Aussies Set Relay World Record; Dressel Breaks American Record On Day Five Of 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships

By Sharon Robb

GWANGJU, South Korea, July 25, 2019—Caeleb Dressel held on to defend his 100-meter freestyle and flirted with a 10-year old world record on Day Five of the 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships Thursday at Nambu International Aquatics Centre.

The University of Florida and Bolles Club alum did break the American record by 2/10ths in 46.96, third fastest in history and only man to dip under 47 seconds. He was only 0.05 seconds off the 10-year-old world record of 46.91 set by Brazil’s Cesar Cielo.

“It hurt really bad to be honest,” Dressel said. “You don’t always get that magical feeling every night but you’ve just got to shut the brain off and go.

“It took 100 per cent effort and I had someone right there on my tail for me to race,” Dressel said. “I kind of shut off thinking about the race so that helped a lot and having Kyle (Chalmers) right there.”

It was Dressel’s third gold medal and fourth medal overall.

Dressel’s other golds came in the 50-meter butterfly, a non-Olympic event, and 4×100-meter freestyle relay. He took silver in the mixed 4×100-meter medley relay.

“I know I was just off the world record, but really the goal was just to swim the best race that I could, and if that was the time I got tonight, I was happy,” Dressel said. “I’m going to talk to [Coach Gregg] Troy, and I guarantee you the first thing he’s going to say is what we could have done better.”

After scratching from two events because of illness, five-time Olympic champion Katie Ledecky returned to the pool to help the U.S. win silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle behind Australia’s world record performance of 7:41.50 with Ariarne Titmus, Madison Wilson, Brianna Throssell and Emma McKeon. The previous record was 7:42.08 held by China. It was the first time the Aussies won a world title in the relay event. The U.S. had won three straight world titles.

“I wasn’t thinking about a world record,” McKeon said. “Was it a 2009 record? To break that this year is so exciting. I was hurting a lot but when it comes to a relay you really give it your all. Just touching the wall and seeing the three others celebrate, it made me so excited,” McKeon said.

Ledecky was joined by Katie McLaughlin, Melanie Margalis of St. Petersburg and Simone Manuel and finished in 7:41.87. Canada took the bronze.

Outspoken American Lilly King was disqualified from the 200-meter breaststroke prelims. She won the third heat in 2:24.56 but was disqualified for not touching the wall with both hands at the same time at the first turn of the four-lap race.

The U.S. team filed a formal protest which was denied by FINA’s appeals process and also lost a jury of appeal.

In other finals:

Boglarka Kapas out-touched Americans Hali Flickinger and Katie Drabot to win the women’s 200-meter butterfly in 2:06.78.

American Olivia Smoliga won the women’s 50-meter backstroke, a non-Olympic event, in 27.33. She won from Lane Two.

Japan’s Daiya Seto won the men’s 200-meter individual medley in 1:56.14, 0.42 seconds ahead of Jeremy Desplanches of Switzerland and 2017 champion Chase Kalisz, ending the Americans’ streak of winning at eight consecutive worlds.

It was the first time a non-American won the event at an Olympics or worlds since 2001, snapping a streak of 12 straight titles among Phelps (seven), Ryan Lochte (four) and Kalisz (one). Kalisz, who swept the IMs at 2017 Worlds, has the 400m IM later this week.

In other news, FINA, the sport’s international governing body, threatened to strip medals and ban swimmers who protest on podiums during the medal ceremonies under a new Code of Conduct provision. Brit Duncan Scott and Aussie Mack Horton failed to acknowledge China’s Sun Yang during two medal ceremonies. Sun is coached by Aussie Denis Cotterell.

Day Six prelims include the men’s 100-yard butterfly, women’s 200-meter backstroke, men’s 50-meter free, women’s 50-meter butterfly, women’s 800-meter freestyle and men’s 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay.

The world championships has brought together a record 2,620 athletes from 194 countries and territories around the world with 76 sets of medals up for grabs in pool swimming, open water swimming, water polo, diving and synchronized swimming.

The meet will be streamed and televised by the Olympic Channel and live timing will be available.

TV Schedule: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2019/07/17/swimming-world-championships-tv-stream-schedule/

Live Results: http://omegatiming.com

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

Peaty, Dressel, Hosszu Among Gold Medalists; SOFLO’s Atkinson Finishes 11th On Day Two Of 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships

By Sharon Robb

GWANGJU, South Korea, July 22, 2019—A day after breaking his own world record, Adam Peaty of Great Britain sealed the deal by winning the 100-meter breaststroke at the 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships on Monday at Nambu International Aquatics Centre.

