Florida Gators Sweep Tennessee, Kentucky In Tri-Meet; Remain Undefeated In SEC

By Sharon Robb

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., November 3, 2023—Defending SEC champion University of Florida men’s and women’s teams remained undefeated in the conference after sweeping Tennessee and Kentucky in a tri-meet Friday at Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center.

The No. 7 ranked Gator women (4-1 overall, 4-0 SEC), with 11 first place finishes, defeated Tennessee, 193-107, and Kentucky, 241-59.

The No. 3 ranked Gator men (4-0 overall, 3-0 SEC), with 10 first places, topped Tennessee 169-131, and Kentucky, 239-58.

The teams combined for 15 NCAA “B” cuts.

Florida freshman Andrew Taylor won his first event of his career in the 1,000-yard freestyle in 9:03.97.

The Gator women swept the top three spots in the 500 freestyle with Emma Weyant winning in a B cut time of 4:45.81 followed by Anna Auld of West Palm Beach and Jo Jo Ramey.

Florida freshman Bella Sims and fifth-year Isabel Ivey led the Gator women. Sims swam the 200 butterfly for the first time in college and turned in a nation-leading time of 1:54.05. Sims also won the 200 backstroke in 1:52.93.

Ivey was a triple winner with season-best marks in the 100 backstroke (52.56), 100 freestyle (48.77) and 100 butterfly (52.52). The Cal transfer went faster on the leadoff 100 leg (48.59) of the 400 freestyle relay.

Jake Mitchell and Jonny Marshall were double winners for the Gator men. Mitchell won the 200 freestyle in 1:35.92 and 500 freestyle in 4:23.56. Marshall won the 100 backstroke in 46.80 and 200 backstroke in 1:44.44.

In an NCAA finals rematch, defending NCAA champion Jordan Crooks of Tennessee, without wearing a tech suit, won the 50-meter freestyle in 19.02 ahead of Josh Liendo of Florida in 19.28. Crooks also won the 100 freestyle in 42.57. During the meet, Crooks’ NCAA championship banner was raised to the rafters. It was also Alumni Weekend at Tennessee

University of Florida freshman and Pine Crest alum was sixth in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:18.30 and seventh in the 200 yard freestyle in 1:49.77. Podkoscielny was recently named a four-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American while at Pine Crest.

The UF men’s team have also defeated No. 15 Virginia and No. 9 Georgia. The women have beaten No. 13 Georgia but lost to No. 1 ranked Virginia on the road.

The Gators have a week break before heading to Athens, Ga., where Florida will compete in the Georgia Invite. The meet will begin Nov. 16, and run through Nov. 18. Prelims are 10 a.m. with finals at 5 p.m. each day.

WOMEN

Florida 193, Tennessee 107
Florida 241, Kentucky 59
Tennessee 228, Kentucky 72

200-yard medley relay: 1. Florida 1:37.37 (Bella Sims, Molly Mayne, Olivia Peoples, Micayla Cronk), 2. Tennessee 1:37.63, 3. Florida B 1:41.24.

1000-yard freestyle: 1. Caroline Pennington, UF 9:48.14, 2. Anna Auld, UF 9:52.05, 3. Caroline Benda, KY 9:58.29.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Camille Spink, UT 1:46.65, 2. Emma Weyant, UF 1:47.01, 3. Brooklyn Douthwright, UT 1:47.46, 7. Julia Podkoscielny, UF 1:49.77, 9. Anna Auld, UF 1:51.49.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Isabel Ivey, UF 52.26, 2. Josephine Fuller, UT 52.92, 3. Catherine Choate, UF 53.66.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Mona McSharry, UT 59.65, 2. Molly Mayne, UF 1:02.04, 3. Grace Rainey, UF 1:02.06.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Bella Sims, UF 1:54.05, 2. Lainy Kruger, UF 1:59.25, 3. Amanda Ray, UF 2:00.62.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Micayla Cronk, UF 22.53, 2. Camille Spink, UT 22.58, 3. Mona McSharry, UT 22.60.

1-meter diving: 1. Camyla Monroy, UF 291.55, 2. Tanesha Lucoe, UT 274.20, 3. Elle Renner, UT 273.95.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Isabel Ivey, UF 48.77, 2. Camille Spink, UT 48.97, 3. Micayla Cronk, UF 49.56.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Bella Sims, UF 1:52.93, 2. Josephine Fuller, UT 1:56.06, 3. Zoe Dixon, UF 1:57.06.

3-meter diving: 1. Tanesha Lucoe, UT 303.80, 2. Cayla Monroy, UF 294.45, 3. Kristy Pfaff, KY 292.90.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Mona McSharry, UT 2:12.68, 2. Grace Rainey, UF 2:13.37, 3. Molly Mayne, UF 2:15.36, 6. Julia Podkoscielny, UF 2:18.30.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Emma Weyant, UF 4:45.81, 2. Anna Auld, UF 4:51.70, 3. Jo Jo Ramey, UF 4:51.70.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Isabel Ivey, UF 52.52, 2. Olivia Peoples, UF 52.59, 3. Lainy Kruger, UF 54.76.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Josephine Fuller, UT 1:59.29, 2. Emma Weyant, UF 2:00.11, 3. Zoe Dixon, UF 2:01.06.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida 3:15.48 (Isabel Ivey, Ekaterina Nikonova, Micayla Cronk, Bella Sims), 2. Tennessee 3:19.36, 3. Florida B 3:22.97.

MEN

Florida 169, Tennessee 131
Florida 239, Kentucky 58
Tennessee 238, Kentucky 60

200-yard medley relay: 1. Florida 1:25.91 (Adam Chaney, Aleksas Savickas, Josh Liendo, Macguire McDuff), 2. Tennessee 1:25.99 (Harrison Lierz, Flynn Crisci, Jordan Crooks, Guilherme Santos), 3. Florida B 1:27.31.

1000-yard freestyle: 1. Andrew Taylor, UF 9:03.97, 2. Joey Tepper, UT 9:10.80, 3. Rafael Ponce De Leon, UT 9:11.25.

3-meter diving: 1. Conor Gesing, UF 365.65, 2. Owen Redfearn, UT 347.90, 3. Nick Stone, UT 346.15.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Jake Mitchell, UF 1:35.92, 2. Joaquin Vargas, UT 1:36.86, 3. Julian Smith, UF 1:37.75.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Jonny Marshall, UF 46.80, 2. Harrison Lierz, UT 47.60, 3. Scotty Buff, UF 48.17.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Flynn Crisci, UT 55.17, 2. Raphael Rached Windmuller, UF 55.19, 3. Lance Johnson, KY 56.29.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Martin Espernberger, UT 1:44.46, 2. Ryan Merani, KY 1:45.35, 3. Mason Laur, UF 1:45.79.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Jordan Crooks, UT 19.02, 2. Josh Liendo, UF 19.28, 3. Adam Chaney, UF 19.98.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Jordan Crooks, UT 42.57, 2. Guilherme Santos, UT 43.14, 3. Macguire McDuff, UF 43.33.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Jonny Marshall, UF 1:44.44, 2. Harrison Lierz, UT 1:45.01, 3. Landon Driggers, UT 1:46.93.

