (3 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze). Italy was fourth with 9 (5 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze).

The U.S. team’s 45 medals eclipsed the previous record of 38 medals the U.S. won at the 2017 world championships.

“We have crushed it this whole week,” said Regan Smith, who led off the relay and also won the individual 100 backstroke earlier in the meet. “We’ve had such good energy. This team is really special. It’s like no other team I’ve ever been on.”

The aquatics championships that also feature diving, water polo, high diving, open water swimming and synchronized swimming end July 3. Although the pool racing is done action continues with diving and open water swimming, both beginning Sunday. Meanwhile, the water polo tournaments are ongoing.

A highlights show will be on NBC at noon on June 26.

OPEN WATER SCHEDULE
Sunday, June 26: Open water, 6K team relay.
Monday, June 27: Open water, men’s and women’s 5K.
Wednesday, June 29: Open water, men’s and women’s 10K.
Thursday, June 30: Open water, men’s and women’s 25K.

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

Jemma Baldwin, Juan Vallmitjana Lead SOFLO On Day One Of SOFLO TYR Last Chance Summer Invite

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, June 24, 2022—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers got in some good racing against a competitive field at the SOFLO TYR Last Chance Summer Invite Friday night at Academic Village Pool.

SOFLO girls were led by triple winner Jemma Baldwin, double winners Christie Ann Lumsden, Maddie Smutny and Laila Harran and four individual winners.

Baldwin, 11, won the 100-meter backstroke in a best time 1:16.79, dropping 4.94 seconds off her previous best. She won the 100-meter freestyle in 1:08.13, another best time with a 0.48 time drop. She won the 400-meter freestyle in a best time 5:09.33, dropping 6.28 seconds.

Lumsden, 10, won the 100-meter backstroke in 1:25.43 with a time drop 6.00 and 400-meter freestyle in 5:26.92 in her event debut.

Smutny, 17, won the 100-meter freestyle in 59.89 and 400-meter freestyle in 4:33.62.

Harran, 12, won the 50-meter butterflyin 32.25 with a time drop of 3.89 and 200-meter individual medley in 2:46.94, another best time with a 7.06 time drop.

Individual winners were:
Jenesys Amores, 400-meter freestyle 4:52.72, time drop 1.90.
Elena Dinehart, 100-meter backstroke 1:07.96.
Valentina Remmele, 200-meter individual medley, 3:14.54, time drop 4.50.
Olivia Dinehart, 200-meter individual medley, 2:27.65.

SOFLO boys were led by double winner Juan Vallmitjana and nine individual winners.

Vallmitjana, 13, won the 200-meter butterfly in 2:28.75 and 200-meter individual medley in a best time 2:23.67, dropping 5.24.

Individual winners were:
Alessandro Suarez Cabrera, 50-meter butterfly 38.64.
Ricardo Roche, 100-meter backstroke, 1:00.27.
Ethan Hall, 100-meter freestyle, 1:03.83, time drop 2.56.
Toma Petkov, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:39.67, time drop 1.05.
Javier Colmenares, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:07.42.
Ethan Phan, 200-meter individual medley, 3:07.54, time drop 1.63.
Michael Barber, 400-meter freestyle 6:24.48.
Rainier Leyva Riestra, 400-meter freestyle, 4:57.95.
Enrique Rodriguez, 400-meter freestyle, 4:11.23.

The meet continues Saturday, with prelims at 8 a.m. for 13-and-older followed by prelims for 12-and-unders at 12:30 p.m. Championship finals are 7 p.m. On Sunday, timed finals begin 10:30 a.m. and expected to end at 11:37 a.m.

SOFLO heads the field with 112 swimmers (61 boys and 51 girls) in 628 individual events.

Over three days, swimmers from seventeen clubs are trying to hit qualifying times they need for various upcoming meets from BBs to Futures.

Admission is $5 per session. Admission allows spectators to enter the pool only within the barricaded area.

FRIDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
400-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 5:26.92.
11-12, 1. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 5:09.33, time drop 6.28, 2. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 5:17.85, time drop 5.20, 3. Camila Canelon, BLST 5:22.45.
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 4:52.72, 2. Pilar Duranti, Azura 4:59.80, 3. Katelyn Gembicki, SOFLO 5:04.67.
15-and-over, 1. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 4:33.62, 2. Britta Schwengle, Azura 4:39.67, 3. Gabriela Robles Cortes, Azura 4:40.26.
200-meter butterfly:
13-14, 1. Sahara Idler, USDST 2:29.03, 2. Amanda Grubbs, SOFLO 2:35.95, time drop 14.10, 3. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 2:36.25, time drop 5.87.
15-and-over, 1. Gabriela Cortes, Azura 2:21.22, 2. Molly Golding, SOFLO 2:24.51, 3. Elizabeth Sikes, BR 2:28.93.

50-meter butterfly:
10-and-under, 1. Jameela Rashad, CSSC 37.40, 2. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 39.55, 3. Temperance Horan, BR 40.82.
11-12, 1. Laila Harran, SOFLO 32.25, time drop 3.89, 2. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 33.27, 3. Lauren Meyer, BR 33.63.

100-meter backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 1:25.43, time drop 6.00, 2. Joanna Valdiviezo, SOFLO 1:31.69, time drop 2.90, 3. Temperance Horan, BR 1:35.35.
11-12, 1. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 1:16.79, time drop 4.94, 2. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 1:17.83, time drop 2.13, 3. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 1:20.79, 4.30 time drop.
13-14, 1. Carolyn Powell, CSSC 1:10.00, 2. Ainnara Lazzaro, SDST 1:11.06, 3. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 1:12.73, time drop 0.99.
15-and-over, 1. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 1:07.96, 2. Gabriella Deluna, SOFLO 1:10.40, 3. Mariann Catalasan, SOFLO 1:13.68, time drop 0.44.

100-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Jameela Rashad, CSSC 1:12.07, 2. Valentina Remmele, SOFLO 1:18.61, 0.74 time drop, 3. Sophia Gamboa-Pereira, CSSC 1:19.65.
11-12, 1. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 1:08.13, 0.48 time drop, 2. Gianna Martin, SOFLO 1:09.95, 4.76 time drop, 3. Antonia Moreno, GRSC 1:10.20.
13-14, 1. Sahara Idler, USDST 1:03.08, 2. Carolyn Powell, CSSC 1:04.42, 3. Amanda Grubbs, SOFLO 1:04.47.
15-and-over, 1. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 59.89, 2. Gio Musiello, GRSC 1:00.55, 3. Natalie Gembicki, SOFLO 1:01.05.

100-meter breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Sofia De Angulo, MS 1:43.40, 2. Amber Connor, SOFLO 1:49.84, time drop 1.08, 3. Katherine De Angulo, MS 1:52.33.
11-12, 1. Emma Baker, CSSC 1:32.38, 2. Laila Harran, SOFLO 1:34.22, 2.25 time drop, 3. Gabriela Vargas, GRSC 1:35.81.
13-14, 1. Manuella Lima, CSSC 1:23.64, 2. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 1:24.69, 4.21 time drop, 3. Ainsley Miller, SOFLO 1:27.97, 1:04 time drop.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonzalez, USDST 1:16.39, 2. Ana Villamil, SOFLO 1:16.62, 3. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 1:17.17.

200-meter individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Valentina Remmele, SOFLO 3:14.54, 4.50 time drop, 2. Sofia De Angulo, MS 3:17.05, 3. Joanna Valdiviezo, SOFLO 3:23.69, 5.79 time drop.
11-12, 1. Laila Harran, SOFLO 2:46.94, time drop 7.06, 2. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 2:53.63, time drop 10.14, 3. Sofia Rodriguez, SOFLO 2:55.13, time drop 9.91.
13-14, 1. Sahara Idler, USDST 2:36.65, 2. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 2:45.77, time drop 0.86, 3. Tania Mantilla, SOFLO 2:48.95.
15-and-over, 1. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 2:27.65, 2. Gio Musiello, GRSC 2:28.14, 3. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 2:30.19.

