Kathleen Golding Heads Talented Local Contingent At NCAA Division I Women’s Championships That Begin Wednesday

By Sharon Robb
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—The NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships get underway Wednesday at the Allen Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center.

University of Florida senior Kathleen Golding leads a talented local contingent from South Florida.

Golding will compete in the 200 IM (1:56.49) and 400 IM (4:07.83). She will be joined by Gator teammate Anna Auld of St. Andrew’s Aquatics and West Palm Beach in the 500 freestyle (4:40.32), 1,650 freestyle (16:09.52) and 400 IM (4:10.36). Transfer Emma Weyant of Sarasota will also compete for the Gators in the 1,650 (16:08.24) and 400 IM (4:01.18).

Golding, Auld and Weyant are among 17 individual swimmers and diver and five relays from University of Florida that will compete.

Auld, Golding, Weyant. Talia Bates, Micayla Cronk, Camille DeBoer, Zoe Dixon, Nina Kucheran, Katie Mack, Tylor Mathieu, Hayden Miller, Ekaterina Nikonova, Olivia Peoples, Amanda Ray, Aris Runnels and Mabel Zavaros qualified for the big dance based on season-best times in 11 different events.

Florida’s 16 swimmers selected are the second-most swimmers among the nation, only behind back-to-back national champion Virginia (17). There are only nine schools in the country with double-digit swimmers to qualify, and only three SEC programs.

Maha Amer joined the Gators group after qualifying in the NCAA Diving Zones early last week. Amer, who won silver in the 1-meter at the SEC Championships last month, will compete in all three events.

The Gators also qualified five relays, with the 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay all hitting the qualifying standard.

UCLA sophomore Paige MacEachern, a Boca Raton High School alum and Pine Crest club swimmer, will compete in the 400 IM (4:06.17).

University of Wisconsin freshman Blair Stoneburg, a Jensen Beach High alum and Treasure Coast Aquatics club swimmer, will compete in the 500 freestyle (4:40.38).

Florida International University’s Christie Choe qualified in the 200 breaststroke (2:08.73) and 100 breaststroke (59.28). University of Miami will be represented by diver Mia Vallee.

Florida State will have four swimmers at the meet: sophomore Madeline Huggins, 200 breaststroke (2:09.55), sophomore Edith Jernstedt, 200 butterfly (1:55.78), freshman Julia Mansson, 200 breaststroke (2:09.68) and grad assistant Daniela Anna Metzler, 400 IM (4:10.18).

No. 1 ranked University of Virginia is on the verge of a three-peat national championship. Alex Walsh, Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass are expected to lead the Cavaliers. Nineteen swimmers and divers qualified in 42 events.

Last year Virginia won its second-straight national title, claiming 11 events and four out of the five relays along the way, and finished with 551.5 team points, nearly 150 points ahead of the rest of the field. They may even top that this week.

Texas, Stanford and Florida are in the mix to finish among the top five.

A total of 281 swimmers from 56 colleges qualified for the four-day meet. Swimmers qualified for the championships by meeting the established minimum time for the events which they entered. Divers were determined by performances achieved at the Zone Diving Championships.

ESPN+ will provide live digital coverage for preliminary and finals sessions Wednesday through Saturday. Tape-delayed coverage of the women’s championships will be on ESPNU at 8:30 p.m. EST on March 29.

MEET SCHEDULE
Wednesday, 6 p.m., 200 medley relay,800 free relay.
Thursday, prelims, 10 a.m. and finals 6 p.m., 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 1-meter dive, 200 free relay.
Friday, prelims 10 a.m. and finals 6 p.m., 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back, 3-meter dive, 400 medley relay.
Saturday, prelims 10 a.m. and finals 6 p.m., 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, Platform dive, 1650 free, 400 free relay.

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

Kathleen Golding Makes Second B Final At Phillips 66 National Championships

By Sharon Robb
IRVINE, Calif., July 29, 2022—Kathleen Golding made her second B final at the Phillips 66 National Championships Friday at William Woollett Aquatics Center.

Golding, 21, of Gator Swim Club was fourth in the B final and 13th overall in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:14.56, just 0.80 off her best time. Golding has made one A final and two B finals during the meet. Golding has the 200 IM left to swim on Saturday, the final day of the meet.

Wisconsin-bound Blair Stoneburg, 18, was ninth in the 400-meter freestyle in a best time 4:13.82, dropping 1.53 seconds off her previous best.

Erin Gemmell, 17, of Nation’s Capital won the 400 free in a best time 4:06.17, dropping 3.64 seconds. Her previous best was 4:09.81. Gemmell led from start to finish and was never challenged.

Florida Gold Coast top finisher and U.S. junior national team member Erika Pelaez, 16, of Eagle Aquatics was sixth in the 100-meter backstroke in a best time 1:00.33, dropping 0.62 seconds.