Peaty, 24, made history on opening day as the first man to break 57 seconds in an astounding 56.88, breaking his own world record by 0.22 sconds. He came back in Monday’s finals to win the gold medal in 57.14, fourth fastest swim in history. Peaty is the first male swimmer to win five world championship medals in the breaststroke events.

Brit teammate James Wilby took silver in 58.46 and China’s Yan Zibei won bronze in 58.63.

In the women’s semifinals, Russian Yuliya Efimova(1:05.56), the fastest woman in the world this year, and Amerian Lilly King (1:05.66) are the top two qualifiers for the 100-meter breaststroke.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Ali Atkinson of Jamaica failed to make it into finals tying for 11th in 1:07.11. The four-time Olympian was a bronze medalist in the event in 2015. Atkinson is also entered in the 50-meter butterfly and 50-meter breaststroke.

Canadian Maggie MacNeil knocked off Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrum in the 100-meter butterfly. MacNeil, fifth at the turn, found another gear to win in 55.83. Sjostrum was second in 56.22 and Aussie Emma McKeon was third in 56.61. American Kelsi Dahlia was sixth in 57.11.

Sjostrum saw her win streak snapped. She held all 10 of the all-time top 10 times and was the second woman ever to break 56. Her last defeat dates back to December, 2012. MacNeil is now the second fastest woman in history.

Clay High School, Bolles Sharks and University of Florida alum Caeleb Dressel won the 50-meter butterfly in an American and meet record 22.35. Dressel is the first American man to win this event at the world championships. It was his second gold medal of worlds.

“That’s faster than two years ago and a better place than two years ago,” Dressel said. “It’s good, good for Team USA and I’m glad I can be a part of keeping that ball rolling.”

Russian Oleg Kostin was second in a national record 22.70 and Nicholas Santos of Brazil, at age 39, was third in 22.79.

Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu started her gold medal campaign with defending her title in the 200-meter individual medley. Hosszu was clocked in 2:07.53 and became the first woman to win four straight titles in an event.

China’s 2012 Olympic champion Ye Shiwen was second in 2:08.60, her first medal since 2011 and best time since 2012. Canadian Sydney Pickrem was third in 2:08.70. American Melanie Margalis of St. Petersburg was fourth in 2:08.91.

Among past or current local swimmers results: 100-meter backstroke, 16. Dylan Carter, Trinidad& Tobago 54.03; 100-meter breaststroke, 11. Alia Atkinson, Jamaica 1:07.11; 200-meter freestyle, 53. Jorge Depassier, Chile 1:53.62.

The world championships has brought together a record 2,620 athletes from 194 countries and territories around the world with 76 sets of medals up for grabs in pool swimming, open water swimming, water polo, diving and synchronized swimming.

The meet will be streamed and televised by the Olympic Channel and live timing will be available.

TV Schedule: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2019/07/17/swimming-world-championships-tv-stream-schedule/

Live Results: http://omegatiming.com

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

Caeleb Dressel Shines On Final Night Of FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships; Hosszu, Le Clos Named FINA Swimmers Of The Year

By Sharon Robb

HANGZHOU, China, December 16, 2018—On the sixth and final night of the 14th FINA World Short Course Championships, Caeleb Dressel saved his best for last.

The Clay High School and Bolles Swim Club alum won the 100-meter freestyle in an exciting finish against Russian Vlad Morozov, 45.62-45.64. Dressel used his closing speed to out-touch Morozov. South African Chad le Clos took the bronze in 45.89.

It was Dressel’s first individual gold medal and short course world title. He also broke his own American record of 45.66 he set earlier in the meet as leadoff leg of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.

“I actually feel alright right now,” Dressel said. “It was a long meet, but I’ve had meets where I was a lot more tired. This went smoothly. I’m happy to be done, don’t get me wrong, but it was a great performance all around from everyone on the team and it was really exciting to be a part of that.”

Dressel was also a member of the winning 4×100-meter medley relay with a split of 48.28. The U.S. men won in a championship record 3:19.98 breaking the old U.S. record of 3:20.99 set in 2010. Russia was second in 3:20.61 and Japan was third in 3:21.07. Dressel was joined by teammates Ryan Murphy, a Bolles alum, Andrew Wilson and Ryan Held.