BOYS
400-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Michael Barber, SOFLO 6:24.48, time drop 36.30.
11-12, 1. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 4:57.95, time drop 34.74, 2. Eric Ferrer, SOFLO 4:58.37, 12.08 time drop, 3. Alistair Bass, SFTL 5:04.30.
13-14, 1. George Gonzalez, USDST 4:12.35, 2. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 4:36.96, time drop 2.12, 3. Thomas Ramos, GRSC 4:50.67.
15-and-over, 1. Enrique Rodriguez, SOFLO 4:11.23, time drop 0.94, 2. Sauod Alshamroukh, Azura 4:11.28, 3. Abrahan Flores, Azura 4:13.85.
200-meter butterfly:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 2:28.75, 2. Joshua Menezes, SOFLO 2:37.14, time drop 5.31.
15-and-over, 1. Dario Martin, OSC 2:08.87, 2. Nikita Efimov, OSC 2:11.50, 3. Enrique Rodriguez, SOFLO 2:12.34.

50-meter butterfly:
10-and-under, 1. Alessandro Suarez Cabrera, SOFLO 38.64, 2. Ryan Slogrove, SFTL 38.69, 3. Ethan Phan, SOFLO 38.72, time drop 0.46.
11-12, 1. Andres De Angulo, MS 32.13, 2. Adlai Nixon, UN 32.46, 3. John Albornoz, CSSC 32.98.

100-meter backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Dylan Ehrlich, CSSC 1:31.00, 2. Michael Barber, SOFLO 1:37.11, 4.97 time drop, 3. Gabriel Ferrer, SOFLO 1:38.77, time drop 6.41.
11-12, 1. Andres De Angulo, MS 1:11.19, 2. Ethan Hall, SOFLO 1:17.05, time drop 3.71, 3. Tikhon Kolobov, NMST 1:19.16.
13-14, 1. Anthony Pineiro, USDST 1:00.51, 2. Derek Hau, SOFLO 1:05.67, time drop 1.76, 3. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 1:09.90.
15-and-over, 1. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 1:00.27, 2. Abraham Flores, Azura 1:01.69, 3. Michele Vandenbossche, Azura 1:01.86.

100-meter freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Ryan Slogrove, SFTL 1:12.89, 2. Noah Parker, UN 1:17.30, 3. Alessandro Suarez Cabrera, SOFLO 1:18.99.
11-12, 1. Ethan Hall, SOFLO 1:03.83, 2.56 time drop, 2. Andres De Angulo, MS 1:04.51, 3. Francesco Corrales, SFTL 1:06.34.
13-14, 1. George Gonzalez, USDST 53.51, 2. Anthony Pineiro, USDST 54.53, 3. Julian Lozano, GRSC 1:00.09.
15-and-over, 1. Sauod Alshamroukh, Azura 53.28, 2. Davidson Vincent, Azura 53.36, 3. Elias Segovia, Azura 53.83.

100-meter breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Toma Petkov, SOFLO 1:39.67, time drop 1.05, 2. Ethan Phan, SOFLO 1:42.17, time drop 3.44, 3. Dylan Ehrlich, CSSC 1:45.13.
11-12, 1. John Albornoz, CSSC 1:23.85, 2. Tikhon Kolobov, NMST 1:28.84, 3. Guillermo Mantilla, SOFLO 1:30.99, time drop 2.02.
13-14, 1. George Gonzalez, USDST 1:08.12, 2. Gabriel Navarro, NMST 1:10.72, 3. Anthony Pineiro, USDST 1:14.41.
15-and-over, 1. Javier Colmenares, SOFLO 1:07.42, 2. Manuel Melendez, SOFLO 1:08.74, time drop 0.82, 3. Dario Martin OSC 1:09.06.

