Caribbean Swimmers Crooks, Carter Make History At FINA Short Course World Championships; Meilutyte Takes Down Atkinson’s World Record In Semifinals

By Sharon Robb
MELBOURNE, Australia, December 17, 2022—It was a historical day for Caribbean swimmers Saturday night at the 16th FINA Short Course World Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.

University of Tennessee’s Jordan Crooks won the Cayman Islands’ first-ever gold medal at the world championships after winning the men’s 50-meter freestyle in 20.46.

Crooks, who grew up swimming in a 25-meter pool in the Cayman Islands, knocked off British defending champion Ben Proud and Australia’s Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers.

It was the first time since 1999 that a male swimmer from the Caribbean won a World short course gold medal when Rodolfo Falcon of Cuba won the 50 and 100 backstroke in Hong Kong.

Brooks was joined on the podium by another Caribbean swimmer, Dylan Carter of Trinidad & Tobago who took third in 20.72. It was the first medal for the Plantation American Heritage alum at worlds after two other attempts. Carter is only the second swimmer from his homeland to win a medal at worlds.

“I definitely had a bit of fire in me I wanted to come and show my hand in finals and I am very happy with how it played out,” Crooks said.

“I think it means a lot. The Cayman Islands is a very special place. I wouldn’t have grown up in any other place. I am very grateful for everything they have done for me as a person and swimmer.

“I hope it shows any little kid out there that may doubt themselves and may think that because they don’t have a specific resource that they might not be able to do it that it is possible. There is no set way of doing things, you can carve your own path.”

Carter had won this event at all three Swimming World Cup stops. His fellow countryman George Bovell won a bronze medal in the 100 IM in 2012. It was his nation’s fourth medal at worlds.

“I am happy to come away with something coming down here,” Carter said. “It was really fun. Proud of Jordan, you know, to have two Caribbean athletes in the men’s 50 final – that’s brand new. So both of us on the podium…that’s massive for the region and for serving the region, especially in the men’s 50 freestyle, which is, you know, arguably the fastest, well the fastest event in the pool so proud of that.”

Three more world records tumbled on Saturday with Australia and Italy breaking them in the women’s and men’s 4×50-meter medley relay. Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte broke the 50-meter breaststroke world record in the semifinals in 28.37, taking 2/10ths off SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson’s world record of 28.56 set in 2018.

Australia (Mollie O’Callaghan, Chelsea Hodges, Emma McKeon and Madison Wilson) won the women’s relay in 1:42.35, 3/100ths off the 2018 record the U.S. set. The U.S. took silver in 1:42.41 with Claire Curzan, Lilly King, Torri Huske and Kate Douglass.

Italy’s team of Lorenzo Mora, Nicolo Martinenghi, Matteo Rivolta and Leonardo Deplano set the world record at 1:29.72, lowering their own mark of 1:30.14 from last year to become the first team faster than 90 seconds in the relay.

Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri won the inaugural title in the 800-meter freestyle in 7:29.99.

American Hali Flickinger won the 400-meter individual medley in 4:26.51 for her first individual gold of worlds.

Japan’s Daiya Seto also made history with his six-peat in the men’s 400-meter individual medley in 3:55.75, the fastest of any of his six gold medals in the event. His streak began in 2012 when he was only 18.

Aussie Emma McKeon won her second gold medal of the night in the 50-meter freestyle in 23.04, an Oceania record.

In his final appearance at the meet, South Florida Aquatic Club’s 2020 Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego finished the 50-meter breaststroke prelims in 27.71.

The meet, which ends Sunday, is being live streamed on FINA’s YouTube channel. Meet prelims are 7 p.m. EST. Finals each day are 3:30 a.m. EST. Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

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

Three More World Records Broken; SOFLO’s Julio Horrego Swims Final Event; Azura Swimmers Break National Records At FINA Short Course World Championships

By Sharon Robb
MELBOURNE, Australia, December 16, 2022—Three world records fell and Aussie Lani Pallister and Americans Ryan Murphy and Kate Douglass won gold medals Friday at the 16th FINA Short Course World Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.

France won its first gold medal at worlds when it dominated its mixed freestyle relay broke the world record in 1:27.33, breaking the previous mark of 1:27.89 set by the U.S. in 2018.

The foursome of Maxime Grousset (20.92), Florent Manaudou (20.26), Beryl Gastaldello (23.00), and Melanie Henique (23.15) won by 7/10ths of a second over the Aussies.

“I haven’t been at the top of the podium since 2015,” said Manaudou. “I had 19 major medals and now I have 20. I like the number 20 more. I appreciate all those earlier medals even more today than I did before.

“At the end of the race, I understood that we were going to win, but I was not yet thinking about the world record. When I saw that we were breaking the world record, I exploded with joy.”

Douglass won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:15.77 ahead of U.S. teammate Lilly King in 2:17.13.

Japan’s Daiya Seto won the men’s 200-meter breaststroke in an Asian record 2:00.35. Defending champion Nic Fink took silver in 2:01.60.

Canadian Maggie MacNeil broke her own world record in the 50-meter backstroke with strong underwater kicks in 25.25, lowering her previous record of 25.27.

