Virginia Cavaliers Poised To Win Three-Peat Tonight At NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships

By Sharon Robb
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—Virginia is one day away from being crowned champions of the NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship at the Allen Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center.

The rivalry showdown between Virginia and Texas never really materialized but the teams are headed to a one-two finish over a field of 35 teams.

After winning the 400-yard medley relay Friday night the Cavaliers are looking to sweep the relays on Saturday, the final night of competition in the 400 freestyle.

The foursome of Gretchen Walsh, Alex Walsh, Kate Douglass and Aimee Canny won in 3:22.39. With that win, Virginia finished 374.5 points and still lead 102 points ahead of Texas and expected to clinch their third consecutive title for a three-peat.

“I think for us, the relay sweep is a huge accomplishment for us,” Alex Walsh said. “I was talking to Maddie Donahoe yesterday, and she said the last time a team has put together this multi-year performance was the legendary Stanford team when they had [Katie] Ledecky, Lia Neal, Simone [Manuel] and Ella Eastin. Thinking that we are kind of on the same level as that is pretty shocking because I think we’ve all looked up to those people throughout our whole middle school and high school careers. It’s pretty awesome to think about that accomplishment in the context of history.”

Other winners for Virginia were Alex Walsh in the 400 IM in 3:57.24, Kate Douglass in the 100 butterfly in 48.46 and Gretchen Walsh in the 100 backstroke in 48.26.

University of Miami senior Mia Vallee was fifth in 3-meter springboard with 355.65 points.

ESPN+ is providing live digital coverage for preliminary and finals sessions 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
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.

FRIDAY RESULTS
TEAM TOTALS: 1. Virginia 374.5, 2. Texas 272.5, 3. Stanford 239, 4. Louisville 191.5, 5. NC State 190; STATE SCHOOLS: 7. Florida 146, 19. Miami 36, 30. Florida State 7, 35. Florida International 1.

400-yard individual medley: 1. Alex Walsh, VA 3:57.24, 2. Ella Nelson, VA 3:59.54, 3. Emma Weyant, UF 4:03.50; 15. Paige MacEachern, UCLA prelims, 4:07.46, finals 4:09.76, 26. Kathleen Golding, UF 4:12.09, 34. Anna Auld, UF 4:14.30.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Kate Douglass, VA 48.46, 2. Maggie MacNeil, LSU 48.51, 3. Torri Huske, STAN 48.96.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Taylor Ruck, STAN 1:42.36, 2. Brooklyn Douthwright, TENN 1:42.41, 3. Aimee Canny, VA 1:42.50; 29. Blair Stoneburg, WIS 1:45.94

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Lydia Jacoby, TEX 57.03, 2. Mona McSharry, TENN 57.16, 3. Anna Elendt, TEX 57.29; 16. Christie Chue, FIU, prelims 59.10, 59.59.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Gretchen Walsh, VA 48.26, 2. Katharine Berkoff, NCS 49.13, 3. Claire Curzan, STAN 50.08.

3-meter diving: 1. Aranza Vazquez Montano, UNC 385.80, 2. Anne Fowler, IU 369.90, 3. Brooke Schultz, SCAR 364.25, 5. Mia Vallee, Miami 355.65.

400-yard medley relay: 1. Virginia 3:22.39 (Gretchen Walsh, Alex Walsh, Kate Douglass, Aimee Canny), 2. NC State 3:24.66, 3. Texas 3:25.18, 7. Florida 3:28.36.

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

Two-Time Defending Champion Virginia Leads After Day Two Of NCAA Division I Women’s Championships

By Sharon Robb
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—Start polishing the NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship trophy for two-time defending champion University of Virginia. They are that good.

On Day One, the Cavaliers quickly grabbed the lead with 208.5 points Thursday at the Allen Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center. And the best is yet to come!

Kate Douglass won Virginia’s first event in style smashing the NCAA and American record in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:48.37 ahead of Stanford’s Torri Huske in 1:50.06. Defending champion Alex Walsh of Virginia was third in 1:50.07.

Alabama’s fifth-year senior and No. 23 seed Kensey McMahon was a surprise winner in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:36.62. Favorite Erica Sullivan of Texas was fourth in 4:37.28. Florida’s Emma Weyant of Sarasota was sixth in 4:38.46.

LSU’s Maggie MacNeil won the 50-yard freestyle in an NCAA record 20.79. Virginia’s Gretchen Walsh was second in 20.85.