200-meter individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Ethan Phan, SOFLO 3:07.54, time drop 1.63, 2. Ryan Slogrove, SFTL 3:09.94, 3. Noah Parker, UN 3:18.92.
11-12, 1. John Albornoz, CSSC 2:35.44, 2. David Valdiviezo, SOFLO 2:48.00, time drop 1.87, 3. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 2:51.51, time drop 5.59.
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 2:23.67, time drop 5.24, 2. Gabriel Navarro, NMST 2:24.08, 3. Julian Lozano, GRSC 2:27.76.
15-and-over, 1. Nikita Efimov, OSC 2:12.56, 2. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 2:13.77, 3. Austin Nelson, SOFLO 2:21.01.

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

Katie Ledecky Five-Peats At FINA World Aquatics Championships

By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 24, 2022–Katie Ledecky, the greatest woman swimmer of all time, won her fifth consecutive gold medal in the 800 freestyle Friday night at the 19th FINA World Aquatics Championships at Duna Arena.

Ledecky, 25, swimming in her “favorite event” is the first swimmer in history to win five straight world titles in the same event.

Ledecky, a grad assistant coach at University of Florida where she trains with Anthony Nesty, pulled away early in the race to win in 8:08.04, winning by nearly 11 seconds. It was the fifth fastest time in the event.

Aussie Kiah Melverton was second in 8:18.77 and Simona Quadarella of Italy was third in 8:19.00.

It was Ledecky’s 19th gold medal at world championships, moving her ahead of Ryan Lochte just behind leader Michael Phelps with 26 gold medals.

“I’m happy with it, I can’t complain,” Ledecky said. “I thought it was a little faster than that, but that’s the fastest I’ve been in a while, so really thrilled with that and really excited about the future as well.

“Year after year it’s really hard work,” Ledecky said. “In London I won my first gold ten years ago, back then they said I was a one-hit wonder and here we are, ten years later and I have another gold.

“It was a great week, probably the most fun I’ve had in a meet in a long time,” Ledecky said. “And the results showed. It’s just a really special team, and I know we’re not finished.”

There are 23 Florida Gold Coast swimmers wrapping up their swims on one of swimming’s biggest international stages.

Other FGC swimmers who competed on Friday were:

Michaela Sierra, 17, Uruguay, (Azura, South Florida Heat, Auburn), 50 breaststroke, 43rd, 34.25.

Jahir Lopez, 17, Ecuador, (Azura) 1500 freestyle, 23rd, 16:57.92.

Yeziel Morales, 26, Puerto Rico, (Azura), 50 backstroke, 33rd, 26.23.

Jillian Crooks, 15, Cayman Islands (TS Aquatics), 50 freestyle, 41st, 26.75.

No FGC swimmers are scheduled to compete on Saturday.

In Friday night’s final events:
WOMEN’S 50 BUTTERFLY: Sarah Sjostrum of Sweden won the event for a record fourth consecutive time in 24.95. She also won the 50 fly in 2015, 2017 and 2019. She tied Michael Phelps with a record eight gold medals in butterfly events at worlds. Melanie Henique of France took silver in 25.31 and China’s Zhang Yufeli took bronze in 25.32. Americans Claire Curzan (25.43) and Torri Huske (25.45) were fifth and sixth.

MEN’S 50 FREESTYLE: In a wide open race with Caeleb Dressel and Bruno Fratus out of the field, Brit veteran sprinter Ben Proud, 27, dominated the field to win his first long course world gold medal in 21.32, 9/100ths ahead of Michael Andrew in 21.41, the American’s third individual world and fourth overall medal. Frenchman Maxime Grousset, who knocked Fratus out of a swim-off for the eighth spot in finals, was third in 21.57.