“I’m ecstatic, I knew it would be hard to swim a best time,” MacNeil said. “I just really wanted to see the improvement, even just a couple of hundredths. Swimming Canada has definitely risen over the past few years and to see this tonight is amazing. It’s great to bring this medal back to Canada.”

Bolles alum Ryan Murphy won the 50-meter backstroke in 22.64 in a bizarre situation. Initially, it was Australia’s Isaac Cooper who touched the wall first, but due to the sound error, the race had to be re-swum an hour later in the session. Cooper finished second to Murphy in 22.73.

“It was definitely an interesting last hour,” Murphy said. “On the first start, we all heard the double beep and you know you just have to go if you are swimming in a world championship final…you just have to finish that race. But after the turn, I hit the wall and I felt that the wedge was still in. I thought “Oh shoot, we have to do that one again.”

Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands won the 100-meter individual medley in 57.53 to carry on the rich tradition of the Dutch in the event. Italy’s Thomas Ceccon won the 100 IM in 50.97.

Aussie Lani Pallister won her third gold medal in the 1500 freestyle in 15:21.43. Legendary Dawn Fraser, a three-time Olympic champion in the 100 freestyle, presented Pallister with her gold medal.

The U.S. men’s 4×200-meter freestyle finished the day’s schedule with a world record in 6:44.12. The foursome of Kieran Smith (1:41.04), Carson Foster (1:40.48), Trenton Julian (1:41.44) and Drew Kibler (1:41.16) took nearly three seconds off the world record that Brazil set in 2018 at 6:46.81.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s 2020 Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego swims his second and final event Saturday in the 50-meter breaststroke. He competed in the 100 breaststroke earlier in the week.

Two-time Olympian Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago made it through the semifinal round of the 50-meter freestyle and missed out on a medal in the 50-meter backstroke. The Plantation American Heritage alum finished seventh in the sprint backstroke in 23.12. He was fifth fastest qualifier in the 50-meter freestyle in 20.94 for Saturday’s final. Jordan Crooks of the Cayman Islands was top qualifier in 20.31.

Azura Florida Aquatics had three swimmers set national records. Steven Aimable of Senegal swam 22.42 in the 50 freestyle. Leon Seaton of Guyana swam 26.65 in the 50 freestyle. Nicole Frank of Uruguay swam 2:26.44 in the 200 breaststroke.

The meet, which ends Sunday, is being live streamed on FINA’s YouTube channel. Meet prelims are 7 p.m. EST. Finals each day are 3:30 a.m. EST. Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

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

Marchand, U.S. Women’s Relay Win; Dressel Drops Out Of Meet; Azura’s Morales Top FGC Finisher At FINA World Aquatics Championships

By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 22, 2022–It was a crazy day at the 19th FINA World Aquatics Championships Wednesday at Duna Arena.

In the biggest news of the day, Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Caeleb Dressel withdrew from the rest of his events on the fifth day of the eight-day meet, a day after scratching out of the 100 freestyle for unspecified medical grounds.

“After conferring with Caeleb, his coaches and medical staff, a decision has been made to withdraw him from the FINA World Championships,” according to a USA Swimming. “Our priority is and will always be the health of our athletes and we will continue to give Caeleb the assistance he needs to recover quickly.”

Dressel, a Clay High School and Bolles Swim Club alum and 15-time world champion who won five golds at the Tokyo Olympics, scratched out of Tuesday’s 100 freestyle semifinals. He was also expected to race in Tuesday’s mixed 4×100 medley relay final before withdrawing. He didn’t have any events scheduled Wednesday.

Now, Dressel will also miss the 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle, events that start Thursday, and two more relays he was expected to be a part of (mixed 4×100 free and men’s 4×100 medley).

The top Florida Gold Coast finisher was Azura’s Yeziel Morales of Puerto Rico. He was 16th in 1:59.77 in the 200-meter backstroke morning prelims to advance into the semifinal round where he finished eighth in 2:01.47 in his semi and 16th overall. Swimming in Lane 8, Morales had the second fastest start (0.54) in the first semifinal.

In her world championship debut, Cayman Islands national record holder Jillian Crooks, who turns 16 on June 27, tied for 29th in the 100-meter freestyle in 57.24 with Peru’s Rafaela Erazo. The home schooler and TS Aquatics swimmer has the 50 freestyle left to swim on Friday.

There are 23 Florida Gold Coast swimmers competing on one of swimming’s biggest international stages.

FGC swimmers who competed on Wednesday:

Patrick Groters, 23, Aruba (NSU University School, Pine Crest Swim Club, University of South Carolina), 200 backstroke, 28th, 2:05.90.

Michaela Sierra, 17, Uruguay (South Florida Heat, Azura), 200 breaststroke, 27th, 2:39.05.

Jillian Crooks, 15, Cayman Islands (TS Aquatics), 100 freestyle, tied for 29th, 57.24.

Yeziel Morales, 26, Puerto Rico, (Azura), 200 backstroke, 16th, 1:59.77 in prelims; in the semifinals he was eighth in 2:01.47 and 16th overall.

