The Sky Is The Limit For South Florida Aquatic Club In 2023

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, January 1, 2023—With the pandemic adversity behind them, South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers and coaches finally enjoyed a normal year during 2022 at Academic Village Pool.

Success is never taken for granted at SOFLO. This past year’s successes were appreciated even more because of the high level of competition across the board in the Florida Gold Coast.

The emphasis is always on “team effort,” not only swimmers and coaches, but parents, booster club, officials, office staff, lifeguards, school support, media and fans, who all played roles in that “team effort.” SOFLO swimmers and coaches always seem to find their greatest unity as a team.

Every year SOFLO swimmers learn their lessons well and continue to build on them. Every swimmer contributes no matter their level of ability. Every point earned by each SOFLO swimmer at various meets count. Every time drop no matter how small, was valued and appreciated. The combined hard work of swimmers and coaches is paying off.

For this reason, SOFLO is still the most diverse and largest club in the Florida Gold Coast and ranked No. 1 among FGC local swim clubs.

The revamped Olympic-size pool is second to none in Florida and hosted several successful meets and was well-received by visiting FGC and out-of-state club teams and college teams training during the holidays. The Comets Booster Club and parent volunteers worked tireless hours and provided outstanding hospitality to visiting coaches and were greatly appreciated.

As SOFLO, the first ten as Comets Swim Team and next twelve as SOFLO, closes out 2022 there were silver linings and a sad goodbye during the year worth a Top 10 ranking.

Several talented SOFLO swimmers had reason to celebrate after being selected as 2022 TYR Swimmers of the Month. The boys were: Manny Melendez (November), Michael Barber (October), Lincoln Callaway Coy (September), Jacob Jones (August), Ethan Hall (July), Adrian Rendon (June), Niccolo Miccolis (May), Alex Golding (April), Guillermo Mantilla (March), Tristan Dons (February) and Hashan Ekanayake (January).

The girls were: Olivia Dinehart (November), Isabella Callaway Coy (October), Jianna Amores (September), Carolina Carrera (August), Lydia Smutny (July), Amber Connor (June), Eva Ortiz (May), Sally Golding (April), Natalie Gembicki (March), Sofia Lugo (February) and Valentina Remmele (January) as 2022 Swimmers of the Month.

As everyone celebrates the New Year, it’s always fun to look back to see what SOFLO accomplished over the past twelve months. Here is a look at the year’s highlights.

SOFLO’s Top 10 Moments in 2022 were:

1.SOFLO enjoyed 2022 as a USA Swimming National Club Excellence Silver Medal winner. SOFLO has been a Bronze Medal club for eight years since 2011 and silver medal for two years.

2.Veteran coach Rose Lockie, loved by swimmers and parents alike, retired after an outstanding coaching career that spanned four decades in club and high school swimming.

3.SOFLO’s four-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson, after retiring in December 2021, was elected chairperson of the inaugural World Aquatics athletes committee. The committee comprises athletes from swimming, diving, high diving, water polo, artistic swimming and open water swimming.

4.Auburn-bound Olivia Dinehart after runner-up finishes her freshman and sophomore seasons, wins back-to-back State 1A breaststroke titles to finish an outstanding high school season. She also won all seven of her individual events and two relays at the 32nd Speedo Winter Championships.

5.SOFLO hires top-notch coaches Kyle Cormier as lead age group coach and Jessica Rodriguez, senior and gold program coach.

6.Fifteen SOFLO swimmers are selected for the FGC-Florida All-Star Meet at Indian River State College.

7.For the first time SOFLO hosted the TYR SOFLO Last Chance Meet in November at newly-renovated Academic Village Pool and reconfigured the lanes to run two pools. It was one of the largest meets of the year.

8.The Blue-White Intrasquad Dual Meet, featuring loads of team spirit, was one of the biggest hits of the year among 180 SOFLO swimmers. SOFLO White swept the combined, girls and boys titles to earn bragging rights for a year and build camaraderie among swimmers.

9.Against a strong field including a close battle with eventual winner St. Andrew’s Aquatics, SOFLO finishes runner-up at 32nd annual Speedo Winter Championships among a field of 72 teams.

10.SOFLO’s Kathleen Golding was named one of the team captains for University of Florida nationally-ranked women’s team.

Thank you for supporting the program now heading into its 23rd year. Here is to a Healthy, Happy and Promising New Year for our SOFLO Family!!!

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

TYR NOVEMBER BOY SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Manny Melendez

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, December 28, 2022—Manny Melendez leads by example in and out of the pool.

The South Florida Aquatic Club swimmer has been steadily improving while moving up the ladder since joining SOFLO five years ago.

Melendez started out with the senior development group in March 2018 for five months. From there it was the Silver group in August 2018 for two months; Gold group in October 2018 for 35 months and finally the National group from Sept. 2021 to present.

Melendez, 19, an Everglades High School graduate, is enjoying his best season in the pool with the National group. He made his Futures cuts in the 100 (57.64) and 200 breaststroke (2:06.07) events at the Nov. 18-19 Last Chance Meet.

“I was really happy when I got my cuts, I finally made it,” Melendez said. “It was surprising because the day I made it I was feeling really sick. I think I could have gone a lot faster.”

Melendez has earned high praise from his SOFLO coaches.

“Manny’s attendance and dedication has certainly paid off over the years, accomplishing leadership in the National group as well as achieving his Futures cuts,” SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson said.

“Manny is an example that hard work and attendance pays off. He works and focuses on a particular skill until it becomes habit. He stayed with swimming after graduating high school and now has an opportunity to swim in college.”

Added SOFLO coach Kenzy Green: “Manny is a very motivated swimmer and does his best in and out of the pool. He pays great attention to detail in the water and asks for help and tips to improve. Manny is a role model for hard work and success while remaining humble.”

Melendez started swimming when he was a 5-month old baby with his mother. He started competing at age 6.

“I like the competition and the attitude people have when they are competing with each other especially in training,” Melendez said. “It’s my favorite thing, racing each other and racing new friends at meets to see whose better.”

Melendez credits swimming for helping him develop discipline through the years.

“It’s one of the things I’m glad it’s showed me because I have been very disciplined with my homework and activities. I have a schedule for every day.”

Melendez played basketball for two years. At age 11 his swim coaches suggested he stop playing because he was injury-prone and it was keeping him out of the pool.

