SOFLO’s Juan Vallmitjana Sixth At USA Swimming Men’s 5K Junior National Championship; Izzy Wilson Swims 7.5K Sunday

By Sharon Robb
SARASOTA, April 22, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club’s Juan Vallmitjana left a lasting impression at the USA Swimming Men’s 5K Junior National Championship Saturday at Nathan Benderson Park.

Vallmitjana, 14, placed sixth in 1:01:06 for the 3.1-mile race and was the highest placing 14-year-old in the field of 13 open water boys swimmers. Vallmitjana was the only swimmer from the Florida Gold Coast competing against a national-caliber field.

Bolles’ Dillon Brigman won the boys title in 59:01, the only swimmer to break one hour. Max Stewart of Irvine Novaquatics was second in 1:00:17 and Colin Jacobs of Sarasota Sharks was third in 1:00:47.

Daisy Collins of North Carolina Aquatic Club won the girls race in 1:03:14. Rylee Erisman of Laker Swim was second in 1:03:28 and Jane Wheeler of Crimson Aquatics was third in 1:04:16. There were 21 swimmers in the girls field.

On Sunday, SOFLO teammate Izzy Wilson competes in the junior girls 7.5K on the final day of racing. The senior level 5K will also be held.

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

Grimes, Garach Win U.S. Open Water 10K Titles; SOFLO’s Vallmitjana Swims Junior 5K Boys’ Race Saturday

By Sharon Robb
SARASOTA, April 21, 2023—Katie Grimes won the women’s 10K title in the U.S. Open Water National Championships Friday at Nathan Benderson Park.

In a close race, Grimes, 17, of Sandpipers of Nevada surged to overtake the field and won in 1:58.08. Her club teammates Mariah Denigan (1:58:23) and Claire Weinstein (1:58.24) were second and third. University of Florida’s Anna Auld of West Palm Beach was 13th in 2:03:07. Blair Stoneburg of Treasure Coast Aquatics was 19th in 2:05:15.

Grimes was coming off of an impressive 400 IM at the Fran Crippen SMOC last Saturday. She was close to the NAG record for 17-18 (4:31.81), 3/100ths of a second off Elizabeth Beisel’s time in 2011. The time was the second fastest in the world this year.

Grimes, the 2022 World Championship silver medalist in the women’s 1500 meter and 400 IM, was the 10K favorite. She won gold last year at the World Junior Open Water Championships in both the girls 7.5K and team event, and placed fifth in the women’s 10K at the 2022 World Championships.

In another close race, Carlos Garach of Spain won the men’s 10K title in 1:51.05.65 just ahead of Brennan Gravely, the top American finisher in 1:51.05.78 His brother Dylan Gravely was third in 1:51.07.

Brennan Gravley won the Male Open Water Swimmer of the Year in 2022, an honor named the Fran Crippen Memorial award. He finished tied for tenth in the 5K and 12th in the 10K at worlds. He was part of the American team that finished seventh. Gravley is a senior at University of Florida.

Qualifying spots for the 2023 World Championships were decided off national championships. The winners of the men’s and women’s 10K, Garach and Grimes, both earned a spot in both the 5K and 10K events. The second slot at worlds will go to the top American finisher at the Italian leg of the World Aquatics Open Water World Cup.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Juan Vallmitjana, 14, competes Saturday in the junior boys 5K national race. Teammate Izzy Wilson, 17, swims Sunday in the junior girls 7.5K.

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

Izzy Wilson, Juan Vallmitjana Top SOFLO Finishers At FGC Open Water Qualifier, Headed To Zones

By Sharon Robb
NORTH MIAMI, April 12, 2023—In an exciting finish, Izzy Wilson of South Florida Aquatic Club finished runner-up to Fatima Portillo in the women’s 5,000-meter race at the Florida Gold Coast Open Water Qualifier Saturday at Florida International’s Biscayne Bay campus.

Wilson 14, finished in 47:58, just behind Portillo, 20, in 47:54.

Two other SOFLO girls finished among the Top 10. Carley Kaplan, 14, was ninth in 50:37 and Elise Dinehart, 14, was tenth in 51:04.

Juan Vallmitjana, 14, was SOFLO’s top boys finisher in the 5000 placing sixth in 46:24. Enrique Rodriguez, 18, was seventh in 46:38.

Florida Gold Coast’s number of Open Water Zone spots per age group are: 11-12, 4 boys, 4 girls; 13-14, 6 boys, 6 girls; 15-16, 6 boys, 6 girls; and Open age group, 4 boys and 4 girls.

The open water zones are June 2-4 at Seven Lakes, N.C.

BOYS 5000 (41 swimmers finished)

1. Maximiliano Paccot, 43.00; SOFLO: 6. Juan Vallmitjana 46:24, 7. Enrique Rodriguez 46:38, 11. Jaden Amores 47:19, 16. Marvan Ekanayake 50:01, 18. Abraham Penaloza 50:14, 24. Giorgio Rusconi 52:57, 29. Ryan Harries 53:48.