FGC swimmers competing on Thursday are:

Olympic bronze medalist Bruno Fratus, 32, Brazil, (Coral Springs Swim Club), 50 freestyle.

Dylan Carter, 26, Trinidad & Tobago, (Plantation American Heritage, USC), 50 freestyle.

Esteban Nunez de Prado, 18, Bolivia, (Azura), 100 butterfly.

Jenebi Benoit, 19, Grenada, (Azura), 100 butterfly.

Leon Seaton, 18, Guyana (Azura), 50 freestyle.

Jordan Crooks, 20, Cayman Islands (TS Aquatics), 50 freestyle.

Steven Aimable, 23, Senegal, (Azura), 100 butterfly.

In Wednesday night’s final events:

200 WOMEN’S BUTTERFLY: Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh, 15, topped three Olympic medalists and broke her own world junior record to win in 2:05.20. She is the first Canadian to win the event at worlds. American Hali Flickinger was second in 2:06.08 and reigning Olympic champion Zhang Yufei was third in 2:06.32.

MEN’S 100 FREESTYLE: Romanian teenager David Popovici, 17, won in 47.58 out-touching Frenchman Maxime Grousset in 47.64 and Canadian Josh Liendo was third in 47.71. It was his second win of the meet.

WOMEN’S 50 BACKSTROKE: In a tight finish Canadian national record holder Kylie Masse won gold in 27.31. American Katharine Berkoff took silver in 27.39 for her first world medal. Frenchwoman Analia Pigree was third n 27.40, the first-ever French woman medalist in the event. American Regan Smith was fifth. 16/100ths of a second separated the top six swimmers.

MEN’S 200 IM: Frenchman Leon Marchand, 20, of Arizona State, swept the medley events, winning in a best time and national record 1:55.22. He also won the 400 IM earlier in the week. Marchand was third going into the breaststroke where he overtook the early leaders. American Carson Foster was second in 1:55.71 and Japan’s 2019 world champion Daiya Seto was third in 1:56.22.

“It’s a dream for me because five years ago, I was watching this race, and I was like, ‘Whoa, that’s amazing,'” Marchand said. “And now, I can win two titles, so it’s amazing.”

WOMEN’S 4×200 FREE RELAY: With two veterans and two youngsters, the U.S. women’s team pulled off an upset win in a championship record 7:41.45. Katie Ledecky swam third leg to pick up her 18th worlds gold medal, the most of any woman in meet history. Bella Sims, 16, swam anchor leg. Claire Weinstein, 15, and Leah Smith swam the first two legs. Australia was second in 7:43.86 and Canada third in 7:44.76.

“I think we always find a way to be in the mix,” Ledecky said. “I knew that going into tonight that no matter who’s going to be on that relay, no matter who makes those spots, they’re going to step up and swim well. This was awesome. It’s so easy to get up for these relays, to not think and go. I had so much trust in these three. I think we’re always counted out, and we always deliver so I’m proud of this group.”

In the 200 breaststroke semifinals, middle schooler Sua Moon of Korea was 16th in the semis in 2:26.64. The 13-year-old also swam 1:08.50 in the 100 breaststroke heats.

Thursday prelim events are men’s 100 butterfly, women’s 200 backstroke, men’s 50 freestyle, women’s 50 butterfly, women’s 800 freestyle and men’s 4×200 free relay.

The U.S. added four more medals to its tally of 11 gold, 6 silver and 9 bronze for 26. Australia is second with eight total (2 golds, 5 silver, 1 bronze).

The swimming runs through Saturday with the pool events. The aquatics championships that also features diving, water polo, high diving, open water swimming and synchronized swimming end July 3.

The Olympic Channel and Peacock, on the NBC platform, is televising the finals at noon each day. A highlights show will be on NBC at noon on June 26. The FINA facebook page is also posting competition news. Canada’s CBC will also broadcast the swimming.

There are huge cheers for any Hungarian swimmers from spectators at Duna Arena. FINA, the sport’s governing body, has asked fans each day to clap rather than cheer as a precaution against coronavirus infections. There were no other requests or restrictions.

FINALS SCHEDULE
Thursday, June 23: 100 women’s freestyle, 200 women’s breaststroke, 200 men’s backstroke, 200 men’s breaststroke, 4×200 men’s freestyle relay.

Friday, June 24: 50 women’s fly, 50 men’s free, 100 men’s fly, 200 women’s back, 800 women’s free, 4×100 mixed free relay.

Saturday, June 25: 50 men’s back, 50 women’s breast, 1500 men’s free, 50 women’s free, 400 women’s IM, 4×100 men’s and women’s medley relay.

Sunday, June 26: Open water, 6K team relay.

Monday, June 27: Open water, men’s and women’s 5K.

Wednesday, June 29: Open water, men’s and women’s 10K.

Thursday, June 30: Open water, men’s and women’s 25K.