“I feel like I’m in really good shape,” Dressel said. “They (his swims) were pretty sloppy to be honest, a lot of them. I feel like I got better as the meet went on because that was faster than the first day of the meet tonight, so I think I was getting better every day. The speed was not quite there, but like I said I think I’m in really good shape. My last 50 was really good in the fly and the free, so I’m not worried about anything and it will be fun year next year at Worlds.”

Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu and South Africa’s Chad le Clos were named 2018 FINA Swimmers of the Year. Hosszu’s new coach, Arpad Petrov, was named the top women’s coach and former Coral Springs Swim Club coach Andrea di Nino and coach of Le Clos, was named men’s coach of the year. They were honored at the FINA World Aquatics Gala on Sunday night.

In the other Sunday finals:

The U.S. women’s 4×50-meter freestyle relay team of Madison Kennedy, Mallory Comerford, Kelsi Worrell Dahlia and Erika Brown won in a championship record 1:34.03 ahead of world record holder Netherlands (1:34.55) and Australia (1:36.34).

Mykhailo Romanchuk of the Ukraine overtook early leader and world record holder Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy in the final 25 meters of the 1,500-yard freestyle to win in a championship record 14:09.14. Paltrinieri finished in 14:09.87 and Norway’s Henrik Christiansen was third in 14:19.39.

American Annie Lazor won a three-woman race in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:18.32 ahead of teammate Bethany Gelat in 2:18.62 and Belgium’s Fanny Lecluyse in 2:18.85.

Russia’s Evgeny Rylov surged in the final 50 meters to knock off American and Bolles alum Ryan Murphy, 1:47.02-1:47.34. Poland’s Radoslaw Kawecki and Aussie Mitch Larkin tied for the bronze in 1:48.25.

American Kelsi Worrell Dahlia won the 100-meter butterfly in 55.01, just a half second off her world record. U.S. teammate Kendyl Stewart was second in 56.22 and Brazil’s Daiene Dias was third in 56.31.

South African Cameron van der Burgh won the 50-meter breaststroke in a championship record 25.41 to sweep the breaststroke events. The Olympic gold medalist and world record holder announced his retirement following the meet. Ilya Shymanovich of Belarus took silver in 25.77 and former championship record holder Felipe Lima of Brazil was third in 25.80.

Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands won the 50-meter freestyle in a championship record of 23.19. Teammate Femke Heemskerk was second in 23.67. Brazil’s Etiene Medeiros was third in 23.76.

The U.S. women’s relay team of Olivia Smoliga, Katie Meili, Kelsi Worrell Dahlia and Mallory Comerford won the 4×100-meter medley relay in a championship record 3:45.58. China was second in 3:48.80 and Italy was third in a national record 3:51.38.

The short course worlds are swum in short course meters and held in the years when FINA does not hold its world championships (currently this means in even years). The short course championship is swimming-only events where world championships feature all five aquatic disciplines.

A field of 960 swimmers, with several top names missing, from 178 countries competed for 46 world titles over six days at the Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Center Tennis Centre. The center is uniquely shaped like a lotus bowl with an 8,000-seat capacity.

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

Bolles Sweeps Team Titles Again, Pine Crest Girls Finish Second; Santander, Goldstein, Mendez Broward’s Only Winners

By Sharon Robb

STUART, November 23, 2018—Jacksonville Bolles swimmers gave their head coach Jon Sakovich one last parting gift at the recent FHSAA State 1A Swimming and Diving Championships at Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center.

Bolles extended its state championship streak to a national record 31 years for the boys and 28 years for the girls to finish the season as the state’s all-time high school swimming dynasty.

Sakovich announced before the season he would be stepping down from his head coach and aquatics director job he held since 2015. He joined the Bolles staff in August 2000 assisting with all aspects of the swimming program.

Bolles girls won the team title with 381 points followed by Pine Crest with 303 and St. Andrew’s with 244.

Bolles boys team won with 373 points. Jacksonville Episcopal was second with 221 points, its best finish since 1980. It was also Jacksonville’s first one-two finish for swim teams since 1977. Pine Crest was fifth with 201.

After a third place finish at last month’s Woodson Invitational, the Bulldogs looked beatable for the first time. However, Bolles rose to the occasion when it mattered the most.

