January 2023 – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

Gomez, King, Bicerne Lead SOFLO At Mile By Moonlight, Winterish Invitational

By Sharon Robb
BOCA RATON, January 29, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers got the chance to race against some new faces in the Florida Gold Coast during the Mile By Moonlight on Friday and Winterish Invitational on Saturday at the Boca Raton High School Aquatic Center.

Amelie Bicerne, 15, was the top finisher in the mixed 1,650-yard freestyle Mile By Moonlight finishing 16th overall in 18 minutes and 35.55 seconds. She was third among the girls field. Dmitri Berezin, 13, was top boys finisher placing 24th in 19:03.11.

Andres Gomez, 7, was second in the 25-yard freestyle in 18.63. He also swam 49.47 in the 50-yard backstroke.

Josiah King, 8, was 12th in the 25-yard backstroke in 23.41. He was also 20th in the 25-yard breaststroke in 29.22 and 21st in the 25-yard butterfly in 28.26.

MILE BY MOONLIGHT
Mixed 1,650-yard freestyle:

Alessandro Pereira, MAC 16:09.16, 2. Lucas Fernandez-Chung, MAC 16:12.90, 3. Robert Alvarez, MAC 16:53.44, 4. Colin Nealy, PC 16:54.12, 5. Jake Jonesm PC 17:00.51.
SOFLO: 16. Amelie Bicerne 18:35.55, 24. Dmitri Berezin 19:03.11, 30. Sofia Gomez 19:33.51, 44. Isabella Callaway Coy 20:50.43, 49. Didia Miccolis 21:2.38.

WINTERISH INVITATIONAL
Mixed 50-yard freestyle:
12-and-under, 1. Ryan Slogrove, SFTL 28.56; SOFLO: 80. Lincoln Callaway Coy 41.44, 94. Andres Gomez 43.39, 101. Mattias Tejada 45.34.

Mixed 25-yard freestyle:
8-and-under, 1. Vic Mongenot-Herve, PC 16.69; SOFLO: 2. Andres Gomez 18.63, 12. Josiah King 21.86, 23. Alexander Patricoff 24.68.

200-yard backstroke:

Timofiy Podkopayev, BRVO 2:09.19.

50-yard backstroke:
12-and-under, 1. Ryan Slogrove, SFTL 33.79; SOFLO: 66. Andres Gomez 49.47, 83. Lincoln Callaway-Coy 53.43, 90. Mattias Tejada 55.18.

25-yard backstroke:
8-and-under, 1. Hannah Goracy, PC 18.72; SOFLO: 12. Josiah King 23.41, 16. Alexander Patricoff 24.55.

200-yard breaststroke:

Patrick O’Donnell, FKSC 2:29.68.

50-yard breaststroke:
12-and-under, 1. Shant Kazazian, PC 41.34; SOFLO: 63. Lincoln Callaway Coy 56.56, 76. Mattias Tejada 1:00.11.

25-yard breaststroke:
8-and-under, 1. Ignat Manokhin, BRVO 23.63; SOFLO: 20. Josiah King 29.22, 30. Alexander Patricoff 32.45.

200-yard butterfly:

Andres Tejada, MAC 2:02.17.

50-yard butterfly:
12-and-under, 1. Ari Zamkov, BR 27.49; SOFLO: 76. Mattias Tejada 58.08, 82. Andres Gomez 1:02.75, 83. Lincoln Callaway Coy 1:04.49.

25-yard butterfly:
8-and-under, 1. Hannah Goracy, PC 16.81; SOFLO: 21. Josiah King 28.26, 26. Alexander Patricoff 29.36.

400-yard individual medley:

Lu Fernandez-Chung, MAC 4:14.94.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Results are unofficial. As of Sunday night, official results were not posted on Meet Mobile. The pending results did not list time drops.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Kick Off New Year On A Good Note At TYR SOFLO Open

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, January 23, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers dominated the TYR SOFLO Open throughout the three-day meet at Academic Village Pool.

On Sunday in the fifth and final session, Jianna Amores, Christie Ann Lumsden, Ellie Jackson and Rainier Leyva Riestra were multiple event winners.

Amores won the 12-and-under 200-yard butterfly in 2:24.86; 50-yard butterfly in a best time 28.53 with a 0.21 time drop; 100-yard freestyle in 57.03 and 100-yard IM in 1:07.22.

Lumsden won the 50-yard butterfly in a best time 34.05 with a 3.74 time drop; 100-yard freestyle in a best time 1:00.44 with an 0.07 time drop; and 100 IM in 1:13.51.

Jackson won the 11-12 50-yard backstroke in 31.42 and 200-yard backstroke in a best time 2:21.52, with a time drop of 4.50 seconds.

Riestra won the 11-12 50-yard butterfly in a best time 30.51 with a time drop of 1.15 and 100-yard freestyle in 57.53, also a best time with a 1.86 time drop.

SOFLO swept the girls and boys 200-yard freestyle relay. SOFLO A girls won in 1:48.65 with Jemma Baldwin, Ellie Jackson, Sofia Rodriguez and Jianna Amores. SOFO A boys won in 1:50.79 with Rainier Leyva Riestra, Noah Mejias, Daniel Chaussky and Eric Ferrer.

Individual winners were Maya Ramthun, Ethan Phan, Toma Petkov and Michael Barber.

In addition to host SOFLO, among Florida Gold Coast swim teams that competed were SwimFast, Metro Aquatics, Miami Swimming, Sunrise Swimming, Cooper City Cyclones, Hialeah, Speed World Swimming, TS Aquatics, Mar JCC Swim Team, College of Florida Keys and Boca Raton.

