July 2023 – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

Elena Dinehart SOFLO’s Top Finisher On Final Day of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb
OCALA, 30, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club finished with another swimmer in the Top 8 on the fourth and final day of the USA Swimming Futures Championships Saturday at Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training Triangle Aquatic Center.

Elena Dinehart, 18, finished eighth in the 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:19.34, dropping 0.01 seconds.

Against a talented field, SOFLO had four days of good racing.

Earlier in the week, Olivia Dinehart also finished in the top eight in the 200 breaststroke and was 12th in the 100 breaststroke; Maddie Smutny was 11th in the 400 freestyle and ninth in the 200 butterfly; SOFLO girls Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Izzy Wilson and Maddie Smutny were eighth in the 800 free relay and boys relay was 12th.

On Saturday, Izzy Wilson swam a best time 17:19.37 in the 1500-meter freestyle shaving 10.42 off her previous best and finished 11th.

SOFLO girls 400-meter medley relay was 11th in 4:22.24 with Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Maddie Smutny and Ana Villamil.

Juan Vallmitjana dropped 7.61 seconds in the 800-meter freestyle to place 23rd in 8:30.97.

SOFLO’s 18 qualifiers were Jaden Amores, Javier Colmenares, Gabriella DeLuna, Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Sophia Grubbs, Laila Harran, Alejandro Mateus, Manuel Melendez, Austin Nelson, Wisthon Rendon, Enrique Rodriguez, Nicolai Ross, Maddie Smutny, Juan Vallmitjana, Ana Villamil, Izzy Wilson and Aldo Zepeda. SOFLO had one of the largest teams.

SATURDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Brinkleigh Hansen, SPA 16:49.78, 2. Emma Reiser, SA 16:55.00, 3. Lauren Milbaum, SYS 16:55.40; SOFLO: 11. Izzy Wilson 17:19.37, time drop 10.42.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Sienna Angove, SYS 2:16.55, 2. Keelan Cotter, TAC 2:17.61, 3. Laura Goettler, GAME 2:7.94; SOFLO: 18. Olivia Dinehart 2:23.44, prelims, 25. Olivia Dinehart 2:24.87, time drop 1.07, 109. Sophia Grubbs 2:34.60, 111. Ana Vllamil 2:34.61.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Rylee Erisman, LAKR 26.00, 2. Sienna Angove, SYS 26.19, 3. Addison Sauickie, SYS 26.22; SOFLO: 38. Ana Villamil 27.36.

200 meter backstroke: 1. Catherine Choate, DYNA 2:12.02, 2. Laurel Blase, GOLD 2:15.06, 3. Amy Riordan, ASL 2:17.05; SOFLO: 8. Elena Dinehart 2:19.34, time drop 0.01, prelims, 8. Elena Dinehart 2:19.93.

400-meter medley relay: 1. Sarasota Sharks 4:11.66, 2. Dynamo 4:13.03, 3. TAC Titans 4:13.79, 11. SOFLO A 4:22.24 (Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Maddie Smutny, Ana Villamil), best time, 1:07 time drop.
MEN
800-meter freestyle:

Andrew Taylor, TBAC 8:06.86, 2. Jacob Hamlin, HIGH 8:07.37, 3. Dylan Felt, SFTL 8:07.45; SOFLO: 23. Juan Vallmitjana 8:30.97, time drop 7.61.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Ryan Erisman, LAKR 2:03.27, 2. Mason Herbet, CS 2:03.69, 3. Ian Stutts, MOR 2:05.57; SOFLO: 45. Javier Colmenares 2:11.64, 75. Alex Golding 2:14.05, 77. Jaden Amores 2:14.16, time drop 2.00.
50-meter freestyle: 1. Jerry Fox, TAC 22.75, 2. Sean Setzer, WOW 22.88, 3. David Gapiinski, LA 23.30; SOFLO: 37. Aldo Zepeda 24.47, 115. Manuel Melendez 25.63, time drop 0.07.

200 meter backstroke: 1. Josh Zuchowski, FAST 1:58.52, 2. Ethan Ekk, ATAC 2:00.84,3. Wilder Kruse, SYS 2:03.66; SOFLO: 25. Austin Nelson 2:09.14, 46. Wisthon Rendon 2:12.08, 47. Jaden Amores 2:12.25, time drop 1.06, 76. Aldo Zepeda 2:24.27.