1-meter diving: 1. Peyton Donald, UF 356.35, 2. Bryden Hattie, UT 348.50, 3. Conor Gesing, UF 334.60.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Aleksas Savickas, UF 1:58.11, 2. Peter Bretzmann, UF 1:58.35, 3. Raphael Rached Windmuller, UF 2:00.48.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Jake Mitchell, UF 4:23.56, 2. Andrew Taylor, UF 4:24.87, 3. Joey Tepper, UT 4:24.97.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Josh Liendo, UF 46.55, 2. Julian Smith, UF 47.97, 3. Bjoern Kammann, UT 48.15.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Landon Driggers, UT 1:48.48, 2. Mason Laur UF 1:49.22, 3. Ryan Merani, KY 1:49.60.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Tennessee 2:54.04 (Jordan Crooks, Micah Chambers, Bjoern Kammann, Guilherme Santos), 2. Florida 2:54.14, 3. Tennessee B 3:00.49.

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

Florida Gators Sweep Georgia Bulldogs In SEC Opener

By Sharon Robb
GAINESVILLE, October 27, 2023—University of Florida swept Georgia in its SEC opener Friday at the O’Connell Center.

The Gators made it look easy winning the women’s 183-117 and the men’s 175-125.

Olympian Bella Sims and Isabel Ivey were double winners for the women.

Sims won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:45.84 and 500-yard freestyle in 4:44.36 and led off the Gators’ two winning relays.

Ivey won the 100-yard backstroke in 52.59 and 50-yard freestyle in 22.85. She was on the winning 400-yard freestyle relay. She was also second in the 100-yard butterfly in 53.15.

Other Gator women winners were Lainy Kruger, 200-yard butterfly, 1:58.49; Micayla Cronk, 100-yard freestyle, 49.30; Catherine Choate, 200-yard backstroke, 1:55.71; Olivia Peoples, 100-yard butterfly, 52.65 and Emma Weyant, 200-yard individual medley, 1:58.13.

University of Florida freshman and Pine Crest alum Julia Podkoscielny took home a pair of fourth places in the 200-yard backstroke in 1:58.88 and 200-yard individual medley in 2:01.47. She also swam leadoff on the seventh place 200-yard medley relay that finished in 1:47.18 with teammates Melissa Cowen, SOFLO’s Molly Golding and Alex Mitchell.

In the men’s competition, Josh Liendo was the Gators lone double winner. Liendo won the 50-yard freestyle in 19.30 and 100-yard butterfly in 46.30 and was a member of both winning relays.

Other Gator men winners were Julian Smith, 100-yard breaststroke, 53.74; Macguire McDuff, 100-yard freestyle, 43.56; Jonny Marshall, 200-yard backstroke, 1:44.38; and Aleksas Savickas, 200-yard breaststroke, 1:59.01.

The diving competition was held Thursday with the Gator sweeping both the men’s and women’s events. Camyla Monroy won the 1- and 3-meter women’s titles and Conor Gering won the men’s 1- and 3-meter titles.

WOMEN
Florida 183, Georgia 117
3-meter diving: 1. Camyla Monroy, UF 338.85, 2. Meghan Wenzel, GA 324.15, 3. Carina Lumia, UF 306.90.

1-meter diving: 1. Camyla Monroy, UF 326.10, 2. Meghan Wenzel, GA 285.60, 3. Hannah Stumpf, GA 269.93.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Florida A 1:38.68 (Bella Sims, Molly Mayne, Olivia Peopl;es, Micayla Cronk), 2. Georgia A 1:39.81, 3. Georgia B 1:42.85.

1,000-yard freestyle: 1. Dune Coetzee, GA 9:43.13, 2. Abby McCulloh, GA 9:44.40, 3. Caroline Pennington, UF 9:47.39, 4. Anna Auld, UF 9:49.19.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Bella Sims, UF 1:45.84, 2. Sloane Reinstein, GA 1:47.14, 3. Bri Roberson, GA 1:48.02, 8. Anna Auld, UF 1:51.50.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Isabel Ivey, UF 52.59, 2. Catherine Choate, UF 53.88, 3. Eboni McCarty, GA 53.94.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Zoie Hartman, GA 1:01.30, 2. Molly Mayne, UF 1:02.08, 3. Anna Moore, UF 1:02.90, Molly Golding, UF, EXH 1:07.47.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Lainy Kruger, UF 1:58.49, 2. Mia Abruzzo, GA 1:58.96, 3. Amanda Ray, UF 1:59.01.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Isabel Ivey, UF 22.85, 2. Julianna Stephens, GA 22.98, 3. Helena Jones, GA 23.06.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Micayla Cronk, UF 49.30, 2. Helena Jones, GA 49.51, 3. Bri Roberso, GA 50.10, EXH Molly Golding, UF 1:00.15.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Catherine Choate, UF 1:55.71, 2. Emma Weyant, UF 1:56.40, 3. Zoe Dixon, UF 1:58.05, 4. Julia Podkoscielny, UF 1:58.88.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Zoie Hartman, GA 2:13.37, 2. Anna Moore, UF 2:16.07, 3. Elizabeth Isakson, GA 2:17.08.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Bella Sims, UF 4:44.36, 2. Dune Coetzee, GA 4:46.63, 3. Abby McCulloh, GA 4:48.20, 6. Anna Auld, UF 4:50.34.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Olivia Peoples, UF 52.65, 2. Isabel Ivey, UF 53.15, 3. Emma Norton, GA 54.60.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Emma Weyant, UF 1:58.13, 2. Zoie Hartman, GA 1:59.70, 3. Zoe Dixon, UF 2:00.24, 4. Julia Podkoscielny, UF 2:01.47.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida A 3:17.19 (Bella Sims, Isabel Ivey, Olivia Peoples, Micayla Cronk), 2. Georgia A 3:20.25, 3. Georgia B 3:23.81.

MEN
Florida 175, Georgia 125
3-meter diving: 1. Conor Gering, UF 375.00, 2. Matthew Bray, GA 374.85, 3. Christopher Donald, UF 365.78.

1-meter diving: 1. Conor Gesing, UF 364.73, 2. Matthew Bray, GA 351.68, 3. Peyton Donald, UF 340.13.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Florida A 1:26.53 (jonny Marshall, Aleksas Savickas, Scotty Buff, Josh Liendo), 2. Georgia A 1:28.02, 3. Florida B 1:28.72.

1,000-yard freestyle: 1. Jake Magahey, GA 8:59.36, 2. Eric Brown, UF 9:00.81, 3. Andrew Taylor, UF 9:0.37.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Tomas Koski, GA 1:35.56, 2. Jake Mitchell, UF 1:35.64, 3. Zach Hils, GA 1:36.88.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Ruard Van Renen, GA 46.66, 2. Bradley Dunham, GA 47.47, 3. Jonny Marshall, UF 47.62.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Julian Smith, UF 53.74, 2. Aleksas Savickas, UF 53.86, 3.Peter Bretzmann, UF 55.63.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Jake Magahey, GA 1:45.37, 2. Josh Parent, UF 1:48.64, 3. Jace Crawford, UF 1:4970.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Josh Liendo, UF 19.30, 2. Reese Branzell, GA 20.16, 3. Miles Simon, GA 20.26.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Macguire McDuff, UF 43.56, 2. Julian Smith, 43.94, 3. Reese Branell, GA 44.08.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Jonny Marshall, UF 1:44.38, 2. Sam Powe, GA 1:44.95, 3. Ruard Van Renen, GA 1:46.32.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Aleksas Savickas, UF 1:59.01, 2. Peter Bretzmann, UF 1:59.38, 3. Connor Haigh, GA 2:02.17.