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Indiana Swim Club 180.5, 2. Gator Swim Club 160, 3. Cal Aquatics 153.5, 4. Longhorn Aquatics 117, 5. Long Island 84.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Cal Aquatics 110, 2. Indiana Swim Club 81.5, 3. SwimAtlanta 54, 4. Longhorn Aquatics 50, 5. Ridgefield 47.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Gator Swim Club 131, 2. Indiana Swim CLub 99, 3. Long Island 75, 4. Nashville, Longhorn Aquatics 67, 20. Eagles Aquatics 19.

WOMEN
400-meter freestyle: 1. Erin Gemmell, NCAP 4:06.17, 2. Cavan Gormsen, LIAC 4:08.38, 3. Kensey McMahon, BAMA 4:08.57, 9. Blair Stoneburg, Unattached-Wisconsin 4:13.82, 13. Kathleen Golding, GSC 4:14.56; TCA: 11. Blair Stoneburg, Unattached 4:15.58, prelims, 16. Kathleen Golding, GSC 4:16.73, prelims.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Kaitlyn Dobler, TRO 1:06.88, 2. Olivia Anderson, AQJT 1:07.85, 3. Talara-Jade Dixon, AUS 1:08.15.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Rhyan White, ALA 58.91, 2. Kira Toussaint, TA 59.24, 3. Isabelle Stadden, CAL 59.55; FGC: 6. Erika Pelaez, EA 1:00.33, 43. Athena Meneses Kovacs, EA 1:03.12.

MEN
400-meter freestyle: 1. Jake Magahey, SA 3:46.36, 2. Jake Mitchell, UN 3:46.59, 3. Kieran Smith, RAC 3:48.48.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Josh Matheny, ISC 59.44, 2. Caspar Corbeau, UN 59.91, 3. Kevin Houseman, WILD 1:00.24.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Justin Ress, MV 53.55, 2. Adam Chaney, RAYS 53.68, 3. Jack Aikins, SA 53.75; FGC: 38. Josh Zuchowski, FAST 56.46.

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

Teenager Katie Grimes Steals The Show At TYR Pro Swim Series

By Sharon Robb
MISSION VIEJO, Calif., June 4, 2022–Teenager Katie Grimes is making her name known at the fourth and final TYR Pro Swim Series at newly-renovated Marguerite Aquatics Center.

Grimes, who first stepped into the spotlight during the 2020 Summer Olympics where she finished fourth in the 800-meter freestyle as the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team at 15, continues to make a name for herself at age 16.

On Saturday, Grimes of Sandpipers of Nevada won her fourth event in the 800-meter freestyle in 8:27.72, her final event of the meet. She also had wins in the 400 freestyle, 200 backstroke and 400 IM.

In other finals:
Egyptian Olympian Marwan Aly El Kamash, who won the 1500, came back to win the 800-meter freestyle in 8:00.74. He led for most of the race.

Isabelle Stadden of Cal won the 100-meter backstroke in 1:00.21. Her splits were 29.38 and 30.03.

Justin Ress of Mission Viejo led from start to finish to win the 100-meter backstroke in 53.80.

Isabelle Odgers of USC won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:28.68.

Texas Longhorn Will Licon won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:12.28, winning by more than six seconds ahead of Ethan Hansen.

Turkish national record holder Viktoria Gunes, swimming unattached won the 200 IM in 2:13.80.

Grant House of Sun Devil Swimming won the 200 IM in 1:59.84, the only swimmer under 2 minutes.

Poland’s Kasia Wasick of Team Rebel Aquatics won the 50-meter freestyle in 24.70.

David Curtiss of Wolfpack Elite won the 50-meter freestyle in 21.80.

Julio Horrego, 23, a 2020 Honduran Olympian will use this meet as a learning experience. He was disqualified for the second time in the meet in the prelims of the 200-meter breaststroke where he was seeded fourth in 2:17.35. He was disqualified for fly kick under the water. Next up for Horrego will be the world championships in Hungary.

Also on Saturday, SOFLO teammate Ricardo Roche, 22, swam another 100-meter backstroke time trial finishing in 1:00.98. His first time trial was 1:00.84.

On Sunday the meet will be televised on CNBC taped-delay at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. respectively.

SOFLO is sponsored by TYR, a USA manufacturer of recreational and competitive swimwear, caps, goggles, triathlon gear and accessories. One of the nation’s top companies, TYR was created by athletes and named for the Norse god of warriors in Germanic mythology.

57th Mel Zajac Junior International Swim Meet at the UBC Aquatic Centre in Vancouver, Canada:

Eagle Aquatics’ Erika Pelaez, 15, a member of the USA Swimming Junior National team, picked up two more wins. In the 50-meter backstroke, Pelaez was the fastest qualifier in 28.34 and won in 28.37. In the 50-meter freestyle, she was fastest qualifier in 25.85 and won in 25.78. She was also a member of the third place 800-meter freestyle relay that finished in 8:17.81.

Treasure Coast Aquatics’ Blair Stoneburg, 18, was fastest qualifier in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:18.44 and finished third in 4:16.74. She was also tenth in the 50-meter freestyle in 26.80. She was also on the third-place 800 free relay.

Treasure Coast teammate Mitchell Ledford, 17, was second fastest qualifier in the 100-meter butterfly in 54.92and came back to win in 54.31. He was also on the second place 800 freestyle relay.

Sarasota Sharks’ Addison Sauickie, 16, was 19th in the 100-meter butterfly and sixth in the 400-meter freestyle 4:18.90 after going 4:22.20 in prelims. She was also on the third-place 800 free relay with Pelaez and Stoneburg.

SATURDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
800-meter freestyle: 1. Katie Grimes, SAND 8:27.72, 2. Erica Sullivan, TEX 8:47.54, 3. Olivia McMurray, TEX 8:54.20.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Isabelle Stadden, CAL 1:00.21,2. Bella Sims, SAND 1:01.33, 3. Teagan O’Dell, NOVA 1:01.46.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Isabelle Odgers, TRO 2:28.68, 2. Katja Pavicevic, TAC 2:29.81, 3. Kaitlyn Dobler, TRO 2:31.10.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Viktoria Gunes, UN 2:13.80, 2. Justina Kozan, UN 2:14.72, 3. Lindsay Looney, SUN 2:16.15.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Katarzyna Wasick, TRA 24.70, 2. Kyla Leibel, TEX 25.47,3. Anicka Delgado, EVO 25.95.

MEN
800-meter freestyle: 1. Marwan Aly El Kamash, ISC 8:00.74, 2. Brice Barrieault, SAND 8:05.59, 3. Ilya Kharun, SAND 8:08.49.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Justin Ross, MV 53.80, 2. Colby Mefford, UN 55.99, 3. Mikita Tsmyh, UN 57.01.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Will Licon, TEX 2:12.28, 2. Ethan Hansen, SUN 2:18.53, 3. Brandon Fischer, UN 2:19.25.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Grant House, SUN 1:59.84, 2. Ilya kharun, SAND 2:04.43, 3. Tyler Kopp, UN 2:05.09.

50-meter freestyle: 1. David Curtiss, WOLF 21.80, 2. Ryan Held, NYAC 22.08, 3. Artyom Machekin, SDSA 22.43.

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

SOFLO’s Horrego, Roche Compete This Week At TYR Pro Swim Series

By Sharon Robb
MISSION VIEJO, Calif., May 31, 2022–The fourth and final TYR Pro Swim Series meet of the 2022 season begins Wednesday at the newly-renovated Marguerite Aquatic Center.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Julio Horrego and Ricardo Roche will compete in the four-day meet that ends Saturday.

Horrego, 23, a 2020 Honduran Olympian, will compete in the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke. He is seeded third in the 100 in 1:01.18 and fourth in the 200 in 2:17.35. It is his last tuneup meet before the 19th FINA World Championships, June 18-July 3 in Budapest, Hungary.

Roche, 22, will compete in the 200-meter backstroke and is seeded 21st in his yards time of 1:48.24.

The field also features U.S. Olympians, U.S. National Team members and U.S. National Junior Team members. The final day of the meet overlaps with the day that Team USA’s world championship team departs for Croatia for a training camp.

The meet will be televised on the Olympic Channel Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday it will be televised on CNBC taped-delay at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. respectively. In addition to Olympic Channel and CNBC’s coverage from Mission Viejo, daily prelims (Wednesday-Saturday at noon ET) as well as Wednesday and Saturday’s live finals can be streamed on http://www.usaswimming.org/watch.

The meet was capped at 500 swimmers. Mask mandates will follow local guidelines. Everyone attending the event as a participant, coach, staff, or contractor must take a COVID test within 72 hours prior to arriving at the venue. Anyone testing positive should not enter the venue. Anyone representing USA Swimming (i.e. staff, contractors, and officials) must be vaccinated).

FLORIDA SWIMMERS HEAD MEET

Eagle Aquatics’ Erika Pelaez, a member of the USA Swimming junior national team, will compete in the 57th Mel Zajac Junior International Swim Meet Friday through Sunday at the UBC Aquatic Centre in Vancouver, Canada. She will swim the 100-meter backstroke.

Pelaez is one of 19 U.S. swimmers who qualified. Sarasota Sharks’ Addison Sauickie will compete in the 200-meter freestyle. Treasure Coast Aquatics Blair Stoneburg will swim the 800- and 1500-meter freestyles and club teammate Mitchell Ledford will swim the 100-meter butterfly.

SOFLO is sponsored by TYR, a USA manufacturer of recreational and competitive swimwear, caps, goggles, triathlon gear and accessories. One of the nation’s top companies, TYR was created by athletes and named for the Norse god of warriors in Germanic mythology.

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

Anna Auld Top Florida Gold Coast Finisher At U.S. Open Water National Championships; SOFLO’s Wilson Makes Top 20

By Sharon Robb
FORT MYERS BEACH, April 3, 2022–University of Florida freshman Anna Auld of West Palm Beach was the top Florida Gold Coast finisher at the U.S. Open Water National and Junior Championships this past weekend at Lynn Hall Beach Park.

Despite rough weather conditions, Auld was among the Top 6 American 10K finishers qualifying for the current U.S. Open Water National Team, putting herself in position to qualify for the 2022 FINA World Championships U.S. roster.

Auld was seventh overall in 2 hours, 21 minutes and 50 seconds. With three swimmers from France among the top seven finishers, Auld qualified as fourth American.

Blair Stoneburg of Treasure Coast Aquatics just missed making the U.S. team by 1 minute and 7 seconds and one spot in 2:26:58. She was the seventh top American finisher.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Isabelle Wilson was 19th in the 7.5K in 1:55:56. The only other FGC swimmer, Erin Miller of St. Andrew’s Aquatics was ninth in 1:49:29.

Teenager Katie Grimes of Sandpipers of Nevada and Axel Reymond of France won the 10K titles.

It was Grimes’ first senior-level open water national title. She stayed with the lead pack and finished more than a minute ahead of the field.

“I really had a good time out there today, the conditions were a little rough but I’m learning to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Grimes said. “I was swimming with a ton of girls so I was really happy with the outcome and I’m excited for the next race.”

Conditions were not ideal with strong winds and choppy water.

Grimes was followed by Indiana University’s Mariah Denigan (2:17:50) and France’s Caroline Jouisse (2:18:34). The top six Americans were:

Grimes (Las Vegas, Nev./Sandpipers of Nevada), 2:16:40.
Mariah Denigan (Walton, Ky./Indiana University), 2:17:50.
Summer Smith (Agawam, Mass./Bluefish Swim Club), 2:21:07.
Anna Auld (West Palm Beach, Fla./University of Florida), 2:21:50.
Kensey McMahon (Jacksonville, Fla./University of Alabama), 2:22:00.
Brooke Travis (Newark, Del./NC State), 2:25:51.

France’s Axel Reymond (2:02:49) edged U.S. National Team member and University of Florida junior Brennan Gravley (2:02:53) for the top spot. Dylan Gravley, Brennan’s younger brother, finished third (2:03:13), a career-best 10K finish.

“It’s one of my favorite parts of being a USA Swimming athlete,” Brennan said when asked about qualifying for the U.S. Open Water National Team. “I feel like we have a lot of privileges, especially as open water swimmers. It was a fun venue and it was fun to come out here even with intense conditions.”

Added his brother, “I was trying to maintain my position and keep up with Brennan,” Dylan Gravley said. “I’m taking baby steps, it is another year and I was a few places upwards of where I was last year.”

The top-6 American male finishers were:
Brennan Gravley (Las Vegas, Nev./Sandpipers of Nevada/University of Florida), 2:02:53.
Dylan Gravley (Las Vegas, Nev./Sandpipers of Nevada/Arizona State University), 2:03:13.
Joey Tepper (Egg Harbor Township, N.J./University of Tennessee), 2:03:39.
Michael Brinegar (Columbus, Ind./Mission Viejo Nadadores/Indiana University), 2:05:44.
Simon Lamar (Sonora, Calif./Harvard University), 2:08:27.
David Heron (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo Nadadores), 2:10:20.

French swimmer Aurelie Muller won the senior 5K title ahead of Joiusse and U.S. pool Olympian Bella Sims of Sandpipers of Nevada, third and top American finisher.

Claire Weinstein of Sandpipers of Nevada won the girls 5K junior national title in 1:06:08.

Samuel Marsteiner of New Wave Swim Team won the boys 5K junior national title in 1:02:40.

The top two finishers qualified for the U.S. roster for the Sept. 1-4 FINA World Junior Open Water Championships Beau Vallon, Seychelles.

On Sunday, 16-year-old Ilya Kharun won the Junior National 7.5K race and led a 1-2 finish for the Sandpipers of Nevada Teammate Luke Ellis, 14, was second.

Please note, the full results have not been posted on usaswimming.org. South Florida Aquatic Club’s Isabelle Wilson, 14, competed in the girls 7.5K race and finished but her time has not been posted as of Sunday night.

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

SOFLO’s Schleicher, Wilson Among Nation’s Best At U.S. Open Water National And Junior Championships

By Sharon Robb
FORT MYERS BEACH, March 31, 2022–South Florida Aquatic Club’s Mallory Schleicher and Isabelle (Izzy) Wilson will compete this weekend in the U.S. Open Water National & Junior Championships.

The nation’s top open water swimmers will compete for several roster spots at various meets.

The competition begins Friday and runs through Sunday at Lynn Hall Beach Park.

According to the psych sheet, Schleicher, 17, a University of Florida commit, will compete in the 5K National Championship and Wilson, 14, will swim the 7.5K Junior National Championships.