400-meter medley relay: 1. TAC Titans A 3:42.71, 2. Sarasota Sharks 3:47.76, 3. TAC Titans B 3:48.26, 18. SOFLO A 3:58.05 (Jaden Amores, Javier Colmenares, Wisthon Rendon, Aldo Zepeda).
Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
http://www.swim4soflo.com

Olivia Dinehart Top SOFLO Finisher On Day Three Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb
OCALA, July 29, 2023—Olivia Dinehart finished among the Top 8 against a strong field Friday at the USA Swimming Futures Championships at Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training Triangle Aquatic Center.

The South Aquatic Club and Auburn-bound swimmer was eighth in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:38.26 after going 2:36.15 in prelims.

Maddie Smutny, 17, was 11th in the 400-meter in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:22.08, time drop 4.17, prelim.Maddie Smutny, 4:22.08, time drop 4.17, prelims, 17.

SOFLO’s 18 qualifiers are Jaden Amores, Javier Colmenares, Gabriella DeLuna, Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Sophia Grubbs, Laila Harran, Alejandro Mateus, Manuel Melendez, Austin Nelson, Wisthon Rendon, Enrique Rodriguez, Nicolai Ross, Maddie Smutny, Juan Vallmitjana, Ana Villamil, Izzy Wilson and Aldo Zepeda. SOFLO has one of the largest teams.

Ocala is one of five sites selected for the 2023 Futures Championships, July 26-29. The others are Richmond, Va., San Antonio, Tex., West Fargo, N.D. and Sacramento, Calif. A fifth region was added for this year.

This is the eighth year of the Futures Championships. The Futures Championships are designed as an intermediate step between Sectional Championships and Junior National or National Championships, and are open to swimmers of all ages.

Among clubs competing are Athens Bulldogs, Area Tallahassee, Azura, Bolles, Club Seminole, Dynamo, Swim Atlanta, T2 Aquatics, Treasure Coast Aquatics, FAST, Highlander, Hurricane Aquatics, Indian River, Mecklenburg, St. Petersburg Aquatics, Sarasota Sharks, Sarasota Tsunami, Swim MAC, TAC Titans, Eagle Aquatics, Gator Swim Club, Life Time North Carolina, Loggerhead Aquatics, Marlins of Raleigh and Planet Swim.
FRIDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
400-meter freestyle: 1. Sienna Angove, SYS 4:14.37, 2. Emma Reiser, SA 4:16.83, 3. Keeln Cotter, TAC 4:17.8; SOFLO: 11. Maddie Smutny, 4:22.08, time drop 4.17, prelims, 17. Maddie Smutny 4:26.25, 49. Izzy Wilson 4:31.84, time drop 29.44.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Jordan Agliano, HIGH 59.94, 2. Addison Sauickie, SYS 1:0038, 3. Addison Reesew, LAKR 1:00.68; SOFLO: 31. Maddie Smutny 1:04.14, prelims 30. Maddie Smutny 1:03.98, 38. Elena Dinehart 1:04.19, 71. Gabriella DeLuna 1:05.25, 76. Ana Villamil 1:05.48.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Ainsley Jones, UN 2:30.62, 2. Laura Goettler, GAME 2:30.99, 3. Georgia Johnson, GAME 2:31.31; SOFLO: 8. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 2:38.26; 79. Ana Villamil 2:54.54, 80. Sophia Grubbs 2:54.86.

400-meter freestyle relay: 1. Sarasota Sharks 3:46.83, 2. Laker Swim 3:48.11, 3. Dynamo 3:52.69, 23. SOFLO 4:01.51, time drop 1.95 (Ana Villamil, Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Maddie Smutny).

MEN
400-meter freestyle: 1. Ethyan Ekkm ATAC 3:57.65, 2. Dylan Felt, SFT 3:58.24, 3. Ryan Erisman, LAKR 3:58.45; SOFLO: 45. Juan Vallmitjana 4:09.95, 58. Austin Nelson 4:12.39, time drop 7.30, 72. Enrique Rodriguez 4:15.88.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Mason Herbet, CS 52.90, 2. Dylan Smiley, MCDA 54.00, 3. David Gapinski, LA 54.17, 4. Josh Zuchowski, FAST 54.23; SOFLO: 99. Wisthon Rendon 59.16, 119. Alejandro Mateus 1:00.29.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Grayson Nye, TAC 2:15.34, 2. Giulian Martin, CANE 2:15.41, 3. Owen Von Weihe, MOR 2:18.76; SOFLO: 28. Javier Colmenares 2:25.23, 61. Manuel Melendez 2:30.95.