500-yard freestyle: . Jake Magahey, GA 4:21.23, 2. Jake Mitchell, UF 4:21.70, 3. Eric Brown, UF 4:27.89.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Josh Liendo, UF 46.30, 2. Jace Crawford, UF 47.41, 3. Scotty Buff, UF 47.95.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Zach Hils, GA 1:47.24, 2. Sean Sullivan, UF 1:50.34, 3. Zach Franklin, GA 1:50.87.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida A 2:55.74 (Josh Liendo, Julian Smith, Jake Mitchell, Macguire McDuff), 2. Georgia A 2:56.56, 3. Georgia B 3:00.70.

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

Florida Splits With Virginia In SEC Dual Meet Showdown; Gator Freshman Julia Podkoscielny Makes NCAA B Cut

By Sharon Robb
GAINESVILLE, October 13, 2023—University of Florida freshman Julia Podkoscielny made her first NCAA B cut against No. 1 ranked Virginia Friday at the O’Connell Center.

The Pine Crest alum, swimming in a regular suit, finished third in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:14.68, well under the cut time of 4:17.30.

Junior teammate Emma Weyant won the event in 4:07.51, also a B cut. The Olympic silver medalist in the event from Sarasota swam the fastest time in the nation this season. Weyant also won the 500 freestyle in 4:39.22.

Podkoscielny was also fifth in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:15.92.

In the most exciting women’s collegiate meet of the season so far, No. 1 ranked and three-time defending NCAA champion Virginia women defeated No. 7 Florida, 164-136. The No. 3 Gator men toppled No. 15 Virginia, 202-93 (exhibition-aided).

In an exhibition heat of the 200 freestyle, Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky and Natalie Hinds raced. Dressel won in 1:34.98, just a second off his best time; Ledecky was second in 1:46.37 and Hinds was third.

Gretchen Walsh led the Gator women with two individual wins and two relay wins. She won the 100-yard backstroke in 50.29 and 100-yard freestyle in 47.19. She was a member of the winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.

Olympian Bella Sims won the 200 backstroke in 1:52.49 and was second in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.

In the men’s lopsided victory, sophomore sprinter Josh Liendo won the 50 freestyle in 19.43 and 100 butterfly in 46.99.

Junior Mason Lau was also a double winner in the 200 butterfly in 1:44.14 and 400 IM in 3:49.64.

Jake Mitchell also won two events in the 200 freestyle in 1:35.06 and 500-yard freestyle in 4:21.35.

It was fun watching 2024 U.S. Olympic coaches Anthony Nesty of Florida and Todd DeSorbo of Virginia coach against each other. The entire meet can be seen on SwimSwam’s YouTube channel.

FRIDAY RESULTS
Virginia 164, Florida 136
WOMEN
200-yard medley relay:

1. Virginia A 1:35.89 (Gretchen Walsh, Jasmine Nocentini, Alex Walsh, Maxine Parker), 2. Florida 1:38.67, 3. Virginia B 1:38.84.

1,000-yard freestyle:

1. Cavan Gormsen, UV 9:42.49, 2. Caroline Pennington, UF 9:49.07, 3. Sophia Knapp, UV 9:50.57, 4. Anna Auld, UF 9:57.28.

200-yard freestyle:

1. Aimee Canny, UV 1:44.44, 2. Emma Weyant, UF 1:45.16, 3. Isabel Ivey, UF 1:45.18.

100-yard backstroke:

1. Gretchen Walsh, UV 50.29, 2. Bella Sims, UF 51.79, 3. Catherine Choate, UF 54.12.

100-yard breaststroke:

1. Alex Walsh, UV 59.37, 2. Jasmine Nocentini, UV 59.81, 3. Emma Weber, UV 1:00.37.

200-yard butterfly:

1. Tess Howley, UV 1:54.75, 2. Lainy Kruger, UF 1:58.29, 3. Abby Harter, UV 1:58.53.

50-yard freestyle:

1. Micayla Cronk, UF 22.79, 2. Maxine Parker, UV 22.88, 3. Jasmine Nocentini, UV 23.04.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Gretchen Walsh, UV 47.19, 2. Micayla Cronk, UF 48.90, 3. Isabel Ivey, UF 49.53.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Bella Sims, UF 1:52.49, 2. Reilly Tiltmann, UF 1:55.52, 3. Catie Choate, UF 1:55.94.

200-yard breaststroke:

1. Ella Nelson, UV 2:09.68, 2. Grace Rainey, UF 2:12.62, 3. Aimee Canny, UV 2:13.33, 5. Julia Podkoscielny, UF 2:15.92.

500-yard freestyle:

1. Emma Weyant, UF 4:39.22, 2. Cavan Gormsen, UV 4:42.37, 3. Sophia Knapp, UV 4:47.08, 4. Anna Auld, UF 4:51.94.

100-yard butterfly:

1. Alex Walsh, UV 51.87, 2. Bella Sims, UF 52.09, 3. Olivia Peoples. UF 52.48.

3-meter diving:

1. Camyla Monroy, UF 418.38, 2. Elizabeth Kaye, UV 307.35, 3. Carina Lumia, UF 301.65.

400-yard individual medley:

1. Emma Weyant, UF 4:07.51, 2. Ella Nelson, UV 4:12.26, 3. Julia Podkoscielny, UF 4:14.68, NCAA B cut (4:17.30), 6. Anna Auld, UF 4:21.40.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Virginia A 3:14.73 (Gretchen Walsh, Alex Walsh, Aimee Canny, Zoe Skirboll), 2. Florida A 3:15.80. 3. Virginia B 3:17.98.

Florida 202, Virginia 93
MEN
1-meter diving:

1. Conor Gesing, UF 365.05, 2. Peyton Donald, UF 359.33, 3. Christopher Donald, UF 315.45 (Zones qualifying score: 300).

200-yard medley relay:

1. Florida A 1:25.82 (Adam Chaney, Aleksas Savickas, Josh Liendo, Macguire McDuff), 2. Florida B 1:27.87, 3. Virginia A 1:28.38.

1,000-yard freestyle:

1. Eric Brown, UF 9:03.88, 2. Andrew Taylor, UF 9:05.14, 3. Josh Parent, UF 9:14.38.

200-yard freestyle:

1. Jake Mitchell, UF 1:35.06, 2. Macguire McDuff, UF 1:38.64, 3. Sean Sullivan, UF 1:3.88.

100-yard backstroke:

1. Adam Chaney, UF 46.99, 2. Jonny Marshall, UF 47.33, 3. Will Cole, UV 48.76.

100-yard breaststroke:

1. Julian Smith, UF 54.18, 2. Alesksas Savicka, UF 54.26, 3. Tim Connery, UV 55.34.

200-yard butterfly:

1. Mason Laur, UF 1:44.14, 2. Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero, UF 1:45.52, 3. Sebastien Sergile, UV 1:46.39.

50-yard freestyle:

1. Josh Liendo, UF 19.43, 2. Matt Brownstead, UV 19.82, 3. Connor Boyle, UV 20.29.

100-yard freestyle:

1. Macguire McDuff, UF 43.09, 2. Matt Brownstead, UV 43.54, 3. Julian Smith, UF 44.69.

200-yard backstroke:

1. Jonny Marshall, UF 1:45.82, 2. Caleb Maldari, UF 1:47.35, exhib., 3. Sean Sullivan, UF 1:47.84, exhib.

200-yard breaststroke:

1. Aleskas Savickas, UF 1:58.67, 2. Peter Bretzmann, UF 2:00.65, exhib., 3. Max Iida, UV 2:01.52, exhib.

500-yard freestyle:

1. Jake Mitchell, UF 4:21.35, 2. Eric Brown, UF 4:24.35, exhib., 3. Andrew Taylor, UF 4:28.69, exhib.

100-yard butterfly:

1. Josh Liendo, UF 46.99, 2. Jace Crawford, UF 47.69, exhib., 3. Scotty Buff, UF 47.70, exhib.

400-yard individual medley:

1. Mason Laur, UF 3:49.64, 2. Josh Parent, UF 3:54.32, exhib., 3. Giovanni Linscheer, UF 3:55.21, exhib.

400-yard freestyle relay:

1. Florida A 2:54.61 (Josh Liendo, Adam Chaney, Julian Smith, Macguire McDuff), 2. Virginia B 2:55.38, 3. Virginia A 2:59.74.