“I had to make a big choice whether I wanted to stay with basketball or swimming and I stayed with swimming,” Melendez said. “I am really glad I did.”

Melendez has been taking computer engineering classes at Broward College but would like to attend Indian River State College, where he could continue his competitive swimming career. The Venezuelan is the first member of his family to go to college.

Each TYR Swimmer of the Month receives a free TYR backpack. Melendez joins SOFLO teammates Michael Barber (October), Lincoln Callaway Coy (September), Jacob Jones (August), Ethan Hall (July), Adrian Rendon (June), Niccolo Miccolis (May), Alex Golding (April), Guillermo Mantilla (March), Tristan Dons (February) and Hashan Ekanayake (January) as 2022 TYR Swimmers of the Month.

SOFLO sponsor TYR is an American designer, developer and 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.

The company’s mission statement is starting from, powered by and made for athletes, we strive to create and re-imagine technologies that enhance experience and performance at every level.

Among its male-sponsored athletes are 2020 Olympians Michael Andrew, Tom Shields, Nic Fink, Townley Haas, Bobby Finke, Patrick Callan, Hunter Armstrong, Brooks Curry, Zack Harting and Jordan Wilimovsky and other elite swimmers Matt Grevers, Maxime Rooney, Nick Albiero, Jacob Pebley, Coleman Stewart, Justin Ress, David Curtiss, Charlie Clark and Ryan Lochte.

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

TYR NOVEMBER GIRL SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Olivia Dinehart

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, December 27, 2022–Olivia Dinehart’s work ethic has gotten her to where she is today in swimming.

“It’s just nice to see when you work hard and then getting to see that pay off later,” Dinehart said. “That reward is probably what’s kept me going this long.”

Of course, there were tough days in training and meets as well.

“The hardest part in swimming is when you’re not dropping obviously,” Dinehart said. “It’s so much fun when you are dropping and doing really well. But it gets hard when you hit that almost like a plateau. It gets harder and harder to drop as you get faster.

“I think it’s really important not to get discouraged in practices. Just wait until you get to college. It’s going to get very exciting.”

Her talented teammates she trains with has helped her motivation through the years.

“They are very easy to make myself motivated,” Dinehart said. “I think we are all very competitive in practice and we all motivate each other mentally. Being at this level it’s easier to have other people at this level. If I didn’t have them with me it would probably be a lot more difficult because it’s harder to be motivated if you’re not surrounded by people at the same level as you. It’s nice to have people with the same goals and same ambitions and who want the same things.”

Her turning point in the sport came at the Summer Junior Olympics Long Course meet when she was 14. She got her summer junior national cut and everything snowballed after that.

“I realized I had been working for seven years and this is what it led to,” she said. “I thought if I could keep going I could be potentially really good and that would be amazing.”

Dinehart, 17, defended her state title in the 100-yard breaststroke in November for Cutler Bay High School. Winning one title in the Class 1A meet is hard enough when the field features the likes of Bolles, St. Andrew’s and Pine Crest, but winning two straight titles is a huge accomplishment. She was a state runner-up in the event her freshman and sophomore seasons.

“There was definitely more pressure,” Dinehart said. “I didn’t feel a lot of pressure my junior year because I honestly didn’t expect to win. I went in hoping for the best. It came as a little bit of a surprise. I was really happy about that.

“It was different this time because the kids at school don’t know how swimming works so they expect you to come in first again. It’s a little more difficult than that. I was looking out for people who would give me a little more competition than last year.”

As a junior she won in 1:02.28 and this year she went 1:01.60, leading from start-to-finish.

“The second time was sweeter because I was so anxious,” she said. “We had more people from my high school team there behind the blocks and it was really nice. It was bittersweet as well because it was the last time we were swimming at states. As I look back I have had a successful state career. I’m happy how this turned out.

“It was definitely the highlight of the year for me since it was the last state meet. It is such a special meet. It was nice that we had our high school coach (Marshall Ruffo) there. It may be normal to some of us but when our coach gushes over us it makes you realize how exciting it is for our school.”

Dinehart verbally committed to Auburn University in October 2021 and signed earlier this fall. She visited Indiana, University of North Carolina and Auburn.

“I went in expecting UNC to be my favorite and I loved it there, but when I went to Auburn I thought this is totally different,” Dinehart said. “It felt like a home away from home. I immediately felt comfortable with the coaches, swimmers, dorms, the team was amazing. It all came together perfectly. I’m really happy with everything.”

Dinehart is excited to be working with Associate Head Coach Vlad Polyakov, a three-time Olympian, world champion and NCAA champion. Polyakov is a St. Thomas Aquinas alum. Auburn is one of the top women’s teams in the nation.

“I think he is doing amazing things,” Dinehart said. “Watching the breaststrokers drop almost every time they swim gives me hope. I think yes, I picked the right school. I watched a few of their practices. They all trust him and speak so highly of him. I am very excited.”

Dinehart is currently training for the Feb. 9-12 Southern Zone Sectionals in Orlando and March 1-4 TYR Pro Series in Fort Lauderdale.

Each TYR Swimmer of the Month receives a free TYR backpack. Dinehart joins SOFLO teammates Isabella Callaway Coy (October), Jianna Amores (September), Carolina Carrera (August), Lydia Smutny (July), Amber Connor (June), Eva Ortiz (May), Sally Golding (April), Natalie Gembicki (March), Sofia Lugo (February) and Valentina Remmele (January) 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 ESPY Sportswoman of the Year Katie Ledecky, 2020 Olympians Simone Manuel, 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

From Swimmer To Coach, Jessica Rodriguez Comes Full Circle At South Florida Aquatic Club

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, December 24, 2022—Jessica Rodriguez is ready to start a new chapter in her swimming career.

The former South Florida Aquatic Club elite swimmer will begin Monday as a full-time coach at SOFLO. She will work with both the senior program and gold program as lead coach.

“I am very excited for her,” said SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson. “She worked with us the summer of 2020 and the senior group responded to Jessica very positively.

“Having a coach swim for our program for more than eight years she has a very good perspective of SOFLO swimming and work ethic,” Anderson said.

Rodriguez, 24, graduated from University of Florida where she swam her freshman and sophomore years. She retired early and earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology in May, 2021. She would like to teach history at the high school level and will be pursuing her masters in education online.