400-meter freestyle relay: 1. TAC Titans 3:22.11, 2. Dynao 3:23.29, 3. TAC Titans B 3:28.53; 25. SOFLO 3:39.39 (Aldo Zepeda, Javier Colmenares, Juan Vallmitjana, Austin Nelson).

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

Lots Of Surprises On Day Six Of FINA World Championships; Qin Breaks World Breaststroke Record

By Sharon Robb
FUKUOKA, Japan, July 28, 2023—There were lots of surprises including Olympic champions and top Americans getting shut out of medals on Day 6 of the FINA World Aquatic Championships at Marine Messe Fukuoka.

China’s Qin Haiyang won the 200 meter breaststroke in a world record 2:05.48. Aussie and former world record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook was second in 2:06.40 and American Matt Fallon was third in 2:07.74.

Qin is the first male athlete to win the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke at the same World Championships.

Mollie O’Callaghan won the second gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle in 52.16. Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong took silver in 52.49 and Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands. Olympic champion Emma McKeon and Americans Kate Douglass and Abbey Weitzell finished off the podium.

South African Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa topped a talented field to win the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:20.80. American Kate Douglass was second in 2:21.23 and Tes Schouten of the Netherlands. American Lilly King was shut out of a medal for the second time.

Hungary’s Hubert Kos knocked off defending champion Ryan Murphy in the 200-meter backstroke with a best time, 1:54.14-1:54.83. Switzerland’s Roman Mityukov was third in a best time and Swiss national record in 1:55.24.

Great Britain knocked off world record holder United States in 6:59.08 in the 4×200 freestyle relay with Duncan Scott, Matt Richards, James Guy and Tom Dean. The Americans were second in 7:00.02 and the Aussies were third in 7:02.13.

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

SOFLO Girls Relay Eighth, Boys Relay Twelfth Against Stacked Field On Day Two Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb
OCALA, July 28, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club had another good night Thursday night at the USA Swimming Futures Championships Thursday at Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training Triangle Aquatic Center.

The SOFLO girls relay of Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Izzy Wilson and Maddie Smutny finished eighth in 2:06.98 with a time drop of 5.10. They were the top Florida Gold Coast team finisher.

The SOFLO boys 800-meter freestyle relay was 12th in 7:51.82 with Javier Colmenares, Enrique Rodriguez, Austin Nelson and Juan Vallmitjana with a time drop of 5.91.

Josh Zuchowski of FAST won the 100-meter backstroke in 54.65. It was his second gold medal of the meet. He was the top Florida Gold Coast finisher.

THURSDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
100-meter freestyle: 1. Rylee Erisman, LAKR 55.53, 2. Addison Sauickie, SYS 55.84, 3. Isabella Ekk, ATAC 56.19.

400-meter individual medley: 1. Sienna Angove, SYS 4:45.49, 2. Laura Goettler, GAME 4:48.77, 3. Gracie Weynt, SYS 4:49.67; SOFLO: 58. Gabriella DeLuna 5:14.98, time drop 5.17.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Catherine Choate, DYNA 1:01.35, 2. Sarah Evans, RATS 1:01.99, 3. Rylee Erisman, LAKR 1:02.79; SOFLO: 25. Elena Dinehart 1:04.58, finals, time drop 0.51, 25. Elena Dinehart 1:06.07, prelims.

800-meter freestyle relay: 1. Sarasota Sharks 8:13.82 (Addison Sauickie, Gracie Weyant, Bailey O’Regan, Sienna Angove), 2. Lake Swim 8:19.11, 3. TAC Titans 8:21.64; 8. SOFLO 8:30.79 (Elena DInehart, Olivia Dinehart, Izzy Wilson, Maddie Smutny) 2:06.98, time drop 5.10.

MEN
100-meter freestyle: 1. Jerry Fox, TAC 49.96, 2. David Gapinski, LA 50.53, 3. Sean Setzer, WOW 51.02; Time Trial: Alex Golding, Unattached 55.11.