Other local swimmers entered are University of Florida’s Anna Auld, 17, (10K/5K); Blair Stoneburg, 16, (10K/5K) of Treasure Coast Aquatics; Brynn Stoneburg, 15, of Treasure Coast Aquatics (7.5K Junior).

Among top seeds are 2020 Olympians Erica Sullivan, Michael Brinegar and Katie Grimes. Joining them are Open Water National Team members Mariah Denigan, Leah DeGeorge and brothers Dylan and Brennan Gravley.

Open Water champion David Heron heads the field. In last year’s event, he finished first in both the 5K and 10K. It was the first time in nine Open Water National Championships appearances where he won both events.

The top finishers will make the upcoming U.S. Open Water National Team and U.S. Open Water National Junior Team, 2022 FINA Open Water World Championships U.S. team and 2022 FINA World Junior Open Water Championships U.S. teams.

The 2022 U.S. Open Water National Team, which will be active May 1-October 31, 2022, will be based on the top six male and top six female finishers in the 10K event at the 2022 Open Water National Championships held at 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Selection to the 2022-23 U.S. Open Water National Team, which will be active November 1, 2022-May 1, 2023, will be decided based on a results-based points system across two domestic and four international open water competitions. At the conclusion of these competitions, the top six male and top six female swimmers with the most points will be named to the 2022-23 U.S. Open Water National Team.

Selection to the U.S. roster for the 2022 FINA Open Water World Championships, which takes place June 26-30 in Budapest, Hungary, will follow a similar points-based system. Points will be distributed to top finishers from the 2022 Open Water National Championships 5K and 10K events, as well as top finishers in the events at the 2022 FINA Marathon Swim World Series in Portugal, which takes place May 28-29, 2022. Following the results of the two competitions, the six male and six female swimmers with the most points will represent the U.S. at the 2022 FINA Open Water World Championships.

The U.S. Open Water National Junior Team will be comprised of the top two male and top two female finishers in the 10K at the Open Water National Championships, the top finishing male and female from a 10K race to be held in October, the top finishers from the junior 7.5K event at the Open Water Junior National Championships and any male or female individual medalist at the 2022 FINA Open Water World Junior Championships.

Selection for the 2022 FINA World Junior Open Water Championships, which will take place September 1-4 in Beau Vallon, Seychelles, will be based off the following age-group finishers from the 2022 Open Water National Junior Championships:
Top two male, top two female finishers from the 5K Junior Nationals (14-15 Age Group).
Top two male, top two female finishers from the 7.5K Junior Nationals (16-17 Age Group).
Top two male, top two female finishers from the 10K Nationals (18-19 Eligible Athletes).

All additional information will be updated to the competition’s event page. The action is being streamed each morning on http://www.usaswimming.org/watch.

RACE START TIMES (There has been a change to the National 5K start time)

10K National Championships (Open + 19&U)
    Friday, April 1, 2022-  Women’s Race 8:00 am - Men’s Race 10:30 am 
5K Junior National Championships (15-U Age Group) 
    Saturday, April 2, 2022 Men’s Race 8:00 am -  Women’s Race 8:05 am  
5K National Championships (Open) ** Please Note this is different than what is posted in the meet information
    Sunday, April 3, 2022 Men’s Race 8:00am - Women’s Race 8:05am  
7.5K Junior National Championships (16-17 Age Group)
    Sunday, April 3, 2022 Men’s Race 10:00am - Women’s Race 10:05am

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

SOFLO Heads To USA Swimming Southern Zone South Sectional Championships To Race Star-Studded Field

By Sharon Robb
ORLANDO, February 8, 2022—Two-time defending champion South Florida Aquatic Club continues the championship season at the USA Swimming Southern Zone South Sectional Championships.

The Speedo Championship Series four-day meet begins Thursday at Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center.

Two sessions will open the meet with the combined 800-meter freestyle with a 3:15 p.m. start and 50-meter butterfly, 50-meter backstroke and 50-meter breaststroke with a 6 p.m. start.

SOFLO has 34 swimmers qualified in 151 individual events and has 20 relay teams in 10 relay events.

SOFLO made club history in 2021 winning back-to-back Southern Zone South Sectional Championships. In February, SOFLO won the combined team title, was second among women and third among men. In July, SOFLO won the combined team title and boys team titles and girls were second.

The field features a Who’s Who in swimming with U.S. Olympians Katie Ledecky, Michael Andrew, Caeleb Dressel and Natalie Hinds, Brazilian Olympian Bruno Fratus and Haitian Olympian Davidson Vincent heading the field.

In a fun opening matchup in the women’s 800-meter freestyle, Ledecky, swimming unattached for Gainesville Swim Club (8:12.57) where she now trains and coaches, will go head-to-head with Swimmer of the Year Blair Stoneburg of Treasure Coast Aquatics (8:45.23). University of Florida-bound Mallory Schleicher of SOFLO is seeded seventh in 9:03.34. Ledecky and Stoneburg will go at it again in the 1500 freestyle.

