SOFLO’s Molly Golding Top FGC Girls’ Finisher; Dynamo Leads On Day Three Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., July 30, 2021—Molly Golding of South Florida Aquatic Club was the top girls Florida Gold Coast finisher on Day Three of the USA Swimming Futures Championships Friday at Huntsville Aquatics Center.

The University of Florida-bound swimmer was 16th in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:41.56. She went a best time in prelims in 2:40.25, dropping 0.46 seconds.

Atlanta-based Dynamo Swim Club continues to lead the combined with 804, the men’s with 392 and women’s with 412 and has all but clinched a sweep of the three titles headed into the final day of competition.

An estimated 1,000 swimmers are competing. The Aquatic Center has two Olympic-size pools with 1,400 seats.

The meet concludes Saturday with prelims at 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

FRIDAY RESULTS
COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 804, 2. TAC Titans 648.5, 3. Club Wolverine 390.5, 4. Bolles 248, 5. Blue Dolfins 210, 6. Chattahoochee Gold 179, 7. Y-Spartaquatics 174, 8. Nashville 160, 9. Lakeside 152, 10. Sarasota Tsunami 117.5.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 392, 2. TAC Titans 307, 3. Bolles 242, 4. Club Wolverine 103, 5. Lakeside 89.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 412, 2. TAC Titans 341.5, 3. Club Wolverine 287.5, 4. Blue Dolfins 186, 5. Y-Spartaquatics 171.

GIRLS
400-meter freestyle: 1. Hannah Bellard, CW 4:12.61, 2. Charlotte Hook, TAC 4:18.66, 3. Micayle Cronk, BD 4:18.87.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Gretchen Walsh, NAC 59.00, 2. Hannah Bellard, CW 1:00.30, 3. Avery Bargeron, DYN 1:00.43.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Alicia Henry, DYN 2:32.21, 2. Ainsley Jones, DYN 2:32.43, 3. Hanna Schmidt, TS 2:32.44; FGC: 16. Molly Golding 2:41.56, time 0.46 (2:40.25 prelims time).

400-meter freestyle relay: 1. Club Wolverine 3:48.64, 2. TAC Titans 3:50.28, 3. Dynamo 3:50.82.

BOYS
400-meter freestyle: 1. Nicholas Caruso, GSC 3:54.56, 2. Lance Norris, TAC 3:55.43, 3. Zachary Kohm, Unattached 3:57.15; FGC: 29. Hector Paz 4:09.12, time drop 26.70.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Owen McDonald, DYN 54.55, 2. David Gapinski, LA 54.82, 3. Bradfoed Johnson, HSA 55.01; FGC: 14. Zerek Wilson 56.54, 22. Dylan Smiley 56.61, time drop 0.92.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. William Hack, BSS 2:16.46, 2. Harrison Herrera, BSS 2:17.08, 3. Will Scholtz, LAK 2:18.60; FGC: Giulian Martin, CANE 2:22.39, 21. Jacques Sonnier, BRST 2:24.68, 31. Dylan Smiley, MCDA 2:25.85.

400-meter freestyle relay: 1. TAC Titans 3:26.42, 2. Dynamo 3:27.39, 3. Bolles 3:28.53.

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

SOFLO’s Dominic Bono Makes Top 20 On Day Two Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., July 29, 2021—Dominic Bono was South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher on Day Two of the USA Swimming Futures Championships Thursday at Huntsville Aquatics Center.

Bono, 18, was 20th in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:37.36. In morning prelims he went a best time 4:34.61 for a time drop of 3.51. His previous best was 4:38.12.

SOFLO’s Javier Colmenares, 15, did a 100-meter freestyle time trials in 56.92 for 19th place.

The top Florida Gold Coast finisher was University of Miami’s Aino Otava of Finland, 16th in the 400-meter individual medley in 5:03.19.

Atlanta-based Dynamo Swim Club leads the combined (462), men (188) and women (274) team standings.

An estimated 1,000 swimmers are competing. The Aquatic Center has two Olympic-size pools with 1,400 seats.

The meet continues Friday with prelims at 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. The four-day meet ends on Saturday.

THURSDAY RESULTS
COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 406, 2. TAC Titans 316.5, 3. Club Wolverine 156.5, 4. Bolles 126, 5. Blue Dolfins 96.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 188, 2. Bolles 124, 3. TAC Titans 115, 4. Lakeside 59, 5. Club Wolverine 54.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 218, 2. TAC Titans 201.5, 3. Club Wolverine 102.5, 4. Y-Spartaquatics 85, 5. Blue Dolfins 78, 14. Hurricane Aquatics 16.

GIRLS
100-meter freestyle: 1. Ella Welch, CARD 55.55, 2. Gretchen Walsh, NAC 55.74, 3. Kirsti McEnroe, YSSC 56.59.

400-meter individual medley: 1. Elizabeth Tilt, GOLD 4:51.61, 2. Lily Ann Willis, TAC 4:52.91, 3. Keelan Cotter, TAC 4:55.57; FGC: 16. Aino Otava, CANE 5:03.19.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Ryenne Ulett, DYN 1:01.94, 2. Catherine Choate 1:02.04, 3. Kyla Maloney, DYN 1:03.27.

800-meter freestyle relay: 1. Gator Swim Club 8:08.99, 2. Irish Aquatics 8:12.53, 3. TAC Titans 8:16.73.

BOYS
100-meter freestyle: 1. Macguire McDuff, BSS 50.98, 2. Chance Tirheimer, TBAY 51.31, 3. William Thompson, TAC 51.43.