400-meter individual medley: 1. Ryan Ersiman, LAKR 4:22.78, 2. Hudson Degroote, MOR 4:26.06, 3. Raymond Prosinski 4:26.61; SOFLO: 47. Javier Colmenares 4:44.07.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Josh Zuchowski, FAST 54.65, 2. William Thompson, TAC 55.93, 3. Jensen Nelson, SPAC 56.38; SOFLO: 48. Aldo Zepeda 1:00.44, 66. Austin Nelson 1:01.01, time drop 0.97, 82. Jaden Amores 1:01.72, 90. Enrique Rodriguez 1:02.23, tim drop, 0.28, 91, 91. Alejandro Mateus 1:02.25.

800-meter freestyle relay: 1. TAC Titans A 78:32.37 (Zachary Kohm, Jerry Fox, Andrew Li, Mitchell Payne), 2. Marlins of Raleigh 7:36.54, 5. TAC Titans B 7:37.72, 12. SOFLO 7:51.82 (Javier Colmenares, Enrique Rodriguez, Austin Nelson, Juan Vallmitjana), time drop 5.91.

100-meter breast time trial: 13. Manuel Melendez. SOFLO 1:08.08.

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

Smutny, Dinehart, Wilson Top SOFLO Finishers; FGC’s Zuchowski, Felt Win On Day One Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb
OCALA, July 27, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club had some nice swims and time drops against a talented field on opening day of the USA Swimming Futures Championships Wednesday at Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training Triangle Aquatic Center.

Maddie Smutny, 18, had back-to-back best times in the 200-meter butterfly to finish in the Top 10. She went 2:18.54 in prelims dropping 2.54 and finished ninth in finals in 2:15.51 dropping 3.03 for a total drop of 5.57. Her previous best was 2:21.08.

Olivia Dinehart, 18, was 12th in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:12.20, lowering her prelim time of 1:12.60.

Izzy Wilson, 16, was 15th in the 800-meter freestyle in a best time 9:07.17 with an impressive time drop of 8:22.62.

Javier Colmenares was 17th in the 100-meter breaststroke in a best time 1:04.63, dropping 1.81. He first bettered his best time in prelims in 1:05.99. His previous best was 1:06.44.

Josh Zuchowski, 19, of FAST blew the 200-meter butterfly field away to win in a best time 1:59.64, dropping 0.20 seconds. He was the only swimmer under 2 minutes.

Dylan Felt, 19, of Swim Fort Lauderdale won the 200-meter freestyle in a best time 1:49.10, dropping 1.44 minutes. He was also second in the 1500-meter freestyle n 15:38.35.

Sienna Angove, SYS 2:00.50, 2. Amy Riordan, ASL 2:01.31, 3. Shea Furse, ABSC 2:01.51; SOFLO: 47. Maddie Smutny 2:08.19, 67. Elena Dinehart.

100-meter breaststroke:

Danica Aten, SYS 1:10.69, 2. Evelyn Entrekin, DYN 1:10.78, 3. Georgia Johnson, GAME 1:10.91, 12. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 1:12.20; SOFLO: 12. Olivia Dinehart 1:12.60, prelims, 34. Ana Villamil, 1:15.26, time drop 0.05, 85. Sophia Grubbs 1:18.20.

200-meter butterfly:

Jordan Agliano, HIGH 2:11.99, 2. Addison Sauickie, SYS 2:13.13, 3. Keelan Cotter, TAC 2:14.76, 9. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 2:15.51, time drop 5.57; SOFLO: 10. Maddie Smutny 2:18.54, time drop 2.54, prelims, 38. Gabriella DeLuna 2:26.13, time drop 0.30.

800-meter freestyle:

Michaela Mattes, SYS 8:44.87, 2. Brinkleigh Hansen, SPA 8:47.45, 3. Adele Sands, PS 8:54.70; SOFLO: 15. Izzy Wilson 9:07.17, time drop 8:22.62.

MEN
200-meter freestyle:

Dylan Felt, SFTL 1:49.10, 2. Nicholas Caruso, GSC 1:49.39, 3. Jacob Hamlin, HIGH 1:49.54; SOFLO: 77. Juan Vallmitjana 1:58.32, 105. Enrique Rodriguez 2:00.69.

100-meter breaststroke:

Liam Kerns, GAME 1:01.78, 2. Mason Herbert, CS 1:02.25, 3. Henry Lee, TAC 1:02.67; 17. Javier Colmenares, SOFLO 1:04.63, time drop 1.36; SOFLO: 25. Javier Colmenares 1:05.99, time drop 0.45, prelims; 73. Alex Golding, Unattached 1:08.59, 95. Manuel Melendez 1:10.05.