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

Milak Shatters World Record; Finke Breaks American Record; TS Aquatics’ Jillian Crooks Makes Debut Wednesday At FINA World Aquatics Championships

By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 21, 2022–In front of an electric hometown crowd, Hungarian Kristof Milak broke the world record in the 200-meter butterfly Tuesday night at the 19th FINA World Aquatics Championships at Duna Arena.

It was Hungary’s first gold medal of the world championships.

The Olympic gold medalist set a blistering pace breaking his own world record in 1:50.34. His splits were 24.19, 27.70, 28.62 and 29.83.

“Now it hurts a lot. I can’t feel my legs,” Milak said. “I enjoyed it though, especially after the race, the atmosphere and how the fans reacted.”

Milak’s previous mark was 1:50.73 set at the 2019 World Championships. The only other swimmer to break 1:52 was Michael Phelps in 2009 (1:51.51). Milak, 22, now has eight of the 12 fastest times in event history.

“I can’t really recall my swim,” Milak said. “I think I pushed a bit harder over the first 100 meters. That’s why it was so painful at the end, but I really wanted this world record, more than anything. I mean, this is my home, my pool. I train here. I race here, lane four belongs to me. I really wanted to show something big for these fantastic people. The Olympic gold means a lot, but winning here, with a new world record, in front of 4,000 people, that eclipses everything. I was driven today by the crowd.”

Frenchman Leon Marchand of Arizona State was second in a national record 1:53.37 and Japan’s Tomoru Honda was third in 1:53.61.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and University of Florida senior Bobby Finke of St. Petersburg, in his textbook comeback fashion, turned it on in the final 50 meters to win the 800-meter freestyle breaking his own American record in 7:39.36. Finke, in fourth place at the final turn, is the first American male to win the event at world championships.

“I was peeking to see how far Romanchuk was the last 100 because he started picking it up a little bit and I knew if I was going to run someone down I had to at least know kind of where they were,” Finke said.

“I was just happy I was able to hold on to a little position I had, enough room to get by them on the last 50. I think it’s just really that kind of mentality going into the last finish.”

Germany’s Florian Wellbrock was second in a national record 7:39.63.

Mykhailo Romanchuk of war-torn Ukraine took the bronze in 7:40.05 in an emotional moment for his country. During the medal ceremony, Romanchuk fought back tears and kept patting his heart.

“I hope this medal means a lot for Ukrainians because of the hard times and I show to all Ukrainians, to all people, that Ukrainians will fight to the end,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what the situation, we will fight to the end and it doesn’t matter what will happen next.”

Cayman Islands national record holder Jillian Crooks, who turns 16 on June 27, makes her world championship debut in the 100-meter freestyle on Wednesday. The home schooler and TS Aquatics swimmer competed in the 100 freestyle at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she finished 41st.

At the April 2022 CARIFTA meet she broke four Cayman records in the 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 200 backstroke and 100 butterfly and now owns six individual national records including the 100 freestyle and 50 butterfly. She also is a member of four women’s relay national records. Her older brother Jordan, tied for 21st in the 100-meter freestyle in 48.79 in Tuesday’s prelims.

Plantation American Heritage and USC alum Dylan Carter, 26, of Trinidad & Tobago was unable to get past the 100 freestyle semifinals on Tuesday but was still the top Florida Gold Coast finisher. Carter was 11th in 48.40 in prelims and finished 14th in a best time and national record 48.30 in the semifinals.

There are 23 Florida Gold Coast swimmers competing on one of swimming’s biggest international stages.

Other FGC swimmers who competed on Tuesday were:

Patrick Groters, 23, Aruba, (NSU University School, Pine Crest Swim Club, University of South Carolina), 200 IM, 28th, 2:04.58.

Dylan Carter, 26, Trinidad & Tobago, (Plantation American Heritage), 100 freestyle, tied with Aruba’s Mikel Schreuders for 11th, 48.40 in prelims and finished 14th in 48.30 in semifinals.

Esteban Nunez del Prado, 18, Bolivia, (Azura), 200 IM, disqualified.

Jayhan Odlum-Smith, 20, St. Lucia, (Azura), 100 freestyle, 61st 51.87.

Jenebi Benoit, 19, Grenada, (Azura) 100 freestyle, 89th, 57.03.

Julimar Avila, 25, Honduras, (Azura), 200 butterfly, 22nd, 2:17.40.

Leon Seaton, 18, Guyana, (Azura), 100 freestyle, 85th, 55.09.

Matheo Mateos, 21, Paraguay, (Azura), 200 IM, 30th, 2:04.73.

Steven Aimable, 23, Senegal, (Azura), 100 freestyle, 69th, 52.80.

Jordan Crooks, 20, Cayman Islands, (TS Aquatics, Tennessee), 100 freestyle, tied for 21st 48.79 with Carter Swift of New Zealand.

FGC swimmers competing on Wednesday:

Patrick Groters, 23, Aruba (NSU University School, Pine Crest Swim Club, University of South Carolina), 200 backstroke.

Michaela Sierra, 17, Uruguay (South Florida Heat, Azura), 200 breaststroke.

Jillian Crooks, 15, Cayman Islands (TS Aquatics), 100 freestyle.