Bolles’ depth and key wins in the 200-yard medley relay, 500-yard freestyle and 400-yard freestyle relay clinched the girls’ victory.

The boys were just as dominant with double winner Paul DeGrado in the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke and Bolles’ wins in the 200-yard medley and 400-yard freestyle relays.

Pine Crest was led by junior Andrea Santander winning the 100-yard freestyle race in 49.69 seconds. She was the only individual winner for the girls team.

The girls’ team also had top-five finishes in the 200 medley relay (1:45.29, third with Julia Podkoscielny, Sara Lin, Esther Lin and Hanna Elks Smith); 200 IM (Santander, 2:01.34, second), 50 freestyle (Rachel Botting, 23.48, fourth), 1-meter diving (Ishani Singh, 444.20, third), 100 butterfly (Alexandra Meszaros, 56.08, fourth), 200 freestyle relay (1:34.83, third with Rachel Botting, Alexandra Meszaros, Andrea Santander, Hanna Elks Smith), 100 breaststroke (Sara Lin, 1:05.26, fifth), 400 freestyle relay (3:26.75, second with Rachel Botting, Alexandra Meszaros, Julia Podkoscielny and Andrea Santander).

On the boys’ side, Pine Crest freshman Kevin Mendez defended his title winning the one-meter diving title with a score of 533.75.

Pine Crest’s boys also posted top-five finishes in the 200 medley relay (1:35.15, fourth with Elvis Kotikovski, Matthew Petreski, Jacob Silberman and Joshua Hanks), 1-meter diving (Denny Gulia-Janovski, 498.40, third), 100 butterfly (Nicholas Vale, 50.19, fourth), 100 backstroke (Elvis Kotikovski, 50.90, fourth; and Vale, 52.58, fifth).

Junior Maia Goldstein of NSU University School won the girls 1-meter diving title with 504.90 points. Mary Smutny of Cutler Bay won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:46.08 and was second in the 100-yard freestyle in 49.79.

STATE 1A RESULTS
GIRLS TEAM TOTALS
1. Jacksonville Bolles 381, 2. Pine Crest 303, 3. St. Andrew’s 244, 4. Trinity Christian 208, 5. Lake Highland Prep 109, 6. Trinity Prep 101, 7. NSU University School 98, 8. Windermere Prep 93, 9. tie, Berkeley Prep 86, Episcopal 86, 11. PK Yonge 81, 12. Cutler Bay 68, 13. Montverde 61, 14. Calvary Christian 51, 15. King’s Academy 47, 16. Oxbridge 40, 17. St. John Neumann 33, 18. tie, Academy at the Lakes, 32, Bradenton Christian 32, 20. Shorecrest Prep 29, 21. Maclay 27, 22. South Florida Heat 19, 23. Bishop Verot 18, 24. Westminster Academy 17, 25. Ransom Everglades 16, 26. Holy Trinity 11, 27. LaSalle 4, 28. Admiral Farragut 3, 29. Community School 2, 30. Sarasota Christian 1.

GIRLS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

200-yard medley relay: 1. Bolles 1:43.50, 2. St. Andrew’s 1:44.97, 3. Pine Crest 1:45.29 (Julia Podkoscielny, Sara Lin, Esther Lin, Hanna Elks Smith).

200-yard freestyle: 1. Mary Smutny, CB 1:46.08, 2. Nicole Gomez, TC 1:48.86, 3. Alixandra Roy, LH 1:50.82.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Jennifer Secrest, OX 2:00.62, 2. Andrea Santander, PC 2:01.34, 3. Sasha Ramey, JB 2:01.60.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Chade Nersicio, TC 22.66, 2. McKenna Smith, AC 23.29, 3. Madeline Burt, STJ 23.37.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Jennifer Secrest, OX 54.10, 2. Madeline Burt, STJ 54.62, 3. Mary Kelley, EP 55.69.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Andrea Santander, PC 49.69, 2. Mary Smutny, CB 49.79, 3. Adair, JB 49.90.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Leah DeGeorge, JB 4:49.78, 2. Nicole Gomez, TC 4:52.88, 3.Lain Shahboz, PK 4:53.38.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Trinity Christian 1:34.25, 2. Bolles 1:34.39, 3. Pine Crest 1:34.83 (Rachel Botting, Alexandra Meszaros, Andrea Santander, Hanna Elks Smith).