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.”

SESSION FIVE RESULTS
GIRLS
200-yard freestyle relay:
12-and-under, 1. SOFLO A 1:48.65 (Jemma Baldwin, Ellie Jackson, Sofia Rodriguez, Jianna Amores), 2. SOFLO C 1:57.66, 3. SOFLO B 1:57.69.

50-yard backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Hannah Ruppel, SUN 35.19, 2. Catalina Akpabio, SOFLO 35.81, time drop 1.77, 3. Paige Fleming, SOFLO 37.25, time drop 2.31.
11-12, 1. Ellie Jackson, SOFLO 31.42, 2. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 31.77, time drop 1.10, 3. Kira Perry, SUN 31.93.

200-yard butterfly:
12-and-under, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 2:24.86, 2. Matilda Ramthun, SOFLO 3:15.84.

100-yard breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Emma Ellis, SUN 1:24.27, 2. Sofia DeAngulo, MS 1:29.28, 3. Catalina Akpabio, SOFLO 1:35.90, time drop 9.08, 4. Stephania Dmitrova, SOFLO 1:37.43, time drop 0.23.
11-12, 1. Alma Cancio Jorge, MAC 1:19.64, 2. Aaleyah Osouna, TSA 1:19.69, 3. Karly Quiroz, SWS 1:19.88.

200-yard backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Maya Ramthun, SOFLO 3:13.82.
11-12, 1. Ellie Jackson, SOFLO 2:21.52, time drop 4.50, 2. Miri Levy, MJST 2:36.98, 3. Kierstyn Jorgensen, SUN 2:38.71, 4. Danielle Brancati, SOFLO 2:39.48, time drop 5.63, 5. Marlena Groves, SOFLO 2:50.67, time drop 12.27.

50-yard butterfly:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 34.05, time drop 3.74, 2. Eidison Rios, HSC 36.13, 3. Sofia DeAngulo, MS 38.19.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 28.53, time drop 0.21, 2. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 29.45, time drop 0.96, 3. Karly Quiroz, SWS 29.85, 4. Sofia Rodriguez, SOFLO 30.47, time drop 1.43.

100-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 1:00.44, time drop 0.07, 2. Hannah Ruppel, SUN 1:07.34, 3. Emma Ellis, SUN 1:09.33.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 57.03, 2. Mely Ramos, HSC 58.39, 3. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 59.77.

100-yard individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 1:13.51, 2. Emma Ellis, SUN 1:16.22, 3. Hannah Ruppel, SUN 1:19.09.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 1:07.22, 2. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 1:07.91, 3. Ellie Jackson, SOFLO 1:10.73.

BOYS
200-yard freestyle relay:
12-and-under, 1. SOFLO A 1:50.79 (Rainier Leyva Riestra, Noah Mejias, Daniel Chaussky, Eric Ferrer), 2. SOFLO B 1:55.45, 3. SOFLO C 2:07.40.

50-yard backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Janiel Espinosa, SF 34.40, 2. Ethan Phan, SOFLO 36.77, time drop 2.18, 3. Michael Barber, SOFLO 37.55, time drop 0.38, 4. Gabriel Ferrer, SOFLO 38.46, time drop 0.11.
11-12, 1. Diego Viera, SWS 32.28, 2. Marcel Cowley, MAC 32.93, 3. Eric Ferrer, SOFLO 33.01, time drop 2.35, 4. Jonathan Li, SOFLO 33.20, time drop 0.14.

200-yard butterfly:
12-and-under, 1. Javier Massot, MAC 2:23.05.

100-yard breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Toma Petkov, SOFLO 1:24.84, 2. Leonardo Zuluaga, SOFLO 1:32.96, 3. Sean Tee, SOFLO 1:36.50, time drop 2.24.
11-12, 1. Javier Massot, MAC 1:18.30, 2. Eric Ferrer, SOFLO 1:18.62, time drop 1.52, 3. Alexander Ross, SOFLO 1:20.24, time drop 1.48.

200-yard backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Michael Barber, SOFLO 2:48.52, 2. Zahar Diatlov, MJST 2:57.65.
11-12, 1. Alejandro Ruiz, MAC 2:19.88, 2. Artem Muzhev, MJST 2:24.10, 3. Noah Mejias, SOFLO 2:24.63, 4. Atharv Agashe, SOFLO 2:41.30, time drop 4.23.

50-yard butterfly:
10-and-under, 1. Janiel Espinosa, SF 31.51, 2. Ethan Phan, SOFLO 33.62, time drop 1.31, 3. Toma Petkov, SOFLO 36.22.
11-12, 1. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 30.51, time drop 1.15, 2. Diego Vera, SWS 31.25, 3. Matthew Meneses, SWS 31.72, 4. Daniel Chaussky, SOFLO 32.14.

100-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Janiel Espinosa, SF 1:06.70, 2. Michael Barber, SOFLO 1:07.73, time drop 1.51, 3. Luis Escobar, SOFLO 1:10.92, time drop 1.81, 4. Gabriel Ferrer, SOFLO 1:11.15, 5. Niccolo Miccolis, SOFLO 1:11.60, time drop 1.00.
11-12, 1. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 57.53, time drop 1.86, 2. Artem Muzhev, MJST 58.60, 3. Noah Mejias, SOFLO 59.36, time drop 0.94.

100-yard individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Ethan Phan, SOFLO 1:16.47, time drop 1.64, 2. Gabriel Ferrer, SOFLO 1:21.68, 3. Danny Ramos, HSC 1:21.71, 4. Michael Barber, SOFLO 1:24.42, time drop 0.32, 5. Leonardo Zuluaga, SOFLO 1:25.47, time drop 0.01, 6. Sean Tee, SOFLO 1:25.50, time drop 2.47.
11-12, 1. Alejandro Ruiz, MAC 1:05.44, 2. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 1:08.93, 3. Eric Ferrer, SOFLO 1:09.17, time drop 1.07.

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

Jenesys Amores Leads SOFLO In Session Four Of TYR SOFLO Open; Older Swimmers Shine On Final Day

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, January 22, 2023—Jenesys Amores led South Florida Aquatic Club on the third and final day of the TYR SOFLO Open Sunday at Academic Village Pool.

Amores, 14, won four events and finished with 98 points for the meet.

Amores won the 200-yard freestyle in 2:02.19; 50-yard backstroke in 31.28; 200-yard backstroke in 2:17.56; and 100-yard freestyle in 58.29.

In another exciting relay race, SOFLO A’s girls 200-yard freestyle relay of Ana Villamil, Natalie Gembicki, Carley Kaplan and Olivia Dinehart won in 1:40.12, edging out TS Aquatics in 1:40.65 with Tawannah McLemore, Brianna Hernandez, Kendra Gomez and Nati Ortiz.

Juan Vallmitjana and Nicolai Ross were double winners for SOFLO boys.

Vallmitjana won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:51.62 and 200-yard butterfly in 2:05.28.

Ross won the 200-yard backstroke in 2:06.65 and 100-yard freestyle in 51.63.

TS Aquatics knocked off SOFLO A’s boys’ 200-yard freestyle relay (Javier Colmenares, Derek Hau, Jaden Amores and Aldo Zepeda), 1:29.58-1:31.96 with Miles Green, Mason Green, RJ Martin and Mekhi Dawkins.

Individual SOFLO winners were: Natalie Gembicki, Lydia Smutny, Maddie Smutny, Elise Dinehart, Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Mason Jimenez, Maximilian Remmele, Jaden Amores and Luciano Gonzalez.

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.”

SESSION FOUR RESULTS
GIRLS
200-yard freestyle relay:

SOFLO A 1:40.12 (Ana Villamil, Natalie Gembicki, Carley Kaplan, Olivia Dinehart), 2. TS Aquatics 1:40.65, 3. SOFLO B 1:42.94.

200-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 2:02.19, 2. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 2:06.23, 3. Mackenzie McPherson, SOFLO 2:06.97, time drop 0.92.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonzalez, UNFG 1:55.89, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 1:57.45, 3. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 1:57.49.

50-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 31.28, 2. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 31.48, 3. Ainsley Miller, SOFLO 32.50, time drop 1.49, 4. Angelica Forsyth, SOFLO 3.64, time drop 0.21.
15-and-over, 1. Natalie Gembicki, SOFLO 29.03, time drop 1.66, 2. Ana Villamil, SOFLO 29.13, time drop 0.54, 3. Ainnara Lazzaro, UNFG 29.42.

200-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 2:21.06.
15-and-over, 1. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 2:12.21, 2. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 2:12.97, 3. Michelle Marinheiro, SOFLO 2:13.33.

100-yard breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 1:16.65, 2. Ainsley Miller, SOFLO 1:16.88, 3. Laila Harran, SOFLO 1:18.02.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonzalez, UNFG 1:06.47, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 1:06.62, 3. Tawannah McLemore, TSA 1:06.73.

200-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 2:17.56, 2. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 2:25.51, 3. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 2:27.37, time drop 0.13.
15-and-over, 1. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 2:08.08, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 2:13.55, time drop 1.26, 3. Kendra Gomez, TSA 2:15.56.

50-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Emma Lewis, BR 29.07, 2. Rachel Miller, SUN 30.38, 3. Ainsley Miller, SOFLO 31.75.
15-and-over, 1. Sahara Idler, UNFG 27.34, 2. Nati Ortiz, TSA 27.53, 3. Natalie Gembicki, SOFLO 27.56, time drop 3.63.

100-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 58.29, 2. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 59.20, 3. Mackenzie McPherson, SOFLO 59.22, time drop 0.37.
15-and-over, 1. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 53.70, 2. Tawannah McLemore, TSA 53.78, 3. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 54.84.

BOYS
200-yard freestyle relay:

TS Aquatics 1:29.58 (Miles Green, Mason Green, RJ Martin, Mekhi Dawkins), 2. SOFLO A 1:31.96, 3. SOFLO B 1:34.22.

200-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 1:51.62, 2. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 1:55.56, 3. Zane Samms, TSA 1:56.00, 4. Connor Jimenez, SOFLO 1:59.28, time drop 0.29.
15-and-over, 1. George Gonzalez, UNFG 1:41.18, 2. Anthony Pineiro, UNFG 1:43.47, 3. Mason Green, TSA 1:44.38.

50-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Maximiliano Remmele, SOFLO 28.21, 2. Daniel Ella, SUN 28.40, 3. Jose Rincon, SOFLO 28.83, time drop 0.37.
15-and-over, 1. Marcelo Mansur, UNFG 24.64, 2. Miles Green, TSA 26.09, 3. Derek Hau, SOFLO 26.80, time drop 1.12.

200-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 2:05.28, 2. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 2:14.00, time drop 5.22.
15-and-over, 1. Mason Green, TSA 2:01.33, 2. Wisthon Rendon, SOFLO 2:01.55, 3. Javier Colmenares, SOFLO 2:02.34, 4. Manny Melendez, SOFLO 2:03.37, time drop 21.54.