“I am very happy with my decision,” Rodriguez said. “I’m really excited to provide some stability for the group. I am definitely not going to go easy on these kids. I want to be as helpful to Chris, the team and kids as possible.”

Rodriguez said she realized how much she loved coaching when she taught swim lessons and helped out at SOFLO during the summer of 2021. She also coached in Gainesville for more than a year before returning home to South Florida.

“I absolutely loved it,” she said. “I really love coaching. The reason that I decided I wanted to teach and enjoy coaching so much is that I love the idea of having a good impact on the world. I think the best way to do that is by interacting with kids and helping them make their own path. I enjoy working with kids and helping them reach their goals.

“Swimming is such an incredible sport,” Rodriguez said. “Some of the best people I have ever met have been in the sport of swimming.”

Her return to SOFLO, the largest and one of the most well-respected USA Swimming clubs in the Florida Gold Coast, was a no-brainer. The club has always been a good fit for Rodriguez.

“A big part of it is history and the coaching staff,” Rodriguez said. “Chris has been the head coach well over 20 years. The environment he has created and success that’s been yielded from the team just attracts such a talented group of individuals. I think the lessons program with George and Edileide is helping swimmers develop really good skills and I think that’s why they have been so successful. From such a young age kids are taught properly by such good, intelligent coaches.”

Now that she has come full circle, what would Rodriguez tell her younger self if given the chance to do it all over again?

“I’m happy with the route I took because it’s led me here,” Rodriguez said. “But if there was something I could have changed I would have told my younger self to not take everything so seriously and personally. Just enjoy the journey…not worry so much on the very strict goals that I had for my life and enjoy the process a little bit more and not worry about the destination as much.”

Rodriguez is still athletic and currently training for an Olympic-distance triathlon in April. “I have definitely found the joy in swimming again,” she said.

Rodriguez was the first SOFLO swimmer to sign with Florida after an outstanding high school career at Hialeah Gardens High School. The Academic All-American and junior national qualifier was the total student-athlete package Florida coaches were looking to add to their successful program. She swam the 200 breaststroke and 400 IM.

As a swimmer, Rodriguez was a role model for young swimmers coming up. She was a team leader and motivator and helped several swimmers with her positivity and work ethic in training. At 15, she was a SOFLO Swimmer of the Month.

“One of the things I really enjoyed was the camaraderie,” Rodriguez said. “I had a really good group of friends. I come from a competitive family. I liked the competitive environment. I got to compete with my sister.”

Rodriguez has seen some changes in swimming through the years with the focus on skills rather than yardage as swimmers get older. However, she feels it’s important for swimmers to develop an aerobic capacity at a young age.

“Anyone that’s been on a team for eight years and found a way to get to the national group has leadership skills,” Anderson said at her college signing. “At Senior Championships, she was motivating the freshmen and sophomores on how to be more successful. She took that role on her own. She knows how to work and motivate. When she talks, people listen.”

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

SOFLO Swimmers Shine During Final Session Of Holiday Champs; Finish In Top Five Among Teams

By Sharon Robb
SUNRISE, December 20, 2022–South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers left a lasting impression in the final meet of the year Sunday at the Holiday Champs at Sunrise Civic Center.

The up-and-coming swimmers got in some good racing in prelims and finals and dropped more times against a competitive field.

Vedant Pant, 12, won his second event of the three-day meet. Pant won the 50-yard breaststroke in a best time 36.53, dropping 3.45 seconds off his previous best. He was also second in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:53.44, another best time dropping 5.49 seconds. He also won the 100 breaststroke in a best time (1:20.26) earlier in the meet.

SOFLO’s girls 7-10 200-yard freestyle relay won in 2:09.62 with Mia Rop, Zoe Miralles, Stephania Dmitrova and Amber Connor.

SOFLO’s boys 7-10 200-yard freestyle was third in 2:03.94 with Reynaldo Manzanarez, Rafael Naranjo, Vedant Pant and Dylan McVeigh.

Other SOFLO top three finishers and impressive time drops were:
Stephania Dmitrova, 200 IM, third, 2:57.55, 2.36 drop.
Angelica Forsyth, 200 IM, third, 2:30.29, drop 2.97.
Karen Iino, 100 butterfly, third, 1:28.07, 9.53 drop.
Amber Connor, 50 breaststroke, second 43.16, 2.22 drop.
Leonardo Zuluaga, 50 breaststroke, third 42.74.
Valentina Remmele, 200 IM, 3.19 drop.
Mia Rop, 100 freestyle, 5.23 drop.
Amber Connor, 50 backstroke, 4.75 drop.
Isabella Callaway Coy, 200 breaststroke, 3.38 drop.
Catalina Akpabio, 100 butterfly, 6.59 drop.
Sophia Rodriguez, 100 butterfly, 9.61 drop.
Joanna Valdiviezo, 200 backstroke, 8.48 drop.
Angela Forsyth, 200 backstroke, 17.78 drop.
Leonardo Zuluaga, 200 IM, 18.90 drop.
Vedant Pant, 200 IM, 6.27 drop.
Rafael Naranjo, 200 IM, 6.42 drop; 100 butterfly, 4.23 drop.

SOFLO finished fifth among combined team standings with 395 points; fourth among girls with 225 points and sixth among boys teams with 170.

Sixty-three SOFLO swimmers (33 girls and 30 boys) competed in 301 individual events and 12 relays.

In addition to SOFLO, other teams that were in the field were Assoc. Natacion El Milenio, Bravo Swim Team, Coral Springs Swim Club, Cyclones, Eagle Aquatics, Heritage Aquatic Team, Hurricane Aquatics, Lake Lytal Lightning, Rockwood Swim Club, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Swim Gym, SwimFast, Trident Aquatics, TS Aquatics and host Sunrise Swimming.

SUNDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
200-yard freestyle relay: 7-10, 1. SOFLO A 2:09.62 (Mia Rop, Zoe Miralles, Stephania Dmitrova, Amber Connor); 11-12, 1. Sunrise Swimming 1:54.14, 4. SOFLO A 2:01.42 (Sophia Rodriguez, Valentina Remmele, Marlena Groves Sofia Rufeev); 13-and-over, 1. Hurricane Aqutic 1:39.97.

