Dylan Carter – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

Crowd-Pleasers Katie Ledecky, Summer McIntosh Win On Final Day Of TYR Pro Swim Series; FGC Swimmers Have Good Showing In Their Backyard

By Sharon Robb
FORT LAUDERDALE, March 4, 2023—The TYR Pro Swim Series Fort Lauderdale came to a successful end Saturday at the $48 million Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center.

In front of the largest crowd of the meet, world record holder Katie Ledecky of Gator Swim Club did not disappoint, winning the 800-meter freestyle in 8:14.70, more than 25 meters ahead of the field.

Canadian Summer McIntosh, training with the Sarasota Sharks, broke another world junior record, this time in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:08.08. She led from start to finish.

Regan Smith was a double winner in the 100-meter backstroke in 57.92 and 100-meter butterfly in 56.60.

Abbey Weitzeil won her third event of the meet in the 50-meter freestyle in 24.40 after winning the 100 freestyle and 50 butterfly. Poland Olympian Kasia Wasick was second in 24.68.

South Florida Aquatic Club Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego, 24, finished 11th in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:17.19, improving his 11th place time of 2:17.93 in prelims. SOFLO teammate Olivia Dinehart was 18th in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:40.00.

After winning two events, Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago was fifth in the 50-meter freestyle in 22.27.

Florida Gold Coast swimmers had a good showing throughout the meet in front of hometown family and friends.

On the final day, Erika Pelaez of Eagle Aquatics was fourth in the 100-meter backstroke in a best time 1:00.12. Julia Podkoscielny of Pine Crest Swimming was 12th in 1:02.94. Aspen Gersper of St. Andrew’s Aquatics was 12th in the 100-meter butterfly in 1:01.04. Podkoscielny was 15th in the 200 IM in 2:19.66. Pelaez was eighth in the 50 freestyle in 25.53. Kaii Winkler of Eagle Aquatics was sixth in the 100-meter butterfly in a best time 52.64, dropping 1.30. Winkler was also ninth in the 50-meter freestyle in 22.49.

SOFLO Saturday prelim results:
Julio Horrego, 24, 200-meter breaststroke, 11. 2:17.93.
Luciano Gonzalez, 29, 50-meter freestyle, 41. 23.81
Olivia Dinehart, 18, 200-meter breaststroke, 27. 2:43.07.
Ricardo Roche, 23, 100-meter backstroke, 32. 100.84.

SOFLO sponsor TYR is an American designer, developer and manufacturer of recreational and competitive swimwear, caps, goggles, triathlon gear and accessories and one of the nation’s top companies. TYR, created by athletes, is named for the Norse god of warriors in Germanic mythology. The company’s mission statement is starting from, powered by and made for athletes, we strive to create and re-imagine technologies that enhance experience and performance at every level.

SATURDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
800-meter freestyle: 1. Katie Ledecky, GSC 8:14.70, 2. Claire Weinstein, SAND 8:33.16, 3. Michaela Mattes, SYS 8:39.61.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Regan Smith, SUN 57.92, 2. Olivia Smoliga, SUN 59.71, 3. Medi Harris, WAL 1:00.05, 4. Erika Pelaez, EA 1:00.12, time drop 0.21, 12. Julia Podkoscielny, PC 1:02.94

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Lilly King, ISC 2:23.33, 2. Kelsey Wog, CAN 2:25.49, 3. Annie Lazor, ISC 2:26.96.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Regan Smith, SUN 56.60, 2. Katerine Savard, CAN 58.63, 3. Ella Jansen, CAN 58.93, 12. Aspen Gersper, SAS 1:01.04.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Summer McIntosh, SYS 2:08.08, 2. Maria Sophie Harvey, CAN 2:11.94, 3. Katie Grimes, SAN 2:12.66, 15. Julia Podkoscielny, PC 2:19.66.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Abbey Weitzeil, CAL 24.40, 2. Kasia Wasick, TRA 24.68, 3. Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, HKG 24.85, 8. Erika Pelaez, EA 25.53.

MEN
800-meter freestyle: 1. Ahmed Ayoub Hafnaoui, Tunisia 7:48.50, 2. Marwan El Kamash, Egypt 7:50.38, 3. Daniel Jervis, WAL 7:51.93.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Hunter Armstrong, CAL 52.95, 2. Ryan Murphy, CAL 53.33, 3. Justin Ross, MVN 53.63.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Will Licon, TXLA 2:10.77, 2. Anton McKee, PRVT 2:10.86, 3. Chase Kalisz, SUN 2:12.26, 11. Julio Horrego, SOFLO 2:17.19.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Shaine Casas, TXLA 50.80, 2. Ilya Kharun, SAND 51.54, 3. Michael Andrew MASA 51.80, 6. Kaii Winkler, WA 52.64, time drop 1.30.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Chase Kalisz, SUN 1:58.32, 2. Kieran Smith, RAC 2:00.13, 3. Finlay Knox, CAN 2:01.02.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Alberto Mestre, Florida 22.04, 2. Michael Andrew, MASA 22.06, 3. Ryan Held, NYAC 22.19, 5. Dylan Carter, ISC 22.27, 9. Kaii Winkler, EA 22.49.