Proud had the best reaction time off the blocks in 0.57. Proud is the first British swimmer to ever win a world title in the event.

“This medal today, gold, silver, bronze, no matter what it was, it was always going to be for my brilliant team around me this year,” Proud said. “So I’m really chuffed to be able to bring something home. Big disappointment after the 50 fly. I really made a big mistake in that, but that fired me up for today and I’m much happier to be leaving a freestyle world champion.”

MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY: Even though Hungarian Kristof Milak and American Michael Andrew turned together at the 50, it was Milak who turned it on to win his second gold medal of the meet in 50.14. Japan’s Naoki Mizunuma was second in 50.94 and Canadian Josh Liendo was third in 50.97. Andrew faltered to fourth in 51.11.

WOMEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE: In an exciting finish, Aussie Kaylee McKeown won gold in 2:05.08 just out-touching Americans Phoebe Bacon (2:05.12) and Rhyan White (2:06.96). It was the first time the U.S. won two medals in the event.

MIXED 4X100 FREESTYLE RELAY: With Mollie O’Callaghan swimming anchor, Australia broke the world record in 3:19.38 to dethrone the U.S., winners of the past three worlds since 2015. Jack Cartwright, Kyle Chalmers and Madison Wilson joined O’Callaghan on the relay. The Aussies shaved 2/100ths of a second off the 2019 record held by the U.S. Canada was second in 3:20.61 and the U.S. was third in 3:21.09.

Saturday prelim events are women’s 400IM, men’s 4×100 medley relay and women’s 4×100 medley relay. It is the final day of pool swimming.

The U.S. added five more medals to its tally of 15 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze for 37. Australia is second with 15 total (6 golds, 8 silver, 1 bronze).

The aquatics championships that also feature diving, water polo, high diving, open water swimming and synchronized swimming end July 3.

The Olympic Channel and Peacock, on the NBC platform, is televising the finals at noon each day. A highlights show will be on NBC at noon on June 26.

FINALS SCHEDULE
Saturday, June 25: 50 men’s back, 50 women’s breast, 1500 men’s free, 50 women’s free, 400 women’s IM, 4×100 men’s and women’s medley relay.

Sunday, June 26: Open water, 6K team relay.

Monday, June 27: Open water, men’s and women’s 5K.

Wednesday, June 29: Open water, men’s and women’s 10K.

Thursday, June 30: Open water, men’s and women’s 25K.

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

Title IX Celebrates 50th Anniversary

By Sharon Robb
FORT LAUDERDALE, June 23, 2022—Today girls and women around the nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX.

Title IX eliminated discrimination based on gender in federally-funded programs. The historic act, signed by President Richard Nixon, paved the way for equal access to sports for all girls and women in the U.S.

Even though Title IX was intended to equalize college admission, its most visible achievement was the inclusion of women in interscholastic sports, leading to an explosion in numerous youth sports for girls including swimming.

On June 23, 1972 Title IX legislation became law. Before it became law, women’s teams did not exist or had sub-standard facilities, no coaching staffs and were never recognized for their achievements.

Before Title IX, fewer than 300,000 girls competed in high school sports. Today, that number has grown to 3.3 million. In college, the number of participants rose from fewer than 32,000 to more than 220,000 today.

During the National Senior Games held recently in Fort Lauderdale, several athletes shared their personal stories how tough it was before Title IX.

One of the most unforgettable stories was that of Kathrine Switzer, a 20-year-old college student when she registered to run the 1967 Boston Marathon, her first marathon. Early in the race, race director Jock Semple charged onto the course and tried to physically rip off her bib number and remove her from the competition. Kathrine’s boyfriend pushed him out of the way and despite taunts from media to quit, Switzer finished the race.

“That’s what everybody wanted me to do, was to quit. So, I really, really had to finish,” Switzer said.

“I was only 20. I often say that when I first ran that Boston Marathon, I started it as a girl, but I finished it as a grown woman, because it gave me a real life plan. And that life plan was to somehow create opportunities for other women to run, and what a joy it was to spend the rest of my life really doing that.”