200-meter butterfly:

Joshua Zuchowski, FAST 1:59.64, 2. Colin Whelehan, TAC 2:01.11, 3. Felipe Baffico, SYS 201.19; SOFLO: 59. Alejandro Mateus 2:14.59, 60. Wisthon Rendon 2:14.83.

1500-meter freestyle:

Kyler Heffner, SA 15:34.94, 2. Dylan Felt, SFTL 15:38.35, 3. Andrew Taylor, TBAC 15:38.83; SOFLO: 34. Juan Vallmitjana 16:33.21.

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

Frenchman Leon Marchand Wins Second Gold Medal; Aussie Mollie O’Callaghan Breaks World Record On Day Four Of FINA World Championships

By Sharon Robb
FUKUOKA, Japan, July 26, 2023—With the one-year countdown of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics under way today, there is little doubt Leon Marchand will be the star of the Games.

The 21-year-old Frenchman and Arizona State junior-to-be is dominating the FINA World Aquatic Championships at Marine Messe Fukuoka.

On Wednesday, Marchand won his second gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly in 1:52.43 ahead of Poland’s Krzysztof Chmielewski in 1:53.62 and Japan’s Tomoru Honda in 1:53.66.

Marchand took the lead after 50 meters and led the rest of the way. It was the third fastest time in the world.

Thirty minutes later, Marchand was also fastest qualifier in the 200 IM semifinals in 1:56.34 ahead of Brit Duncan Scott in 1:56.50 and American Carson Foster in 1:56.55. He already won the 400 IM earlier in the week.

Aussies Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus finished one-two in the 200-meter freestyle. O’Callaghan needed a world record swim in 1:52.85 to beat Titmus, second in 1:53.01. Titmus went out hard and led until the final 50 when O’Callaghan came home with a 28.11 split. Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh broke a junior world record in 1:53.65 to finish third.

In other finals:

Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia won the 800-meter freestyle in 7:37.00 just ahead of Aussie Sam Short in 7:37.76. American Bobby Finke took the bronze in 7:38.67. Hafnaoui is now the third performer all-time.

China continued its world championship success with Qin Haiyang winning the 50-yard breaststroke. American Nic Fink and 2022 world champion was second in 26.59 and China’s Sun Jiajun.

China also won the 4×100 mixed medley relay in 3:38.57. The Aussies were second in 3:39.03 and the Americans were a disappointing third in 3:40.19.

Australia, China and the U.S. are the top three medal leaders.

In Olympics news, about 10 million tickets were made available for the Paris Olympics with 329 medal events in 32 different sports spread across 18 different days of competition. Close to 7 million have already been sold with one year to go before the Opening Ceremony on July 26.

Organizers are directly selling about 8 million tickets with the promise that 1 million will be available for all sports priced at $26, and many more costing $55 or less.

Would-be buyers had to register for the chance to be allocated tickets in the first two sales phases but the current wave is first-come, first-serve for events in cities outside Paris.

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

Ledecky Wins, Ties Michael Phelps Medal Record On Day Three Of World Championships

By Sharon Robb
FUKUOKA, Japan, July 25, 2023—Katie Ledecky continues to make history in swimming at the FINA World Aquatic Championships Tuesday at Marine Messe Fukuoka.

The University of Florida grad assistant coach won the 1,500-meter medley in 15 minutes, 26.27 seconds for her 15th career individual world swimming gold medal to equal Michael Phelps record. Phelps currently holds the overall records with 33 medals and 26 gold medals.

The most decorated woman swimmer at world has 20 golds overall including 15 individual.

Ledecky has won seven Olympic golds, the first coming more than a decade ago in London. And she’s talking about racing not just in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but also in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“I never dreamed of winning one Olympic gold,” Ledecky said. “So after I did it, it was like, ‘OK, the rest is icing on the cake, a cherry on top,’ whatever you call it. I’m just trying to build a really big cake, I guess.

“The last couple of years I’ve just tried to be really locked in on my stroke,” Ledecky said. “That was a really good performance from me…very pleased.”

It was also the third fastest time in her career.

“I’m just really enjoying swimming right now, especially my distance events, I’ve just been feeling great,” Ledecky said. “I feel like I’m getting better each time I swim them. That’s what you love to see. You love to see improvement, and that’s been my biggest goal over the last couple of years.”