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

Dylan Carter Wins Second Event; SOFLO’s Julio Horrego Takes Fourth On Day Three Of TYR Pro Swim Series

By Sharon Robb
FORT LAUDERDALE, March 3, 2023—Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago won his second event Friday at the TYR Pro Swim Series at Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center.

After tying with Michael Andrew in the morning preliminaries of the 50-meter butterfly in 23.25 to set up an exciting final, the pair tied again for first in 23.33. On Thursday, Carter, 27, a Plantation American Heritage alum, won the 100 freestyle with a national record 48.2, securing the FINA A cut for the world championships this summer.

There was an unusual amount of ties during the night’s finals at the $48 million facility.

There were two ties in the women’s 50-meter butterfly. Abbey Weitzeil and Emilie Beckmann tied for first in 26.27 and Katerine Savard and Natalie Hinds tied for third in 26.68.

There was a tie for third in the 200-meter freestyle between Shaine Casas and Luiz Altamir in 1:47.88.

There was also a tie in the women’s 50-meter breaststroke for third between Siobhan Haughey and Rachel Bernhardt in 31.21.

Canadian Summer McIntosh, training with the Sarasota Sharks, broke her own world junior record and Katie Ledecky’s U.S. Open record in the 200-meter freestyle in 1:54.13. Ledecky was second in 1:54.96.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher was 2020 Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego, fourth in the 50-meter breaststroke in 27.97. The top four finishers all dipped under 28 seconds.

SOFLO’s Olivia Dinehart was sixth in the C final of the 50-meter breaststroke in 33.74.

SOFLO teammate Luciano Gonzalez was 24th in the 50-meter butterfly in 25.40.

Kaii Winkler of Eagle Aquatics was second in the B final and tenth overall in the 200-meter freestyle in 1:49.02.

Dylan Smiley of Miami Country Day was seventh in the B final and 15th in the 50-meter breaststroke in 28.85. He won the C final in the 50-meter butterfly in 24.84.

Julia Podkoscielny, 18, of Pine Crest Swimming won the B final and was ninth overall in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:15.02.

Aspen Gersper, 17, of St. Andrew’s Aquatics was 16th in the 200-meter freestyle in 2:02.21. She was 19th in the 50-meter butterfly in 28.08. Diego Balbi, also of St. Andrew’s, was 18th in the 50-meter butterfly in 24.88.

SOFLO Friday prelim results:
Julio Horrego, 24, 50-meter breaststroke, 5. 28.10.
Luciano Gonzalez, 29, 50-meter butterfly, 21. 24.87.
Maddie Smutny, 17, 200-meter freestyle, 47. 2:09.06; 50-meter butterfly, 58. 29.74.
Olivia Dinehart, 18, 50-meter breaststroke, 25. 33.93; 400-meter individual medley, 26. 5:11.05.
Elena Dinehart, 18, 50-meter backstroke, 28. 31.23, time drop 0.16; 50-meter butterfly, 59. 29.77; 200-meter backstroke, 25. 2:22.65.
Ricardo Roche, 23, 200-meter backstroke, 24. 2:12.60.
Javier Colmenares, 16, 50-meter breaststroke, 43. 30.27, time drop 0.49; 50-meter butterfly, 84. 27.30, time drop 0.50.

SOFLO’s swimmers have the following events left to swim: Olivia Dinehart, 200-meter breaststroke 2:34.53L; Luciano Gonzalez, 50 freestyle 23.51L; Julio Horrego, 200 breaststroke 2:17.35L; Ricardo Roche, 100 backstroke 58.71L.

Prize money is being offered: $1,500 for first, $1,000 for second and $500 for third.

Prelims are 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. each day. Meet parking is limited around the venue and restricted to available parking lots. Meet tickets range from $12.24 to $75.89.

Action is being shown on YouTube and also on CNBC (March 4-5, 10:30 a.m. tape delay). Finals on Saturday along with all prelim sessions will be streamed on usaswimming.org.

FRIDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
200-meter freestyle: 1. Summer McIntosh, SYS 1:54.13, WJR, US records, 2. Katie Ledecky, GSC 1:54.96, 3. Siobhan Haughey, HKG 1:55.53, 16. Aspen Gersper, SAA 2:02.21.

50-meter breaststroke: 1. Lilly King, ISC 30.04, 2. Imogen Clark, GBR 30.48, 3. tie, Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, HKG and Rachel Bernhardt, Team NC 31.21.

50-meter butterfly: 1. tie, Abbey Weitzeil, CAL and Emilie Beckmann, DNK 26.27, 3. Katerine Savard, CAN and Natalie Hinds, GSC 26.68, 21. Julianne McCranie, PC 28.06.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Regan Smith, SUN 2:05.34, pro swim series record, 2. Katie Grimes, SAND 2:09.53, 3. Erika Pelaez, EA 2:11.67, 9. Julia Podkoscielny, PC 2:15.02.

400-meter individual medley: 1. Katie Ledecky, GSC 4:36.04, 2. Ella Jansen, CAN 4:43.32, 3. Tess Cieplucha, TNAQ 4:44.92.

MEN
200-meter freestyle: 1. Matthew Richards, WAL 1:47.04, 2. Kieran Smith, RAC 1:47.36, 3. tie, Shaine Casas, TXLA and Luiz Altamir, BRA 1:47.88, 10. Kaii Winkler, EA 1:49.02

50-meter breaststroke: 1. Michael Andrew, MASA 27.10, 2. Nic Fink, MAAC 27.29, 3. Tommy Cope, MW 27.48, 4. Julio Horrego, SOFLO 27.97, 15. Dylan Smiley, MCD 28.85.

50-meter butterfly: 1. tie, Dylan Carter, ISC and Michael Andrew, MASA 23.33, 3. Shaine Casas, TXLA 23.48, 17. Dyan Smiley, MCDA 24.82, 18. Diego Balbi, SAA 24.88, 24. Luciano Gonzalez, SOFLO 25.40.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Ryan Murphy, CAL 1:56.44, 2. Chase Kalisz, SUN 1:59.73, 3. Jay Litherland, SUN 2:01.14.

400-meter individual medley: 1. Bobby Finke, STP 4:15.93, 2. Lorne Wigginton, CAN 4:19.95, 3. Grant Sanders, TBAY 4:25.33.

MEET SCHEDULE
9:00 AM: Prelims, 6:00 PM: Finals.
Saturday: 800fr/100ba/200br/100fly/200IM/50fr

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

Dylan Carter Wins, Breaks Own National Record; Kaii Winkler Breaks NAG Record On Day Two Of TYR Pro Swim Series Fort Lauderdale

By Sharon Robb
FORT LAUDERDALE, March 2, 2023—Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago lowered his own national record and won the 100-meter freestyle Thursday at the TYR Pro Swim Series Fort Lauderdale at Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center.

Carter, 27, a Plantation American Heritage alum, won in a best time 48.28, dropping 0.02 seconds and breaking his own national record of 48.30 set at the 2022 World Championships. In morning prelims, he was fourth fastest in 48.84. He pocketed $1,500 in prize money.

In the men’s 100-meter freestyle, Kaii Winkler, 16, of Eagle Aquatics swam the third fastest time in prelims in a best time 48.81, breaking the National Age Group 15-16 record. He finished fourth in finals in 49.11. It is the first time the NAG has dipped under 49 seconds.

In the women’s 50-meter backstroke, Eagle Aquatics teammate Erika Pelaez swam the fifth fastest time in prelims in 28.68 to make her second A final and finished sixth in finals in 29.02. Pelaez was also fifth seed in the 100-meter freestyle in 55.12 and finished eighth in 55.16.

University of Florida commit Julia Podkoscielny, 18, of Pine Crest Swimming was ninth in the 50-meter backstroke in a best time 29.47, dropping 0.16. She was 29th in the 400 freestyle in 4:29.57. She has the 200 backstroke, 400 IM, 100 backstroke, 200 breaststroke and 200 IM left to swim.

Eagle Aquatics’ Finn Winkler, 18, was 16th in the 50-meter backstroke in 26.98. He qualified 16th in prelims in 26.69.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher was Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego, 14th overall in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:02.95. Horrego just missed finals by two spots in prelims in 1:02.52.

SOFLO Thursday prelim results:
Julio Horrego, 24, 100-meter breaststroke, 10. 1:02.52.
Maddie Smutny, 200-meter butterfly, 17. 2:25.03.
Olivia Dinehart, 18, 100-meter breaststroke, 20. 1:12.18.
Elena Dinehart, 18, 50-meter backstroke, 28. 31.23, time drop 0.16.
Ricardo Roche, 23, 50-meter backstroke, 39. 28.61.
Javier Colmenares, 16, 100-meter breaststroke, 51. 1:06.74.

SOFLO’s swimmers have the following events left to swim: Javier Colmenares, 50 breaststroke 30.76Y; 50 butterfly 27.80LB; Elena Dinehart, 50 butterfly 32.11LB; 200 backstroke 2:17.97L; Olivia Dinehart, 50 breaststroke 33.81L; 400 IM 4:59.47L; 200-meter breaststroke 2:34.53L; Luciano Gonzalez, 50 butterfly 24.50L; 50 freestyle 23.51L; Julio Horrego, 50 breaststroke 27.81L; 200 breaststroke 2:17.35L; Ricardo Roche, 200 backstroke 2:07.11L; 100 backstroke 58.71L; Maddie Smutny, 400 freestyle 4:21.40L; 200 freestyle 2:04.14L; 50 butterfly 31.14L.

Canadian Summer McIntosh of Sarasota Sharks broke her own world junior record in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:05.05, bettering her previous mark of 2:05.20.

On opening day Wednesday, reigning 400 freestyle Olympic gold medalist Ahmed Ayoub Hafnaoui of Tunisia won the 1500-meter freestyle in 15:00.24 ahead of Egypt’s Marwan El Kamash in 15:01.26 and Bobby Finke of St. Petersburg in 15:02.54. In the women’s 1500, Sandpipers swept the top three spots with Katie Grimes winning in 15:56.27.

Prize money is being offered: $1,500 for first, $1,000 for second and $500 for third.

Prelims are 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. each day. Meet parking is limited around the venue and restricted to available parking lots. Meet tickets range from $12.24 to $75.89.

Action is being shown on YouTube and also on Peacock (March 2-3, 6 p.m.), CNBC (March 4-5, 10:30 a.m. tape delay). Finals on Saturday along with all prelim sessions will be streamed on usaswimming.org.

WEDNESDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Katie Grimes, SAND 15:56.27, 2. Bella Sims, SAND 16:19.29, 3. Claire Weinstein, SAND 16:26.50, 4. Michaela Mattes, SYS 16:29.88.

MEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Ahmed Ayoub Fahnaoui, Tunisia 15:00.24, 2. Marwan El Kamash, Egypt 15:01.26, 3. Bobby Finke, SPA 15:02.54.

THURSDAY RESULTS
WOMEN
100-meter freestyle: 1. Abbey Weitzeil, CAL 53.38, 2. Katie Ledecky, GSC 54.01, 3. Erika Brown, TNAQ 54.39, 8. Erika Pelaez, EA 55.16.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Lilly King, ISC 1:06.28, 2. Kara Hanlon, GBR 1:06.93, 3. Imogen Clark, GB 1:07.85.

50-meter backstroke: 1. Regan Smith, SUN 27.55, 2. Lauren Cox, GBR 27.91, 3. Medi Harris, WAL 28.03, 6. Erika Pelaez, EA 29.02, 9. Julia Podkoscielny, PC 29.47.

200-meter butterfly: 1. Summer McIntosh, SYS 2:05.05, 2. Bella Sims, SAND 2:09.89, 3. Maria Jose Mata Cocco, MEX 2:11.00, 8. Katie Ledecky, GSC 2:17.19

400-meter freestyle: 1. Katie Grimes, SAND 4:05.18, 2. Siobhan Haughey, HKG 4:05.84, 3. Claire Weinstein, SAND 4:06.24.

MEN

100-meter freestyle: 1. Dylan Carter, Indiana SC 48.28, 2. Matthew Richards, WAL 48.48, 3. Hunter Armstrong, CAL 48.95, 4. Kaii Winkler, EA 49.11.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Nic Fink, MAAC 59.97, 2. Michael Andrew, MASA 59.98, 3. Cody Miller, SAND 1:00.12, 14. Julio Horrego, SOFLO 1:02.95.

50-meter backstroke: 1. Justin Ress, MVN 24.73, 2. Hunter Armstrong, CAL 24.95, 3. Shaine Casas, TXLA 25.20, 16. Finn Winkler, EA 26.98.

200-meter butterfly: 1. Jay Litherland, SUN 2:01.76, 2. Yeziel Morales, Azura 2:01.93, 3. Felipe Baffico, SYS 2:02.14, 6. Diego Balbi, St. Andrew’s Swimming 2:03.10.

400-meter freestyle: 1. Ahmed Ayoub Hafnaoui, Tunisia 3:46.02, 2. Marwan El Kamash, EGY 3:47.34, 3. Kieran Smith, RAC 3:48.02.

MEET SCHEDULE
9:00 AM: Prelims, 6 PM Finals Friday – Saturday
Friday: 200fr/50br/50fly/200ba/400IM

Saturday: 800fr/100ba/200br/100fly/200IM/50fr

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

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

Chad le Clos Back On Top; Dylan Carter Makes Second Final At FINA Short Course World Championships

By Sharon Robb
MELBOURNE, Australia, December 15, 2022—South African Chad le Clos is back on top after winning his 11th title and first in four years at the 16th FINA Short Course World Championships Thursday at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.

Le Clos, 30, who frequently trains in South Florida, broke into tears after touching the wall first in the 200-meter butterfly in a national record 1:48.27 ahead of Japan’s Daiya Seto (1:49.22) and Switzerland’s Noe Ponti (1:49.42). The 2012 Olympic gold medalist came from behind to win.

“This is four years in the making,” said le Clos, just three gold medals away from matching American Ryan Lochte’s record of 14 individual world short-course titles. Le Clos now trains with Dirk Lange in Germany.

“The warrior spirit is back. It was always there but I had to find a way of channel it again. I know winning isn’t everything, but I have taken a lot of losses lately and been written off by people that are close to me.

“I moved to coaches that believed in me. It didn’t matter who was there tonight, I was prepared to die out there… and to remind these guys that I am still here.

“It means so much to me and my family. I have no words, I am just so grateful that I have my coach behind me. I am coming from such a tough place right now, and I am sorry that I am emotional. To be a world champion is like a dream come true again.”

Australia won two more gold medals to continue its domination of the meet. Kyle Chalmers won the 100-meter freestyle in a championship record 45.16 ahead of 17-year-old David Popovici who finished in a world junior record time of 45.64, and then anchored the winning 4×50-meter freestyle relay with teammates Isaac Alan Cooper, Matthew Temple and Flynn Zareb Southam. Chalmers brought them from fifth to first at the wall.

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Emma McKeon delighted the home crowd when she won by 1/100th of a second in the 100 freestyle in a championship record 50.77.

“That was way too close,” McKeon said. “It was a tight finish but what counts is getting your hand on the wall first, that’s everything.”

In a surprise, Americans Dakota Luther and Hali Flickinger duked it out before Luther overtook Flickinger on the back half to win in 2:03.37. Flickinger finished in 2:03.78.

The Americans success continued with double Olympic champion Lilly King winning the 100 breaststroke in 1:02.67.

“It’s great to be back,” King said. “In 2016, I was at the meet and I thought I was invincible and SOFLO’s Alia (Atkinson) played me like a fiddle and whipped my butt. I have had that sour taste in my mouth for the last six years and its good to get the title back.”

Nic Fink then made it three straight gold medals for the U.S. when he overcame Britain’s three-time Olympic champion Adam Peaty in the 100 breaststroke gold. Fink won in 55.88. Nicolò Martinenghi of Italy picked up silver in 56.07 and Peaty, after six weeks out of the pool with a foot injury, came away with bronze in 56.25.

“I am really happy with this result, this is a good one to start the meet with and I am looking forward to defend the other two (breaststroke) events as well,” Fink said. “I was really happy with the World Cup season and completing the trifecta (50-100-200).”

Added Peaty, “I don’t get bronze that often, so that will be a weird one for Wikipedia. It’s great to be back in the arena, I am just enjoying the sport again. I am disappointed, but I am not going to allow myself to be. I have been putting in a lot of hard work but they just out-skilled me tonight. It is what it is, I am what I am.”

The U.S. won two more gold medals with former Gator Kieran Smith winning the 400 freestyle in 3:34.38 and women’s 4×50-meter freestyle relay in a championship record of 1:33.89 with Torri Huske, Claire Curzan, Erika Brown and Kate Douglass.

“It’s the first time that I have been at the top of the podium so it’s a new chapter in my career,” said Smith, who skipped his final year of NCAA eligibility at Florida to turn pro. “It was an exciting race and I knew that those guys were going to be tough, but I was ready.

“You could tell from my face at the finish that my body was burning. I always like to swim races from the front, it’s the way I swim confidently. I knew that I had to pay the ultimate price in order to win.”

Two-time Olympian Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago has another shot at a medal after missing out in the sprint butterfly. The Plantation American Heritage alum earned the fifth fastest qualifying time in the 50-meter backstroke semifinals in 22.90 to advance into Friday’s final.

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

Brazilian Nicholas Santos Wins Final Career Race At Age 42; Aussie Lani Pallister Wins Third Gold, Anchors Relay World Record At FINA Short Course World Championships

By Sharon Robb
MELBOURNE, Australia, December 14, 2022—Nicholas Santos became the oldest world champion at age 42 at the 16th FINA Short Course World Championships Wednesday at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.

The Brazilian came close to his own world record and defended his title against a stacked field in the 50-meter butterfly in 21.78 in his final race of his career. It was his fourth world title in the 50 butterfly.

“It’s my last race of my career,” Santos said. “It wasn’t easy to swim in this weather. I am getting old and leaving this to the young guys. I was trying to break the world record, my own record. I was close, but it’s not easy. I have tried a few times.

“I leave swimming at 42 years of age and I am really happy and proud. I am a four-time world champion in this event, and I leave the sport as the world record holder, Pan- American champion and Olympian. I have traveled to more than 40 countries but tonight was the last event of my career and I want to say a big thank you to World Aquatics.”

Santos out-touched Swiss Olympic medalist Noe Ponti and Szebasztian Szabo of Hungary. Ponti secured silver in 21.96 while Szabo finished in 21.98. Santos’ 21.78 effort was .03 short outside of his own world record. He shares the record with Szabo who swam 21.75 in 2021. Plantation American Heritage alum and Trinidad & Tobago two-time Olympian Dylan Carter, second fastest after the semis, finished sixth in the sprint butterfly in 22.14. Carter is the World Cup triple crown winner and was one of the pre-race favorites.

SOFLO’s 2020 Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego, 24, competed in his first event on Wednesday, the 100-meter breaststroke. He finished in 59.22 in prelims failing to advance into the semifinals. Italian Nicolo Martinenghi was top qualifier in 56.60. Brit Adam Peaty was fourth fastest in 56.81 ahead of American Nic Fink in 57.02. Horrego will swim the 50 breaststroke on Saturday.

Aussie Lani Pallister won her third gold medal and anchored the women’s relay second world record.

For the second time in two nights, Pallister won an individual gold medal, this time in the 800-meter freestyle after winning the 400 freestyle on Tuesday. Pallister had a comfortable lead touching at 8:04.07 in a six second win over New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather, who won her second silver at 8:10.41.

The Aussie women broke their second relay world record in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay in 7:30.87, past the previous record of 7:32.85. Pallister was joined by Madison Wilson, Mollie O’Callaghan and Leah Neale.

In the 100 backstroke, five swimmers were separated by 0.08 seconds at the 75-meter turn. Aussies Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O’Callaghan finished one-two in 55.49 and 55.62.

The U.S. mixed medley relay of Bolles alum Ryan Murphy, Nic Fink, Kate Douglass and Torri Huske broke the world record in 1:35.15, a full record off the previous mark.

“We discussed breaking the world record earlier today,” Fink said. “It was definitely mentioned but with all of the different combinations so no one was really sure who would be on the relay. Once the relay line-up was set, we knew what we had to do.”

Murphy also won the 100-meter backstroke in a meet record 48.50. He led from start to finish and flirted with the world record.

“It felt really good. It’s been an incredible hour for me,” Murphy said. “A world record in the relay. I think we went half a second faster than we thought we were going to go. It was great to hit that time, a nice time drop and a championship record as well.”

Canadian Maggie MacNeil and American Torri Huske tied for the gold meda in the 50-meter butterfly in 24.64. MacNeil came all the way from eighth at the 25-meter turn to first.

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

Australia, Italy Break World Records; Dylan Carter Finishes Second In Butterfly Semifinals On Day One Of FINA Short Course World Championships

By Sharon Robb
MELBOURNE, Australia, December 13, 2022—In front of its hometown crowd, Australia dominated opening day action at the 16th FINA Short Course World Championships Tuesday at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.

Two world records were broken by Australia’s women and Italy’s men relay teams.

Australia women’s 400-meter freestyle relay broke the first world record of the meet with Emma McKeon splitting the fastest 100 ever on anchor leg (in 49.96).

The U.S. was in the lead until the final 50 meters when the Aussies went on to win in 3:25.43. The foursome of Mollie O’Callaghan, Madison Wilson, Meg Harris and McKeon broke the previous record of 3:26.53 set in 2014 by the Netherlands. The U.S. (Torri Huske, Kate Douglas, Claire Curzan, Erika Brown) was second in 3:26.29.

“For me it was just about getting my hand on the wall and then looking to see that we had not only won but also set a world record,” McKeon said.

Added Madi Wilson, “To be able to do this in front of a home crowd was absolutely amazing. Thank you Australia.”

The Italian foursome of Alessandro Miressi, Paolo Conte Bonin, Leonardo Deplano and Thomas Ceccon with a 45.13 anchor split broke the second world record in the men’s 400-meter freestyle relay in 3:02.75, lowering the Americans’ record set in 2018. It was the first time the Italians won the event since 2006.

“We talked about the world record and then we went out and swam a world record,” Ceccon said.

Aussie Lani Pallister won the first gold medal of the meet in the 400-meter freestyle in 3:55.04. Her mother, Janelle Elford competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

“My parents are in the stands and winning this first medal in front of a home crowd in Australia is special,” Pallister said.

“It was an amazing day and I was very very nervous this morning. I just wanted to be sure that Australia had a fun night tonight. It was the coolest environment. At the 300 mark I realized that I had legs and I made sure to use them and take a stab at the gold medal.”

American Kate Douglass won the 200-meter individual medley in 2:02.12 ahead of long course world champion Alex Walsh in 2:03.37. Douglass and Walsh train together at University of Virginia.

“It’s definitely nerve wracking to be racing in the first swim of the meet so to be able to swim well is honestly an awesome feeling,” Douglass said.

South African Matthew Sates won the men’s 200-meter individual medley in a national record 1:50.15, second fastest on the all-time list behind Ryan Locjte (1:49.63). American favorite Shaine Casas was a disappointing fourth in 1:51.31.

“I genuinely don’t know what to say,” Sates said. “I’m so pleased with this swim and want to thank everyone for coming out to watch us race. I swam this race, especially for my Mom and I want to thank my friends and my family.”

Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri came from behind to won the 1500-meter freestyle in 14:16.88 ahead of Henrik Christinsen.

Plantation American Heritage alum Dylan Carter of Trinidad & Tobago, silver medalist in last year’s meet in Abu Dhabi, won his heat and was second fastest qualifier in the men’s 50-meter butterfly semifinals in 22.02. World record holder Szebasztian Szabo was top qualifier in 21.90, just 0.15 off the world record. The finals are early Wednesday morning at 3:30 a.m.

2020 Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego, 24, of SOFLO will compete in the 100-meter breaststroke prelims on Wednesday.

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

Swimming Notebook: Boca Raton Swim Team Hosts Swim Clinic With Olympian Ryan Lochte; Dylan Carter Earns FINA World Cup Title; Gators Dominate Golden Goggles

By Sharon Robb
BOCA RATON, November 27, 2022—Twelve-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte, one of the most decorated swimmers and entertaining clinicians, will hold a swim clinic on Saturday, December 17th at Boca Raton High School’s Aquatic Center.

The world record holder will be joined by longtime coach Steve Lochte, his father. Lochte has more than four decades of coaching experience from age groupers and collegians to Olympians. Lochte swam for his father’s club as a child and represented them nationally as an adult several times.

Along with Natalie Coughlin, Dara Torres, and Jenny Thompson, the 38-year-old Lochte is the second-most decorated swimmer in Olympic history measured by total number of medals, behind only Michael Phelps. Lochte’s seven individual Olympic medals rank second in history in men’s swimming (again to Phelps), tied for second among all Olympic swimmers.

The swim clinic is for swimmers, parents and coaches. The highlights include each stroke, drill and demonstrations with time for questions and answers, photos and autographs.

The first session for 12-and-unders is 9 a.m.-noon and second session for 13-and-overs, 1-4 p.m. Space is limited. The price is $150 per athlete. The aquatic center is located at 1501 NW 15th Court. Those interested may sign up at http://www.legacyswimming.com.

DYLAN CARTER SHINES
Former American Heritage Plantation swimmer Dylan Carter, Trinidad and Tobago’s two-time Olympian, earned the overall FINA Swimming World Cup men’s title after the final short course meet in Indianapolis.

Carter, 26, won the overall World Cup title with nine wins across three weeks in the 50-meter butterfly, backstroke and freestyle finals. Carter never lost a 50-meter final totaling three triple crowns

Carter’s success comes on the heels of a good summer at the World Championships in June where he was fourth in the 50 butterfly. At the Commonwealth Games in July, he was fourth in the butterfly and fourth in the 50 freestyle.

“I came home this summer after World Champs and Commonwealth Games and I went to my local gym and the amount of people that came up to me to ask if I was going to retire I can’t count on one hand,” Carter said.

“I had a great summer. I swam some good times but people were like, ‘this guy is done and washed up. He’s never going to break through.’ And that really drove me and made me really mad. I think that’s part of the results you see now.”

Carter has switched his focus on events. Carter had been more known as a 200 freestyle swimmer and made his Olympic debut in 2016 in the 100 freestyle, where he was 23rd. It’s now been the 50s where he has been successful recently.

“I was a main 200 guy until I was 23 or 24,” Carter said. “I always wanted to have a bit of a second career in just the 50s because I felt like I had potential. I didn’t know how much potential but I knew I had a good 50 fly and it was always good for a 200 guy, so I wanted to put it all there and see where I could go and I think that’s why I’m seeing some good times because I’ve never trained for them up until now.”

Carter is training at home in Trinidad with coach Dexter Browne. He set best times in both the 50 backstroke and 50 butterfly at the Indianapolis World Cup, ranking him 11th and 17th all-time respectively. His 50 butterfly in Indianapolis was only 0.01 off his best time, where he is fourth on the all-time list.