Yeziel Morales, 26, Puerto Rico, (Azura), 200 backstroke.

In Tuesday night’s final events:
WOMEN’S 200 FREESTYLE: China picked up two medals in the event. Yang Junxuan won gold in 1:54.92 and Tang Muhan took bronze in 1:56.25. Aussie teenager Mollie O’Callaghan, 18, took silver in 1:55.22.

MEN’S 50 BREASTSTROKE: American Nic Fink pulled off a stunning victory in an American record 26.45. Italian Nicolo Martenenghi was second in 26.48 and American Michael Andrew won his second world individual medal placing third in 26.72. Fink is the first American to win a world title in the event.

MIXED 400 MEDLEY RELAY: The U.S. relay of Hunter Armtstrong, Nic Fink, Torri Huske and Claire Curzan won in 3:38.79. Australia was second in 3:41.34 and the Netherlands was third in 3:41.54.

In the men’s 100-meter semifinals, Roumanian teenager David Popvici, 17, broke a second world junior record in 47.13.

In the women’s 200-meter butterfly semifinals Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh, 15, broke the world junior record in 2:05.79.

Two-time defending champion Caeleb Dressel withdrew from the 100-meter freestyle semifinals for “medical grounds” according to Team USA officials.

According to an official statement, “A decision has been made by Team USA in consultation with Caeleb, his coach, and the team’s medical staff for him to withdraw from the 100-meter freestyle event on medical grounds. The team will determine his participation in the events later in the week.” He has the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly left to swim.

Wednesday prelim events are women’s 100 freestyle, men’s 200 backstroke, women’s 200 breaststroke, men’s 200 breaststroke and women’s 4×200 relay.

The swimming runs through June 25 with the pool events. The aquatics championships that also features diving, water polo, high diving, open water swimming and synchronized swimming end July 3.

The Olympic Channel and Peacock, on the NBC platform, is televising the finals at noon each day. A highlights show will be on NBC at noon on June 26. The FINA facebook page is also posting competition news. Canada’s CBC will also broadcast the swimming.

There are huge cheers for any Hungarian swimmers from spectators at Duna Arena. FINA, the sport’s governing body, has asked fans each day to clap rather than cheer as a precaution against coronavirus infections. There were no other requests or restrictions.

FINALS SCHEDULE

Wednesday, June 22: 200 women’s fly, 100 men’s free, 50 women’s back, 200 men’s IM, 4×200 women’s free relay.

Thursday, June 23: 100 women’s free, 200 women’s breast, 200 men’s back, 200 men’s breast, 4×200 men’s free relay.

Friday, June 24: 50 women’s fly, 50 men’s free, 100 men’s fly, 200 women’s back, 800 women’s free, 4×100 mixed free relay.

Saturday, June 25: 50 men’s back, 50 women’s breast, 1500 men’s free, 50 women’s free, 400 women’s IM, 4×100 men’s and women’s medley relay.

Sunday, June 26: Open water, 6K team relay.

Monday, June 27: Open water, men’s and women’s 5K.

Wednesday, June 29: Open water, men’s and women’s 10K.

Thursday, June 30: Open water, men’s and women’s 25K.

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

SOFLO’s Sarah Acevedo Second At Flowers Sea Open Water Swim In Cayman Islands

By Sharon Robb

CAYMAN ISLANDS, June 17, 2019–Sarah Acevedo of South Florida Aquatic Club posted her highest finish in an international open water swimming race this past weekend.

With a nice tail wind, calm water and great weather, Acevedo, 15, was second overall among the women’s field and tenth overall among a field of more than 800 adult and youth swimmers at the annual Flowers Sea Swim off Seven Mile Beach on Saturday.

Acevedo finished the mile in 20 minutes and 45 seconds. Lexie Kelly won the women’s race in 20:24. Sydney Shemilt was third in 20:52 and Courtney Monsees was fourth in 21:08.

Former world champion Alex Meyer, 30, won the men’s race in 19:43 ahead of hometown favorite Shaune Fraser, 31, in 19:49. Teenager Alex Dakers was third in 19:57 and Jake Bailey was fourth in 20:08.

Proceeds from the event, which was expected to raise in excess of $70,000, went to the Special Olympics Foundation.

Meyer and Fraser are both retired after outstanding swimming careers in the Olympics and Pan American Games.

At the height of his career, Meyer won a gold medal in the 25K at the 2010 Open Water World Championships. Meyer also represented the U.S. at the 2012 London Olympics.

Fraser took a silver medal at the Pan American Games and now swims for fun, he said.

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

Bucaro, Celestin, Cooper, Pittinger Lead SOFLO On Day One Of Coral Springs Open Invitational

February 4, 2012

WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB

Tristan Celestin of South Florida Aquatic Club added three more lifetime best times to his swimming resume Saturday at the Florida Gold Coast Coral Springs Open Long Course Invitational at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex.

Celestin, 12, won the 50-meter butterfly in 30.15, bettering his previous best of 31.24. Celestin out-touched Alex Gazo, 12, of Flying Fish in 30.18.