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

University of Florida Women’s Team Wins Season Opener; Podkoscielny, Sims Make College Debut

By Sharon Robb
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Reigning SEC champion University of Florida women’s team made it look easy winning its season-opener Friday at Centennial Sportsplex.

The No. 6-ranked Gators, buoyed by talent and loads of depth, dominated SEC opponent Vanderbilt, 180-75. The Gators won every individual event and swept the relays with their “B” teams.

Freshman Julia Podkoscielny, 19, made her college debut swimming two exhibitions. The Pine Crest alum finished the 200-yard individual medley in 2:02.51 that would have placed her second in the event. She also swam the 500 freestyle in 4:53.03 that also would have placed her second.

Olympian Bella Sims, also making her college debut won three events: 100-yard backstroke in 52.64, 100-yard freestyle in 49.20 and 100-yard butterfly in 53.06.

NCAA runner-up and Cal transfer Isabel Ivey also won three events: 200-yard freestyle in 1:47.44, 50-yard freestyle in 23.34 and 200-yard individual medley in 2:01.64.

Caroline Pennington and Grace Rainey were double winners.

Pennington won the 1,000-yard freestyle in 9:45.27 and 500-yard freestyle in 4:50.19.

Rainey won the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:14.70 and 100-yard breaststroke in 1:02.54.

Anna Auld, 20, of West Palm Beach was second in the 1,000-yard freestyle in 9:49.12.

The Gators next meet is Oct. 13 when they host reigning NCAA champion Virginia.

WOMEN
200-yard medley relay: 1. Florida B 1:41.11 (Bella Sims, Molly Mayne, Olivia Peoples, Elan Daley), 2. Florida C 1:42.35, 3. Vanderbilt A 1:43.46.

1,000-yard freestyle: 1. Caroline Pennington, UF 9:45.27, 2. Anna Auld, UF 9:49.12, 3. Michaela Mattes, UF 10:00.15.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Isabel Ivey, UF 1:47.44, 2. Emma Weyant, UF 1:47.53, 3. Ekaterina Nikonva, UF 1:49.73.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Bella Sims, UF 52.64, 2. Catherine Choate, UF 53.60, 3. Carly Meeting, UF 54.52.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Grace Rainey, UF 1:02.54, 2. Olivia Peoples, UF 1:03.09, 3. Molly Mayne, UF 1:03.18.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Lainy Kruger, UF 1:58.88, 2. Amanda Ray, UF 1:59.79, 3. Zoe Dixon, UF 2:00.33.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Isabel Ivey, UF 23.34, 2. Olivia Peoples, UF 23.57, 3. Megan Cieczak, VAN 24.19.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Bella Sims, UF 49.20, 2. Ekaterina Nikonova, UF 51.49, 3. Abby Francis, VAN 51.96.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Catherine Choate, UF 1:55.86, 2. Grace Ciaramitaro, VAN 2:04.84, 3. Emily Carpenter, VAN 2:05.03.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Grace Rainey, UF 2:14.70, 2. Faith Knelson, VAN 2:22.06, 3. Taylor Carey, VAN 2:23.63.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Caroline Pennington, UF 4:50.19, 2. Madelyn Porter, VAN 5:08.91, 3. Kate Heintz, VAN 5:09.23, EXH Julia Podkoscielny, UF 4:53.03.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Bella Sims, UF 53.06, 2. Kailia Utley, VAN 55.71, 3. Alina Stout, VAN 59.22.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Isabel Ivey, UF 2:01.64, 2. Ellie Taliaferro, VAN 2:04.38, 3. Madeline Smith, VAN 2:11.86, EXH Julia Podkoscielny, UF 2:02.51.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida B 1:35.29 (Ekaterina Nikonova, Aris Runnels, Olivia Peoples, Elan Daley), 2. Vanderbilt A 1:35.48, 3. Vanderbilt B 1:37.33.

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

Gators Sweep 800 Free Relays On Day One Of SEC Championships; Florida Gold Coast Well-Represented

By Sharon Robb
COLLEGE STATION, Tex., February 14, 2023—University of Florida opened with two relay wins Tuesday in the Southeastern Conference Championships at the Rec Center Natatorium.

What’s expected to be a showdown between defending women’s champion Tennessee and Florida for the women’s title, the Gators got the ball rolling in the 800-yard freestyle relay.

Florida women won the 800-yard freestyle relay in 6:57.11 with Ekaterina Nikonova, Talia Bates, Emma Weyant and Micayla Cronk while Tennessee was second in 6:58.26.

The Gators were also second in the women’s 200-yard medley relay in 1:34.76 just behind Alabama in 1:34.20 with Aris Runnels, Nina Kucheran, Olivia Peoples and Katie Mack.

Defending men’s champion Florida also won the 800 free relay in 6:08.64 with Macguire McDuff, Julian Smith, Alfonso Mestre and Jake Mitchell. Auburn was second in 6:12.39.

Florida men were also runners-up in the 200-yard medley relay in 1:21.73 with Adam Chaney, Aleksas Savickas, Eric Friese and Josh Liendo.

In diving, Brooke Schultz of South Carolina won the 3-meter springboard with 356.35 points and Victor Povzner of Texas A&M won the 1-meter with 375.50.

The Florida Gold Coast is well-represented with qualifiers. They are sisters Kathleen and Molly Golding of Florida, Anna Auld of Florida, Patrick Groters and Kyle Korvick of South Carolina.

TUESDAY RESULTS
WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. LSU 178, 2. Florida 150, 3. Kentucky 149, 4. South Carolina 142, 5. Tennessee 136.
WOMEN RESULTS
200-yard medley relay: 1. Alabama 1:34.20 (Rhyan White, Avery Wiseman, Emily Jones,Kalia Antoniou), 2. Florida 1:34.76 (Aris Runnels, Nina Kucheran, Olivia Peoples, Katie Mack), 3. Tennessee 1:35.53.

3-meter diving: 1. Brooke Schultz, SC 356.35, 2. Sophie Verzyl, SC 349.65, 3. Chaira Pellacani, LSU 341.85.

800-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida 6:57.11 (Ekaterina Nikonova, Talia Bates, Emma Weyant, Micayla Cronk), 2. Tennessee 6:58.26, 3. Georgia 6:58.90.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Texas A&M 229, 2. Auburn 166, 3. Tennessee 159, 4. Florida 138, 5. Missouri 126.
MEN RESULTS
1-meter diving: 1. Victor Povzner, TAMU 375.50, 2. Bryden Hatties, TENN 364.40, 3. Rhett Hensley, TAMU 343.60.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Tennessee 1:21.43 (Bjoern Kammann, Michael Houlie, Jordan Crooks, Guilherme Santos), 2. Florida 1:21.73 (Adam Chaney, Aleksas Savickas, Eric Friese, Josh Liendo), 3. Auburn 1:22.98.

800-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida 6:08.64 (Macguire McDuff, Julian Smith, Alfonso Mestre, Jake Mitchell), 2. Auburn 6:12.39, 3. Alabama 6:12.46.

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

Hurricanes Win Season-Opener Against Florida International University, Head To SMU Classic This Weekend

By Sharon Robb
CORAL GABLES, October 3, 2022—University of Miami women’s swimming and diving team recently opened its season successfully with a win over cross-town rival Florida International University at Whitten Center Pool.

The Hurricanes defeated the Panthers, 196-103, in their first dual meet of the season.

“It was a good meet, lots of good energy,” UM head coach Andy Kershaw said. “The things I love about this is it really gives us a chance to evaluate the things we are doing well and what we can improve on. There are things to improve on, but we did a lot of things really well.”

One of Miami’s top-point scorers was junior diver and reigning NCAA national champion Mia Vallée, who won the 3-meter springboard with 308.93 points and finished second on 1-meter with 307.13. UM teammate and sophomore diver Emma Gullstrand won 1-meter springboard with 326.03 and second on 3-meter with 297.90 points.

Redshirt junior Adrianna Cera was a double winner in the 1,000-yard freestyle in 10:21.09 and 500-yard freestyle in 5:02.20. She was also a member of the winning 400-yard freestyle relay that won in 3:25.93.

Captain and veteran Zorry Mason won the 100-yard backstroke in 56.39 was second in the 200-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley. She was also a member of the winning 200-yard medley relay.

Sophomore Jacey Hinton was also a double winner for the Hurricanes in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.26 and 100-yard freestyle in 51.01.

Miami’s next meet will be the Oct. 7-8 SMU Classic in Dallas.

“The SMU Classic is certainly very special,” Kershaw said. “It’s also challenging because we have a very limited travel squad, so I’m looking forward to going to that competition, but also have some mixed emotions since we’re going to have some people here in Miami. It’s always great to get a chance to get on the bus and race.”

The Hurricanes were ranked No. 22 in the SwimSwam pre-season power rankings. In addition to the return of Vallee, several veteran swimmers who helped combine for 25 Top-10 performances in school history last season return to the lineup.

“We’re super excited about the season,” Kershaw said. “The team seems to have a hunger to them. Swimming can be very focused towards March and the postseason, but our team is eager to play the game.

“Our sport can get so driven on practice, we really kind of emphasize the importance of letting the game drive the practices, and they have really embraced it.

“The Top 10s and success last year, it seemed to only make them more hungry. Sometimes you go through that and you feel a lot of satisfaction. In this situation, it put them on the doorstop and had them very hungry to complete that process.”

The meet also marked the debut of South Florida Aquatic Club lead age group coach Kyle Cormier, a volunteer assistant at FIU.

WOMEN’S SWIMMING
University of Miami 196, Florida International 103
200-yard medley relay: 1. Miami A 1:41.68, 2. Miami B 1:43.76, 3. FIU A 1:44.26.

1,000-yard freestyle: 1. Adrianna Cera, UM 10:21.09, 2. Aino Otava, UM 10:23.16, 3. Kate Sommerstad, UM 10:27.71.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Harliai Curthoys-Davies, FIU 1:51.91, 2. Jane Fitzgerald, UM 1:52.01, 3. Savannah Barr, UM 1:52.23, 5. Eriana Temperino, FIU 1:54.64.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Zorryonna Mason, UM 56.39, 2. Celina Kuehne, UM 56.94, 3. Gia Pergolini, FIU 57.53.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Christie Chue, FIU 1:02.58, 2. Tara Vovk, UM 1:03.31, 3. Giulia Carvalho, UM 1:03.49.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Mia Zahab, FIU 2:06.49, 2. Kaitlyn Bitting, UM 2:06.80, 3. Isabel Traba, UM 2:07.16.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Jacey Hinton, UM 23.26, 2. Hailiai Curthoys-Davies, FIU 23.88, 3. Hana Spaulding, UM 24.04, 7. Delaney Biro, FIU 25.84.

1-meter diving: 1. Emma Gullstrand, UM 326.03, 2. Mia Vallee, UM 307.13, 3. Maha Gouda, FIU 299.25.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Jacey Hilton, UM 51.01, 2. Jane Fitzgerald, UM 51.99, 3. Hana Spaulding, UM 52.47.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Sarah Sensenbrenner, UM 2:02.48, 2. Kate Sommerstad, UM 2:04.19, 3. Celina Kuehner, UM 2:07.29., 4. Anelis Roque, FIU 2:08.52.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Christie Chue, FIU 2:16.31, 2. Zorryonna Mason, UM 2:19.24, 3. Tara Vovk, UM 2:19.27.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Adrianna Cera, UM 5:02.20, 2. Harliai Curthoys-Davies, FIU 5:05.07, 3. Aino Otava, UM 5:05.23.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Giulia Carvalho, UM 56.01, 2. Mia Zahab, FIU 57.29, 3. Savannah Barr, UM 57.66, 7. Delaney Biro, FIU 1:00.72.

3-meter diving: 1. Mia Vallee, UM 308.93, 2. Emma Gulstrand, UM 297.90, 3. Maha Gouda, FIU 295.95.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Christie Chue, FIU 2:04.11, 2. Zorryonna Mason, UM 2:05.69, 3. Eriana Temperino, FIU 2:09.58.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Miami A 3:25.93, 2. FIU A 3:28.48, 3. FIU B 3:41.49.

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

Florida Gators Win Season Opener Against Nova Southeastern, Arkansas; Golding Takes Two Seconds, Anchors Winning Relay

By Sharon Robb
GAINESVILLE, September 23, 2022—If Friday’s season-opener at the Stephen O’Connell Center Natatorium is any indication, University of Florida men’s and women’s teams are in for a great season.

The Gators’ women’s team defeated Nova Southeastern, 244-44, and Arkansas, 219-79, in a double-dual, while the men’s team topped Nova Southeastern, 252-42.

The Gators finished with seven B-cuts and won every event but one.

South Florida Aquatic Club alum and Gators team captain Kathleen Golding finished second in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:50.19 and second in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:02.24.

Golding also anchored the winning 400-yard freestyle relay that won in 3:20.56 with teammates Talia Bates, Micayla Cronk and Ekaterina Nikonova.

Florida started off sweeping the 200 medley relays to open the meet. The men had four relay teams finish in the top five, while the women claimed 13 points on first and third place finishes.

Gainesville native and senior Talia Bates won four events, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 200 medley relay, and 400 free relay.

In his first college start, Joshua Liendo was three for three in first place finishes. The Canadian Olympian swam the third leg of the 200 medley relay in his first college race, before winning the 50 freestyle in 19.69, earning a B-cut, and winning the 100 butterfly in 48.06.

In the 1000 free, Hayden Miller swam a 9:53.52, over 13 seconds ahead of the field in her college debut. The freshman from Houston also won the 500 freestyle in 4:51.10.

Nina Kucheran won three events in her Florida debut, winning the 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, and 200 medley relay.

Carina Lumia swept the women’s diving competition, winning at the 1-meter and 3-meter, while Anton Svirskyi swept the 1-meter and 3-meter.

WOMEN
Florida 244, Nova Southeastern 44
Florida 219, Arkansas 79
3-meter diving: 1. Carina Lumia, UF 291.00, 2. Grace Walker, ARK 272.48, 3. Elettra Neroni, UF 248.93.

1-meter diving: 1. Carina Lumia, UF 286.80, 2. Elettra Neroni, UF 284.10, 3. Grace Walker, ARK 262.73.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Florida B 1:40.72 (Katie Mack, Nina Kucheran, Olivia Peoples, Talia Bates), 2. Arkansas A 1:40.99, 3. Florida A 1:43.84.

1,000-yard freestyle: 1. Hayden Miller, UF 9:53.52, 2. Anna Auld, UF 10:06.77, 3. Camille DeBoer, UF 10:15.37.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Taylor Mathieu, UF 1:49.36, 2. Kathleen Golding, UF 1:50.19, 3. Kobie Melton, ARK 1:51.59. 11. Sara Quintero, NSU 2:04.47, EXH: Mallory Schleicher, UF 1:58.07.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Talia Bates, UF 54.23, 2. Andrea Sansores, ARK 54.78, 3. Aris Runnels, UF 55.92, 4. Celina Marquez, NSU 56.83.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Nina Kucheran, UF 1:02.09, 2. Vanessa Herrmann, ARK 1:02.88, 3. Olivia Peoples, UF 1:03.32; EXH: Molly Golding, UF 1:07.18.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Luciana Thomas, ARK 1:59.01, 2. Amanda Ray, UF 1:59.12, 3. Betsy Wizard, ARK 2:00.44.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Ekaterina Nikonova, UF 22.45, 2. Katie Mack, UF 22.56, 3. Bella Cothern, ARK 22.93, 10. Solana Capalbo, NSU 24.79.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Ekaterina Nikonova, UF 48.95, 2. Katie Mack, UF 49.65, 3. Micayla Cronk, UF 50.61.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Mabel Zavaros, UF 1:56.92, 2. Zoe Dixon, UF 2:00.63, 3. Kobie Melton, ARK 2:02.24, 9. Solana Capalbo, NSU 2:12.79, EXH: Amanda Kopas, NSU 2:20.52.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Nina Kucheran, UF 2:15.76, 2. Vanessa Herrmann, ARK 2:15.84, 3. Tylor Mathieu, UF 2:17.20; EXH: Molly Golding, UF 2:25.66.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Hayden Miller, UF 4:51.10, 2. Elise Bauer, UF 4:51.93, 3. Luciana Thomas, ARK 5:00.06, 10. Sara Quintero, NSU 5:26.19; EXH: Anna Auld, UF 4:58.61, Mallory Schleicher, UF 5:11.90.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Talia Bates, UF 53.84, 2. Olivia Peoples, UF 54.53, 3. Betsy Wizard, ARK 54.89, 9. Amanda Kopas, NSU 1:00.76.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Mabel Zavaros, UF 2:01.21, 2. Kathleen Golding, UF 2:02.24, 3. Nina Kucheran, UF 2:04.81.

400-yard freestyle: 1. Florida A 3:20.56 (Talia Bates, Micayla Cronk, Ekaterina Nikonova, Kathleen Golding), 2. Arkansas A 3:24.36, 3. Florida B 3:24.59.

MEN
Florida 252, Nova Southeastern 42
1-meter diving: 1. Anton Svirskyi, UF 367.43, 2. Elisha Dees, UF 320.78, 3. Brandon Wegner, UF 289.13.

3-meter diving: 1. Anton Svirskyi,UF 380.40, 2. Elisha Dees, UF 319.65, 3. Brandon Wegner, UF 272.10.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Florida A 1:28.04 (Adam Chaney, Dillon Hillis, Josh Liendo, Alberto Mestre), 2. Florida B 1:30.84, 3. Florida C 1:32.81.

1,000-yard freestyle: 1. Brennan Gravely, UF 9:09.98, 2. Eric Brown, UF 9:11.61, 3. Jack VanDeusen, UF 9:12.22.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Julian Smith, UF 1:37.56, 2. Jake Mitchell, UF 1:37.57, 3. Oskar Lindholm, UF 1:37.59.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Adam Chaney, UF 48.45, 2. Cam Abaqueta, UF 50.49, 3. Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero, UF 50.53.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Dillon Hillis, UF 55.30, 2. Aleksas Savicka, UF 55.51, 3. Raphael Rached Windmuller, UF 56.12.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Billy Jones, UF 1:49.00, 2. Alfonso Mestre, UF 1:51.12, 3. Tyler Watson, UF 1:51.51.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Josh Liendo, UF 19.69, 2. Alberto Mestre, UF 19.97, 3. Eric Friese, UF 20.47.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Julian Smith, UF 43.53, 2. Alberto Mestre, UF 44.31, 3. Trey Freeman, UF 44.47.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Adam Chaney, UF 1:49.11, 2. Kevin Vargas, UF 1:49.67, 3. Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero, UF 1:51.19.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Raphael Rached Windmuller, UF 2:00.13, 2. Aleksas Savickas, UF 2:00.56, 3. Oskar Lindholm, UF 2:01.89.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Jake Mitchell, UF 4:24.92, 2. Eric Brown, UF 4:27.46, 3. Giovanni Linscheer, UF 4:32.52.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Josh Liendo, UF 48.06, 2. Jace Crawford, UF 48.36, 3. Alfonso Mestre, UF 49.96.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Kevin Vargas, UF 1:46.80, 2. Julian Smith, UF 1:48.97, 3. Billy Jones, UF 1:51.53.

400-yard individual medley: 1. Brennan Gravely, UF 3:55.29, 2. Jack Van Deusen, UF 4:01.11, 3. Wesley Hyde, UF 4:06.06.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida C 2:59.41 (Oskar Lindholm, Alfonso Mestre, Ed Fullum-Hout, Trey Freeman) , 2. Nova Southeastern A 3:06.78, 3. Florida B 3:07.44.

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

Florida Gators Announce 2022-23 Schedule; SOFLO Alum Kathleen Golding Named Team Captain

By Sharon Robb
GAINESVILLE, September 14, 2022—University of Florida will open its 2022-23 men’s and women’s schedule at home against Nova Southeastern and Arkansas on Sept. 23 at the O’Connell Center Natatorium.

The season-opener is one of four home meets. Arkansas has only a women’s team. NSU has both a men’s and women’s team.

After a month of training, the Gators head to Virginia to swim defending women’s national champion Cavaliers on Saturday, Oct. 22 in Charlottesville.

Florida will then swim conference opponents on back-to-back weeks, at Georgia in Athens, Ga. on Friday, Oct. 28 in its annual rivalry before returning to Gainesville to host Tennessee on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The Gators end the 2022 calendar year with three straight invitationals: Georgia Invite, Nov. 17-19, U.S. Open, Nov. 30-Dec. 3 in Greensboro, N.C. before diving ends 2022 at the Auburn Invitational, Dec. 16-20.

The 2023 part of the schedule opens at home Florida Atlantic University, Jan. 14, before hosting a diving invitational Jan. 20-21, while simultaneously swimming Florida State on Jan. 20 in Ocala, in its final dual meet. Two weeks later, the Gators will swim in the Feb. 3-5 Auburn Last Chance Invitational.

The Gators begin the post-season at the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships Feb. 14-16 in College Station, Tex. The men will go for their 11th straight conference titles, before the Bulldog Last Chance Meet from Feb. 24-25 in Athens. Qualified divers will compete at the NCAA Diving Zones from Mar. 5-8.

The season ends at the NCAA Swimming National Championships, with the women’s meet in Knoxville, Tenn., March 15-18 and men’s meet in Minneapolis, Minn., March 22-25.

One of the highlights of the season is South Florida Aquatic Club alum Kathleen Golding will serve as one of the Gators’ team captains for the 2022-23. The two-time U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier is a senior and three-time All-American. Her marquis events are the 200 and 400 IM though she swims several other events, both sprint and distance.

Golding’s younger sister, Molly, also a SOFLO alum, will begin her sophomore season in the IM and breaststroke events.

Other Gators with South Florida and Florida Gold Coast ties are sophomore Anna Auld of West Palm Beach, who is coming off an outstanding summer; and freshman Mallory Schleicher, another SOFLO alum.

Florida’s men’s and women’s head coach Anthony Nesty was recently named the 2022 American Swimming Coaches Association George Haines Coach of the Year at the ASCA World Clinic Sept. 8 in Las Vegas. Nesty joins former Florida coaches Gregg Troy and Randy Reese as the only coaches in Gators history to win the award.

The award is annually given to the individual whose coaching contributed the most towards American swimming excellence at the world level. Nesty was one of six finalists who coached athletes that won gold medals at the FINA World Championships last June in Budapest, Hungary.

Nesty coached multiple gold medalists in Budapest, including Caeleb Dressel, Bobby Finke, Kieran Smith and UF volunteer Coach Katie Ledecky. The four combined for eight gold medals, the most golds coached by any finalist for the award the year.

Six current Gators, four former Gators and volunteer coach Katie Ledecky were named to the 2022-23 U.S. National Team.

Anna Auld, Emma Weyant, Natalie Hinds, and Katie Ledecky were selected for the women’s team, and Brennan Gravley, Jacob Mitchell, Trey Freeman, Kevin Vargas, Caeleb Dressel, Bobby Finke, and Kieran Smith were named on the men’s roster. Florida has 11 athletes on the team, tied with Texas/Longhorn Aquatics for most-represented club/college. Auld and Gravley were both selected as open water athletes in May 2022, and are active through October 31, 2022.

2022-23 UF Men’s, Women’s Schedule
Sept. 23, Nova Southeastern, Arkansas, 10 a.m.
Oct. 22, at Virginia, 10 a.m.
Oct. 28, at Georgia, 10 a.m.
Nov. 5, Tennessee, 10 a.m.
Nov. 17-19, at Georgia Invite
Nov. 30-Dec. 3, U.S. Open, Greensboro, N.C.
Greensboro, NC
Dec. 16-20, Auburn Invitational, Diving
Jan. 14, Florida Atlantic, 2 p.m.
Jan. 20-21, UF Diving Invitational
Jan. 20, Florida State at Ocala, 2 p.m.
Feb. 3-5, Auburn Last Chance
Feb. 14-18, SEC Championships, College Station, Tex.
Feb. 24-25, Bulldogs Last Chance Meet, Athens, Ga.
Mar. 5-8, NCAA Diving Zones – TBD
Mar. 15-18, Women’s NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, Knoxville, Tenn.
Mar. 22-25, Men’s NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, Minneapolis

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

FSU Seminoles Win Quad Meet; Izaak Bastian, SOFLO’s Gaby Banks Top Three Finishers

By Sharon Robb
TALLAHASSEE, October 30, 2021—Florida State swept North Florida, West Florida and Florida Southern Saturday in its annual “Paint It Pink” Meet.

Sponsored by Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, the meet supports the fight against breast cancer.

“This meet is always a lot of fun,” FSU head coach Neal Studd said. “It’s great to get some other Florida teams here for us and to mix it up a little. It’s a great opportunity for the athletes that did not travel last week to show us what they have.”

The No. 15 Seminoles picked up a combined four wins at Morcom Aquatics Center.

The 15th-ranked men’s team (3-0, 1-0 ACC) defeated Florida Southern 196.50-65.50.

The women’s team (4-1, 1-0 ACC) picked up three victories, defeating UWF 240-59, North Florida 248-45 and the Mocs 244-49.

“It was good to see some different events out of people today,” Studd said. “We saw some people step up and help us in areas where we go against SEC and ACC teams.”

The Seminoles won a combined 26 events, with 19 sweeps including the both the men’s and women’s 200 medley relay.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Gaby Banks, a sophomore who competes for Jamaica internationally, was third in the 50-yard freestyle in 24.40, 11th in the 100-yard freestyle in 54.75 and was a member of the 200-yard medley relay that finished second in 1:47.40.

Senior Izaak Bastian, a St. Andrew’s alum and member of the Bahamian national team, was third in the 100-yard freestyle in 47.18 and was a member of the third place 200-yard freestyle relay that finished in 1:24.73.

In the women’s meet, Nina Kucheran (1:52.35), Ashley Zettle (1:52.97) and Tania Quaglieri (1:55.87) swept the 200 freestyle and Jaden Herbet was first in the 100 backstroke in 57.24.

FSU added another sweep in the 100 breaststroke, led by Maddy Huggins (1:03.04) followed by Hannah Womer (1:03.37) and Nora Woods (1:07.08).

Edith Jernstedt (2:03.75) won the 200 butterfly and Pia Murray (2:08.77) followed was second.

Gloria Muzito won the 50 freestyle in 24.08 followed by Aryanna Fernandes in 24.18.

Herbet won her second event of the day, leading a sweep of the 200 backstroke in 2:05.29, followed by Murray in 2:07.62 and Natalie Peterson in 2:08.53.

Katherine Baker was first in the 200 breaststroke (2:23.51) ahead of Rachel Moran (2:24.20) and Woods (2:24.66).

FSU took the top three places in the 500 freestyle with Phoebe Griffiths (4:59.23), Kucheran (5:03.89) and Zettle (5:08.72).

Womer added a win in the 100 butterfly (55.15) ahead of Murray (56.64) and Huggins in third (57.97).

The women added another sweep in the 400 individual medley led by Syd VanOvermeiren (4:24.81) followed by Sydney Boals (4:28.22) and Olivia Sapio (4:31.67).

FSU took first in the 200 freestyle relay by Muzito, Zsofia Kurdi, Quaglieri and Womer in 1:36.09.

Samantha Vear (284.18) won the 1-meter diving ahead of teammates Victoria Cervantes (280.65) and Isabel Gregersen (278.40). On 3-meter, Cervantes (314.70) edged Gregersen (302.03) and Vear (281.93) for first-place.

After the sweep of the 200 medley relay in the men’s meet, Nick Mason came back with a win in the 1000 freestyle in 9:26.05 followed by Zach Smith in (9:27.54).

FSU swept the 200 freestyle with Yordan Yanchev (1:39.95), Sam Budd (1:40.52) and David Quirie (1:42.23).

Florida Southern’s Brandon Dyck won the 100 backstroke. FSU’s Peter Varjasi won the 100 breaststroke in 55.08.

FSU had a one-two finish in the 200 butterfly with Brennan Hammond (1:51.97) and Auben Nugent (1:52.27).

Max McCusker (20.48), Jakub Ksiazek (20.71) and Ian Cooper (20.75) combined for the sweep of the 50 freestyle before the break.

Adrian Aguilar won the 100 freestyle in 45.84. Arijus Pavlidi (1:50.16) won the 200 backstroke before FSU swept the 500 freestyle with Yanchev (4:29.89), Aziz Ghaffari (4:31.78) and Jason Brzozowski (4:35.66).

Mason Herbet won the 100 butterfly in 48.56 ahead of Varjasi (49.35) and Budd (49.36).

Nick Mason won the 400 individual medley (4:00.23) five seconds ahead of Brzozowski (4:05.50) and Tanker Speck (4:06.12).

The men finished the meet with a sweep in the 200 freestyle relay led by the ‘A’ team of Blake Moran, Mason Herbet, Varjasi and McCusker.