Carter is happy swimming, not because his events are shorter but because he feels that he is finally reaching his true potential. And making money through the World Cups has also helped.

“It’s fun, a lot more fun than training for the 200,” Carter said of his reborn life as a sprinter. “I think that swimming in a way that is sustainable mentally and you’re happy, that’s when you can see your career stretch out in front of you. I know it’s not always happy days like winning and best times, but the 50s and being creative with it are really fun and really rewarding.”

Carter also knows how much his win means to Trinidad and Tobago, a nation with only one Olympic medal in swimming history.

“I don’t think we ever won it. I know George (Bovell) came close,” Carter said. “At world champs or Olympics, it’s who is the best on that day. The World Cup is who is the best over an extended period of time. It’s really a phenomenal feat and not just fast swimming but endurance and mental endurance. It is a big step for our sport and the Caribbean.”

GATORS DOMINATE GOLDEN GOGGLES

The University of Florida Gators dominated the recent 2022 Golden Goggle Awards at the New York Marriott Marquis, winning six awards (five individual, one relay).

The 18th edition of the awards ceremony began in 2004 to recognize the USA’s most accomplished swimmers. This year’s awards were mostly based on performances from the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Bobby Finke was named the 2022 Male Athlete of the Year, winning the award for the first time. Finke also won the 2022 Race of the Year for his American record-breaking 800 freestyle at the World Championships back in June with a 7:39.36. The Clearwater native now has won the Male Race of the Year in back-to-back years after pocketed the 2021 Male Race of the Year last year for his comeback win in the 800 freestyle to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Finke also broke the American record in the 1500 freestyle last June.

Volunteer coach Katie Ledecky won three Golden Goggle awards, topping her decorated night with the 2022 Female Athlete of the Year. This is the eighth time Ledecky has won the award (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022), passing Michael Phelps for the most Golden Goggle awards in history. Ledecky won four gold medals at the World Championships in Budapest, winning gold in the 800 free, a race that won her the Race of the Year award tonight, and in the 4×200 freestyle, winning Relay of the Year award alongside 2023 Gator signee Bella Sims. Ledecky also took gold in the 1500 freestyle and 400 freestyle in Budapest.

Head coach Anthony Nesty earned the 2022 Coach of the Year Award. He was head coach in Budapest, coaching multiple medal winners including Finke, Ledecky, Caeleb Dressel and Trey Freeman.

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

Aussies Win Big; Carter Shut Out Of Medals At XXII Commonwealth Games

By Sharon Robb
BIRMINGHAM, England, August 3, 2022—Australia, Canada, England and Scotland took turns winning gold medals on the sixth and final night of the XXII Commonwealth Games Wednesday at Sandwell Aquatic Center.

In the much-anticipated women’s 400-meter freestyle, Aussie world record holder and Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus outdueled Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh to win in a Games record 3:58.06, her third gold medal of the Games. McIntosh, who scratched from the 200 butterfly for a rest day, was second in a national record 3:59.32. Aussie Kiah Melverton was third in 4:03.12.

Scotland’s Duncan Scott won the 200-meter individual medley in 1:56.88 ahead of Tom Dean of England in 1:57.01 and New Zealand’s Lewis Clareburt in 1:57.59. It was Scott’s second gold medal of the Games.

Canadian Kylie Masse won the 50-meter backstroke in a Games record 27.31. Aussie Mollie O’Callaghan was second in 27.47 followed by Aussie teammate Kaylee McKeown in 27.58.

Aussie teenager Sam Short, 18, won the 1500-meter freestyle in 14:48.54, shaving nine seconds off his career-best. Northern Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen was second in 14:51.79 and England’s Luke Turley was third in 15:12.78.

England broke the Aussies’ relay streak, winning the final men’s relay, the 4×100-meter medley relay in 3:31.80 with Paul Brodie Williams, James Wilby, James Guy and Tom Dean. The Aussies were second in 3:31.88 and Scotland third in 3:35.11.

The Aussie women had no trouble winning the 4×100-meter medley relay in 3:54.44 followed by Canada in 3:56.59 and England in 3:59.44. It was the Aussies ninth consecutive gold in the relay. Relay members were Kaylee McKeown, Chelsea Hodges, Emma McKeon and Mollie O’Callaghan.

The Aussies won gold in 12 out of 19 events including a sweep of all five freestyle events where only one podium finisher out of 12 was a non-Australian and sweep of all three women’s relays.

Two-time Olympian Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago lost his final shot at a medal in the 50-meter freestyle. For the second time in a Games event Carter just missed a medal placing fourth in 22.10. Brit Ben Proud won his third Commonwealth gold in the event in 21.36.

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