Celestin bettered his best time winning the 100-meter freestyle in 1:01.86. His previous best was 1:04.04. He also won the 50-meter breaststroke in a personal-best 33.18, bettering his previous best of 33.55.

Celestin, the Nike Athlete of the Month, celebrates his 13^th birthday on Sunday and will now age-up into the 13-14 age group.

Isabella Pittinger, 12, won the 100-meter backstroke in a lifetime-best 1:15.60, bettering her previous best of 1:18.08, out-touching Andrea Lopez of Team FLA at the wall. She was second in the 50-meter butterfly in another best time of 32.81, bettering her previous best of 36.47.

Sophia Bucaro, 12, won the 100-meter freestyle in a career-best 1:05.55, bettering her previous best time of 1:06.42.

Catharine Cooper was second in the 100-meter freestyle in 1:05.58, third in the 50-meter butterfly in a best time of 33.16 and fifth in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:52.47, a big time drop from her seed time of 3:20.88. In the IM race, Cooper came on strong in the breaststroke and took the lead in the freestyle to win her heat.

Keegan Boisson-Yates, 16, was second in the 100-meter freestyle in a career-best 55.30, bettering his previous best of 55.42.

Gabby Beltrano, 9, was second in the 100-meter backstroke in a lifetime-best 1:33.41, bettering her previous best time of 1:44.02.

Julien Pinon, at 13 the youngest in his heat, was second in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:28.55.

Brandon Goldman, 16, took home a pair of seconds in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:16.89 and 100-meter backstroke in 1:01.26.

Andres McKeon, 10, made his Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympic cut time in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:35.68.

Other individual SOFLO winners were:

Three-time Olympian Arlene Semeco, 28, of Venezuela won the 100-meter freestyle in 59.31.

Carter Carlson, 10, won the 200-meter individual medley in 3:14.39

Gianni Savino, 10, won the 50-meter breaststroke in a best time 47.33. His previous best was 50.74. He was also third in the 200-meter individual medley in 3:31.58.

Camana Bay Aquatic Club of the Cayman Islands, the only international team in the field, took time out from training at SOFLO’s Academic Village Pool in Pembroke Pines, to compete against some of the Florida Gold Coast’s top teams.

The two-day meet concludes on Sunday.

SATURDAY RESULTS

GIRLS

200-meter individual medley: 10-and-under, 1. Alexandra Meszaros, FLA 2:53.88; SOFLO: 3. Delaney Biro 3:14.20, best time; 11-12, 1. Gaia Fella, Davie Nadadores 2:46.20; SOFLO: 5. Catharine Cooper 2:52.47, best time, 6. Andrea Bucaro 2:52.88, best time, 15. Hannah Virgin 3:15.70, 17. Ashley Ruf 3:20.62, best time; 13-14, 1. Lindsay Hay, Heritage Aquatic Team 2:35.21; SOFLO: 6. Lindsey Sauer 2:49.91, best time, 8. Jenna Deal 2:51.91, 12. Veronica Postolski 2:58.17, 19. Jessie Cordero 3:10.01, best time, 20. Camila Vara 3:28.47, best time; 15-and-over, 1. Emily Kopas, Davie Nadadores 2:28.35; SOFLO: 10. Kristina Brennan 2:47.26, 12. Daniela Jimenez 2:52.59

50-meter butterfly: 11-12, 1. Rancine Ross, Davie Nadadores 31.76; SOFLO: 2. Isabella Pittinger 32.81, best time, 3. Catharine Cooper 33.16, best time, 5. Sarah Bucaro 34.38, best time, 13. Ashley Tan 41.27, best time, 17. Daniela Gomez 45.01, best time, 18. Lauren Smith 45.21, best time; 13-14, 1. Kyla Valls, Miami Swimming 2:37.49; 15-and-over, 1. Annie Walls, Miami Swimming 2:37.58.

100-meter freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Alexandra Meszaros, Team FLA 1:09.04; SOFLO: 7. Lauren Noyola 1:23.84, best time, 8. Sarah Schimansky 1:25.81, best time, 10. Gabby Beltrano 1:28.22, best time, 20. Treasure D’Souza 1:45.42, best time, 21. Giulianna Garcia 1:46.93, 22. Victoria Veiga 1:47.37; 29. Madelyne Garcia 2:07.80; CSSC: 23. Emma Gomez 1:47.67, best time, 24. Victoria Grimaldi 1:52.48, 27. Ashley Nagy 2:03.10, 28. Faith Newby 2:03.37; 11-12, 1. Sophia Bucaro, SOFLO 1:05.55, best time; SOFLO: 2. Catharine Cooper 1:05.58, 6. Isabella Pittinger 1:07.82, best time, 14. Sarah Bucaro 1:12.08, best time, 16. Megan Schimansky 1:12.80, best time, 18. Luisa Suzuki 1:13.91, best time, 24. Hannah Virgin 1:17.46, 25. Ashley Tan 1:17.85, best time, 29. Megan Appelbaum 1:25.68, best time, 30. Lauren Smith 1:26.01, best time, 33. Carly Brewington 1:28.36, 36. Daniela Gomez 1:32.01, best time, 37. Lilian Skopp 1:32.76, 38. Beliz Aral 1:32.86, 42. Megan Sharma 1:54.33; 13-14, 1. Lindsay Hay, Heritage Aquatic Team 1:03.11; SOFLO: 4. Steph Campo 1:05.92, 7. Jenna Deal 1:06.92, best time, 10. Lindsey Sauer 1:08.18, 12. Veronica Postolski 1:08.34, best time, 15. Kelly Kealty 1:09.68, 21. Charlene Forti 1:11.06, 25. Adrianna Cuevas 1:12.13, best time, 28. Jillian Alexander 1:12.39, 29. Jessie Cordero 1:12.44, 32. Camila Vara 1:14.17, best time, 39. Garryne Badere 1:31.52; 15-and-over, 1. Arlene Semeco, SOFLO 59.31; SOFLO: 2. Mariangela Macchoavello 1:01.55, 5. Emma Lincoln 1:02.53, 10. Evelin Jimenez 1:04.19, 17. Daniela Jimenez 1:06.36, best time, 19. Kristina Brennan 1:06.57, 21. Anne Kuczynski 1:06.74, 31. Bar Bogoslavsky 1:12.24.