400-meter individual medley: 1. Peter Meng, DYN 4:35.38, 2. Stuart Higdon, ATAC 4:35.72, 3. Samuel Kohm, TAC 4:37.02; SOFLO: 4. Dominic Bono 4:37.36, time drop 3.51.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Nathaniel Stoffle, SPAC 55.28, 2. Andrew Simmons, DYN 56.46, 3. William Thompson, TAC 56.70.

800-meter freestyle relay: 1. Dynamo A 7:31.11, 2. TAC Titans 7:33.08, 3. Dynamo B 7:43.46.

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

Busy Two Weeks Ahead For SOFLO Swimmers And Coaches

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, July 26, 2021—The championship season continues for South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers and coaches with four meets scheduled over the next two weeks.

July 27-31, Southern Zone Championships, Tupelo, Miss.: SOFLO will be represented by talented swimmers Izzy Wilson, Gabriella DeLuna and Nicholas Pelaez on the Florida Gold Coast All-Star team.

The 11-12 girls team: Alera Hurwitz, St. Andrew’s; Natalie Dufflocq, North Palm Beach; Maria Perez, Midtown Weston; and Emma Han, Wahoos of Wellington. There is no boys’ 11-12 team.

The 13-14 girls’ team: Izzy Wilson, SOFLO; Gabriella DeLuna, SOFLO; Reese Andres, St. Andrew’s; Samantha Schoenborn, St. Andrew’s; Sidney Anton, Pine Crest; Reese Rosenthal, Gulliver Swim Club; Abbie Sargent, Florida Keys Swim Club; and Sara Miller, St. Andrew’s.

The 13-14 boys’ team: Nicholas Pelaez, SOFLO; Dylan Ferguson, Metro Aquatics; Nahuel Balade, Ransom Everglades; Lucas Franchak, Hurricanes; and Andy Serrano-Pena of Ransom Everglades.

The coaches are Jennifer Gibson of Swim Fort Lauderdale and Rodrigo Mendes of Midtown Weston

July 28-31 USA Swimming Futures Championships, Huntsville, Ala.:
Dominic Bono, Javier Colmenares, Molly Golding, Sophia Grubbs and Philo Ibrahim have qualified for the meet. The meet provides swimmers with a new stepping stone between sectionals and junior nationals. Some think of the Futures meet as a “junior” Junior Nationals.

July 30-Aug. 1 FGC Senior Championships, Coral Springs Aquatic Complex: Defending champion SOFLO will be looking for its eighth title. In March, SOFLO swept the combined (2,007 points), women (1,013.50 points) and men (993.50) team titles at its home pool. Forty-one SOFLO swimmers have qualified for individual and relay events.

Aug. 3-7 Speedo Summer Championships, Greensboro, N.C.: Five SOFLO swimmers will compete against some of the nation’s top swimmers. SOFLO’s qualifiers are Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Juan Mora, Mallory Schleicher and Maddie Smutny.

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

South Florida Aquatic Club Swimmers Hit The Road For Top-Caliber Swim Meets Across The Nation

By Sharon Robb

PEMBROKE PINES, July 30, 2019—The hard work and fast swims paid off for South Florida Aquatic Club enjoying the best summer in club history.

SOFLO qualified a record eighteen swimmers for various meets across the nation that begin Tuesday night.

Over the next two weeks, the championship season continues for SOFLO in four USA Swimming meets from North Carolina to California.

SOUTHERN ZONES

SOFLO’s Maddie Smutny, 14, and Alejandro Mateus, 14, will compete with several Florida Gold Coast All-Stars at the USA Swimming Southern Zone Age Group Championships at Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary, N.C. Tuesday through Aug. 3.

The field features 13 zones including Florida Gold Coast and Florida Swimming.

The meet features prelims and finals except for Tuesday which has timed finals in the 400-, 800- and 1500-meter freestyles and 200-meter medley relays. Swimmers ages 11-18 qualified for one of USA Swimming’s prestigious meets.

SENIOR NATIONALS

SOFLO’s Kathleen Golding and Mary Smutny will flex their muscles at the Phillips 66 National Championships Avery Aquatic Center in Stanford, Calif. Wednesday through Aug. 4. Each will swim in four events.

Golding, headed to University of Florida in the fall, will compete in the 100-meter freestyle (Wednesday), 400-meter individual medley (Aug. 2), 400-meter freestyle (Aug. 3) and 200-meter individual medley Aug. 4).

Smutny, bound for University of Texas this fall, will swim the 200-meter butterfly (July 31), 200-meter freestyle (Aug. 1), 100-meter butterfly (Aug. 2) and 400-meter freestyle (Aug. 3).

FUTURES CHAMPIONSHIPS

Twelve SOFLO swimmers will compete in the Aug. 1-4 USA Futures Championships, Greensboro, N.C.

Representing SOFLO are Gaby Banks, Dominic Bono, Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Molly Golding, Paige Lane, Juan Pablo Pineda, Rafael Rodriguez, Mallory Schleicher, Miguel Sierra, Juan Mora and Robert Wilson.

The Futures series was launched in 2015, and in 2016 was expanded from three to four regions. The event was designed to add another stepping stone to the developmental pathway between Sectional Championships (which fall roughly along LSC boundaries) and Junior National Championships.

JUNIOR NATIONALS

SOFLO will have two swimmers in the Aug. 8-10 USA Swimming Speedo Junior National Championships, also at Avery Aquatic Center at Stanford, Calif.

The qualifiers are Lance Lesage in the 200-meter backstroke (Aug. 7) and 100-meter backstroke (Aug. 9) and Rafael Rodriguez in the 200-meter backstroke (Aug. 7) and 100-meter backstroke (Aug. 9).