200-yard individual medley: 7-10, 1. Jameela Rashad, CSSC 2:38.68; SOFLO: 3. Stephania Dmitrova 2:57.55, time drop 2.36, 6. Karen Iino 3:03.57, time drop 9.75, 7. Ellie Phan 3:11.45, time drop 0.29; 11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 2:16.01; SOFLO; 6. Valentina Remmele 2:40.58, time drop 3.19; 13-14, 1. Manuella Lima, CSSC 2:20.09; SOFLO: 3. Angelica Forsyth 2:30.29, time drop 2.97; 15-and-over, 1. Kaitlyn Jorgensen, SUN 2:11.80.

100-yard freestyle: 7-10, 1. Jameela Rashad, CSSC 1:02.64; SOFLO: 5. Amber Connor 1:09.15, time drop 3.83, 8. Mia Rop 1:12.34, time drop 5.23; 11-12, 1. Gabriela Campuzano, LLL 58.72; SOFLO: 6. Lana Althuis 1:04.44, time drop 2.90; 13-14, 1. Sophia El Chantiry, CSSC 56.73; 15-and-over, 1. Riley McCormick, CSSC 53.52.

50-yard backstroke: 7-10, 1. Rylen Heinz, LLL 34.48; SOFLO; 5. Amber Connor 36.61, time drop 4.75, 7. Catalina Akpabio 38.99, time drop 2.15, 8. Mia Rop 40.26, time drop 0.60; 11-12, 1. Aubrey Moen, CCPR 33.42; SOFLO: 8. Valentina Remmele 36.05, time drop 2.00; 13-14, 1. Carly Chin, CSSC 30.59; 15-and-over, 1. Cassia Flynn, CSSC 23.80.

200-yard breaststroke: 11-12, 1. Aaleyah Osouna, TSA 3:07.06; 13-14, 1. Makayla Montenegro, HAT 2:35.44; SOFLO: 6. Isabella Callaway Coy 2:53.56, time drop 3.38; 15-and-over, 1. Camila Garcia, LLL 2:33.67.

100-yard butterfly: 7-10, 1. Jameela Rashad, CSSC 1:15.59; SOFLO: 3. Karen Iino 1:28.07, time drop 9.53, 4. Ellie Phan 1:33.39, 7. Catalina Akpabio 1:38.51, time drop 6.59; 11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 1:02.59; SOFLO: 8. Sophia Rodriguez 1:15.50, time drop 9.61; 13-14, 1. Sophia El Chantiry, CSSC 1:02.83; 15-and-over, 1. Teresa Landron, SUN 59.12.

50-yard breaststroke: 7-and-over, 1. Emma Ellis, SUN 39.38; SOFLO: 2. Amber Connor 43.16, time drop 2.22, 3. Zoe Miralles 44.53, time drop 1.36, 4. Stephania Dmitrova 44.82, time drop 2.76; 11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 34.88; SOFLO: 7. Sophia Rodriguez 41.15, time drop 1.24, 8. Valentina Remmele 41.51, time drop 1.74; 13-14, 1. Emma Baker, CSSC 34.93; 15-and-over, 1. Neika Gayle, SUN 32.38.

200-yard backstroke: 11-12, 1. Kiana Young, LLL 2:29.93; SOFLO: 5. Joanna Valdiviezo 2:44.20, time drop 8.48; 13-14, 1. Sophia El Chantiry, CSSC 2:17.38; SOFLO: 4. Angela Forsyth 2:27.99, time drop 17.78; 15-and-over, 1. Cecilia Poll, MIL 2:09.50.

BOYS
200-yard freestyle relay: 7-10, 1. Coral Springs 2:06.05; 11-12, 1. Coral Springs 1:48.19, 3. SOFLO A 2:03.94 (Reynaldo Manzanarez, Rafael Naranjo, Vedant Pant, Dylan McVeigh); 13-and-over, 1. Hurricane Aquatics 1:29.08.

200-yard individual medley: 7-10, 1. Janiel Espinos, SF 2:45.38; SOFLO: 5. Leonardo Zuluaga 2:53.43, time drop 18.90; 11-12, 1. Tomas Franchak, CANE 2:21.01; SOFLO: 4. Vedant Pant 2:36.29, time drop 6.27, 6. Rafael Naranjo 2:41.04, time drop 6.42; 13-14, 1. Santi Campuzano, LLL 2:07.34; SOFLO: 7. David Valdiviezo 2:19.04, time drop 0.93; 15-and-over, 1. Giulian Martin, CANE 1:53.46.

100-yard freestyle: 7-10, 1. Guy Soto, CCPR 1:03.77; 11-12, 1. Roman Kondrashov, CSSC 58.14; SOFLO: 8. Rafael Naranjo 1:04.55, time drop 2.16; 13-14, 1. Santi Campuzano, LLL 50.16; 15-and-over, 1. Giulian Martin, CANE 47.75.

50-yard backstroke: 7-10, 1. Guy Soto, CCPR 36.11; 11-12, 1. Leo Georgiev, CSSC 31.39; SOFLO: 4. Jonathan Li 33.55, time drop 3.30, 8. Dylan McVeigh 35.70, time drop 0.64; 13-14, 1. Matt Jucoski, CSSC 29.70; SOFLO: 4. Dmitrii Berezin 31.71, time drop 2.89; 15-and-over, 1. Marcoaurelio Lopez-Casula 24.39.

200-yard breaststroke: 11-12, 1. Tomas Franchak, CANE 2:46.42; SOFLO: 2. Vedant Pant 2:53.44, time drop 5.49, 3. Eonn Shao-Liang 3:13.01; 13-14, 1. John Albornoc, CSSC 2:21.73; 15-and-over, 1. Luca Young, CANE 2:14.13.

100-yard butterfly: 7-10, 1. Janiel Espinosa, SF 1:131.20; SOFLO: 5. Leonardo Zuluaga, 1:31.30, time drop 1.68; 11-12, 1. Roman Kondrashov, CSSC 1:05.26; SOFLO: 6. Rafael Naranjo 1:18.61, time drop 4.23; 13-14, 1. Santi Campuzano, LLL 55.52; 15-and-over, 1. Giulian Martin, CANE 51.19.

50-yard breaststroke: 7-10, 1. Dylan Ehrlich, CSSC 40.47; SOFLO: 3. Leonardo Zuluaga 42.74; 11-12, 1. Vedant Pant, SOFLO 36.53, time drop 3.45; SOFLO: 7, Jonathan Li 39.11, time drop 3.41; 13-14, 1. Rafael Landron, SUN 30.19; 15-and-over, 1. Christopher Kean, SUN 32.38.