100-meter backstroke: 10-and-under, 1. Amanda Kopas, Davie Nadadores 1:27.64; SOFLO: 2. Gabby Beltrano 1:33.41, 9. Giulianna Garcia 2:06.92; 11-12, 1. Isabella Pittinger, SOFLO 1:15.60, best time; SOFLO: 7. Andrea Bucaro 1:23.54, 8. Megan Schimansky 1:23.90, best time, 12. Ashley Tan 1:35.33, best time, 15. Ashley Ruf 1:44.42, best time, 16. Beliz Aral 1:44.85, 18. Megan Appelbaum 1:51.77, best time; 13-14, 1. Lindsay Hay, Heritage Aquatic Team 1:12.57; SOFLO: 2. Steph Campo 1:16.02, 3. Veronica Postolski 1:18.59, best time, 4. Jenna Deal 1:18.70, best time, 8. Adrianna Cuevas 1:20.77, best time, 20. Jessie Cordero 1:27.31, 21. Charlene Forti 1:28.62; 15-and-over, 1. Deandre Small, Davie Nadadores 1:11.00; SOFLO: 10. Daniela Jimenez 1:19.32, best time, 13. Anne Kuczynski 1:20.70, 14. Emma Lincoln 1:20.99, 17. Bar Bogoslavsky 1:22.73, best time.

50-meter breaststroke: 10-and-under, 1. Andrea Santander, Miami Beach Seahawks 41.07; SOFLO: 4. Gabby Beltrano 48.05, best time, 8. Kailey Norusis 51.94, 9. Sarah Schimansky 52.16, best time, 11. Brooke Cordoba 53.28, best time, 13. Treasure D’Souza 55.12, best time, 19. Lauren Noyola 1:01.59, 21. Amanda Block 1:02.62, 22. Giulianna Garcia 1:02.91; CSSC: 16. Cara Virgin 57.91, best time, 23. Victoria Grimaldi 1:03.04, 24. Emma Gomez 1:07.95, best time, 25. Faith Newby 1:09.69, 27. Ashley Nagy 1:17.93; 11-12, 1. Manuela Dangond, Team FLA 39.98; SOFLO: 6. Hannah Virgin 45.36, best time, 7. Luisa Suzuki 45.90, 10. Ashley Ruf 47.07, best time, 15. Lauren Smith 51.50, best time, 17. Beliz Aral 52.48, 18. Megan Schimansky 53.13, best time, 20. Daniela Gomez 55.61, best time; 13-14, 1. Allison Kopas, Davie Nadadores 3:03.20; SOFLO: 2. Jillian Alexander 3:04.91, 4. Lindsey Sauer 3:14.33, 6. Kelly Kealty 3:16.75; 15-and-over, 1. Emily Kopas, Davie Nadadores 2:46.84; SOFLO: 10. Selina Voelkel 3:12.71.

BOYS

200-meter individual medley: 10-and-under, 1. Carter Carlson, SOFLO 3:14.39; SOFLO: 3. Gianni Savino 3:31.58; 11-12, 1. Gabriel Munoz, Davie 2:38.54; 13-14, 1. Gabriel Perez, Davie Nadadores 2:27.61; SOFLO: 2. Julien Pinon 2:28.55, 5. Alex Monti 2:31.75, best time, 6. Joao Silveira 2:32.70, 9. Jonathan Strod 2:38.94, best time, 10. David Stoddard 2:42.42, 11. Ryan Capote 2:43.77, best time, 12. Sebastian Vargas 2:44.12, best time; 15-and-over, 1. Yagoh Kubagawa, Davie Nadadores 2:16.14; SOFLO: 2. Brandon Goldman 2:16.89, 7. Marco Hosfeld 2:24.05, 18. Mauricio Hidalgo 2:30.95, 19. August Charni 2:32.35, best time, 25. Bryce Pierce 2:33.30, best time, 26. Kyle Desrosiers 2:33.96, 29. Jacob Walters 2:37.25, 34. Joshua Cutter 2:42.98, 41. Jacob Brookins 3:19.57.

