By Sharon Robb
CORAL SPRINGS, March 8, 2023—Like all championship meets, every point will matter for swimmers looking to lead their team to victory at the Florida Gold Coast Age Group Championships that begin Thursday at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex.
It won’t just be about winning races, but scoring at least one point and getting a second swim in finals to contribute to an overall team effort.
Formerly known as FGC Junior Olympics, the short course yards meet features swimmers ages 14-and-under who have met the qualifying standards for their events.
Former champion South Florida Aquatic Club is looking to regain its throne against top teams St. Andrew’s Aquatics and Metro Aquatics.
In last year’s March JOs, St. Andrew’s won the combined and girls title. Metro Aquatics won the boys team title. SOFLO was third among combined and girls and second among boys teams.
In last year’s July JOs, St. Andrew’s swept the combined, girls and boys team titles. SOFLO was second in combined and boys and third among girls.
This year SOFLO has the potential to take it all with depth and talent among its 53-swimmer contingent competing in 273 individual events and 20 relays. The meet has attracted 530 swimmers from throughout the Florida Gold Coast from the Keys to Palm Beach.
SOFLO top individual seeds are:
Didia Miccolis, 12, 1,650-yard freestyle.
Juan Vallmitjana, 14, 500-yard freestyle.
Jianna Amores, 12, 100-yard butterfly.
In addition to SOFLO, St. Andrew’s and Metro Aquatics, among other FGC clubs competing are Jupiter Dragons, Eagle Aquatics, Midtown Weston Aquatics, Pompano Piranhas, Lake Lytal Lightning, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Pine Crest, North Palm Beach, FAST, Sunrise Swimming, Wahoos of Wellington, SwimFast, Azura, Heritage Aquatics and host Coral Springs Swim Club.
IF YOU GO
What: Florida Gold Coast Age Group Championships
When: Thursday-Sunday
Where: Michael Lohberg Pool of Champions, Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, 12441 Royal Palm Blvd.
Timelines: Thursday, Girls, 5:30-7:11 p.m. and Boys 5:30 p.m.-6:55 p.m.; Friday, Girls & Boys prelims, 8:30-11:01. a.m. and finals, 5:30-8:15 p.m.; Saturday, Girls & Boys prelims, 8:30-11:23 a.m. and finals, 5:30-8:29 p.m.; Sunday, Girls & Boys prelims, 8:30 a.m.-11:59 a.m. and finals 5:30-7:04 p.m.
Admission: $5 per person, cash only. Heat sheets are free and can be found at http://www.swimcssc.com or Meet Mobile. A concession stand will be available.
Please Note: Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday morning so move your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night before you go to bed or you’re going to miss your first morning prelim race!
South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog 