By Sharon Robb
May 19, 2017—-Mallory Schleicher was South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher during opening day action of the Gulliver Summer Invitational Friday at Gulliver Prep Aquatic Center.
Schleicher, 13, was seventh in the 800-meter freestyle in 9:46.96. Seeded 13th, Schleicher shaved 37.23 seconds off her previous best of 10:24.19. It was the first time she dipped under 10 minutes in the long course distance event.
It was the first of seven events for the teenager.
SOFLO’s top boys’ finisher in the 1500-meter freestyle was Nicolas Rossi, 14, placing 16th in 19:07.44.
Alejandro Mateus, 12, was 22nd in 19:59.65 with a drop of 32.68 seconds. Chris Vasquez, 13, was 23rd in 20:13.24.
Metro Aquatics swept the distance events. Venezuela national record holder Andreina Pinto, 25, won the women’s 800 freestyle in 9:10.17 just ahead of Mary Smutny of AquaKids Sharks in 9:11.29. Pinto, who trained with the Gator Swim Club, competed in the 2008 Olympics.
Carlos Omana, 24, won the men’s 1500 freestyle in 16:31.27. The Belen Jesuit and University of Florida alum also competes for Venezuela internationally.
SOFLO’s full squad of more than 100 swimmers begin competing on Saturday during the first full day of schedule of events.
SOFLO has 59 boys and 53 girls entered in 569 individual events over the three-day meet.
All events are timed finals.
In addition to SOFLO and host Gulliver Swim Club, other Florida Gold Coast teams competing include AquaKids Sharks, Azura, Miami Swimming, Metro Aquatics, Heritage Aquatics, Swim Fort Lauderdale, FIU, Hurricanes, Sunrise and North Miami.
FRIDAY RESULTS
GIRLS
800-meter freestyle:
1.Andreina Pinto, Metro Aquatics 9:10.17, 2. Mary Smutny, AK Sharks 9:11.29, 3. Alicia Mancilla, Gulliver 9:18.96; SOFLO: 7. Mallory Schleicher 9:46.96, time drop.
BOYS
1500-meter freestyle:
1.Carlos Omana, Metro Aquatics 16:31.27, 2. Adrian Aguilar, Metro Aquatics 16:53.07, 3. Miguel Cancel, Gulliver 17:03.38; SOFLO: 16. Nicolas Rossi 19:07.44, 22. Alejandro Mateus 19:59.65, 23. Chris Vasquez 20:13.24.
IF YOU GO
What: Gulliver Summer Invitational
When: Saturday-Sunday. All timed finals.
Schedule: Saturday, Session 2, 8:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m., Session 3, 2:45-6:40 p.m. p.m.; Sunday, Session 4, 8:30 a.m.-1:35 p.m., Session 5, 2:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m.
Where: Gulliver Prep Aquatics Complex, 6575 North Kendall Drive, Pinecrest.
Admission: $3 per session, heat sheets available free at http://www.gulliverswimclub.org. For information call 305-666-7937, ext. 1465.
Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
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