200-yard backstroke: 11-12, 1. Leo Georgiev, CSSC 2:20.24; 13-14, 1. Luke Deutschman, RSCA 2:08.05; SOFLO: 3. David Valdiviezo 2:18.81, time drop 0.22; 15-and-over, 1. Orenzo Herek, CSSC 2:01.15.

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

Wild Night Closes Out Memorable FINA Short Course World Championships; Bolles Alum Ryan Murphy Makes History

By Sharon Robb
MELBOURNE, Australia, December 18, 2022—A world record dead heat between the U.S. and Australia closed out a wild final night at the 16th FINA Short Course World Championships Sunday at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.

In an exciting men’s 4×100-meter medley relay the U.S. (Ryan Murphy, Nic Fink, Trenton Julian and Kieran Smith) and Australia (Isaac Cooper, Joshua Yong, Matthew Temple, Kyle Chalmers) finished in a world record 3:18.98, bettering the 13-year-old record set by Russia.

Six days of competition produced 14 world short course records with swimmers earning $25,000 in bonus money for world records. There were also six world junior records and 23 championship records broken.

More than 560 athletes from 160 countries competed in 48 events, including the debut of the women’s 1500 freestyle and men’s 800 freestyle with an overall prize purse of $2.54 million on the line.

The U.S. won the most medals with 36 (17 gold, 13 silver, 6 bronze) followed by Australia with 26 and Italy with 16.

Bolles alum Ryan Murphy became the first man or woman swimmer to win three backstroke gold medals. After winning the 50 and 100, Murphy won the 200 backstroke on Sunday in 1:47.41.

“I like the 50 and 100 a lot better than the 200,” Murphy said. “When I got the invite, I wasn’t sure I was going to come. I had taken a lot of time off this summer, and I wasn’t sure I was going to be ready for this. To finish on a high like that setting a world record, even in a tie, having the Australian crowd go nuts, that was cool.

With wins in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke Murphy earned the best male award. Murphy’s three individual wins and two relay medals, including the world record-setting gold in the relay, helped push the USA to the top team award.

“My goal coming in was to add as many medals to Team USA as possible. We did that tonight and we added a World Record, too,” Murphy said. “Swimming is a sport where you get so few opportunities to race, and I really want to take advantage of every opportunity.”

Also Sunday, the U.S. picked up individual medals from Nic Fink (gold, 50 breaststroke), Torri Huske (silver, 100 butterfly), Claire Curzan (silver, 200 back) and Lilly King (bronze, 50 breast).

Canadian Maggie MacNeil broke her second world record of the meet winning the 100-meter butterfly in 54.05. With three individual wins and two world records, MacNeil took won the event’s top women’s honors.

“Seeing so many records get broken and amazing swims this week, I am so honored, honestly, to be the swimmer of the meet,” MacNeil said. “It means the world to me to finish 2022 off on such a high note. Unbelievable, I never thought I would get one, let alone two, world records.”

South African Chad le Clos won his second gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly in 48.59.

After breaking SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson world record in the 50 breaststroke semifinals in 28.37, Lithuanian Ruta Meilutyte went on to win gold in 28.50.

Aussie Kaylee McKeown won the 200 backstroke in 1:59.26 ahead of American Claire Curzan in 2:00.53. Hong Kong world record holder Siobhan Haughey won the 200 freestyle in 1:51.65. South Korea’s Sunwoo Hwang, despite a broken finger, won the men’s 200 freestyle in a championship record 1:39.72.

The U.S. women’s 4×100 medley relay of Claire Curzan, Lilly King, Torri Huske and Kate Douglass won in 3:44.35 just ahead of the Aussies in 3:44.92.

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

Vedant Pant, Amber Connor Lead SOFLO In Session Two Final Of Holiday Champs

By Sharon Robb
SUNRISE, December 18, 2022–South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers turned in a solid day of racing and time drops Saturday at the Holiday Champs at Sunrise Civic Center.

Vedant Pant, 12, was SOFLO’s only individual winner. Pant won the 11-12 100-yard breaststroke in a best time 1:20.26, dropping 0.78.

Pant was also a member of SOFLO’s third place 200-yard medley relay that finished in 2:21.73 with teammates Dylan McVeigh, Rafael Naranjo and Reynaldo Manzanarez.

Amber Connor, 10, led the girls with a second place in the 50-yard butterfly in a best time 34.65, with a time drop of 5.27 seconds. She was third in the 100 IM in 1:22.20. She was also a member of SOFLO’s second place 200-yard medley that finished in 2:28.87 with teammates Paige Fleming, Catalina Akpabio and Mia Rop.

SOFLO’s 7-10 boys 200-yard medley relay was second in 2:26.81 with Toma Petkov, Leonardo Zuluaga, Niccolo Miccolis and Sean Tee.

Other top three finishers for SOFLO were:
Stephania Dmitrova, 100 breaststroke, second 1:37.66, time drop 3.20.
Grace Petrucci, 100 breaststroke, third 1:40.99, time drop 9.80.
Angelina Forsyth, 200 butterfly, third, 2:35.99, time drop 2.50.
Niccolo Miccolis, 50 butterfly, third, 35.11
Benjamin Liss, 100 breaststroke, third, 1:25.55, time drop 1.51.

Sixty-three SOFLO swimmers (33 girls and 30 boys) are competing in 301 individual events and 12 relays.

In addition to SOFLO, other teams competing are Assoc. Natacion El Milenio, Bravo Swim Team, Coral Springs Swim Club, Cyclones, Eagle Aquatics, Heritage Aquatic Team, Hurricane Aquatics, Lake Lytal Lightning, Rockwood Swim Club, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Swim Gym, SwimFast, Trident Aquatics, TS Aquatics and host Sunrise Swimming.

SATURDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
200-yard medley relay:
7-10, 1. Sunrise Swimming 2:26.66, 2. SOFLO 2:28.87 (Paige Fleming, Amber Connor, Catalina Akpabio, Mia Rop).
11-12, 1. Lake Lytal Lightning 2:04.40; 5. SOFLO 2:22.46 (Danielle Brancati, Valentina Remmele, Sophia Rodriguez, Joanna Valdiviezo).
13-and-over, 1. Coral Springs 1:51.23, 7. SOFLO 2:13.24 (Mikhel Martin, Sophia Avia, Sofia Hernandez, Sarah Bedoya).