50-meter butterfly: 10-and-under, 1. Dante Poe, Team FLA 41.50; SOFLO: 3. Connor Marks 43.77, best time, 4. Alexander Meyer 46.14, best time; 11-12, 1. Tristan Celestin, SOFLO 30.15, best time; SOFLO: 10. Collin Burt 38.45, best time, 17. Sebastien Parks  44.00; 13-14, 1. Nicolas Medina, Davie Nadadores 2:15.29; 15-and-over, 1. Luiz Pedro Ribeiro Pereira, Davie Nadadores 2:06.57; SOFLO: 3. Luke Torres 2:15.19, 5. Mauricio Hidalgo 2:25.76.  

100-meter freestyle: 10-and-under, 1. Francisco Chaves, Miami Beach Seahawks 1:15.86; SOFLO: 4. Carter Carlson 1:20.65, 6. Connor Marks 1:22.26, best time, 7. Andres McKeon 1:23.98, 9. Alexander Meyer 1:26.79, 10. Gianni Savino 1:27.09, best time, 12. Joshua Hanks 1:31.03, best time, 14. Gregory Trimble 1:36.52, 18. Andres Garcia 1:51.00, best time; 11-12, 1. Tristan Celestin, SOFLO 1:01.86, best time; SOFLO: 11. Collin Burt 1:12.60, best time, 15. Christian Carlson 1:15.89, 22. Guilherme Hada 1:21.53, best time, 23. Sebastien Parks 1:22.54, best time, 28. Nicholas Montes 1:45.70, best time; 13-14, 1. Nicolas Medina, Davie 57.29; SOFLO: 2. Joao Silveira 59.10, 5. David Stoddard 1:00.17, best time, 9. Alex Monti 1:02.28, best time, 10. Ryan Capote 1:03.49, best time, 11. Sebastian Vargas 1:04.26, best time, 12. Jonathan Strod 1:05.99; 15-and-over, 1. Daniel Spas, Heritage Aquatic Team 54.00; SOFLO: 2. Keegan Boisson-Yates 55.30, best time, 5. Luke Torres 55.59, 9. Marco Hosfeld 58.09, 10. Ben Fruitman 58.55, 17. August Charni 59.71, best time, 21. Jacob Walters 59.96, best time, 35. Bryce Pierce 1:01.42, best time, 37. Kyle Desrosiers 1:01.49, 43. Joshua Cutter 1:03.30, 49. Austin Pillado 1:04.97, 59. Derek Schwab 1:13.38, 60. Jacob Brookins 1:14.30.

100-meter backstroke: 10-and-under, 1. Dante Poe, Team FLA 1:30.93; SOFLO: 4. Andres McKeon 1:35.68, 6. Joshua Hanks 1:39.76, best time; 11-12, 1. Bryan Quintero, Miami Beach Seahawks 1:16.90; SOFLO: 5. Christian Carlson 1:19.97, 6. Collin Burt 1:20.46, best time; 13-14, 1. Nicolas Medina, Davie Nadadores 1:06.22; SOFLO: 4. Julien Pinon 1:11.90, best time, 5. Joao Silveira 1:12.20, 8. David Stoddard 1:15.81, 9. Ryan Capote 1:16.07, 10. Alex Monti 1:18.05, best time; 15-and-over, 1. Luiz Pedro Ribeiro Pereira, Davie Nadadores 1:00.45; SOFLO: 2. Brandon Goldman 1:01.26, 3. Keegan Boisson-Yates 1:05.64, 7. August Charni 1:10.23, 11. Ben Fruitman 1:11.21, 14. Kyle Desrosiers 1:12.56, best time, 17. Bryce Pierce 1:13.49, best time, 31. Jacob Brookins 1:34.88.

50-meter breaststroke: 10-and-under, 1. Gianni Savino, SOFLO 47.33, best time; SOFLO: 4. Carter Carlson 48.21, 10. Andres McKeon 53.13, 11. Alexander Meyer 53.45, best time, 12. Joshua Hanks 54.42, best time, 13. Andres Garcia 59.76, best time, 14. Gregory Trimble 1:02.21; 11-12, 1. Tristan Celestin, SOFLO 33.18; SOFLO: 7. Guilherme Hada 42.20, best time, 8. Christian Carlson 42.56, 13. Daniel Perkowski 52.26, best time, 15. Nicholas Montes 58.83, best time; 13-14, 1. Jonathan Farah, Heritage Aquatic Team 3:04.57; 15-and-over, 1. Daniel Spas, Heritage Aquatic Team 2:41.79.

IF YOU GO

What: FGC Coral Springs Open Long Course Invitational

When: Sunday

Schedule: Session 3, 9 a.m.-1:41 p.m.

Where: Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, 12441 Royal Palm Blvd.

Admission and Heat Sheets: $3. Parking is free across from the aquatic complex. For information, call 954-345-2121 or 954-340-5032.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com