Italy’s Simona Quadarella finished 17 seconds behind Ledecky in 15:43.31, with Li Bingjie of China third in 15:45.71.

U.S. teammate, four-time Olympic gold medalist and Bolles alum Ryan Murphy the second gold medal for the U.S. team. Murphy came from behind in the final 50 meters to win the 100-meter backstroke in 52.22 ahead of Italian Thomas Ceccon in 52.27. U.S. teammate Hunter Armstrong was third in 52.58. It was Murphy’s second individual world gold and first in the 100 backstroke.

“It’s awesome to go against a great field, and it’s awesome to get two Americans on the podium,” Murphy said. “The USA is off to a start. We’re starting to build some momentum and we can just keep it rolling from here.”

The biggest surprise of the meet so far was Romanian David Popovici, 18, who was a clear favorite in the 200 freestyle. He was fourth in 1:44.90.

“It felt awful,” Popovici said. “But that means that we can improve something and that’s a good thing. Because if you have the absolute perfect race … you have nothing else to improve.

“I’m glad it happened now and I’m sure it has a meaning and I’m going to learn from it.”

In other finals:
Brits Matt Richards and Tom Dean finished one-two in the 200-meter freestyle. Richards won in 1:44.30 and Dean was 2/100ths behind in 1:44.32. Korea’s Hwang Sunwoo was third in 1:44.42. Americans Luke Hobson was fifth (1:45.09) and UF alum Kieran Smith seventh (1:46.10).

Aussie Kaylee McKeown won the 100-meter backstroke showdown with American Regan Smith winning in a championship record 57.53. McKeown overtook Smith in the final 50 meters. Smith’s finished in 57.78. U.S. teammate Katharine Berkoff took bronze in 58.25.

Lithuania’s Ruta Meiluytyte, in the midst of a comeback since last summer, won the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:04.62. Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa was second in 1:05.84 and American Lydia Jacoby was third in 1:05.94. World record holder Lilly King finished off the podium in fourth in 1:06.02.

In other news, swimming will set up an “open category” that will include transgender competitors, the governing body of the sport said.

World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam said the event would take place in the future among other races but gave no details. It may be as early as this year.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Look To Continue Success At USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb
OCALA, July 24, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club, riding a wave of success, is looking to make an impression at the USA Swimming Futures Championships at Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training Triangle Aquatic Center.

The four-day meet, featuring 808 athletes, begins Wednesday with prelims at 9 a.m., distance events at 3:05 and finals at 5:30 p.m. On Tuesday, team warm-ups and check-ins are noon-8 p.m.

Ocala is one of five sites selected for the 2023 Futures Championships all taking place from July 26-29. The others are Richmond, Va., San Antonio, Tex., West Fargo, N.D. and Sacramento, Calif. A fifth region was added for this year.

The field of swimmers for the Ocala site is one of the most competitive in the nation. Among clubs competing are Athens Bulldogs, Area Tallahassee, Azura, Bolles, Club Seminole, Dynamo, Swim Atlanta, T2 Aquatics, Treasure Coast Aquatics, FAST, Highlander, Hurricane Aquatics, Indian River, Mecklenburg, St. Petersburg Aquatics, Sarasota Sharks, Sarasota Tsunami, Swim MAC, TAC Titans, Eagle Aquatics, Gator Swim Club, Life Time North Carolina, Loggerhead Aquatics, Marlins of Raleigh and Planet Swim.

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

South Florida Aquatic Club Swimmers, Coaches Make History At Florida Gold Coast Senior Championships

By Sharon Robb
PLANTATION, July 24, 2023—For the first time in the club’s 16-year history, South Florida Aquatic Club swept the Sectionals, FGC Age Group Championships and Senior Championships combined team titles in one season.

“I am so proud of the staff and athletes,” said SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson. “It’s definitely a huge accomplishment. In the past (2015-2016) we were close but never all three championships. It was an awesome job of coaching from the SOFLO staff.”

On the third and final day of the Senior Championships Sunday at Plantation Aquatic Complex, SOFLO led from start to finish to capture the combined team title with 1,604 points. Defending champion St. Andrew’s Aquatics was runner-up with 1,490 and Azura Florida Aquatics was third with 1,225.

SOFLO’s men’s team also won the team title with 1,011 points ahead of defending champion Azura with 744. St. Andrew’s was third with 642.5.