When Alice Tym went to the University of Florida in 1960 there was no women’s tennis team, so she started one, serving as coach, captain and top player from 1960–1964.

“We didn’t have any sponsorship or coaches, or help of any kind, but now they do. And thanks to Title IX, it’s a law,” Tym said. “Everyone wins when opportunities are increased.”

“It shows anything is possible and that even the most stubborn human beings can eventually change,” Switzer said. “Cheers, Happy Anniversary to all of us.”

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

SOFLO Heads Field For SOFLO TYR Last Chance Summer Invite

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, June 23, 2022—Swimmers will have another opportunity to qualify for various upcoming meets at this weekend’s SOFLO TYR Last Chance Summer Invite at Academic Village Pool.

The three-day meet, featuring several of the Florida Gold Coast top swimmers and one of the most competitive fields, begins Friday with prelims at 8 a.m. for swimmers 13-and-older followed by prelims for 12-and-unders at 12:30 p.m. Championship finals are 7 p.m.

Action continues Saturday, again with prelims at 8 a.m. for 13-and-older followed by prelims for 12-and-unders at 12:30 p.m. Championship finals are 7 p.m. Finals events will swim in the following order: 10-and-under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-over girls, then 10-and-under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-over boys.

On Sunday, timed finals begin 10:30 a.m. and expected to end at 11:37 a.m.

SOFLO heads the field with 112 swimmers (61 boys and 51 girls) in 628 individual events.

Among SOFLO top seeds are:
Ricardo Roche, 22, 100 backstroke, 59.66.
Elena Dinehart, 17, 100 backstroke, 1:04.98; 200 backstroke 2:17.97.
Olivia Dinehart, 17, 100 breaststroke, 1:12.54; 200 IM 2:22.11; 200 breaststroke 2:34.85; 400 IM 4:59.47.
Maddie Smutny, 17, 400 freestyle, 4:24.72; 100 butterfly 1:03.50; 200 freestyle 2:06.10.
Sofia Gomez, 12, 100 backstroke 1:19.74.
Jemma Baldwin, 11, 400 freestyle 5:15.61; 200 freestyle 2:28.56.
Wisthon Rendon, 17, 200 backstroke 2:10.52.
Jiana Amores, 11, 50 freestyle 31.33.
Ellie Jackson, 11, 50 backstroke 33.26; 200 backstroke 1:22.78.
David Valdiviezo, 12, 100 butterfly 1:16.95.
Dominic Bono, 18, 1500 freestyle 16:28.94.
Sarah Vasquez, 14, 50 butterfly 35.19; 50 breaststroke 45.41.
Rainier Leyva Riestra, 14, 200 butterfly, 1:21.56.
Isabella Bartoli, 14, 50 backstroke 42.02.
Luca Hincapie, 15, 50 butterfly 28.99; 50 breaststroke 35.62.
Armando Bertea, 15, 50 backstroke 33.26.

In addition to host SOFLO, among other Florida Gold Coast clubs competing are Azura, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Gulliver, Boca Raton Swim Team, Olympus, Coral Springs Swim Club, Shelton Doral, Hialeah Swim Club, Florida Keys Swim Club, Cooper City Cyclones, North Miami Swim Team and Miami Swimming.

Admission is $5 per session. Admission allows spectators to enter the pool only within the barricaded area.

Meet and SOFLO club 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 sponsored athletes are 2020 Olympians Michael Andrew, Tom Shields, Nic Fink, Townley Haas, Bobby Finke, Jordan Wilimovsky, Simone Manuel, Katie Ledecky, Lilly King, Annie Lazor, Ashley Twichell, Torri Huske, Claire Curzan and other elite swimmers Matt Grevers, Maxime Rooney, Jacob Pebley, Ryan Lochte, David Curtiss, Melanie Margalis, Molly Hannis and Kelsi Dahlia.