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

ECAC’s Anna Auld Wins Title; Kelley Heron Leads SOFLO On Final Day Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb

CARY, N.C., August 5, 2018—Anna Auld of East Coast Aquatic Club was the top Florida Gold Coast finisher on the final day of the USA Swimming Futures Championships Sunday at Triangle Aquatic Center.

Auld, 15, won the 1500-meter freestyle in a lifetime-best 17:02.20, shaving 3.58 off her previous best of 17:05.78. Auld finished with 55 points.

Daniella Van Den Berg, 22, of Club Seminole was third in a best time 17:07.88. She dropped 30.55 off her previous best of 17:38.43. She finished with 27 points. They were the only Florida Gold Coast swimmers in the women’s field.

The Florida Gold Coast’s top boys finisher was Elvis Kotikovski, 16, third in the 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:05.49, dropping 1.30. He finished with 32 points.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher was Kelley Heron. Michigan State-bound Heron, 18, a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, finished fifth in the 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:20.58, dropping 0.37. Heron finished with 14 points.

SOFLO’s top boys finisher was Rafael Rodriguez, 16, 22nd in the 800-meter freestyle in 8:44.63. Rodriguez competed in five events and one time trial. He finished with 10 points.

Dynamo Swim Club of Atlanta swept the combined (793), men’s (413) and women’s (380)team titles. East Coast Aquatic Club was the only Florida Gold Coast team in the Top 10 placing ninth with 157.5 ahead of Bolles in tenth with 145.

The meet is one of four Futures meets held across the country. The championships are open to swimmers who are USA Swimming members and have achieved the time standards in one or more events. The summer meet provides swimmers with a new stepping stone between Sectionals and Junior Nationals. Some call the Futures meet a “junior” Junior Nationals.

Several Florida teams competed including Gator Swim Club, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Highlander, Area Tallahassee, TS Aquatics, East Coast Aquatic, Pine Crest Swimming, Boca Raton Swim Team and Blue Wave Swimming.

SUNDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 793, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 585, 3. TAC Titans 564, 4. Aquatic Team of Mecklenburg 493, 5. SwimMAC 312, 6. Cardinal Aquatics 195, 7. Baylor Swim Club 172, 8. Blue Dolfins 163, 9. East Coast Aquatic Club 157.5, 10. Bolles 145, 30. Pine Crest Swimming 46, 31. SOFLO 31, 50. AquaKids Sharks 20 58. Boca Raton Swim Team 15.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 413, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 319, 3. TAC Titans 282, 4. Mecklenburg 235, 5. Sarasota Tsunami 127, 23. Pine Crest 32, 37. Boca Raton Swim Team 15, 46. SOFLO 10.

GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 380, 2. TAC Titans 282, 3. Marlins of Raleigh 266, 4. Mecklenburg 258, 5. SwimMAC 192, 18. SOFLO 35, 28. AquaKids Sharks 20, 35. Pine Crest 14.

GIRLS

400-meter medley relay:
1. Baylor Swim Club 4:18.10, 2. Dynamo 4:19.41, 3. Marlins of Raleigh 4:19.57, 24. SOFLO 4:34.30 (Kelley Heron, Molly Golding, Jessica Rodriguez, Gaby Banks).

1500-meter freestyle:
1. Anna Auld, ECAC 17:02.20, time drop 3.58, 2. Alixandra Roy, HIGH 17:07.53, 3. Daniella Van Den Berg, CS 17:07.88.

100-meter freestyle:
1. Leah Gingrich, HURR 57.32, 2. Elizaveta Susorova, CARD 57.49, 3. Abigail Pilkenton, DYN 58.09; FGC: 11. Athena Meneses Kovacs, EA 58.71.

200-meter backstroke:
1. Eliza Whitmire, ATOM 2:18.04, 2. Katie Rauch, ATOM 2:18.67, 3. Mary Kelley, Unattached 2:19.08; FGC: 4. Madison Cummings, ECAC 2:19.80, 9. Athena Meneses Kovacs, EA 2:19.31; SOFLO: 5. Kelley Heron, SOFLO 2:20.58, time drop 0.37.

200-meter individual medley:
1. Brooke Zettel, TAC 2:18.62, 2. Katharine Ward, DYN 2:21.27, 3. Elena Dry, TAC 2:21.45.

BOYS

400-meter medley relay:
1. Dynamo 3:49.40, 2. Mecklenburg 3:54.00, 3. TAC Titans 3:54.56.

800-meter freestyle:
1. Noah Smith, CFM 8:24.48, 2. Joshua Legge, MOR 8:26.41, 3. Neal Wolfram, RACE 8:29.57; SOFLO: 22. Rafael Rodriguez 8:44.63.

100-meter freestyle:
1. Matthew Nutter, SRQ 51.23, 2. Wen Zhang, DDST 51.43, 3. Ethan Long, AAC 51.78.

200-meter backstroke:
1. Braeden Haughey, TAC 2:04.30, 2. William McCloud, TCSC 2:05.21, 3. Elvis Kotikovski, PC 2:05.49; FGC: 14. Lucas Duarte 2:09.70.

200-meter individual medley:
1. Tyler Watson, NFS 2:07.30, 2. Scott Piper, MMA 2:07.74, 3. Phillip Meffert, MMA 2:08.22.

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

Jerew Wins For AK Sharks; Golding, Rodriguez SOFLO’s Top Finishers On Day Three Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb

CARY, N.C., August 4, 2018—Hailey Jerew of AquaKids Sharks was the only Florida Gold Coast winner Saturday at the USA Swimming Futures Championships at Triangle Aquatic Center.