SOFLO’s Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego is seeded second (27.81) behind U.S. Olympian Michael Andrew (26.84) in the 50-meter breaststroke. Horrego is seeded first in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:01.18.

SOFLO’s Maddy Smutny, 16, is seeded first in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:14.37 ahead of Azura’s Julimar Avila, 25, in 2:15.36. Schleicher is seeded third in the 400 IM in 4:53.96 and fifth in the 400 freestyle in 4:21.95. Elena Dinehart was seeded fourth in the 200 backstroke in 2:17.97. Olivia Dinehart is seeded fifth in the 200 breaststroke in 2:34.85.

Other SOFLO swimmers qualified are: Mariano Catalasan, 15; Javier Colmenares, 15; Gabriella DeLuna, 15; Elena Dinehart, 17; Elise Dinehart, 13; Olivia Dinehart, 17; Hashan Ekanayake, 15; Natalie Gembicki, 16; Alex Golding, 17; Sally Golding, 17; Ivan Grass, 16; Sophia Grubbs, 16; Zackary Harris, 17; Derek Hau, 14; Adrian Hernandez, 16; Dahlia Hirsh, 15; Stephen Kim, 16; Alejandro Mateus, 16; Manuel Melendez, 18; Alexander Miller, 15; Austin Nelson, 16; Sabrina Osorio, 17; Sara Quintero, 18; Wisthon Rendon, 17; Ricardo Roche, 22; Enrique Rodriguez, 17; Javier Roman, 18; Nicolas Sachade, 15; Ana Villamil, 16; Isabelle Wilson, 15; and Aldo Zepeda, 16.

Other top teams competing are Bolles, Azura Florida Aquatics, Gainesville Swim Club, Clearwater Aquatic Team, Flood Aquatics Swim Team, St. Andrew’s Aquatics, Sarasota Sharks and Sarasota Tsunami Swim Team.

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

Pine Crest’s Julia Podkoscielny Takes Home Second Medal On Final Day Of Toyota U.S. Open

By Sharon Robb
GREENSBORO, N.C., December 4, 2021–Julia Podkoscielny of Pine Crest Swimming finished a great week of swimming with another medal at the Toyota U.S. Open Championships Saturday at Greensboro Aquatic Center.

She closed out her impressive U.S. Open debut with a third place in the 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:12.42, shaving 1.74 seconds off her previous best of 2:14.16. She was fifth fastest qualifier in 2:13.87, first dropping 0.29 off her previous best. She was also 27th in the 100-meter freestyle in 58.40.

The University of Florida commit and U.S. national junior team member also took a silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley in a best time 4:43.57, dropping 1.26 off her previous best.

Azura Florida Aquatics’ Yeziel Morales was fourth in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:01.29.

Blair Stoneburg, 17, of Treasure Coast Aquatics, another member of the U.S. Junior National team, was eighth in the 1500-meter freestyle in 16:56.05. She was 24th in the 100-meter freestyle in 58.46.

University of Florida’s Kathleen Golding, 21, was 19th in the 100-meter freestyle in 57.61.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego scratched from the 200-meter breaststroke. He sustained a strained groin during the start of the 100-meter breaststroke.

Other notables and local swimmers in action were:

World record holder and Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky, competing unattached for Florida, won the 1500-meter freestyle in 15:45.32.

Florida’s two-time Olympic champion Bobby Finke pulled away late in the race for a two-body length lead to win in 15:04.77.

Stanford freshman Regan Smith, swimming unattached won the 200-meter backstroke in a U.S. Open record 2:07.09 and 200-meter butterfly in 2:10.58. The backstroke time was the second oldest U.S. Open record, 2:08.42 set by Hayley McGregory in 2008. Smith is world record holder in the event.

WOMEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Katie Ledecky, Unattached-Florida 15:45.32, 2. Sierra Schmidt, Scottsdale Aquatic Club 16:21.56, 3. Elise Bauer, Florida 16:32.55, 8. Blair Stoneburg, Treasure Coast Aquatics 16:56.05.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Regan Smith, Unattached 2:07.09, 2. Leah Smith, Texas 2:11.26, 3. Julia Podkoscielny, Pine Crest Swimming 2:12.42, best time dropping 1.74, her previous best was 2:14.16.

100-meter freestyle: 1. Mallory Comerford, Cardinals 54.74, 2. Arina Openysheva, Louisville 55.23, 3. Camille Spink, Nation’s Capital 55.44.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Ahryoung Kim, Korea 2:29.86, 2. Abby Hay. Louisville 2:30.51, 3. Tylor Mathieu, Florida 2:32.73.

200-meter butterfly: 1. Regan Smith, Unattached 2:10.58, 2. Leah Gingrich, Hurricanes 2:11.02, 3. Amanda Ray, Florida 2:11.51.

MEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Bobby Finke, Florida 15:04.77, 2. Charlie Clark, Ohio State 15:07.53, 3. Trey Freeman, Florida 15:24.83.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Vaggelis Makrygiannis, Unattached 2:00.48, 2. Baylor Nelson, SwimMAC 2:00.85, 3. Richie Stokes, UCSC 2:01.24.

100-meter freestyle: 1. Andrej Barna, Cardinals 48.44, 2. Gus Borges, PRVT 49.40, 3. Tate Jackson, NITRO 49.52

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Brandon Fischer, Unattached 2:13.21, 2. Raphael Rached Windmuller, Florida 2:15.92, 3. Marcus Mok, Unattached 2:16.80.

200-meter butterfly: 1. Minseop Kim, Korea 1:59.30, 2. Junheon Hwangbo, Korea 1:59.33, 3. Thomas Heilman, Cal State 1:59.87.

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

SOFLO’s Horrego Finals; Pine Crest’s Podkoscielny Takes Silver; Florida’s Golding Wins Second B Final On Day Three Of Toyota U.S. Open

By Sharon Robb
GREENSBORO, N.C., December 3, 2021–It was another great day of racing for Florida Gold Coast swimmers at the Toyota U.S. Open Championships Friday at Greensboro Aquatic Center.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Julio Horrego, 23, competing in his first meet since representing Honduras at the Tokyo Olympics, was eighth in the 100-meter breaststroke finals in 1:03.79. He was fifth fastest in prelims in 1:02.67.

Pine Crest Swimming’s Julia Podkoscielny, 17, is making her U.S. Open debut a memorable one.

The University of Florida commit and U.S. national junior team member finished second in the 400-meter individual medley final in a best time and team record 4:43.57, dropping 1.26. Her previous best was 4:44.83. She was second fastest in morning prelims in 4:47.63

After falling behind in the opening butterfly and backstroke legs, she worked her way back into contention moving up on her breaststroke leg, just 2.57 behind leader Leah Smith of Texas and came home strong on the final freestyle leg.

Podkoscielny was also 11th in the 100-meter backstroke prelims in a best time of 1:03.41, a time drop of 0.40 off her previous best of 1:03.81. She scratched from consos.

University of Florida’s Kathleen Golding, 21, of SOFLO, won the B consolation of the 200-meter freestyle in 2:01.55. Golding was also fifth in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:49.82. She was eighth fastest in prelims in 4:53.68 to make her first A final of the meet. She has the 200- and 100-meter freestyle events left to swim.

Blair Stoneburg, 17, of Treasure Coast Aquatics, another member of the U.S. Junior National team, was fourth in the B consolation in the 200-meter freestyle and 12th overall in 2:03.24. She has the 1500 and 100-meter freestyles left to swim.

Azura Florida Aquatics had two swimmers in the B consolation of the men’s 100-meter butterfly. Kuwait two-time Olympian Abbas Qali was second in consos and tenth overall in 54.58 and Haitian Olympian Davidson Vincent was sixth in consos and 14th in 55.45.

Yeziel Morales of Azura was fifth in the 100-meter backstroke finals in 56.11. Azura teammate Rashed Al-Tarmoom wass fifth in the 100-meter breaststroke consos in 1:04.30.

Other notables and local swimmers in action were:

Seven-time Olympic champion Katie Ledecky, swimming unattached for Florida, won the 200-meter freestyle in 1:55.47, her third U.S. Open meet record of the week. She broke the meet record first in morning prelims in 1:56.06.

With his blazing closing speed, University of Florida’s Bobby Finke overcame early leader Baylor Nelson to win the 400-meter individual medley in 4:17.39. Nelson finished in 4:17.61.

The final day of the meet is being live streamed at usaswimming.org. Results can be found on Meet Mobile

WOMEN
400-meter individual medley: 1. Leah Smith, Texas Longhorns 4:38.89, 2. Julia Podkoscielny, Pine Crest Swimming 4:43.57, 3. Ella Jansen, Etobicoke 4:44.11, 5. Kathleen Golding, Florida 4:49.82.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Mabel Zavaros, Florida 1:00.05, 2. Autumn D’Arcy, Cal State Bakersfield 1:00.24, 3. Sydney Lu, Pleasanton Seahawks 1:00.39.

200-meter freestyle: 1. Katie Ledecky, Unattached-Florida 1:55.47, 2. Erin Gemmell, Nation’s Capital 1:58.61, 3. Julia Mrozinski, Tennessee 1:59.85.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Hannah Bach, Ohio State 1:09.01, 2. tie, Jinq En Phee, Malaysia 1:10.28 and Tylor Mathieu, Florida 1:10.28.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Regan Smith, Unattached 58.69, 2. Kobie Melton, Arkansas 1:01.91, 3. Anya Mostek, Phoenixville YMCA 1:01.93.