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

King, Murphy, U.S. Men’s Relay Win Gold; Coral Springs Olympian Bruno Fratus Loses Swim-Off For Finals At FINA World Aquatics Championships

By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 23, 2022–Americans Lilly King, Ryan Murphy and men’s 4×200 relay defied the odds to win gold at the 19th FINA World Aquatics Championships Thursday at Duna Arena.

Lilly King turned it on in the back half to win gold and her first world title of the meet in 2:22.41. Aussie Jenna Strauch was second in 2:23.04 and U.S. teammate Kate Douglas of University of Virginia was third in 2:23.20. It was King’s ninth career world gold medal and first in the 200. King has now won gold in every breaststroke event at worlds.

King was fifth at the final turn. “I guess I’m a distance swimmer now, which kind of stinks for me,” King said with a smile. “I knew today was about racing and I knew I would have a little bit left so I had to do it. Welcoming this new chapter of my career. I think this was my coach’s master plan all along.

“It’s awesome to win this gold,” King said. “I’m so excited to have this medal. That was a great race but that was all tactical. I think the one who wins the 200 is who can control the tactical part and the pace the best.”

Bolles alum Ryan Murphy, 26, won his first-ever individual world gold medal. A year after settling for silver at the Tokyo Olympics, the newly-engaged Murphy won the 200-meter backstroke in 1:54.52, 6/10ths ahead of the field. He was third after the opening 50 and with a 28.4 split took the lead at the 100 and led the rest of the way. Brit Luke Greenback was second in 1:55.16 and U.S. teammate Shaine Casas was third in 1:55.35.

“This one hurt a lot,” Murphy said. “I knew it was going to be a competitive field. This is what I worked for. My first individual title is really cool. Being able to come into something that I have a talent for, try to be the best in the world, that never gets old.

“There’s a ton of work that goes into this, not just on my end but my coaches, my teammates. So to come in, win a medal for myself and for the people who helped me and my country is really special.”

The U.S. ended its dry spell in the men’s 4×200 freestyle relay. The relay of Drew Kibler, Carson Foster, Trenton Julian and University of Florida’s Kieran Smith won in 7:00.24. Australia was second in 7:03.50 and Great Britain was third in 7:04.00. It was the first world title relay win in almost a decade since 2013.

Smith had a full three-body length and more than a 3-second lead heading into the final wall. Foster blew it open on the second leg with a 1:45.04 split and Smith turned in a 1:44.35 on anchor. The U.S. men, fourth at the 2020 Olympics, were not favored.

“Kieran and I were actually just looking at a photo taken right after we touched fourth at the Olympics last year, and it’s a pretty defeating photo,” Kibler said. “We were looking at it just before we came here, like, ‘We’re not going to experience that again.'”

Brazil’s Bruno Fratus, 32, of Coral Springs Swim Club, fastest qualifier in the 50-meter freestyle prelims in 21.71, lost a swim-off by 3/100ths of a second to end his medal hopes.

The Olympic bronze medalist was fourth in the semifinals in 21.83 tying Frenchman Maxime Grousset, 23, who came back to win the swim-off, 21.59-21.62. It was the 100th time in his career Fratus cracked 22 seconds in the event.

Fratus is one of 23 Florida Gold Coast swimmers competing on one of swimming’s biggest international stages.

Other FGC swimmers who competed on Thursday are:

Dylan Carter, 26, Trinidad & Tobago, (Plantation American Heritage, USC), 50 freestyle, 17th, 22.19.

Esteban Nunez de Prado, 18, Bolivia, (Azura), 100 butterfly, 50th, 55.61.

Jenebi Benoit, 19, Grenada, (Azura), 100 butterfly, 57th, 59.63.

Leon Seaton, 18, Guyana (Azura), 50 freestyle, 70th, 25.07.

Jordan Crooks, 20, Cayman Islands (TS Aquatics), 50 freestyle, 19th, 22.20.