Jerew, 17, won the 50-meter freestyle in a lifetime-best 26.15, dropping 0.50. Two other FGC swimmers finished in the Top 8 of the sprint event. Rachel Botting, 16, of Pine Crest was fifth in 26.97 after going 26.85 in prelims. Athena Meneses-Kovacs, 13, of East Coast Aquatic Club was eighth in 27.11 after going 27.07 in prelims.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher was Molly Golding in the 200-meter breaststroke. Golding, 15, was ninth in a lifetime-best 2:39.79, shaving 2.12 off her previous best of 2:41.91.

SOFLO teammate Rafael Rodriguez, 16, was the top boys finisher, placing 14th in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:08.17.

The meet is one of four Futures meets held across the country. The championships are open to swimmers who are USA Swimming members and have achieved the time standards in one or more events. The summer meet provides swimmers with a new stepping stone between Sectionals and Junior Nationals. Some call the Futures meet a “junior” Junior Nationals.

The four-day meet ends Sunday with prelims and finals. Several Florida teams are competing including Gator Swim Club, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Highlander, Area Tallahassee, TS Aquatics, East Coast Aquatic, Pine Crest Swimming, Boca Raton Swim Team and Blue Wave Swimming.

SATURDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 586, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 446, 3 Aquatic Team of Meckelnburg 324, 4. TAC Titans 317, 5. SwimMAC 226, 6. Bolles 133, 7. Baylor Swim Club 132, 8. Cardinal Aquatics 120, 9. East Coast Aquatic Club 114.5, 10. Blue Dolfins 97, 29. South Florida Aquatic Club 31.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 316, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 243, 3. TAC Titans 167, 4. Aquatic Team of Mecklenburg 163, 5. Bolles 103, 41. South Florida Aquatic Club 10.

GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 270, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 203, 3. Aquatic Team of Mecklenburg 161, 4. TAC Titans 150, 5. SwimMAC 145, 22. South Florida Aquatic Club 21.

GIRLS

200-meter butterfly:
1. Leah Gingrich, HURR 2:14.47, 2. Ashley Worden, MOR 2:15.13, 3. Chloe Hampson, BD 2:17.75; FGC: 8. Madison Cummings, ECAC 2:22.07.

50-meter freestyle:
1. Hailey Jerew, AquaKids Sharks 26.15, 2. Elizaveta Susorova, CARD 26.26, 3. Leah Gingrich, HURR 26.32; FGC: 5. Rachel Botting, PCS 26.97/26.85, 8. Athena Meneses Kovacs, ECAC 27.11/27.07; 23. Megan Murphy, ECAC 27.59/27.30; 71. Chloe Hernandez, GRSC 28.27; 86. Josefine Richter, PC 28.46; 106 Esther Lin, PC 29.46; SOFLO: 18. Gaby Banks 26.65, time drop 0.08/27.49.

200-meter breaststroke:
1. Alicia Henry, DYNA 2:35.06, 2. Sophie Anderson, TAC 2:35.53, 3. Brooke Zettel, TAC 2:38.40; SOFLO: 9. Molly Golding 2:39.79, time drop 2.12, 2:42.58; 27. Jessica Rodriguez 2:46.37; FGC: 23. Anna Auld, ECAC 2:43.82/2:44.54, 25. Olivia Dinehart, AKS 2:45.64, 35. Emily Weiss, PC 2:48.12, 39. Ryan Flynn, ECAC 2:49.31, 43. Emily Santos, Unattached 2:50.01.

100-meter backstroke:
1. Ellie Waldrep, BAY 1:03.15, 2. Brooke Zettel, TAC 1:04.25, 3. Mary Kelley, Unattached 1:04.80; FGC: 5. Athena Meneses Kovacs, ECAC 1:05.47/1:05.25, 6. Madison Commings, ECAC 1:05.93/1:05.36; 46. Megan Murphy, ECAC 1:07.35; 64. Kayla Kraft, GRSC 1:08.27; 76. Josefine Richter, PC 1:08.64; 106. Amanda Kopas, Azura 1:10.64; SOFLO: 43. Kelley Heron 1:07.31

400-meter freestyle:
1. Abigail Pilkenton, DY 4:20.48, 2. Adrianna Cera, MOR 4:22.31, 3. Katie Rauch, ATOM 4:23.43; FGC: 4. Anna Auld, ECAC 4:26.12/4:25.58, 11. Paige Maceachern, ECAC 4:27.02/4:27.86; 30. Daniella Van Den Berg, CS 4:32.05, 50. Olivia Hernandez, GRSC 4:37.77, 54. Olivia Dinehart, AKS 4:39.45.

BOYS

200-meter butterfly:
1. Tyler Watson, NFS 2:02.72, 2. Scott Piper, MMA 2:04.61, 3. Mason Laur, T2 2:04.80; SOFLO: 14. Rafael Rodriguez 2:08.17/2:08.90; FGC: 17. Carlos Vasquez, TSA 2:06.08/2:09.26, 33. Sebastian Silva, Unattached 2:11.94.

50-meter freestyle:
1. Wen Zhang, DSDST 23.34, 2. Dawson Joyce, SA 23.51, 3. Jacob Rauch, ATOM 23.64; FGC: 23. Diego Mas, Unattached 24.58/ 24.39, 33. Diego Machado, TSA 24.77, 62. Nicholas Vale, PC 25.30, 81. Elvis Kotikovski, PC 26.20.