The Seminoles’ next meet is Friday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. against Florida at Morcom Aquatics Center for the Mental Health Awareness meet.

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

Florida Gators Sweep Georgia Bulldogs In Season Home Opener; Kathleen Golding Takes Two Seconds; Katie Ledecky Swims Men’s Exhibition 200, 500

By Sharon Robb
GAINESVILLE, October 29, 2021–Florida and Georgia renewed their longtime rivalry in a dual meet Thursday and Friday at the O’Connell Center.

The Gator women defeated the Bulldogs, 153-147, and the men’s team won, 180-120.

Florida leads the all-time series with an overall record of 62-19-3 including 8-4-1 in the last eleven dual meets.

SOFLO’s Kathleen Golding, a junior, was second in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:02, third in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:48.09 and sixth in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:51.17. She also swam anchor on the Gators’ runnerup 400-yard freestyle relay that finished in 3:18.48.

Freshman Molly Golding was seventh in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:22.09.

Freshman Anna Auld, another Florida Gold Coast swimmer, was third in the 1,000-yard freestyle in 9:53.26 and fifth in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:49.76.

Senior Miguel Cancel, who trains summers at SOFLO, was third in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:49.68, fifth in the 200-yard butterfly in 1:48.36 and fifth in the 200-yard backstroke in 1:48.05.

Several of the Gators big guns including Olympians Kieran Smith and Bobby Finke did not compete.

Ten-time Olympic medalist and 15-time World Champion medalist Katie Ledecky, now training in Gainesville and working as a volunteer coach, competed in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events.

Ledecky swam against the men in the 500 and finished in 4:30.55 in an exhibition, which would have easily won the women’s event. One of the most decorated swimmers in history also swam 1:42.80 in the 200.

The diving competition was held Thursday.

Florida heads next to Tallahassee to meet Florida State on Friday, Nov. 5.

The men’s team is ranked third and women ranked ninth in the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) preseason poll.

WOMEN
Florida 153, Georgia 147
3-meter diving: 1. Elizabeth Perez, UF 350.05, 2. Maha Amer, UF 304.73, 3. Carina Lumia, UF 282.15.

1-meter diving: 1. Elizabeth Perez, UF 315.83, 2. Maha Amer, UF 292.73, 3. Meghan Wenzel, UG 292.13.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Georgia A 1:39.72, 2. Florida A 1:40.08 (Aris Runnels, Olivia Peoples, Amanda Ray, Gabrielle Hillis), 3. Georgia B 1:41.22.

1,000-yard freestyle: 1. Elise Bauer, UF 9:43.77, 2. Abigail McCulloh, UG 9:47.89, 3. Anna Auld, UF 9:53.26.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Dune Coetzee, UG 1:47.52, 2. Micayla Cook, UF 1:47.75, 3. Kathleen Golding, UF 1:48.09.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Talia Bates, UF 54.01, 2. Eboni McCarty, UG 54.38, 3. Millie Sansome, UG 55.08.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Zoie Hartman, UG 1:00.76, 2. Tylor Mathieu, UF 1:01.78, 3. Olivia Peoples, UF 1:02.18.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Dakota Luther, UG 1:57.00, 2. Amanda Ray, UF 1:57.83, 3. Mabel Zavaros, UF 1:58.51.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Talia Bates, UF 22.63, 2. Gabi Fa’Amausilli, UG 22.81, 3. Gabrielle Hillis, UF 23.12.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Talia Bates, UF 48.82, 2. Maxine Parker, UG 49.96, 3. Micayla Cronk, UF 50.33.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Mabel Zavaros, UF 1:56.64, 2. Millie Sansome, UG 1:58.28, 3. Lain Shaboz, UF 2:00.33.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Zoie Hartman, UG 2:12.25, 2. Danielle Dellatorre, UG 2:14.02, 3. Tylor Mathieu, UF 2:14.17, 7. Molly Golding, UF 2:22.09.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Abigail McCulloh, UG 4:45.38, 2. Nikki Miller, UF 4:49.18, 3. Elise Bauer, UF 4:49.57, 5. Anna Auld, UF 4:49.76, 6. Kathleen Golding, UF 4:51.17.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Dakota Luther, UG 53.51, 2. Olivia Peoples, UF 53.75, 3. Amanda Ray, UF 54.09.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Zoie Hartman, UG 1:59.27, 2. Kathleen Golding, UF 2:02.00, 3. Mabel Zavaros, UF 2:02.02.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Georgia A 3:18.20, 2. Florida A 3:18.48 (Talia Bates, Micayla Cronk, Gabrielle Hillis, Kathleen Golding), 3. Georgia B 3:23.88.

MEN
Florida 180, Georgia 120
1-meter diving: 1. Leonardo Garcia, UF 330.90, 2. Nicholas Lydon, UF 309.30, 3. Nolan Lewis, UG 283.20.

3-meter diving: 1. Leonardo Garcia, UF 394.65, 2. Nicholas Lydon, UF 335.55, 3. Timothy Fagan, UG 285.68.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Florida A 1:25.71 (Adam Chaney, Dillon Hillis, Eric Friese, Will Davis), 2. Georgia A 1:26.48, 3. Georgia B 1:29.65.

1,000-yard freestyle: 1. Jake Magahey, UG 8:55.24, 2. Alfonso Mestre, UF 8:58.58, 3. Brennan Graveley, UF 9:03.30.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Trey Freeman, UF 1:34.41, 2. Gerry Quinn, UF 1:37.1, 3. Jake Magahey, UG 1:37.35, 6. Jorge Depassier, UF 1:39.49.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Adam Chaney, UF 47.23, 2. Wesley Ng, UG 47.81, 3. Ian Grum, UG 48.43.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Dillon Hillis, UF 54.82, 2. Raphael Rached Windmuller, UF 55.38, 3. Julian Smith, UF 56.02.

200-yard butterfly: 1. Luca Urlando, UG 1:42.09, 2. Andrew Abruzzo, UG 1:45.77, 3. Jace Crawford, UF 1:47.13, 5. Miguel Cancel, UF 1:48.36.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Will Davis, UF 19.83, 2. Eric Friese, UF 19.99, 3. Macguire McDuff, UF 20.02.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Gerry Quinn, UF 44.02, 2. Macguire McDuff, UF 44.14, 3. Zach Hils, UG 44.22, 6. Jorge Depassier, UF 45.64.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Ian Grum, UG 1:43.49, 2. Bradley Dunham, UG 1:46.15, 3. Mitchell Norton, UG 1:47.48, 5. Miguel Cancel, UF 1:48.05.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Dillon Hillis, UF 2:00.31, 2. Raphael Rached Windmuller, UF 2:00.46, 3. Kevin Vargas, UF 2:00.68.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Jake Magahey, UG 4:16.95, 2. Alfonso Mestre, UF 4:19.01, 3. Trey Freeman, UF 4:21.43; Exhbition, Katie Ledecky, UNA-UF 4:30.55.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Luca Urlando, UG 45.61, 2. Eric Friese, UF 46.65, 3. Wesley Ng, UG 48.31.

200-yard individual medley:

1. Luca Urlando, UG 1:45.12, 2. Zach Hils, UG 1:47.64, 3. Miguel Cancel, UF 1:49.68.

400-yard freestyle relay:

1. Florida A 2:55.67 (Eric Friese, Adam Cheny, Will Davis, Alfonso Mestre), 2. Florida B 2:58.20, 3. Georgia A 2:58.99.

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