100-yard breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 1:08.59, time drop 3.00, 2. Chris DeAngulo, MS 1:10.11, 3. Maximiliano Remmele, SOFLO 1:10.30, 4. Joshua Menezes, SOFLO 1:10.48, time drop 0.34.
15-and-over, 1. George Gonzalez, UNFG 59.14, 2. Robert Alvarez, MAC 1:00.98, 3. Oscar Rios, HSC 1:01.34.

200-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 2:06.65, 2. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 2:07.88, 3. David Valdiviezo, SOFLO 2:16.60, time drop 1.38.
15-and-over, 1. Jaden Amores, SOFLO 1:59.19, 2. Robert Alvarez, MAC 2:03.30, 3. Sean Doyle, SUN 2:05.73.

50-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Jorvir Tigrero, HSC 25.63, 2. Daniel Ella, SUN 26.32, 3. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 26.77, time drop 6.42.
15-and-over, 1. Luciano Gonzalez, SOFLO 21.79, 2. Miles Green, TSA 23.27, 3. George Gonzalez, UNFG 23.40.

100-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 51.63, 2. Jorvir Tigrero, HSC 52.08, 3. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 53.69, time drop 0.47.
15-and-over, 1. George Gonzalez, UNFG 46.64, 2. Mason Green, TSA 47.00, 3. Anthony Pineiro, UNFG 47.00,

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

Christie Ann Lumsden, Jianna Amores Lead SOFLO In Session Three Of TYR SOFLO Open

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, January 22, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers had another big day of swimming at the TYR SOFLO Open Saturday at Academic Village Pool.

Jianna Amores and Christie Ann Lumsden came up big for SOFLO.

Amores, 12, won four events: 100-yard backstroke, in a best time 1:07.17, with a time drop of 0.09; 100-yard butterfly, 1:02.60; 50-yard freestyle, best time 26.29 with an 0.81 time drop; and 500-yard freestyle in a best time 5:38.28, dropping an impressive 11.79.

Lumsden, 10, won the 100-yard backstroke in a best time 1:16.30, dropping 2.20; 50-yard breaststroke in 37.14; and 50-yard freestyle in 28.72.

Lumsden and Amores were also members of the winning SOFLO A 200-yard medley relay team along with teammates Sophie Szutkowski and Jemma Baldwin, winning in 2:06.26. SOFLO swept the top three places.

Other SOFLO winners were:
Luis Escobar, 200-yard breaststroke, 3:16.45.

Toma Petkov, 50-yard breaststroke, 40.92.

Noah Mejias, 100-yard butterfly, 1:03.81.

Rainier Leyva Riestra, 50-yard freestyle, best time 27.01, time drop 0.89.

Michael Barber, 500-yard freestyle, best time 6:34.10, time drop 1.96

SOFLO’s A boys 200-yard medley relay of Rainier Leyva Riestra, Julian Sibug, Noah Mejias and Eric Ferrer won in 2:07.61. SOFLO swept the top three places.

In addition to host SOFLO, among Florida Gold Coast swim teams competing are SwimFast, Metro Aquatics, Miami Swimming, Sunrise Swimming, Cooper City Cyclones, Hialeah, Speed World Swimming, TS Aquatics, Mar JCC Swim Team, College of Florida Keys and Boca Raton.

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.”

SESSION THREE RESULTS
GIRLS
200-yard medley relay:
12-and-under, 1. SOFLO A 2:06.26 (Sophie Szutkowski, Christie Ann Lumsden, Jianna Amores, Jemma Baldwin), 2. tie, SOFLO C 2:15.72 and SOFLO B 2:15.72, 4. TS Aquatics 2:18.03.

200-yard breaststroke:
11-12, 1. Alicia Salazar, MAC 2:45.56, 2. Miri Levy, MJST 2:50.96, 3. Karly Quiroz, SWS 2:52.25.

100-yard backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 1:16.30, time drop 2.20, 2. Emma Ellis, SUN 1:18.07, 3. Catalina Akpabio, SOFLO 1:19.95, time drop 11.54.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 1:07.17, time drop 0.09, 2. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 1:09.00, 3. Mely Ramos, HSC 1:09.20.

50-yard breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 37.14, 2. Catalina Akpabio, SOFLO 41.68, time drop 13.60, 3. Sofia De Angulo, MS 43.35.
12-and-under, 1. Alejandra Perez, MAC 36.41, 2. Alicia Salazar, MAC 36.54, 3. Aaleyah Osouna, TSA 36.55.

100-yard butterfly:
10-and-under, 1. Hannah Ruppel, SUN 1:22.21, 2. Sofia De Angulo, MS 1:31.22, 3. Emma Ellis, SUN 1:31.24, 4. Savanna Alonso, SOFLO 1:32.36, time drop 3.10, 5. Catalina Akpabio, SOFLO 1:37.18, time drop 1.33.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 1:02.60, 2. Karly Quiroz, SWS 1:08.75, 3. Kira Perry, SUN 1:09.12.

50-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 28.72, 2. Emma Ellis, SUN 29.88, 3. Catalina Akpabio, SOFLO 32.28, time drop 8.68.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 26.29, time drop 0.81, 2. Kira Perry, SUN 26.62, 3. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 27.52.

500-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Hannah Ruppel, SUN 6:43.26.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 5:38.28, time drop 11.79, 2. Lily Mirones, SUN 5:39.07, 3. Sofia Rodriguez, SOFLO 6:06.52, 4. Lana Althius, SOFLO 6:25.54.

BOYS
200-yard medley relay:
12-and-under, 1. SOFLO A 2:07.61 (Rainier Leyva Riestra, Julian Sibug, Noah Mejias, Eric Ferrer), 2. SOFLO B 2:10.05, 3. SOFLO C 2:25.18.