200-meter breaststroke:
1. Owen Downs, DYN 2:19.22, 2. Connor Dalbo, MOR 2:20.35, 3. Cameron Luarde, SWAC 220.70; SOFLO: 25. Samuel Quintero 2:28.65, time drop 0.01; FGC: 43. Alejandro Panting, Unattached 2:31.24, 48. Jimmy Hart, PC 2:31.91, 54. Jacob Silberman, PC 2:32.84.

100-meter backstroke:

1. Joseph Licht, TBAC 57.74, 2. Jacob Rauch, ATOM 57.78, 3. Elvis Kotikovski, PCS 58.04/58.64; SOFLO: 39. Lance Lesage 1:01.18, time drop 0.49; FGC: 60. Diego Mas, Unattached 1:02.56, 64. Nicholas Vale, PC 1:03.04.

400-meter freestyle:
1. Braeden Haughey, TAC 4:00.46, 2. John Vandeusen, Bolles 4:01.91, 3. Noah Smith, CFM 4:04.03; FGC: 26. Luis Bucaro, TSA 4:10.61, 42. Cameron Taddonio, BRST 4:13.01; SOFLO: 49. Rafael Rodriguez 4:14.97.

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

ECAC’s Madison Cummings Wins, Rafael Rodriguez Top SOFLO Finisher On Day Two Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb

CARY, N.C., August 3, 2018—Madison Cummings of Delray Beach-based East Coast Aquatic Club was the first Florida Gold Coast winner Friday at the USA Swimming Futures Championships at Triangle Aquatic Center.

Cummings, 17, won the 100-meter butterfly in a best time 1:01.39. She bettered her previous best of 1:01.84 by 0.45. She was the second fastest qualifier in prelims in 1:02.87.

In his final Futures event, Rafael Rodriguez, 16, was South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finisher, placing 14th in 4:40.31 in the 400-meter individual medley after going 4:38.77 in prelims. He was also 13th in the 1500 in 16:29.05 on opening day.

South Florida Aquatic Club is 15th with 19 points.

The four-day meet continues Saturday with prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

It is one of four Futures meets held across the country. The championships are open to swimmers who are USA Swimming members and have achieved the time standards in one or more events. The summer meet provides swimmers with a new stepping stone between Sectionals and Junior Nationals. Some call the Futures meet a “junior” Junior Nationals.

Several Florida teams are competing including Gator Swim Club, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Highlander, Area Tallahassee, TS Aquatics, East Coast Aquatic, Pine Crest Swimming, Boca Raton Swim Team and Blue Wave Swimming.

FRIDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 396, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 297, 3. Mecklenburg 227, 4. TAC Titans 198, 5. SwimMAC 195, 6. Bolles 112, 7. Blue Dolfins 81, 8. Cardinal Aquatics 73, 9. Sarasota Tsunami 60, 10. Area Tallahassee 43, 15. South Florida Aquatic Club 19.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 221, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 153, 3. Mecklenberg 119, 4. TAC Titans 109, 5. Bolles 84, 35. SOFLO 7.

GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 175, 2 Marlins of Raleigh 144, 3. SwimMAC 128, 4. Mecklenburg 108, 5. TAC Titans 89, 25. SOFLO 12.

GIRLS

200-meter freestyle: 1. Addison Smith, BAY 2:02.76, 2. Abigail Pikenton, DYN 2:03.01, 3. Madison Duracinsky, MOR 2:03.65; FGC: 18. Paige MacEachern, ECAC 2:07.61, 41. Anna Auld, ECAC 2:10.84, 53. Rachel Botting, PCS 2:12.51.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Alicia Henry, DYN 1:11.45, 2. Cecilia Porter, BAY 1:11.47, 3. Erin Szara, SLA 1:11.92; FGC: 2. Hailey Jerew, AKS 1:16.19, 35. Ryan Flynn, ECAC 1:17.03, 38. Olivia Hernandez, GRSC 1:17.39, 42. Olivia Dinehart, AKS 1:17.64. 54. Emily Weiss, PC 1:18.29, 60. Esther Lin, PCS 1:18.79, 68. Chloe Hernandez 1:19.37, 74. Emily Santos, Unattached 1:19.94.
SOFLO: 18. Jessica Rodriguez 1:14.91, 20. Molly Golding 1:15.28, 46. Kelley Heron 1:17.73, time drop 0.49, 85. Gaby Banks 1:26.21.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Madison Cummings, ECAC 1:01.39, 2. Addison Smith, BAY 1:02.01, 3. Katie Mitchell, Unattached 1:02.08; FGC: 55. Amanda Kopas, Azura 1:05.91, 103. Kayla Kraft, GRSC 1:09.02, 108. Esther Lin, PCS 1:11.14.

400-meter individual medley:
1. Alixandra Roy, HIGH 4:54.34, 2. Brooke Zettel, TAC 4:56.06, 3. Keri Golden, TG 4:57.57; FGC: 6. Anna Auld, ECAC 5:01.46.

400-meter freestyle relay:
1. SwimMAC 3:53.18, 2. Mecklenburg 3:53.45, 3. Cardinal Aquatics 3:54.32, 11. East Coast Aquatic 4:00.44, 20. SOFLO 4:05.30 (Kelley Heron, Gaby Banks, Molly Golding, Jessica Rodriguez), 23. Pine Crest 4:06.81.

BOYS

200-meter freestyle: 1. Matthew Nutter, SRQ 1:52.18, 2. John Vandeusen, Bolles 1:53.26, 3. Tate Callahan 1:53.83; FGC: 29. Carlos Vasquez, TS Aquatics 1:57.40, 35. Luis Bucaro, TS Aquatics, 36. Diego Machado, TS Aquatics 1:57.91, 42. Nicholas Vale, PCS 1:58.50, 53. Cameron Taddonio 1:59.59; SOFLO: 76. Lance Lesage 2:02.96.

100-meter breaststroke: 1. Jacob Rauch, ATOM 1:04.18, 2. Jacob Queen, CVAC 1:04.97, 3. Ryaan Hatoum, BERK 1:05.21; FGC: 26. Joshua Hanks, PC 1:07.73, 41. Alejandro Panting, Unattached 1:08.86, 41 Jimmy Hart, PC 1:08.86, 53. Jacob Silberman, PC 1:09.94; SOFLO: 46. Samuel Quintero 1:09.20, time drop 0.20.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Campbell Auerbach, DYN 55.02, 2. Kamal Muhammad, DYN 55.46, 3. Ryan Pilkington, Unattached 55.65; FGC: 11./15. Carlos Vasquez, TS Aquatics 57.15/57.21, 22./24. Nicholas Vale, PC 57.57/58.63, 48. Lucas Duarte, Unattached 59.00, 58. Sebastian Silva, Unattached 59.32, 68. Diego Machado, TS Aquatics 59.66.

400-meter individual medley: 1. John Vandeusen, Bolles 4:27.19, 2. Tyler Watson, NFS 4:28.93, 3. Scott Piper, MMA 4:33.31; SOFLO: 14./16. Rafael Rodriguez 4:40.31/4:38.77; FGC: 67. Sebastian Silva, Unattached 4:53.47.

400-meter freestyle relay:
1. Dynamo 3:29.11, 2. TAC Titans 3:30.70, 3. Sarasota Tsunami 3:31.76, 18. Pine Crest 3:40.17.

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

SOFLO Kicks Off Day One Of USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb

CARY, N.C., August 2, 2018—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers started competing Thursday at the USA Swimming Futures Championships at Triangle Aquatic Center.

SOFLO’s top finisher was the girls’ 800-meter freestyle relay, placing 11th in 8:54.44 with Gaby Banks, Kelley Heron, Jessica Rodriguez and Molly Golding.

SOFLO’s Rafael Rodriguez, 16, was 13th in the 1500-meter freestyle in 16:29.05.

Cameron Taddonio, 17, of Boca Raton Swim Team was the top Florida Gold Coast finisher placing fourth in the 1500-meter freestyle in a best time 16:17.31, shaving 35 seconds off his previous time.

South Florida Aquatic Club is tied for ninth with the Central Florida Marlins with 16 points.

The four-day meet continues Friday with prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

It is one of four Futures meets held across the country. The championships are open to swimmers who are USA Swimming members and have achieved the time standards in one or more events. The summer meet provides swimmers with a new stepping stone between Sectionals and Junior Nationals. Some call the Futures meet a “junior” Junior Nationals.

Several Florida teams are competing including Gator Swim Club, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Highlander, Area Tallahassee, TS Aquatics, East Coast Aquatic, Pine Crest Swimming, Boca Raton Swim Team and Blue Wave Swimming.

USA SWIMMING JUNIOR NATIONALS

SOFLO’s Kathleen Golding, 17, was 15th in the 100-meter freestyle at the junior event Tuesday in Irvine, Calif. After going 56.82 in prelims, she went 57.05 in finals. She scratched from the 400-meter individual medley.

THURSDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 130, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 125, 3. TAC Titans 94, 4. SwimMAC 79, 5. Mecklenburg 64, 6. Area Tallahassee 33, 7. Blue Dolfins 30, 8. Bolles 20, 9. tie, South Florida Aquatic Club, Central Florida Marlins 16.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Marlins of Raleigh 66, 2. Dynamo 65, 3. TAC Titans 54, 4. Mecklenburg 32, 5. Academy Aquatic Club 30, 11. Boca Raton Swim Team 15, 21. SOFLO 4.

GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Dynamo 65, 2. Marlins of Raleigh 59, 3. SwimMAC 50, 4. TAC Titans 40, 5. Mecklenburg 32, 13. SOFLO 12.

GIRLS

800-meter freestyle:
1. Addison Smith, BAY 8:54.44, 2. Michelle Morgan, PS 8:55.28, 3. Alixandra Roy, HIGH 9:01.14; FGC: 8. Daniella Van Den Berg 9:05.14, time drop 0.25, 10. Anna Auld, ECAC 9:07.30.

800-meter freestyle relay:
1. TAC Titans 8:25.37, 2. Dynamo 8:25.48, 3. Mecklenburg 8:27.61; 11. SOFLO 8:54.44 (Gaby Banks, Kelley Heron, Jessica Rodriguez, Molly Golding).

BOYS

1500-meter freestyle:
1. Joshua Legge, NC 16:07.59, 2. Zachary Brewer, FSLA 16:12.36, 3. Lance Norris, NC 16:30.90; FGC: 4. Cameron Taddonio, BRST 16:17.31, time drop, 35 seconds; SOFLO: 13. Rafael Rodriguez 16:29.05.

800-meter freestyle relay:
1. TAC Titans 7:41.54, 2. Dynamo 7:42.83, 3. Mecklenburg 7:48.67.

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

SOFLO Has Top 10 Finish; Heron, Roche Lead Team On Final Day Of Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb

August 6, 2017—South Florida Aquatic Club enjoyed its best national finish in club history at the USA Swimming Futures Championships at Centennial Sportsplex Tracy Caulkins Competition Pool in Nashville, Tenn.

After four days of competition, SOFLO finished tenth among a field of 84 teams in the combined team standings. The men’s team placed sixth overall and was the best finish by a Florida Gold Coast men’s team.