Steven Aimable, 23, Senegal, (Azura), 100 butterfly, 43rd, 54.65.

FGC swimmers who compete on Friday:

Michaela Sierra, 17, Uruguay, (Azura, South Florida Heat, Auburn), 50 breaststroke.

Jahir Lopez, 17, Ecuador, (Azura) 1500 freestyle.

Yeziel Morales, 26, Puerto Rico, (Azura), 50 backstroke.

Jillian Crooks, 15, Cayman Islands (TS Aquatics), 50 freestyle.

In Thursday night’s final events:
WOMEN’S 100 FREESTYLE: In an exciting finish, Australia’s Mollie O’Callaghan, 18, won her second world title in 52.67. In sixth place at the 50, O’Callaghan surged in the final 10 meters to out-touch world record holder Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden, second in 52.80. American Torri Huske, who was leading for the first 90 meters, was third in 52.92. U.S. teammate Claire Curzan was eighth in 53.81.

O’Callaghan was last at the wall before going 25.9 on the back half, outsplitting Sjostrom by 7/100ths of a second. Sjostrom is the first woman 100 free world record holder not to win a world title.

“I had to just trust myself and focus on myself especially for my back end, that is definitely my strongest point, my front end not so much,” O’Callaghan said. “It’s certainly weird at the moment to think that I’m a world champion.

“I was panicking in warm-up, I had a little bit of a cramp in my leg. I was just feeling dizzy, I just felt out of it in warm-up and I started to panic a little. But I had teammates there. I had Madi Wilson, I had the whole team and especially Dean supporting me so I guess that kind of uplifted me for this race.”

O’Callaghan is coached by Dean Boxall at St. Peters Western in Brisbane. Boxall is best known for going nutso in the stands while another one of his swimmers Ariarne Titmus won gold in the 200 and 400 freeestyles at the 2020 Olympics.

MEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE: Australia’s Olympic champion Zac Stubblety-Cook won gold with a convincing 2:07.07. He was eighth at the 100 and third at the 150. He is the first Aussie to win a world title in the event. Japan’s Yu Hanaguruma was and Erik Persson of Sweden tied for second in 2:08.38.

In the 50-meter butterfly semifinals, Torri Huske broke the American record in 25.38 and qualified second behind Sjostrom (25.13).

Friday prelim events are women’s 50 freestyle, men’s 50 backstroke, women’s 50 breaststroke, mixed 4×100 freestyle and men’s 1500 freestyle.

The U.S. added six more medals to its tally of 14 gold, 6 silver and 12 bronze for 32. Australia is second with 12 total (4 golds, 7 silver, 1 bronze) and Italy third (4 golds, 1 silver, 3 bronze).

The swimming runs through Saturday with the pool events. The aquatics championships that also features diving, water polo, high diving, open water swimming and synchronized swimming end July 3.

The Olympic Channel and Peacock, on the NBC platform, is televising the finals at noon each day. A highlights show will be on NBC at noon on June 26. The FINA facebook page is also posting competition news. Canada’s CBC will also broadcast the swimming.

There are huge cheers for any Hungarian swimmers from spectators at Duna Arena. FINA, the sport’s governing body, has asked fans each day to clap rather than cheer as a precaution against coronavirus infections. There were no other requests or restrictions.

FINALS SCHEDULE
Friday, June 24: 50 women’s fly, 50 men’s free, 100 men’s fly, 200 women’s back, 800 women’s free, 4×100 mixed free relay.

Saturday, June 25: 50 men’s back, 50 women’s breast, 1500 men’s free, 50 women’s free, 400 women’s IM, 4×100 men’s and women’s medley relay.

Sunday, June 26: Open water, 6K team relay.

Monday, June 27: Open water, men’s and women’s 5K.

Wednesday, June 29: Open water, men’s and women’s 10K.

Thursday, June 30: Open water, men’s and women’s 25K.

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