200-yard breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Luis Escobar, SOFLO 3:16.45.
11-12, 1. Javier Massot, MAC 2:46.68, 2. Noah Mejias, SOFLO 2:50.00, 3. Julian Sibug, SOFLO 2:58.74.

100-yard backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Janiel Espinosa, SF 1:15.92, 2. Constantine Lazarou, CCPR 1:19.60, 3. tie, Toma Petkov, SOFLO 1:19.75, time drop 2.08 and Michael Barber, SOFLO 1:19.75, time drop 1.59.
11-12, 1. Artem Muzhev, MJST 1:07.61, 2. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 1:09.72, 3. Eric Ferrer, SOFLO 1:10.61.

50-yard breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Toma Petkov, SOFLO 40.92, 2. Constantine Lazarou, CCPR 42.20, 3. Erik Ellis, SUN 42.31.
11-12, 1. Alejandro Ruiz, MAC 34.11, 2. Lester Perez, MAC 36.01, 3. Javier Massot, MAC 36.45.

100-yard butterfly:
10-and-under, 1. Janiel Espinosa, SF 1:11.46, 2. Constantine Lazarou, CCPR 1:21.70, 3. Timber Wright, SF 1:22.70, 4. Gabriel Ferrer, SOFLO 1:29.64, time drop 4.89, 5. Luis Escobar, SOFLO 1:29.97, time drop 13.78.
11-12, 1. Noah Mejias, SOFLO 1:03.81, 2. Eric Ferrer, SOFLO 1:09.86, time drop 0.15, 3. Rafael Cancel Jorge, MAC 1:14.46, 4. Alexander Ross, SOFLO 1:15.89, time drop 0.76.

50-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Janiel Espinosa, SF 30.20, 2. Toma Petkov, SOFLO 31.40, 3. Kamyl Corcuera, MAC 31.49, 4. Niccolo Miccolis, SOFLO 31.80.
11-12, 1. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 27.01, time drop 0.89, 2. Artem Muzhev, MJST 27.06, 3. Matthew Meneses, SWS 27.21.

500-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Michael Barber, SOFLO 6:34.10, time drop 1.96, 2. Gabriel Ferrer, SOFLO 6:42.21, 3. Guy Soto, CCPR 6:54.28, 4. Niccolo Miccolis, SOFLO 7:27.53.
11-12, 1. Alejandro Ruiz, MAC 5:32.10, 2. Eric Ferrer, SOFLO 5:45.89, 3. Atharv Agashe, SOFLO 6:16.29, time drop 1.40.

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

Triple Winner Carley Kaplan Leads SOFLO In Session Two Of TYR SOFLO Open

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, January 21, 2023—Carley Kaplan, a triple winner, was among several SOFLO swimmers who turned in a great day of racing at the TYR SOFLO Open Saturday at Academic Village Pool.

Kaplan, 14, of West Broward High School Class of 2026 won the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:38.29; 50-yard freestyle in 25.09 and 50-yard breaststroke in a best time 32.86, dropping 1.78 seconds from her previous best. She was also a member of the third place 200-yard medley relay.

In an exciting girls’ 200-yard medley relay race, TS Aquatics’ foursome of Kendra Gomez, Brianna Hernandez, Tawannah McLemore and Nati Ortiz) knocked off SOFLO A’s team (Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Ana Villamil, Natalie Gembicki), 1:51.42-1:51.45.

SOFLO had five boys and girls double winners: Luciano Gonzalez, Jenesys Amores, Olivia Dinehart, Juan Vallmitjana and Ricardo Roche.

Gonzalez, 28, won the 100-yard butterfly in a best time 49.28, dropping 2.35. He also won the 50-yard freestyle in 20.83 ahead of teammate Julio Horrego in a best time 20.94. At a recent meet in Clearwater, the ProFlo swimmer finished close to his best time of 21.7 in the 50 butterfly in the short course prelims and swam a best time and SOFLO record 24.50 in the long course final.

Amores, 14, won the 100-yard backstroke in 1:03.06 and 500-yard freestyle in 5:27.61.

Auburn-bound Olivia Dinehart, 18, won the 100-yard butterfly in 59.02 and 200 IM in 2:09.86. She was also second in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:14.63 and 200 breaststroke in 2:22.53.

Juan Vallmitjana, 13, won the 200-yard breaststroke in a best time 2:21.78, dropping 2.68 and 500-yard freestyle in 4:41.30, also a best time dropping 3.57. He was also second in the 100 butterfly in 58.11.

Ricardo Roche, 23, won the 100-yard backstroke in 52.77 and 200 IM in 1:53.49.

SOFLO’s boys A 200-yard medley relay won in 1:39.82 just ahead of TS Aquatics in 1:40.39 with Alejandro Mateus, Javier Colmenares, Manny Melendez and Aldo Zepeda.

Individual winners were Elena Dinehart, Laila Harran, Natalie Gembicki, Maddie Smutny, Mackenzie McPherson, Connor Jimenez and Maximiliano Remmele.

The three-day age group meet continues Sunday with two sessions. The first session begins 8:30 a.m. and afternoon sessions will start approximately 1 1/4 hours following the conclusion of the morning sessions.

Admission is $5 per session. Heat sheets are available free of charge online (SoFloMeets@swim4soflo.com) or Meet Mobile. For more information call 954-538-3721.

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.”

SESSION TWO RESULTS
GIRLS
200-yard medley relay:
13-and-over, 1. TS Aquatics 1:51.42 (Kendra Gomez, Brianna Hernandez, Tawannah McLemore, Nati Ortiz), 2. SOFLO A 1:51.45, 3. SOFLO B 1:54.30, 4. SOFLO C 1:57.57.