“I am excited about the combined score and our participation,” said SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson now headed to New York for USA Swimming Junior Nationals with Kathleen Golding.

“It was nice to have this many swimmers at a national meet and to have relays competing was pretty exciting. It was a nice cap to the summer. It was a very successful summer for SOFLO.”

Kelley Heron, 17, was SOFLO’s top finisher on the fourth and final day of competition.
Heron, seeded fourth in 2:22.88 after morning prelims of the 200-meter backstroke. She came back and bettered her time in 2:20.95 to finish fourth. She shaved 0.77 off her previous best of 2:21.72.

Ricardo Roche, 17, was eighth in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:10.06. He went a best time of 2:08.44 in prelims. His previous best was 2:09.44 for a 1.00 time drop. Roche was also ninth in the 800-meter freestyle in 8:28.96 with a time drop of 0.05.

The championship meet was open to swimmers who are USA Swimming members and achieved the time standards in one or more events. The summer meet provides swimmers with a new stepping stone between Sectionals and Junior Nationals. Some refer to the Futures meet as a “junior” Junior Nationals.

It was one of four Futures meets held across the country. The other three were in Santa Clara, Calif., Lewisville, Tex. and Geneva, Ohio.

Several Florida teams were among the field including Gator Swim Club, Pine Crest Swimming, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Highlander, Area Tallahassee, AquaKids Sharks, East Coast Aquatics and Blue Wave Swimming.

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. SwimMAC 540, 2. Tennessee Aquatics 405, 3. Dynamo 378, 4. Marlins of Raleigh 377, 5. Pine Crest Swimming 316, 6. East Coast Aquatic Club 245, 7. Area Tallahassee 224, 8. Highlander 207, 9. Cardinal Aquatics 187, 10. South Florida Aquatic Club 157.5.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. SwimMAC 282, 2. Tennessee Aquatics 219, 3. Marlins of Raleigh 195, 4. Dynamo 191, 5. Area Tallahassee 186, 6. South Florida Aquatic Club 112.5, 7. Tampa Bay 103, 8. Ensworth 87, 9. Kentucky Aquatics, 10. Pine Crest Swimming 82.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. SwimMAC 258, 2. Pine Crest Swimming 234, 3. Highlanders 204, 4. Dynamo 187, 5. Tennessee Aquatics 186, 6. Marlins of Raleigh 182, 7. East Coast Aquatic Club 176, 8. T2 Aquatics 133, 9. Saline Swim Team 118, 10. Cardinal Aquatics 116, 19. SOFLO 45.

WOMEN

100-meter freestyle: 1. Andrea Santander, PC 57.22, 2. Mary Arsenault, GOLD 57.62, 3. Ella Marlow, GTSA 58.07; SOFLO: 102. Jessica Rodriguez 1:04.26, time drop.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Brooke Zettel, TAC 2:18.09, 2. Elizabeth Broshears, BOON 2:19.29, 3. Alexandra Massey, ENSW 2:20.33, 4. Kelley Heron, SOFLO 2:20.95, time drop.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Brooke Zettel, TAC 2:19.98, 2. Emma Feehery, T2 2:21.23, 3. Sara Sotler, LA 2:21.58; SOFLO: 67. Jennifer Rodriguez 2:38.22

1500-meter freestyle: 1. Elise Bauer, CFM 17:00.46, 2. Anna Auld, ECAC 17:05.78, 3. Noa Heron, WFLA 17:13.72, 14. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 17:49.98.

400-meter medley relay: 1. SwimMAC 4:19.88, 2. Cardinal Aquatics 4:22.73, 3. Pine Crest Swimming 4:23.92, 13. SOFLO 4:36.77 (Kelley Heron, Jennifer Rodriguez, Jessica Rodriguez, Melissa Marinheiro).

MEN

100-meter freestyle: 1. Nolan Briggs, BC 51.40, 2. Ethan Long, AAC 51.63, 3. Matthew Lattin, ENSW 51.82; SOFLO: 44. Luke Lezotte 54.70, 45. Juan Serna 54.75, time drop, 55. Kevin Porto 55.11.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Joseph Licht, TBAY 2:05.28, 2. Conor Lynch, NTCA 2:05.49, 3. Campbell Auerbach, DYNA 2:06.10, 8. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 2:10.06; SOFLO: 37. Juan Diaz 2:16.74.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Dillon Hall, GCAT 2:07.85, 2. Brett Riley, SYS 2:08.10, 3. James McGuire, DYNA 2:08.49; SOFLO: 55. Samuel Quintero 2:17.28, 61. Luis Villanueva 2:18.78.

800-meter freestyle: 1. Ilis Sibirsev, FSLA 8:22.39, 2. Alfonso Mestre, CAT 8:22.47, 3. Cole Forbes, ATAC 8:23.91, 9. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 8:28.96, time drop, 13. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 8:33.24, time drop.

400-meter medley relay: 1. SwimMAC 3:55.42, 2. Dynamo 3:56.19, 3. Tennessee Aquatics 3:57.10, 12. SOFLO 4:02.54 (Ricardo Roche, Samuel Quintero, Max Asnis, Luke Lezotte).

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO Men’s Team Sixth After Day Three Of Futures Championships; Max Asnis Top Finisher

By Sharon Robb

August 6, 2017—South Florida Aquatic Club men’s team, led by the sixth-place finish of Max Asnis, is sixth after three days of competition in the USA Swimming Futures Championships at Centennial Sportsplex Tracy Caulkins Competition Pool in Nashville, Tenn.

SOFLO has 79 points among men’s teams. SOFLO is 12th in the combined team standings with 100 points.