100-yard backstroke: 1. Lain Shahboz, PK 54.95, 2. Anna Freed, BRCH 55.42, 3. Mary Kelley, EP 55.45.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Shayna Fetes, SA 1:03.07, 2. Jenessa Schwarz, TC 1:03.62, 3. Carly Schwab, JB 1:04.49.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Bolles 3:25.14, 2. Pine Crest 3:26.75 (Rachel Botting, Alexandra Meszaros, Julia Podkoscielny, Andrea Santander), 3. Trinity Christian 3:27.44.

1-meter diving: 1. Maia Goldstein, NSU 504.90, 2. Nicole Stambo, BERK 476.00, 3. Ishani Singh, PC 444.20.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS
1. Jacksonville Bolles 373, 2. Jacksonville Episcopal 216, 3. St. Andrew’s 216, 4. Berkeley Prep 214, 5. Pine Crest 201, 6. Trinity Prep 150, 7. Tampa Prep 113, 8. Montverde 82, 9. King’s Academy 81, 10. PK Yonge 76, 11. Bishop Verot 67, 12. Providence 65, 13. Clearwater Central Catholic 61, 14. Shorecrest Prep 53, 15. Out Of Door 51, 16. Maclay 48, 17. Northside Christian 44, 18. St. Stephen’s 36, 19. St. John’s Country 29, 20. Evangelical Christian 26, 21. Windermere Prep 15, 22. NSU University School 14, 23. All Saints 13, 24. Florida High 12, 25. Bishop Snyder 9, 26. tie, Canterbury 7, Cypress Creek 7, 28. tie, St. Edward’s, Lake Highland Prep, Cutler Bay, 6, 31. Westminster Academy 4, 32. tie, Trinity Christian, Community School 2.

BOYS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

200-yard medley relay: 1. Bolles 1:33.43, 2. St. Andrew’s 1:33.81, 3. Berkeley 1:34.71.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Luke Uttley, TRIN 1:37.86, 2. Tomas Piza, SA 1:39.70, 3. Trevor McGovern, PK 1:40.01.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Paul DeGrado, JB 1:49.59, 2. Joshua Zuchowski, KA 1:50.21, 3. Jace Crawford, EP 1:51.56.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Sterling Crane, EP 20.32, 2. Jan Collazo Torres, TRIN 20.38, 3. Matthew Dieffenthaller, BERK 20.64.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Sterling Crane, EP 47.76, 2. Nick Rogers, STJC 49.18, 3. Joshua Balbi, SA 49.65.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Luke Uttley, TRIN 44.87, 2. Matthew Dieffenthaller, BERK 45.02, 3. Jan Collazo Torres, TRIN 45.03.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Caleb Kravitz, SHOR 4:29.27, 2. Brendan Peacock, EVLC 4:29.41, 3. Jace Crawford, EPIS 4:30.00.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Berkeley 1:23.63, 2. St. Andrew’s 1:24.64, 3. Bolles 1:25.02.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Joshua Zuchowski, KA 49.20, 2. Trevor McGovern, PK 49.56, 3. Joshua Balbi, SA 50.05.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Paul DeGrado, JB 54.76, 2. Cobi Lopez Miro, JB 55.85, 3. Ryaan Hatoum, BERK 57.16.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Bolles 3:05.41, 2. Episcopal 3:06.16, 3. St. Andrew’s 3:06.75.

1-meter diving: 1. Kevin Mendez, PC 533.75, 2. Nicholas Carlin, TP 523.80, 3. Denny Gulia-Janovski, PC 498.40.

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

HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE SWIMMING NOTEBOOK: Jerew, Virgin Commit; Nick Dworet Stroke Clinic Coming Up; Bolles Coach Stepping Down

By Sharon Robb

September 11, 2108—Two top high school and club swimmers, Hannah Virgin and Hailey Jerew, have made verbal college commitments.

Jerew of AquaKids Sharks and recent USA Swimming Futures champion in the 50-meter freestyle, verbally committed to Florida Gulf Coast.

Jerew, a senior at Cutler Bay Academy, a Class 1A school. She is a U.S Open qualifier in the 50-meter freestyle and has a junior national cut in the 100-meter breaststroke. She was a seven-time finalist at the Florida Gold Coast Senior Championships in March.

Florida Gulf Coast won its fourth straight and ninth overall CCSA crown last season. Jerew is expected to compete in the sprint and breaststroke events in college.

Hannah Virgin, a two-time defending state 1A champion in the 100-yard breaststroke at Pine Crest, verbally committed to Virginia Tech. She won a state title as a sophomore in 1:04.06 and junior in 1:03.89.

Virgin competes year-round with Pine Crest. As a club swimmer, Virgin has a U.S. Open time standard in the 100 breaststroke. She competed in both breaststroke events and 200 individual medley at the 2017 Speedo Winter Juniors East meet.

At the Florida Gold Coast Senior Championships in 2017, she won the 200 breast (2:15.53) and was the runner-up in the 100 (1:04.65). She has dual citizenship competes for Sweden internationally. She is a Swedish age group championship medalist.

NICHOLAS DWORET STROKE CLINIC

The inaugural Swim 4 Nick free swim stroke clinic will be held Sunday, Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex. The clinic is for novice and intermediate middle and high school swimmers. Participants should know all four strokes. Registration ends Sept. 25 at http://www.swim4nick.org. The clinic is open to all swimmers from Broward, Dade and Palm Beach to bring swimmers together for a day of learning and help keep Nick’s legacy alive.

The clinic, sponsored in part by Triton Insurance Group and presented by The Nicholas Dworet Memorial Fund, Inc., is a 501c (3) Charity and benefits the fund.

Dworet was killed Feb. 14, 2018 in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas mass shooting. Dworet started swimming at age 7 and had a scholarship waiting for him at University of Indianapolis this fall and hopes of swimming in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Dworet was always helping friends and teammates. In his memory, a swim clinic is being held in his honor for swimmers who want to improve through hard work and dedication just as Dworet did through the years.

High school and club coaches will be on hand to work with swimmers. There will be giveaways and raffles.

CIESLA READY FOR SEASON

Pine Crest alum Marta Ciesla is more than ready for her sophomore season at University of Southern California. In the recent Cardinal vs. Gold intraquad exhibition meet, she went 36.40 in a 75-meter race, winning by more than a body length…Clearwater’s Becca Mann, also of USC, earned Pac-12 All-Academic first team honors. Mann, eligible for the award for the first time as a sophomore, earned first team honors with a 3.80 GPA. The U.S. national team open water swimmer, who has already written a book, is majoring in writing for screen and television.

BOLLES COACH STEPS DOWN

Jon Sakovich, a former All-American at Florida, is stepping down as head coach of Jacksonville Bolles in December. He has been at Bolles for 18 years. Sakovich said he is seeking new opportunities. Bolles is beginning a national search for a head coach and aquatics director replacement immediately.

In a prepared statement, Sakovich said: “I am very thankful to The Bolles School for allowing me this amazing opportunity for the last eighteen years and I could not ask for a better place to work. It is time for me to seek a change in my career direction and look for new ways to expand my professional horizons. I am committed to the continued growth and success of our student-athletes and I look forward to working with them through the fall.

“The Bolles School and Bolles Swim Programs will always have a special place in my heart. Without this opportunity, I would not be the person, father and coach I am today,” Sakovich said.

The Bolles boys and girls swimming and diving teams have reached a combined total of 14 national titles. Fifty-nine Bolles students, alumni or Sharks have participated in every Olympics since 1972, representing 28 countries and claiming 20 medals.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Dressel Wins Gold, Breaks Phelps Meet Record On Day Three Of Pan Pacs; U.S. Relay Disqualified For Relay List Blunder

By Sharon Robb

TOKYO, Japan, August 11, 2018—Caeleb Dressel won his first gold medal in style on Day Three of the Pan Pacific Championships at the Tatsumi International Swimming Center.

The Bolles Club and Clay High School alum won the 100-meter butterfly and broke the meet record of Michael Phelps in 50.75. Phelps record was 50.86 set in 2010. U.S. teammate Jack Conger was second in 51.32. It was Dressel’s third medal of Pan Pacs. On Sunday, he will swim the 50-meter freestyle abd possibly the 400-meter medley relay.

Dressel would have won a second gold in the men’s 400-meter freestyle relay had they not been disqualified. Dressel, Blake Peroni, Zach Apple and Nathan Adrian set a meet record and won in a meet record 3:11.67 but was disqualified for swimming out of order. According to meet officials, the relay received the wrong relay order from coaches. The U.S. foursome got the news unfortunately after the medal ceremony. Brazil got bumped up to gold in 3:12.02.