MEN
400-meter individual medley: 1. Bobby Finke, Florida 4:17.39, 2. Baylor Nelson, SwimMAC 4:17.61, 3. Collyn Gagne, Simon Fraser 4:19.43.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Eric Friese, Florida 52.56, 2. Thomas Heilman, Cavalier Aquatics 53.27, 3. Lago Moussalem Amaral, Unattached 53.59.

200-meter freestyle: 1. Trey Freeman, Florida 1:47.90, 2. Hoe Yean Khiew, Malaysia 1:49.00, 3. Oskar Lindholm, Florida 1:50.63.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Reid Mikuta, Auburn 1:01.35, 2. Noah Nichols, Virginia 1:01.41, 3. Brandon Fischer, Unattached 1:02.26, 8. Julio Horrego, SOFLO 1:03.79.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Vaggelis Makrygiannis, Unattached 54.06, 2. Sam Stewart, Club Kick Start 54.70, 3. Adam Chaney, Florida 55.43.

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

Ledecky, Fratus Win; Golding, Podkoscielny Win B Finals On Day Two Of Toyota U.S. Open

By Sharon Robb
GREENSBORO, N.C., December 2, 2021–It was a great night for Florida Gold Coast swimmers at the Toyota U.S. Open Championships Thursday at Greensboro Aquatic Center.

Brazilian Olympic bronze medalist Bruno Fratus, 32, of Coral Springs Swim Club, swimming in Lane 6, won the 50-meter freestyle in 22.36. It was his first meet since the Tokyo Olympics. He was fourth fastest in prelims in 22.58. His entry time was 21.57.

World record holder Katie Ledecky, 24, swimming unattached for Florida, broke her own U.S. Open record for the second consecutive night.

Ledecky won the 400-meter freestyle in 4:00.51, breaking her record of 4:00.81 set in 2019. She was fastest off the block and by the halfway mark had a two-body length lead with a 1:59.92 split. She won the race by 15 meters.

Two Florida Gold Coast swimmers won consolation finals.

University of Florida’s Kathleen Golding, 21, of SOFLO, won the B final of the 400-meter freestyle in a best time 4:13.76. She won by a body length dropping 1.49 seconds. Her previous best was 4:15.25. She was 12th fastest in morning prelims in 4:17.56.

Florida commit Julia Podkoscielny, 17, of Pine Crest Swimming, competing in her first U.S. Open, won the B final in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:16.48, just off her best 2:16.36. She was second after the opening butterfly leg (29.37) and then moved into the lead in the backstroke (33.59) and maintained the lead in the breaststroke (41.09) and freestyle (32.43). She was ninth fastest in morning prelims in 2:17.77. Leah Smith, 26, of Texas won the event in 2:11.67.

Podkoscielny also finished 15th in the morning prelims of the 400-meter freestyle in a best time 4:20.46, dropping 26.39 seconds. She scratched from consolations to focus on the 200 IM.

With two Top 16 finishes, it was the first time she earned second swims on the national stage.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Julio Horrego was 22nd in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:09.18. He competes in the 100-meter breaststroke on Friday. SOFLO teammate Juan Mora scratched from the meet to take SATs on Saturday.

Top-seed Trey Freeman of Florida, won the men’s 400-meter freestyle in 3:49.06. Two-time Olympic champion and Florida teammate Bobby Finke was third in 3:51.44.

Other notables and local swimmers in action were:

Blair Stoneburg, 17, Treasure Coast, was 16th in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:20.56 and disqualified in consos. She was 27th in the 50-meter freestyle in 26.95.

The meet is being live streamed at usaswimming.org. Results can be found on Meet Mobile

WOMEN
400-meter freestyle: 1. Katie Ledecky, Unattached-Florida 4:00.51, 2. Erin Gemmell, Nation’s Capital 4:10.12, 3. Sierra Schmidt, Scottsdale Aquatic Club 4:12.53; 9. Kathleen Golding, Florida 4:13.76.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Leah Smith, Texas Longhorns 2:11.67, 2. Summer Smith, Tennessee 2:15.02, 3. Abby Hay, Louisville 2:15.45; 9. Julia Podkoscielny, Pine Crest Swimming 2:16.48.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Mallory Comerford, Cardinals 25.24, 2. Arina Openysheva, Louisville 25.33, 3. Camille Spink, Nation’s Capital 25.36.

MEN
400-meter freestyle: 1. Trey Freeman, Florida 3:49.06, 2. Hoe Yean Khiew, Malaysia 3:50.52, 3. Bobby Finke, Florida 3:51.44.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Baylor Nelson, SwimMAC 1:59.86, 2. Collyn Gagne, Simon Fraser 2:02.59, 3. Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero, Florida 2:04.49, Argentine national record.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Bruno Fratus, Coral Springs Swim Club 22.36, 2. Adam Chaney, Florida 22.37, 3. Andrej Barna, Cardinals 22.43, 20. Josiah Morales, PAQ 23.94.

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