200-yard freestyle:
7-and-10, 1. Jameela Rashad, CSSC 2:14.96; SOFLO: 6. Karen Iino 2:42.52, 7. Stephania Dmitrova 2:43.34; 11-12, 1. Gabriela Campuzano, LLL 2:04.91; 13-14, 1. Carly Chin, CSSC 2:03.81; 15-and-over, 1. Cassie Flynn, CSSC 1:55.74.

100-yard backstroke: 7-10, 1. Rylen Heinz, LLL 1:13.26; SOFLO: 5. Karen Iino 1:25.65, 6. Maya Ramthun 1:34.37, time drop 2.08; 11-12, 1. Carolina Almeida, CSC 1:09.19; 13-14, 1. Manuella Lima, CSSC 1:04.08; SOFLO: 5. Angelica Forsyth 1:09.67, 7. Mikhel Martin 1:10.75; 15-and-over, 1. Kaitlyn Jorgensen, SUN 1:00.36.

50-yard butterfly: 7-10, 1. Jameela Rashad, CSSC 33.44; SOFLO: 2. Amber Connor 34.65, time drop 5.27, 6. Catalina Akpabio 36.75, 0.97 time drop, 8. Mia Rop 39.58, 0.03 time drop; 11-12, 1. Gabriela Campuzano, LLL 29.27; SOFLO: 8. Sophia Rodriguez 33.45, 0.76 time drop; 13-14, 1. Carly Chin, CSSC 28.61; 15-and-over, 1. Riley McCormick, CSSC 26.46; SOFLO: 7. Sophia Hernandez 28.91, 0.39 time drop.

100-yard breaststroke: 7-10, 1. Veronica Landron, SUN 1:34.53; SOFLO: 2. Stephania Dmitrova 1:37.66, time drop 3.20, 3. Grace Petrucci 1:40.99, time drop 9.80, 4. Karen Iino 1:43.32, time drop 5.97; 11-12, 1. Lydia Wagner 1:14.47; 13-14, 1. Bella Truyol, EA 1:14.94; 15-and-over, 1. Aria Torretta, CANE 1:09.63.

50-yard freestyle: 7-10, 1. Jameela Rashad, CSSC 29.45; SOFLO: 6. Mia Rop 33.59, time drop 0.06, 7. Zoe Miralles 34.58, 8.Maya Ramthun 38.34; 11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 24.21; 13-14, 1. Carly Chin, CSSC 26.10; SOFLO: 8. Mikhel Martin 28.25, time drop 0.03; 15-and-over, 1. Riley McCormick, CSSC 24.79.

200-yard butterfly: 11-12, 1. Gabriela Campuzano, LLL 2:25.62; 13-14, 1. Makayla Montenegro, HAT 2:29.23; SOFLO: 3. Angelica Forsyth 2:35.99, time drop 2.50; 15-and-over, 1. Mariana Montes, CSSC 2:13.21.

100-yard individual medley: 7-10, 1. Rylen Heinz, LLL 1:17.88; SOFLO: 3. Amber Connor 1:22.20, 4. Stephania Dmitrova 1:26.56, time drop 1.62, 5. Zoe Miralles 1:29.00, time drop 1.43, 7. Ellie Phan 1:30.94; 11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 1:04.79; SOFLO: 5. Valentina Remmele 1:13.77, time drop 5.25; 13-14, 1. Avery Gmmons, LLL 1:07.85; SOFLO: 6. Mikhel Martin 1:13.92; 15-and-ovr, 1. Kaitlyn Jorgensen, SUN 1:02.24.

BOYS
200-yard medley relay: 7-10, 1. Coral Springs 2:26.81, 2. SOFLO 2:32.09 (Toma Petkov, Leonardo Zuluaga, Niccolo Miccolis, Sean Tee); 11-12, 1. Coral Springs 2:05.21, 3. SOFLO 2:21.73 (Dylan McVeigh, Vedant Pant, Rafael Naranjo, Reynaldo Manzanarez); 13-and-over, 1. Hurricane Aquatics 1:39.50, 6. SOFLO 1:56.64 (Dmitrii Berezin, Luke Mercier, Bruno Martins, Alexander Rahman).

200-yard freestyle: 7-10, 1. Janiel Espinsosa, SF 2:20.59; 11-12, 1. Matteo Baldanza, CSSC 2:01.04; SOFLO: 7. Rafael Naranjo 2:18.13, time drop 6.06; 13-14, 1. Santi Campuzano, LLL 1:52.67; 15-and-over, 1. Giulian Martin, CANE 1:42.51.

100-yard backstroke: 7-10, 1. Dylan Ehrlich, CSSC 1:19.70; 11-12, 1. Leo Georgiev, CSSC 1:06.82; SOFLO: 8. Dylan McVeigh 1:12.28, time drop 1.16; 13-14, 1. Luke Deutschman, RSCA 59.71; 15-and-over, 1. Utzane Uz, CANE 55.68.

50-yard butterfly: 7-10, 1. Janiel Espinos, SF 32.34; SOFLO: 3. Niccolo Miccolis 35.11, time drop 3.57; 11-12, 1. Roman Kondrashov, CSSC 29.54; 13-14, 1. Brian Hamilton, CSSC 25.31; 15-and-over, 1. Marcoaurelio Lopez-Casula, EA 23.06.

100-yard breaststroke: 7-10, 1. Erik Ellis, SUN 1:31.26; SOFLO: 3. Leonardo Zuluaga 1:32.47, time drop 2.40, 5. Sean Tee 1:41.21; 11-12, 1. Vedant Pant, SOFLO 1:20.26, time drop 0.78; SOFLO: 3. Benjamin Liss 1:25.55, time drop 1.51, 4. Rafael Naranjo 1:25.75, time drop 1.94; 13-14, 1. Rafael Landron, SUN 1:06.05; 15-and-over, 1. Lucas Franchak, CANE 1:02.00.

50-yard freestyle: 7-10, 1. Guy Soto, CCPR 29.72; 11-12, 1. Matteo Baldanza, CSSC 26.34; SOFLO: 8. Rafael Naranjo 29.75, time drop 0.58; 13-14, 1. Brain Hamilton, CSSC 23.16; 15-and-over, 1. Marcoaurelio Lopez-Casula 21.64.