200-yard breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Carley Kaplan, SOFLO 2:38.39, 2. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 2:41.50, 3. Laila Harran, SOFLO 2:46.57, 4. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 2:52.12.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonzalez, UNFG 2:21.52, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 2:22.53, 3. Brianna Hernandez, TSA 2:31.25.

100-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 1:03.06, 2. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 1:08.03, 3. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 1:08.24, 4. Angelica Forsyth, SOFLO 1:08.52, time drop 0.10.
15-and-over, 1. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 59.90, 2. Kendra Gomez, TSA 1:01.06, 3. Tawannah McLemore, TSA 1:01.23, 4. Natalie Gembicki, SOFLO 1:03.98.

50-yard breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Carley Kaplan, SOFLO 32.86, time drop 1.78, 2. Ainsley Miller, SOFLO 34.86, 3. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 35.13, 4. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 37.40.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonzalez, UNFG 31.33, 2. Brianna Hernandez, TSA 31.57, 3. Mercedes Pelayes, UNFG 31.78, 4. Sophia Grubbs, SOFLO 31.83.

100-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Laila Harran, SOFLO 1:03.71, 2. Emma Lewis, BR 1:04.07, 3. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 1:04.99, 4. Mackenzie McPherson, SOFLO 1:05.24.
15-and-over, 1. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 59.02, 2. Tawannah McLemore, TSA 59.05, 3. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 59.58, 4. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 1:00.04.

50-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Carley Kaplan, SOFLO 25.09, 2. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 27.10, 3. Mackenzie McPherson, SOFLO 27.43, time drop 0.10.
15-and-over, 1. Natalie Gembicki, SOFLO 25.64, 2. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 25.65, 3. Ella Bethke, BR 25.94.

200-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Mackenzie McPherson, SOFLO 2:24.50, 2. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 2:28.03, 3. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 2:30.39.
15-and-over, 1. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 2:09.86, 2. Paola Gonzalez, UNFG 2:10.07, 3. Natalie Gembicki, SOFLO 2:15.21, 4. Ana Villamil, SOFLO 2:15.24.

500-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 5:27.61, 2. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 5:37.78, time drop 0.05, 3. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 5:38.95, 4. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 5:45.26.
15-and-over, 1. Maddie Smutney, SOFLO 5:10.41, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 5:14.63, 3. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 5:17.52, 4. Izzy Wilson, SOFLO 5:18.32.

BOYS
200-yard medley relay:
13-and-over, 1. SOFLO A 1:39.82 (Alejandro Mateus, Javier Colmenares, Manuel Melendez, Aldo Zepeda), 2. TS Aquatics 1:40.39, 3. SOFLO B 1:41.96, 4. SOFLO C 1:45.14.

200-yard breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 2:21.78, time drop 2.68, 2. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 2:26.25, 3. Maximilano Remmele, SOFLO 2:28.68.
15-and-over, 1. George Gonzalez, UNFG 2:10.95, 2. Anthony Pineiro, UNFG 2:15.16, 3. Abraham Penaloza, SOFLO 2:20.07, 4. Stephen Kim, SOFLO 2:24.29.

100-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Connor Jimenez, SOFLO 1:00.07, time drop 0.15, 2. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 1:00.35, time drop 6.54, 3. Jorvir Tigrero, HSC 1:01.31.
15-and-over, 1. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 52.77, 2. Mason Green, TSA 54.39, 3. Jaden Amores, SOFLO 56.29, 4. Austin Nelson, SOFLO 56.34.

50-yard breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Chris DeAngulo, MS 31.56, 2. Brennan Mair, UNFG 31.85, 3. Richard Justo, SWS 34.18.
15-and-over, 1. George Gonzalez, UNFG 27.32, 2. Oscar Rios, HSC 27.75, 3. Manuel Melendez, SOFLO 28.06.

100-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Jorvir Tigrero, HSC 56.57, 2. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 58.11, 3. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 58.83, time drop 3.74, 4. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 58.85.
15-and-over, 1. Luciano Gonzalez, SOFLO 49.28, time drop 2.35, 2. Mason Green, TSA 50.38, 3. Richardo Roche, SOFLO 52.20, time drop 5.99, 4. Wisthon Rendon, SOFLO 53.50.

50-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Jorvir Tigrero, HSC 23.26, 2. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 24.02, 3. Jose Rincon, SOFLO 24.45.
15-and-over, 1. Luciano Gonzalez, SOFLO 20.83, 2. Julio Horrego, SOFLO 20.94, time drop 0.30, 3. George Gonzalez, UNFG 21.45.

200-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Maximiliano Remmele, SOFLO 2:14.08, time drop 1.27, 2. Jose Rincon, SOFLO 2:17.16, time drop 1.74, 3. Frank Vincze, SUN 2:18.58, 4. David Valdiviezo, SOFLO 2:19.55.

15-and-over, 1. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 1:53.49, 2. George Gonzalez, UNFG 1:56.03, 3. Javier Colmenares, SOFLO 1:58.19, 4. Manuel Melendez, SOFLO 2:01.49, time drop 2.88.

500-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 4:41.30, time drop 3.57, 2. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 5:09.62, 3. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 5:11.59, time drop 0.66.
15-and-over, 1. Anthony Pineiro, UNFG 4:37.89, 2. Wisthon Rendon, SOFLO 4:54.03, 3. Ivan Grass, SOFLO 4:54.66, 4. Austin Nelson, SOFLO 4:55.24.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Dominate Opening Night Of TYR SOFLO Open

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, January 20, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club got off to a strong start on opening night of the TYR SOFLO Open Friday at Academic Village Pool.