University of Miami senior diver Mia Vallee finished third on 1-meter with 338.10 points. North Carolina’s Aranza Vazquez Montano won with 358.75.

Virginia finished Day One winning another event in the 200-yard freestyle relay in a meet and pool record 1:24.51 with Kate Douglass leading off followed by Gretchen Walsh, Lexi Cuomo and Maxine Parker.

On Wednesday, Virginia swept the 200-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relays.

ESPN+ is providing live digital coverage for preliminary and finals sessions 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
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.

WEDNESDAY RESULTS
200-yard medley relay: 1. Virginia 1:31.51, 2. NC State 1:32.42, 3. Texas 1:33.22, 17. Florida State 1:36.93, Florida DQ.
800-yard freestyle relay: 1. Virginia 6:49.82, 2. Stanford 6:50.77, 3. Texas 6:55.55, 6. Florida 6:57.72.

THURSDAY RESULTS
TEAM TOTALS: 1. Virginia 208.5, 2. Texas 162, 3. Louisville 117, 4. Stanford 106, 5. Ohio State 93, 7. Florida 76, 20. Miami 16, 26. Florida State 7.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Kensey McMahon, ALA 4:36.62, 2. Abby Carlson, WIS 4:36.96, 3. Olivia Bray, TEX 4:37.02, 6. Emma Weyant, UF 4:38.46, 34. Blair Stoneburg, WIS 4:42.60, 42. Anna Auld, UF 4:44.36, 62. Paige MacEachern, UCLA 4:47.41.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Kate Douglass, VA 1:48.37, 2. Torri Huske, STAN 1:50.06, 3. Alex Walsh. VA 1:50.07, 44. Kathleen Golding, UF 1:58.05.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Maggie MacNeil, LSU 20.79, 2. Gretchen Walsh, VA 20.85, 3. Gabi Albiero, LOUIS 21.30.

1-meter diving: 1. Aranza Vazquez Montano, UNC 358.75, 2. Delaney Schnell, ARIZ 340.05, 3. Mia Vallee, UM 338.10.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Virginia 1:24.51, 2. Stanford 1:25.70, 3. Louisville 1:25.73, 7. Florida 1:27.31.

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

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

SOFLO’s Kathleen Golding Finishes Meet In Style; Florida Gators On Way To Sweeping SEC Championships

By Sharon Robb
COLLEGE STATION, Tex., February 17, 2023—University of Florida’s Kathleen Golding had another good night at the Southeastern Conference Championships Friday at the Rec Center Natatorium.

Golding broke 2 minutes twice in the 200-yard butterfly and finished 13th in a best time 1:56.98, dropping 3.95 seconds.

In prelims, she first broke 2 minutes in 1:58.38 to qualify 16th for a 2.55-second improvement. Her entry time was 2:00.93.

Golding finished with 56 points after also finishing fifth in the 400 IM and tenth in 200 IM in all best times.

Jenna Bridges of LSU won the 200-yard butterfly in 1:54.18. Bridges surged with five strokes left to out-touch Callie Dickinson of Georgia (1:54.63) and Sara Stotler of Tennessee (1:54.88). She is the first SEC champion from LSU since 1986.

Alabama’s Rhyan White won the 100-yard backstroke in 50.92, just off her season-best 50.84.

Adam Chaney of Florida won the 100-yard backstroke in 44.18, fastest time in the NCAA this season.

The Gator men picked up another win the 100-yard breaststroke with Dillon Hillis in 51.02 and teammate Aleksas Savickas was second in 51.07.

Heading into the final day of competition, Florida has huge leads in both the men and women’s divisions and expected to sweep.

FRIDAY RESULTS
WOMEN RESULTS
200-yard butterfly: 1. Jenna Bridges, LSU 1:54.18, 2. Callie Dickinson, GA 1:54.63, 3. Sara Stotler, TENN 1:54.88, 13. Kathleen Golding, UF 1:56.98, time drop 3.95.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Rhyan White, ALA 50.92, 2. Josephine Fuller, TENN 51.26, 3. Eboni McCarty, GA 51.35.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Mona McSharry, TENN 57.25, 2. Zoie Hartman, GA 58.65, 3. Avery Wiseman, ALA 58.71.