200-yard butterfly: 11-12, 1. Joseph Villalobos, CSSC 2:40.08; 13-14, 1. Santi Campuzano, LLL 2:06.83; 15-and-over, 1. Giulian Martin, CANE 1:57.37.

100-yard individual medley: 7-10, 1. Janiel Espinosa, SF 1:18.23; SOFLO: 4. Niccolo Miccolis 1:22.70, time drop 4.30, 7. Leonardo Zuluaga 1:26.91, time drop 6.09; 11-12, 1. Tomas Franchak, CANE 1:06.72; SOFLO: 7. Benjamin Liss 1:19.00; 13-14, 1. Rafael Landron, SUN 59.51; SOFLO: 7. David Valdiviezo 1:05.52, time drop 1.14; 15-and-over, 1. Giulian Martin, CANE 53.18.

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

Caribbean Swimmers Crooks, Carter Make History At FINA Short Course World Championships; Meilutyte Takes Down Atkinson’s World Record In Semifinals

By Sharon Robb
MELBOURNE, Australia, December 17, 2022—It was a historical day for Caribbean swimmers Saturday night at the 16th FINA Short Course World Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.

University of Tennessee’s Jordan Crooks won the Cayman Islands’ first-ever gold medal at the world championships after winning the men’s 50-meter freestyle in 20.46.

Crooks, who grew up swimming in a 25-meter pool in the Cayman Islands, knocked off British defending champion Ben Proud and Australia’s Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers.

It was the first time since 1999 that a male swimmer from the Caribbean won a World short course gold medal when Rodolfo Falcon of Cuba won the 50 and 100 backstroke in Hong Kong.

Brooks was joined on the podium by another Caribbean swimmer, Dylan Carter of Trinidad & Tobago who took third in 20.72. It was the first medal for the Plantation American Heritage alum at worlds after two other attempts. Carter is only the second swimmer from his homeland to win a medal at worlds.

“I definitely had a bit of fire in me I wanted to come and show my hand in finals and I am very happy with how it played out,” Crooks said.

“I think it means a lot. The Cayman Islands is a very special place. I wouldn’t have grown up in any other place. I am very grateful for everything they have done for me as a person and swimmer.

“I hope it shows any little kid out there that may doubt themselves and may think that because they don’t have a specific resource that they might not be able to do it that it is possible. There is no set way of doing things, you can carve your own path.”

Carter had won this event at all three Swimming World Cup stops. His fellow countryman George Bovell won a bronze medal in the 100 IM in 2012. It was his nation’s fourth medal at worlds.

“I am happy to come away with something coming down here,” Carter said. “It was really fun. Proud of Jordan, you know, to have two Caribbean athletes in the men’s 50 final – that’s brand new. So both of us on the podium…that’s massive for the region and for serving the region, especially in the men’s 50 freestyle, which is, you know, arguably the fastest, well the fastest event in the pool so proud of that.”

Three more world records tumbled on Saturday with Australia and Italy breaking them in the women’s and men’s 4×50-meter medley relay. Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte broke the 50-meter breaststroke world record in the semifinals in 28.37, taking 2/10ths off SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson’s world record of 28.56 set in 2018.

Australia (Mollie O’Callaghan, Chelsea Hodges, Emma McKeon and Madison Wilson) won the women’s relay in 1:42.35, 3/100ths off the 2018 record the U.S. set. The U.S. took silver in 1:42.41 with Claire Curzan, Lilly King, Torri Huske and Kate Douglass.

Italy’s team of Lorenzo Mora, Nicolo Martinenghi, Matteo Rivolta and Leonardo Deplano set the world record at 1:29.72, lowering their own mark of 1:30.14 from last year to become the first team faster than 90 seconds in the relay.

Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri won the inaugural title in the 800-meter freestyle in 7:29.99.

American Hali Flickinger won the 400-meter individual medley in 4:26.51 for her first individual gold of worlds.

Japan’s Daiya Seto also made history with his six-peat in the men’s 400-meter individual medley in 3:55.75, the fastest of any of his six gold medals in the event. His streak began in 2012 when he was only 18.

Aussie Emma McKeon won her second gold medal of the night in the 50-meter freestyle in 23.04, an Oceania record.

In his final appearance at the meet, South Florida Aquatic Club’s 2020 Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego finished the 50-meter breaststroke prelims in 27.71.

The meet, which ends Sunday, is being live streamed on FINA’s YouTube channel. Meet prelims are 7 p.m. EST. Finals each day are 3:30 a.m. EST. Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

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

Toma Petkov Leads SOFLO In Session One Of Holiday Champs

By Sharon Robb
SUNRISE, December 17, 2022–Toma Petkov was the top finisher for South Florida Aquatic Club in the opening session of the Holiday Champs Friday at Sunrise Civic Center.

Petkov, 10, finished second in the 7-and-over 500-yard freestyle in a best time 6:13.70, shaving 9.31 seconds off his previous best of 6:23.01.

SOFLO swimmers had several impressive time drops. They were:

Marlena Groves, 500 freestyle 6:37, 13.57 drop.
Varvara Dmitrova, 500 freestyle, 6:41.33, 22.71 drop.
Isabella Callaway Coy, 500 freestyle, 6:24.39, 7.17 drop.
Rafael Naranjo, 500 freestyle, 6:02.40, 15.61 drop.
Dylan McVeigh, 500 freestyle, 6:23.95, 10.79 drop.
Reynaldo Manzanarez, 500 freestyle 6:24.11, 17.07 drop.
David Gonzalez, 500 freestyle, 6:26.09, 10.89 drop.
Dmitrii Berezin, 500 freestyle 5:42.56, 5.87 drop.
Luke Mercier, 500 freestyle, 5:53.84, 2.20 drop.
David Valdiviezo, 400 IM, 4:54.78, 1.23 drop.

The three-day meet continues on Saturday and Sunday with a full schedule of events in prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 5 p.m.

Sixty-three SOFLO swimmers (33 girls and 30 boys) are competing in 301 individual events and 12 relays.

In addition to SOFLO, other teams competing are Assoc. Natacion El Milenio, Bravo Swim Team, Coral Springs Swim Club, Cyclones, Eagle Aquatics, Heritage Aquatic Team, Hurricane Aquatics, Lake Lytal Lightning, Rockwood Swim Club, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Swim Gym, SwimFast, Trident Aquatics, TS Aquatics and host Sunrise Swimming.