SOFLO girls swept all but two races in the girls events and boys swept all but three races.

Christie Ann Lumsden, Jianna Amores, Rainier Leyva Riestra and Juan Vallmitjana were double winners.

Lumsden won the 10-and-under 200-yard freestyle in a best time 2:10.74, dropping 0.93 and 200-yard individual medley in 2:33.42, also a best time with a 5.24 time drop.

Amores won the 11-12 200-yard freestyle in a 2:05.94, a best time with a 0.62 drop and 200-yard IM in a best time 2:25.98 with a 2.59 drop.

SOFLO individual girls winners were Jenesys Amores in the 13-14 100 IM in a best time 1:05.66 with a 3.03 drop. Laila Harran won the 13-14 400 IM in 4:51.50.

In the boys’ competition, Riestra won the 11-12 200-yard freestyle in 2:08.34 and 200 IM in a best time 2:30.49, with a 0.62 drop.

Vallmitjana won the 13-14 100 IM 58.45, with a 5.67 drop and 400 IM in 4:18.55.

SOFLO’s Toma Petkov won the 10-and-under 200 IM in 2:40.65.

Some impressive SOFLO time drops were:
Mackenzie McPherson, 400 IM, 11.24.
Sofia Gomez, 400 IM, 11.53.
Gabriel Ferrer, 200 IM, 4.01.
Jaden Amores, 400 IM, 11.07.

The three-day age group meet continues Saturday and Sunday each with two sessions. The first session begins 8:30 a.m. and afternoon sessions will start approximately 1 1/4 hours following the conclusion of the morning sessions.

Admission is $5 per session. Heat sheets are available free of charge online (SoFloMeets@swim4soflo.com) or Meet Mobile. For more information call 954-538-3721.

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.”

FRIDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
200-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 2:10.74, time drop 0.93, 2. Hannah Ruppel, SUN 2:27.99, 3. Emma Ellis, SUN 2:39.94.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 2:05.94, time drop 0.62, 2. Mely Ramos, HSC 2:07.12, 3. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 2:10.50, time drop 0.33.

100-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 1:05.66, time drop 3.03, 2. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 1:07.09, 3. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 1:07.31, time drop 1.60.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonzalez, UNFG 1:00.48, 2. Tawannah McLemore, TSA 1:01.85, 3. Ana Villamil, SOFLO 1:01.88, 4. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 1:01.96.

200-yard individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Christie Ann Lumsden, SOFLO 2:33.42, time drop 5.24, 2. Emma Ellis, SUN 2:50.57, 3. Hannah Ruppel, SUN 2:52.33, 4. Stephania Dmitrova, SOFLO 2:57.20, time drop 0.35.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 2:25.98, time drop 2.59, 2. Jemma Baldwin, SOFLO 2:28.49, 3. Alma Cancio Jorge, MAC 2:28.61.

400-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Laila Harran SOFLO 4:51.50, 2. Mackenzie McPherson, SOFLO 4:53.83, time drop 11.24, 3. tie, Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 4:57.57 and Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 4:57.57, 5. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 5:03.67, 6. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 5:12.08, time drop 11.53.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonzalez, UNFG 4:35.96, 2. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 4:38.46, 3. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 4:42.82, 4. Natalie Gembicki, SOFLO 4:44.12.

BOYS
200-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Janiel Espinosa, SF 2:20.12, 2. Toma Petkov, SOFLO 2:25.02, 3. Michal Barber, SOFLO 2:27.21, time drop 0.34, 4. Gabriel Ferrer, SOFLO 2:31.44, time drop 2.96.

11-12, 1. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 2:08.34, 2. Noah Mejias, SOFLO 2:11.61, 3. Lester Perez, MAC 2:13.21.

100-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 58.45, time drop 5.67, 2. Daniel Ella, SUN 1:00.70, 3. Jorvir Tigrero, HSC 1:01.11, 4. Jose Rincon, SOFLO 1:02.25, time drop 0.60.
15-and-over, 1. George Gonzalez, UNFG 53.66, 2. Javier Colmenares, SOFLO 54.45, 3. Mason Green, TSA 55.03.

200-yard individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Toma Petkov, SOFLO 2:40.65, 2. Janiel Espinosa, SF 2:44.36, 3. Timer Wright, SF 2:49.41, 4. Gabriel Ferrer, SOFLO 2:50.30, time drop 4.01.
11-12, 1. Rainier Leyva Riestra, SOFLO 2:30.49, time drop 0.62, 2. Jacob Woodrum, CCPR 2:44.69, 3. Luke Stojack, SF 2:51.23.

400-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 4:18.55, 2. Connor Jimenez, SOFLO 4:42.53, time drop 3.52, 3. Joshua Menezes, SOFLO 4:46.91, 4. Dmitri Berezin, SOFLO 5:10.85.
15-and-over, 1. George Gonzalez, UNFG 4:11.33, 2. Javier Colmenares, SOFLO 4:13.89, 3. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 4:15.24, 4. Jaden Amores, SOFLO 4:16.45, time drop 11.07.

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

TYR DECEMBER BOY SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Ethan Phan

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, January 19, 2023—For Ethan Phan, swimming was love at first sight or rather first float.

Encouraged by his father, Phan started swimming when he was 4.

“I had no idea what swimming was at that time,” Phan said. “The second I touched the water and started floating I liked it. It’s been an amazing journey.

“Swimming is really hard for me and sometimes I don’t want to do it but when I accomplish big goals I realize that the hard work pays off and I really enjoy those moments.”