SOFLO women’s team was runner-up with 593 points. St. Andrew’s won the title with 848 and Azura was third with 481.

The men’s team finished off the meet in style. SOFLO A team won the 400-meter medley relay in 3:59.46 with Ricardo Roche, Eric Veit, Wisthon Rendon and Luciano Gonzalez. SOFLO was second in the 400-meter freestyle relay in 3:36.88 with Gonzalez, Roche, Stephen Kim and Veit.

Ricardo Roche was second in the 100-meter backstroke in 59.89. Eric Veit was second in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:04.48. Felix Gonzalez was fourth in the 1500-meter freestyle in 17:17.52 followed by teammate Hashan Ekanayake fifth in 17:23.17.

Nicolai Ross, 15, got his first USA Swimming Futures cut in the 50-meter freestyle in a best time 24.72, shaving 1.03 seconds off his entry time of 25.75 which he bettered in prelims in 25.11. He is the 18th SOFLO swimmer to qualify for this week’s Futures meet in Ocala. Ross was also sixth in the 200 IM in a best time 2:18.22, dropping 3.51.

Michelle Marinheiro was SOFLO’s top women’s finisher placing sixth in the 1500-meter freestyle in 18:47.51.

SOFLO women’s 400-meter freestyle relay was fourth in 4:05.97 with Carley Kaplan, Ana Villamil, Gabriela Avila and Tania Mantilla.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS
COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. South Florida Aquatic Club 1,604, 2. St. Andrew’s Aquatics 1,490.5, 3. Azura Florida Aquatics 1,225, 4. Wahoos of Wellington 749.5, 5. TS Aquatics 642, 6. FAST 566.5, 7. Ransom Everglades 547, 8. Metro Aquatics 527, 9. Pine Crest Swimming 441, 10. Hurricane Aquatics 430.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. SOFO 1,011, 2. Azura 744, 3. St. Andrew’s 642.5, 4. Metro Aquatics 475, 5. Wahoos of Wellington 368.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. St. Andrew’s 848, 2. SOFLO 593, 3. Azura 481, 4. TS Aquatics 437, 5. FAST 401.5.

WOMEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Emily Trieschmann, SAS 17:23.74, 2. Siena Griffiths, SAS 17:59.46, 3. Katherine Voet, SFTL 18:20.39; SOFLO: 6. Michelle Marinheiro 18:47.51, 10. Sarah Vasquez 19:20.67, 12. Amelie Bicerne.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Riley Trout, FAA 1:04.54, 2. Celina Marquez, Azura 1:05.52, 3. Emma Shuppert, CANE 1:06.35; SOFLO: 24. Tania Mantilla 1:15.70.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Delaine Goll, GPA 1:12.01, 2. Anna Auld, SAS 1:13.70, 3. Emma Becker, GPA 1:14.81; SOFLO: 12. Mariann Catalasan 1:19.54, 20. Mariann Catalasan 1:19.54.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Erika Pelaez, EA 25.68, 2. Sloan SIzemore, PB 26.53, 3. Lucia Miller, CANE 27.43; SOFLO: 29. Gabriela Avila 29.02.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Erika Pelaez, EA 2:17.30, 2. Anna Auld, SAS 2:18.24, 3. Celina Marquez, Azura 2:25.35; SOFLO: 27. Tania Mantilla 2:39.35.

400-meter freestyle relay: 1. St. Andrew’s 4:00.11, 2. FAST 4:01.50, 3. Pine Crest 4:04.77, 4. SOFLO A 4:05.97 (Carley Kaplan, Ana Villamil, Gabriela Avila, Tania Mantilla), 11. SOFLO B 4:20.73 (Elise Dinehart, Genesis Escobar, Amelie Bicerne, Sarah Vasquez).

400-meter medley relay: 1. St. Andrew’s 4:32.22, 2. Azura 4:33.79, 3. Wahoos of Wellington 4:35.73, 7. SOFLO A 4:44.37 (Sofia Osorio, Mariann Catalasan, Michelle Marinheiro, Carley Kaplan), 12. SOFLO B 4:56.05 (Tania Mantilla, Natalia Sibug, Gabriela Avila, Elise Dinehart).

MEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Diego Dulieu, Azura 16:11.59, 2. Daniel Gonzalez Jimenez, Azura 16:56.81, 3. Collin Meadows, BR 17:10.70; SOFLO: 4. Felix Gonzalez 17:17.52, 5. Hashan Ekanayake 17:23.17.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Noah Smith, FAST 58.53, 2. Ricardo Jorge Rocha, SOFLO 59.89, 3. Andrea Da Silva, WOW 1:00.74; SOFLO: 15. Nicholas Pelaez, 1:04.74, 20. Derek Hau 1:05.72.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Dalton Lillibridge, FAA 1:03.09, 2. Eric Veit, SOFLO 1:04.48, 3. John Sheehan, FAA 1:05.71; SOFLO: 10. Stephen Kim 1:09.02, 20. Derek Hau 1:11.90, 24. Abraham Penaloza 1:13.19, 30. Felipe Rodriguez 1:16.63.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Leif Bouwman, JUP 23.77, 2. Makar Goncharov, PC 23.99, 3. Daniel Ramirez Carranza, WA 24.00; SOFLO: 11. Nicolai Ross 24.72, time drop 1.03.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Makar Goncharov, PC 2:10.95, 2. Kaideng Zhao, SUN 2:12.80, 3. Davidson Vincent, Azura 2:13.37; SOFLO: 6. Nicolai Ross 2:18.22, time drop 3.51, 10. Stephen Kim 2:18.33, 16. Nicholas Pelaez 2:22.92, 26. Derek Hau 2:22.89.

400-meter freestyle relay: 1. Azura 3:34.25, 2. SOFLO A 3:36.88 (Luciano Gonzalez, Jorge Ricardo Roche, Stephen Kim, Eric Veit), 3. St. Andrew’s Aquatics 3:40.30, 11. SOFLO B 3:48.23 (Nicolai Ross, Derek Hau, Nicholas Pelaez, Hashan Ekanayake).

400-meter medley relay: 1. SOFLO A 3:59.46 (Ricardo Roche, Eric Veit, Wisthon Rendon, Luciano Gonzalez), 2. Jupiter Dragons 4:03.05, 3. St. Andrew’s 4:09.40, 6. SOFLO B 4:11.10 (Nicholas Pelaez, Stephen Kim, Marvan Ekanayake, Hashan Ekanayake).

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

Leon Marchand Crushes Oldest World Record Held By Michael Phelps On Day One Of FINA World Championships

By Sharon Robb
FUKUOKA, Japan, July 23, 2023—It was a big day for swimming on opening night of the FINA World Championships.

Frenchman Leon Marchand broke Michael Phelps’ oldest world record in the 400-meter individual medley of 4:03.84 (set at the 2008 Beijing Olympics) in 4:02.50. Phelps’ record had stood for 20 years and 342 days. It was also the oldest long course world record in swimming.

Marchand, coached by Phelps’ former coach Bob Bowman, brought the crowd to its feet. Marchand was 0.26 seconds faster than Phelps record on the butterfly (54.66) and nearly three seconds faster on breaststroke (1:07.64).

“The best is yet to come,” Marchand said after his race.

Phelps watched his world record get broken while in the NBC announcing both with Rowdy Gaines. He also presented the 400 IM medals afterwards.

In other finals:

The Aussie women (Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Meg Harris, Emma McKeon) broke the third world record of the night in the 4×100-meter freestyle in 3:27.96 ahead of the Americans (Gretchen Walsh, Abbey Weitzeil, Olivia Smoglia, Kate Douglass) second in 3:31.93 and China in 3:32.40.

Aussie Sam Short, 19, and 2020 Olympic champion Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia battled until the end with Short winning in 3:40.68, just 2/100ths ahead of Hafnaoui. Lukas Martens of Germany was third in 3:42.20. No American was in the Top 8.

In one of the most anticipated races at worlds, Aussie Ariarne Titmus needed a world record swim to knock off American Katie Ledecky and Canadian Summer McIntosh. Titmus won in a world record 3:55.38, breaking the previous record of 3:56.08 held by the Canadian and favorite. Ledecky finished in 3:58.73 and New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather was third in 3:59.59. McIntosh was fourth in 3:59.94. Titmus pulled away after the 100 and controlled the rest of the race.

The Aussies (Jack Cartwright, Flynn Southam, Kai Taylor and Kyle Chalmers) made it a clean sweep in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay winning in 3:10.16 ahead of Italy in 3:10.49 and the U.S. (Ryan Held, Jack Alexy, Chris Guiliano, Matt King) 3:10.81.

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