MEN RESULTS
200-yard butterfly: 1. Clement Secchi, UMIZ 1:41.07, 2. Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero, UF 1:41.37, 3. Mason Wilby, KY 1:41.59.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Adam Chaney, UF 44.18, 2. Nathaniel Stoffle, AUB 45.04, 3. Michael Laitarovsky, SC 45.27.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Dillon Hillis, UF 51.02, 2. Aleksas Savickas, UF 51.07, 3. Reid Mikuta, AUB 51.22.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SOFLO’s Ana Frable One Of Seven Nicholas Dworet Memorial Fund Scholarship Winners

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, July 8, 2022—South Florida Aquatic Club’s Ana Luisa Frable is one of seven senior high school swimmers awarded a $1,000 college scholarship named in honor of Nicholas Dworet.

“We think you are a perfect example of the type of swimmer that we are happy to support,” wrote treasurer Joe Chiarella in her notification letter.

The former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School swim captain and honors student was one of 17 killed Feb. 14, 2018 in a mass shooting on the Douglas campus.

Dworet was preparing at TS Aquatics Swim Club to swim in college after earning a scholarship to the University of Indianapolis and had aspirations to represent Sweden in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The $1,000 scholarship from the 2022 TS Aquatics Nicholas Dworet Memorial Fund will be used towards the Miami Palmetto High School senior’s college education according to the Swim4 Nick Fund’s Board of Directors.

Frable is outspoken when it comes to promoting gun control, stricter laws and advocating for safer schools. She was a third grader at nearby O’Head Meadow Elementary in Newton, Conn. when Sandy Hook Elementary became the site of the Dec. 14, 2012 deadly killings of 26 people including 20 children ages 6 and 7. Frable’s friend from her swim team, Daniel Barden, tragically died during the attack.

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

Florida Gators Third After Day Three Of NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming And Diving Championship

By Sharon Robb
ATLANTA, March 25, 2022—University of Florida dropped to third place after Friday’s action at the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships at Georgia Tech’s McAuley Aquatic Center.

The Gators, buoyed by their relay performances, are third with 272 points. California moved into is first from third with 320.5 followed closely by early leader Texas with 313.

Florida was third behind California and Indiana in the 400-yard medley relay in 3:01.00 with Adam Cheney, Dillon Hillis, Eric Friese and Kieran Smith.

Cal senior Hugo Gonzalez won the 400-yard individual medley in 3:32.88, an NCAA record, meet record, U.S. Open and pool records. Arizona State freshman sensation Leon Marchand was second in 3:34.08 after winning the 200 IM in the fastest time ever.

Stanford freshman Andrei Minakov, fastest swimmer in the morning, won the 100-yard butterfly in a pool record 43.71.

Texas senior and top seed Drew Kibler came on in the second half of the 200-yard freestyle to win in a pool record 1:30.68. Defending champion Kieran Smith faltered to fifth in 1:31.27.

Minnesota senior Max McHugh won the 100-yard breaststroke in a pool record 49.90. He was the only swimmer to dip under 50 seconds.

After finishing second last year, N.C. State junior Kacper Stokowski rallied late in the race to stun the field and win the 100-yard backstroke in a best time 44.04. Indiana’s Brendan Burns, top seed after morning prelims, was second in 44.15.

Texas A&M senior Kurtis Mathews won the 3-meter springboard diving title with 466.85 points.

Individual event competition concludes on Saturday. The top 16 advance from morning prelims to finals at 6 p.m. and relays will be included at the end of each finals session.

ESPN3 is providing digital broadcast coverage for preliminary and finals sessions. Additionally, ESPNU will air a two-hour show at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 5. Links can be found on WatchESPN or at the Championship Central webpage.

The official website for the men’s championship is http://www.ncaa.com/championships/swimming-men/d1. As the host institution, Georgia Tech’s website also has Championship Central, where heat sheets and results will be updated each day.

The DI Men’s Swimming & Diving Program can be viewed at http://www.NCAA.com/gameprograms. The program is free to view and can be downloaded and printed.

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
All prelims, 10 a.m., all finals 6 p.m.

Day 4, Saturday, 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, platform diving, 1,650 free (4:05 p.m. start), 400 free relay (finals only).

FRIDAY RESULTS
TEAM TOTALS: 1. California 320.5, 2. Texas 313, 3. Florida 272, 4. N.C. State 214, 5. Indiana 183, 6. Arizona State 167, 7. Stanford 159, 8. Georgiua 150, 9. tie, Louisville, Ohio State 108.
400-yard individual medley: 1. Hugo Gonalez, CAL 3:32.88, 2. Leon Marchand, ASU 3:34.08, 3. Carson Foster, TEX 3:35.09, 4. Bobby Finke, UF 3:36.83.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Andrei Minakov, STAN 43.71, 2. Luca Urlando, UGA 43.80,3. Youssef Ramadan, VT-VA 43.90.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Drew Kiblar, TEX 1:30.28, 2. Grant House, ASU 1:30.68, 3. Matthew Sates, UGA 1:30.72, 5. Kieran Smith, UF 1:31.27.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Max McHugh, MINN 49.90, 2. Caspar Corbeau, TEX 50.49, 3. Liam Bell, CAL 50.50. 6. Dillon Hillis, UF 51.24.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Kacper Stokowski, NCS 44.04, 2. Brendan Burns, IU 44.15, 3. Adam Chaney, UF 44.35.