Phan, 10, a fifth grader at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, started swimming for South Florida Aquatic Club three years ago. He is coached by Coach Kyle in Bronze Group.

“He is amazing,” Phan praised. “He put dryland more into my life. I feel stronger than ever and I think I improved a lot since I joined Bronze.”

Swimming has also helped Phan outside the pool with his time management and discipline. He loves math and plays soccer for fun. He was a student of taekwondo but now focuses solely on swimming.

“It’s helped me not to focus on just one thing forever,” Phan said. “When I swim I can’t focus on just one stroke. I need moderation. I use every single stroke, every single equipment and every single drill.”

His favorite stroke is butterfly. At the Speedo Winter Championships, Phan had a great meet in his second appearance. He posted six best times in prelims and finals. His highest finish was three second places in the 100-yard butterfly in a best time 1:10.96, dropping 2.05 seconds “definitely the 100 butterfly was my best event, I loved that”; 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay.

“I had a lot of discipline,” Phan said. “I really wanted to do good at that meet so I just believed in myself. When you believe in yourself you always do what you believe. There were a lot of good swimmers like Victor Martin (Flashes Aquatics).

“I like competition. It showed me just because I am top dog in local meets when SOFLO hosts them, that I just can’t relax because I’m ahead by five or ten seconds. It shows me there are so many more great swimmers out there inside the swimming world.”

Phan is training to break the SOFLO 10-and-under 100 butterfly record (1:05). “I have six to seven months to accomplish that,” he said. “I think I can do it.”

Phan also made it a point to thank Coach Andrea (who did my assessment to join SOFLO); Coach Rose, who was my coach for two years; Coach Luis, who improved my technique; Coach Kyle, for introducing dryland more frequently; Coach Jack for filling in for Coach Kyle when he was out when his wife had a baby; big thanks to Coach Chris for creating this amazing team and last but not least I would like to thank my mom, dad and sister Elle for never giving up on me especially in the hard times when I didn’t drop or missed a cut by milliseconds.”

Each TYR Swimmer of the Month receives a free TYR backpack. Phan joins SOFLO teammates 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) as 2022 TYR Swimmers of the Month.

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

South Florida Aquatic Club Hosts TYR SOFLO Open This Weekend

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, January 19, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club will host its first meet of the New Year with the TYR SOFLO Open Friday through Sunday at Academic Village Pool.

The meet for 12-and-unders and 13-and-overs begins Friday at 5:30 p.m. with the 200 freestyle, 100 IM, 200 IM and 400 IM events.

It continues Saturday and Sunday each with two sessions. The first session begins 8:30 a.m. and afternoon sessions will start approximately 1 1/4 hours following the conclusion of the morning sessions.

SOFLO has the largest club in the field. Among SOFLO swimmers competing are Christie Ann Lumsden, Luis Escobar, Elise Dinehart, Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Ricardo Roche, Javier Colmenares, Toma Petkov, Juan Vallmitjana, Lydia Smutny and Jemma Baldwin.

Admission is $5 per session. Heat sheets are available free of charge online (SoFloMeets@swim4soflo.com) or Meet Mobile. For more information call 954-538-3721.

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.”

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

TYR DECEMBER GIRL SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Ana Villamil

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, January 18, 2023—Ana Villamil was looking to step up her game when she joined South Florida Aquatic Club a year and a half ago.

Villamil, 17, a senior at Cypress Bay High School, has seen huge improvements since joining the National Group and Coach Chris Anderson.

“I felt like at SOFLO I would be able to develop my potential as a swimmer better and I feel I have for sure,” Villamil said.

“I love the competitive atmosphere. It’s really fun training with my teammates. I really like competing every day at practice.

“I’m a really competitive person and being able to compete and reach my goals. I am very goal-oriented. Being able to set up goals and being able to pursue them and the work ethic that swimming gives me in every other aspect of life is the best thing.”

Villamil has been swimming competitively for eleven years. She got involved in the sport when doctors told her it would be good for her asthma and help her lungs so her mother signed her up for swimming.

Swimming has helped with discipline when it comes to her lifestyle. “I don’t have a lot of friends at school because I am so dedicated to swimming I have to go bed early. But I love it because it’s worth it.”

Villamil plans to swim at Indian River State College. She is also looking into swimming for her native Colombia internationally.

“I want to keep getting better at swimming, I really, really do,” Villamil said. “I want to keep swimming as far as I can get and be as good as I can possibly be.”

Villamil had her best meet at last month’s Speedo Winter Championships where she made her Futures cuts in the 100 butterfly and 200 breaststroke, events she did not think she would make it in, she said. She also has her cut in the 100 breaststroke.

“I was really shocked, I kept thinking is this really happening to me. It’s taken a really long time for me to see results. Seeing them and exceeding my goals, I was ecstatic. I didn’t know how to react.”

She also broke her high school team’s school record in the 100 breaststroke in a swim-off to go to finals. She finished seventh in the 100 breaststroke in her first state meet this season.

“I wish I could have another year of high school,” Villamil said. “Like everyone else, I missed a year because of Covid. I wish I would have had another year of experience of going to states and all these other big meets.”

If she could go back in time, Villamil said she would tell her younger self to have patience. “There were a lot of moments where I felt frustrated and I kind of panicked because I was doing all of this and I was seeing no results,” she said. “But it will get there and it’s little by little.”

Villamil is looking forward to competing at sectionals, senior championships and Futures before heading off to college. “I think I am definitely swimming the best I have since joining SOFLO,” she said.

Each TYR Swimmer of the Month receives a free TYR backpack. Villamil joins SOFLO teammates 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.

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