Admission is $5 per person for all sessions. Heat sheets are available for free at sunriseswimming.com or on Meet Mobile. A concession stand will be open for all sessions. The meet is sponsored by the City of Sunrise, Sunrise Swimming and Sunrise Swimming Booster Club.

FRIDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
500-yard freestyle:
7-10, 1. Hayley Cohen, CSSC 6:18.62; 11-12, 1. Grace Weeks, CSSC 5:39.58; SOFLO: 17. Marlena Groves 6:37.14, time drop 13.57, 18. Varvara Dmitrova 6:41.33, time drop 22.71, 19. Joanna Valdiviezo 6:45.15; 13-14, 1. Manuella Lima, CSSC 5:33.88; SOFLO: 16. Isabella Callaway Coy 6:24.39, time drop 7.17, 17. Mariana Wotfe 6:33.56; 15-and-over, 1. Cecilia Poll, MIL 5:09.68; SOFLO: 22. Cali Harries 5:59.52.

400-yard individual medley:
11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 4:57.39; 13-14, 1. Manuella Lima, CSSC 4:58.71; 15-and-over, 1. Cecilia Poll, MIL 4:45.28.

BOYS
500-yard freestyle:
7-10, 1. Janiel Espinosa, SF 6:13.02, 2. Toma Petkov, SOFLO 6:13.70, time drop 9.31.
11-12, 1. Tomas Franchak, CANE 5:26.74; SOFLO: 7. Rafael Naranjo 6:02.40, time drop 15.61, 10. Dylan McVeigh 6:23.95, time drop 10.79, 11. Reynaldo Manzanarez 6:24.11, time drop 17.07, 12. David Gonzalez 6:26.09, time drop 10.89; 13-14, 1. Santi Campuzano, LLL 4:58.49; SOFLO: 15. Dmitrii Berezin 5:42.56, time drop 5.87, 23. David Portilla 6:51.62; 15-and-over, 1. Sean Doyle, SUN 4:52.03; SOFLO: 10. Luke Mercier 5:53.84, time drop 2.20.

400-yard individual medley:
11-12, 1. Roman Kondrashov, CSSC 5:01.18; 13-14, 1. Rafael Landron, SUN 4:41.96; SOFLO: 6. David Valdiviezo 4:54.78, time drop 1.23; 15-and-over, 1. Giulian Martin, CANE 4:01.63.

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

Three More World Records Broken; SOFLO’s Julio Horrego Swims Final Event; Azura Swimmers Break National Records At FINA Short Course World Championships

By Sharon Robb
MELBOURNE, Australia, December 16, 2022—Three world records fell and Aussie Lani Pallister and Americans Ryan Murphy and Kate Douglass won gold medals Friday at the 16th FINA Short Course World Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.

France won its first gold medal at worlds when it dominated its mixed freestyle relay broke the world record in 1:27.33, breaking the previous mark of 1:27.89 set by the U.S. in 2018.

The foursome of Maxime Grousset (20.92), Florent Manaudou (20.26), Beryl Gastaldello (23.00), and Melanie Henique (23.15) won by 7/10ths of a second over the Aussies.

“I haven’t been at the top of the podium since 2015,” said Manaudou. “I had 19 major medals and now I have 20. I like the number 20 more. I appreciate all those earlier medals even more today than I did before.

“At the end of the race, I understood that we were going to win, but I was not yet thinking about the world record. When I saw that we were breaking the world record, I exploded with joy.”

Douglass won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:15.77 ahead of U.S. teammate Lilly King in 2:17.13.

Japan’s Daiya Seto won the men’s 200-meter breaststroke in an Asian record 2:00.35. Defending champion Nic Fink took silver in 2:01.60.

Canadian Maggie MacNeil broke her own world record in the 50-meter backstroke with strong underwater kicks in 25.25, lowering her previous record of 25.27.

“I’m ecstatic, I knew it would be hard to swim a best time,” MacNeil said. “I just really wanted to see the improvement, even just a couple of hundredths. Swimming Canada has definitely risen over the past few years and to see this tonight is amazing. It’s great to bring this medal back to Canada.”

Bolles alum Ryan Murphy won the 50-meter backstroke in 22.64 in a bizarre situation. Initially, it was Australia’s Isaac Cooper who touched the wall first, but due to the sound error, the race had to be re-swum an hour later in the session. Cooper finished second to Murphy in 22.73.

“It was definitely an interesting last hour,” Murphy said. “On the first start, we all heard the double beep and you know you just have to go if you are swimming in a world championship final…you just have to finish that race. But after the turn, I hit the wall and I felt that the wedge was still in. I thought “Oh shoot, we have to do that one again.”

Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands won the 100-meter individual medley in 57.53 to carry on the rich tradition of the Dutch in the event. Italy’s Thomas Ceccon won the 100 IM in 50.97.

Aussie Lani Pallister won her third gold medal in the 1500 freestyle in 15:21.43. Legendary Dawn Fraser, a three-time Olympic champion in the 100 freestyle, presented Pallister with her gold medal.

The U.S. men’s 4×200-meter freestyle finished the day’s schedule with a world record in 6:44.12. The foursome of Kieran Smith (1:41.04), Carson Foster (1:40.48), Trenton Julian (1:41.44) and Drew Kibler (1:41.16) took nearly three seconds off the world record that Brazil set in 2018 at 6:46.81.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s 2020 Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego swims his second and final event Saturday in the 50-meter breaststroke. He competed in the 100 breaststroke earlier in the week.

Two-time Olympian Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago made it through the semifinal round of the 50-meter freestyle and missed out on a medal in the 50-meter backstroke. The Plantation American Heritage alum finished seventh in the sprint backstroke in 23.12. He was fifth fastest qualifier in the 50-meter freestyle in 20.94 for Saturday’s final. Jordan Crooks of the Cayman Islands was top qualifier in 20.31.

Azura Florida Aquatics had three swimmers set national records. Steven Aimable of Senegal swam 22.42 in the 50 freestyle. Leon Seaton of Guyana swam 26.65 in the 50 freestyle. Nicole Frank of Uruguay swam 2:26.44 in the 200 breaststroke.

The meet, which ends Sunday, is being live streamed on FINA’s YouTube channel. Meet prelims are 7 p.m. EST. Finals each day are 3:30 a.m. EST. Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

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