3-meter diving: 1. Kurtis Mathews, TAM 466.85, 2. Andrew Capobianco, IU 462.10, 3. Juan Hernandez, LSU 459.20

400-yard medley relay: 1. California 3:00.36,2. Indiana 3:00.76, 3. Florida 3:01.00 (Adam Chaney, Dillon Hillis, Eric Friese, Kieran Smith), 27. Florida State 3:07.63 (Mason Hebert, Izaak Bastian, Max McCusker, Peter Varjasi).

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

Freshmen Steal Spotlight, Florida Wins Second Relay On Day Two Of NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming And Diving Championship

By Sharon Robb
ATLANTA, March 24, 2022—Freshmen swimmers took center stage Thursday at the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships at Georgia Tech’s McAuley Aquatic Center.

Georgia freshman Matthew Sates broke the meet and pool record in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:06.61. Sophomore teammate Jake Magahey was second in 4:07.39 and Texas freshman Luke Hobson was third in 4:08.42. Olympian and early leader Kieran Smith of Florida was fourth in 4:08.68.

Arizona State freshman Leon Marchand became the first swimmer to go under 1:38 in the 200-yard individual medley. He won in 1:37.69 breaking Caeleb Dressel’s U.S. Open record of 1:38.13. His splits were 21.42, 24.32, 28.41 and 23.54.

Purdue freshman diver Tyler Downs won the 1-meter springboard title with 383.65 points.

LSU junior Brooks Curry won the 50-yard freestyle in 18.56, 3/100ths of a second ahead of Bjorn Seeliger of California in 18.59.

In a thrilling final event, Florida won the 200-yard freestyle relay in a pool record 1:14.11 ahead of California (1:14.36) and Texas (1:14.41). The Gator relay swimmers were Adam Chaney, Eric Friese, Will Davis and Smith swimming anchor in 18.59. It was the Gators’ second relay win of the meet.

Individual event competition continues Friday morning. The top 16 advance to finals at 6 p.m. and relays will be included at the end of each finals session.

ESPN3 is providing digital broadcast coverage for preliminary and finals sessions. Additionally, ESPNU will air a two-hour show at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 5. Links can be found on WatchESPN or at the Championship Central webpage.

The official website for the men’s championship is http://www.ncaa.com/championships/swimming-men/d1. As the host institution, Georgia Tech’s website also has Championship Central, where heat sheets and results will be updated each day.

The DI Men’s Swimming & Diving Program can be viewed at http://www.NCAA.com/gameprograms. The program is free to view and can be downloaded and printed.

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
All prelims, 10 a.m., all finals 6 p.m.

Day 3, Friday, 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, 3-meter diving, 400 medley relay (finals only).

Day 4, Saturday, 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, platform diving, 1650 free (4:05 p.m. start), 400 free relay (finals only).

THURSDAY RESULTS

500-yard freestyle: 1. Matthew Sates, UGA 4:06.61,2. Jake Magahey, UGA 4:07.39, 3. Luke Hobson, TEX 4:08.42, 4. Kieran Smith, UF 4:08.68, 7. Alfonso Mestre, UF 4:11.98, 10. Bobby Finke, UF 4:11.74, 11. Trey Freeman, UF 4:12.70.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Leon Marchand, ASU 1:37.69, 2. Destin Lasco, CAL 1:38.21, 3. Luca Urlando, UGA 1:39.22.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Brooks Curry, LSU 18.56, 2. Bjorn Seeliger, CAL 18.59, 3. Jordan Crooks, TENN 18.60, 9. Adam Chaney, UF 18.75, 11. Will Davis, UF 18.99.

1-meter diving: 1. Tyler Downs, PUR 383.65, 2. Jordan Rzepka, PUR 372.60, 3. Conor Casey, STAN 370.55.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida 1:14.11 (Adam Chaney, Eric Friese, Will Davis, Kieran Smith), 2. California 1:14.36, 3. Texas 1:14.41.

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