Other than that embarrassing moment, it was a good day for the U.S. winning eight medals.

In other races:

Katie Ledecky won her second gold medal of the meet in the 400-meter freestyle in a meet record 3:58.30, breaking her previous record of 3:58.37. Ledecky was under world record pace until the final 100 meters. Aussie teenager Ariarne Titmus, 17, kept it close finishing second in 3:59.66, breaking the 4-minute barrier for the first time and becoming the third woman to ever break 4 minutes.

Chase Kalisz won gold in the 200-meter individual medley in 1:55.40. Aussie Mitch Larkin was second in 1:56.21.

Aussie teammates Jack McLoughlin and Mack Horton finished one-two in the 400-meter freestyle. American Zane Grothe was third in 3:45.37.

Australia, with Cate Campbell swimming a 51.36 anchor leg, won the women’s 400-meter freestye relay in 3:31.58. The U.S. took silver in 3:33.45

Japan’s Rikako Ikee won the 100-meter butterfly in 56.08 ahead of Kelsi Worrell Dahlia in 56.44.

Japan teammate Yui Ohashi won the women’s 200-meter individual medley in 2:08.16.

The meet runs through Aug. 14 and features the following federations: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, People’s Republic of China, Cook Islands, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, New Zealand, Oman, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Thailand and the U.S.

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

Bolles Alum Ryan Murphy Wins On Day Two Of Pan Pacs; Murphy, Dressel Make World Team

By Sharon Robb

TOKYO, Japan, August 10, 2018—The comeback of world record holder Ryan Murphy continued on Day Two of the Pan Pacific Championships Friday at the Tatsumi International Swimming Center.

The Bolles alum, after a shaky 2017 season, dominated the 100-meter backstroke to win in 51.94, less than a tenth off his world record. It was a Pan Pacs record and third-fastest swim in history. He was the only swimmer in the field under 52 seconds.

Murphy was coming off sweeping the backstroke events at the Phillips 66 USA Swimming Championships two weeks ago.

Japan’s Ryosuke Irie out-touched Aussie Mitch Larkin for second in 52.78. Larkin finished in 52.88. American Matt Grevers, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, was fourth in 52.99.

The U.S. leads the medal count with 19 (7 gold, 6 silver, 6 bronze) followed by Australia with 11 (4 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze). The finals will be televised on NBC Saturday at 4 p.m. and Olympic Channel at 8 p.m.

In other races:

Aussie Cate Campbell won the 100-meter freestyle in a Pan Pacs record 52.03 ahead of American Simone Manuel in 52.66 and Canadian teenager Taylor Ruck in 52.72.

In the men’s 100-meter freestyle Aussie Kyle Chalmers won in 48.00. Another Bolles Sharks Club swimmer and Clay High School graduate, Caeleb Dressel and Aussie Jack Cartwright tied for the silver medal in 48.22, qualifying Dressel for his first world championship spot. Dressel bumped Nathan Adrian out of an individual event. Adrian will still go to worlds as a relay swimmer.

Dressel and Murphy will compete at next year’s FINA World Championships in South Korea. Dressel has two more events, the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley and Murphy competes Sunday in the 200 backstroke.

American Hali Flickinger won the 200-meter butterfly in 2:07.35 and U.S. teammates Katie Drabot was third in 2:08.40. Japan’s Sachi Mochida was second in 2:07.66.

Japan’s Daiya Seto outsprinted Brazilian Leonardo De Deus in the back half to win the 200-meter butterfly, 1:54.34-1:54.89. American Zach Hartung was third in 1:55.05.

Canadian Kylie Masse topped an impressive field to win the 100-meter backstroke in 58.61. Aussie Emily Seebohm was second in 58.72 and American Kathleen Baker was third in 58.83.

Australia won the women’s 800-meter freestyle relay in a Pan Pacs record 7:44.12, beating the Americans and Katie Ledecky in 7:44.37 and Canadians in 7:47.28.

The U.S. team, led by anchor leg Townley Haas, won the 800-meter freestyle relay in 7:04.36. The Aussies were second in 7:04.70 and Japan was third in 7:08.07.

The meet runs through Aug. 14 and features the following federations: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, People’s Republic of China, Cook Islands, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, New Zealand, Oman, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Thailand and the U.S.

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