Asnis, 17, was sixth in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:08.07, the highest finish by a SOFLO swimmer. Asnis went 2:07.89 in morning prelims shaving 1/10th of a second off his previous best.

Other Top 16 SOFLO finishers:

Melissa Marinheiro, 10th, 400-meter freestyle, 4:28.10 after going 4:27.16 in prelims.

Ricardo Roche, 11th, 400-meter freestyle, 4:07.73.

Rafael Rodriguez, 12th, 400-meter freestyle, 4:07.94.

Kelley Heron, 12th, 100-meter backstroke, 1:06.25.

Jessica Rodriguez, 13th, 200-meter breaststroke, 2:44.19.

Ricardo Roche, 15th, 400-meter freestyle, 4:07.58, time drop of 0.99.

Rafael Rodriguez, 16th, 400-meter freestyle, 4:07.64, time drop of 1.12.

The championships are open to swimmers who are USA Swimming members and have achieved the time standards in one or more events. The summer meet provides swimmers with a new stepping stone between Sectionals and Junior Nationals. Some call the Futures meet as a “junior” Junior Nationals.

It is one of four Futures meets held across the country. The other three are in Santa Clara, Calif., Lewisville, Tex. and Geneva, Ohio.

Several Florida teams are among 45 teams competing including Gator Swim Club, Pine Crest Swimming, Tampa Bay Aquatics, Highlander, Area Tallahassee, AquaKids Sharks, East Coast Aquatics and Blue Wave Swimming.

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. SwimMAC 380, 2. Tennessee Aquatics 315, 3. Marlins of Raleigh 276, 4. Dynamo 250, 5. East Coast Aquatic Club 201, 6. Pine Crest Swimming 192, 7. Area Tallahassee 161, 8. Highlander 138, 9. Saline Swim Team 119, 10. Cardinal Aquatics 113, 12. South Florida Aquatic Club 100.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. SwimMac 195, 2. Tennessee Aquatics 163, 3. Marlins of Raleigh 159, 4. Area Tallahassee 128, 5. Dynamo 122, 6. South Florida Aquatic Club 79, 7. Ensworth Aquatics 69, 8. Gator Swim Club 66, 9. Kentucky Aquatics 61, 10. East Coast Aquatic Club 59.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. SwimMAC Carolina 185, 2. Tennessee Aquatics 152, 3. Pine Crest Swimming 147, 4. East Coast Aquatic Club 142, 5. Highlander 138, 6. Dynamo 128, 7. Marlins of Raleigh 117, 8. Saline Swim Team 113, 9. T2 Aquatics 91, 10. Cardinal Aquatics 73, 30. South Florida Aquatic Club 21.

WOMEN

200-meter butterfly: 1. Alina Faunce, T2 2:16.76, 2. Carissa Armijo, TNAQ 2:16.99, 3. Sara Stotler, LA 2:18.92.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Margaret Gholston, RACE 26.55, 2. Mary Arsenault, GOLD 26.57, 3. Alexis Mulvihill, TV 26.63.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Delaney Carey, YCF 2:36.32, 2. Saige Kemeny, ATAC 2:37.21, 3. Desirae Mangaoang, MAC 2:38.00; SOFLO: 13. Jessica Rodriguez 2:44.19, 30. Jennifer Rodriguez 2:50.50.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Anna Freed, SRQ 1:03.92, 2. Ellie Waldrep, BAY 1:04.26, 3. Brooke Zettel, TAC 1:04.51; SOFLO: 12. Kelley Heron 1:06.25.

400-meter freestyle: 1. Elise Bauer, CFM 4:20.71, 2. Madison Murtagh, FLSA 4:20.89, 3. Anna Auld, ECAC 4:22.28; SOFLO: 10. Melissa Marinheiro 4:27.16, prelims; 12. 4:28.10, finals.

MEN

200-meter butterfly: 1. Alex Dawson, GSC 2:06.64, 2. Seth Kyriakidis, ENSW 2:07.11, 3. Joshua Legge, MOR 2:07.38; SOFLO: 6. Max Asnis 2:07.89, time drop, 22. CJ Kopecki 2:10.05, 42. Luis Villanueva 2:13.59; BRST: 29. Miguel Bernotti 2:10.53, 40. Jose Garcia 2:13.53, time drop.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Nolan Briggs, BC 23.44, 2. Matthew Lattin, ENSW 23.71, 3. Ethan Churilla, HHSC 23.87; SOFLO: 19. Luke Lezotte 24.51, 45. Kevin Porto 25.04, 64. Juan Serna 25.42; BRST: 22. Carlos Bernotti 24.72 prelims/24. 24.98, finals.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Wyatt Foote, ATAC 2:22.38, 2. Cullen Tyler, CARD 2:22.42, 3. Brett Riley, SYS 2:22.77; SOFLO: 20. Samuel Quintero 2:28.87.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Lucas Kravchenko, CBS 57.77, 2. Conor Lynch, NTCA 58.16, 3. Joseph Licht, TBAY 58.22; BRST: 40. Jose Garcia 1:02.17; SOFLO: 48. Juan Diaz 1:03.00.

400-meter freestyle: SOFLO: 1. Alfonso Mestre, CAT 4:01.23, 2. John Yambor-Maul, ATAC 4:01.49, 3. Julian Hill, GSC 4:02.05, 11. Ricardo Roche, SOFLO 4:07.73, 12. Rafael Rodriguez, SOFLO 4:07.94, 15. Ricardo Roche 4:07.58, time drop, 16. Rafael Rodriguez 4:07.64, time drop.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com