BOYS 2000 (23 swimmers finished)

1. Diego Dulieu 23:34.

GIRLS 5000 (32 swimmers finished)

1. Fatima Portillo, 47:54; SOFLO: 2. Izzy Wilson 47:58, 9. Carley Kaplan 50:37, 10. Elise Dinehart 51:04, 11. Jenesys Amores 51:06, 14. Amelie Bicerne 51:20, 15. Sarah Vasquez 51:29, 23. Sophie Szutkowski 55:16.

GIRLS 2000 (20 swimmers finished)

1. Gia Euseppi 25:29; SOFLO: 6. Jianna Amores 26:49, 11. Sophia Rodriguez 28:18, 12. Alexandra Strong 28:20, 14. Didia Miccolis 30:07.

SOFLO had 22 swimmers (13 girls and 9 boys) in the field. The open water event was hosted by Hurricane Aquatics. Niccolo Miccolis also competed and finished the 500. He was the only SOFLO swimmer in the race but his time was not reported by meet organizers or official scorer.

SWIM MIAMI
SOFLO will have three swimmers and two coaches compete in Sunday’s Swim Miami Open at Miami Marine Stadium, the longest standing open water swim on the East Coast and one of the largest in the U.S.

Izzy Wilson and Amelie Bicerne will swim the 5K and Camila Canelon will swim the 800. SOFLO coaches Jessica Rodriguez and George Mersinger will swim the mile.

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

South Florida Aquatic Club Captures FGC Age Group Championships Combined, Boys Team Titles, Girls Finish Second

By Sharon Robb
CORAL SPRINGS, March 12, 2023—After a two-year absence, South Florida Aquatic Club returned to the winners’ circle Sunday at the Florida Gold Coast Age Group Championships at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex.

SOFLO won the combined team title with 871 points ahead of defending champion St. Andrew’s Aquatics, second with 720.50.

SOFLO also won the boys’ team title with 373 points ahead of Midtown Weston with 341. SOFLO girls were runners-up with 498 behind defending champion St. Andrew’s Aquatics with 537.

It was SOFLO’s 11th short course combined team title in the team’s history.

It was a total team effort from top to bottom with SOFLO swimmers making every point count in the competitive 38-team meet. The 11-12 girls finished first, the 13-14 boys and girls were second and 11-12 boys third in the age group competition.

“It was an amazing team performance,” said SOFLO CEO and head coach Chris Anderson. “It was great to see the SOFLO coaches, staff and athletes coming together for a championship win. We swam crazy good.”

Juan Vallmitjana, 14, won two more events on the fourth and final night to bring his total to five wins for the meet.

In his final short course 14-and-under age group championship, Vallmitjana won the 200-yard freestyle in a best time 1:44.21, dropping 3.28 seconds and 400-yard individual medley in a best time 4:07.80, dropping 9.43 seconds. He won high point with 69 points ahead of Flood Aquatics’ Hamilton Gates with 60.

Jianna Amores, 12, won her fourth event of the meet in the 100-yard butterfly in a best time 1:00.87, dropping 0.86. She was also third in the 100-yard freestyle in 55.14. She finished second in high point with 65 points behind Eagle Aquatics’ Penelope Lopez-Casula with 77 points.

In an exciting and close race, SOFLO’s girls 13-14 200-yard freestyle relay won in 1:39.64 ahead of Jupiter Dragons (1:40.43) with Carley Kaplan, Jenesys Amores, Sofia Gomez and Laila Harran. SOFLO’s 11-12 relay was second in 1:46.44 with Jianna Amores, Jemma Baldwin, Sofia Rodriguez and Ellie Jackson.

SOFLO’s 11-12 200-yard medley relay was second in 1:59.08 with Ellie Jackson, Gianna Martin, Jemma Baldwin and Jianna Amores.

Other top four SOFLO finishers were:
Catalina Akpabio, 10-and-under 50-yard breaststroke, 3. 39.39.
Guillermo Mantilla, 11-12 100-yard freestyle, 3. 55.09; 500-yard freestyle, 4. 5:24.80.
Carley Kaplan, 13-14 200-yard freestyle, 4. 1:54.82.
Noah Mejias, 11-12 100-yard butterfly, 4. 1:01.64.
SOFLO boys 13-14 200-yard freestyle relay was third in 1:33.55 with Juan Vallmitjana, Jose Rincon, Mason Jimenez and Nicolai Ross.
SOFLO boys 11-12 200-yard freestyle relay was fourth in 1:45.94 with Guillermo Mantilla, Rainier Leyva Riestra, Noah Mejias and Eric Ferrer.

The top six finishers in each event qualify for the FGC All-Star team for the March 24-26 All-Star Meet in Fort Pierce.

SOFLO had 53 swimmers competing in 273 individual events and 20 relays. The meet attracted 530 swimmers from throughout the Florida Gold Coast.

SUNDAY RESULTS
COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. South Florida Aquatic Club 871, 2. St. Andrew’s Aquatics 720.50, 3. North Palm Beach 653, 4. Jupiter Dragons 591, 5. Wellington 435, 6. Midtown Weston 431, 7. Metro Aquatics 382, 8. Coral Springs 364.50, 9. Eagles Aquatics 246, 10. Swim Fort Lauderdale 204.
GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. St. Andrew’s 537, 2. SOFLO 498, 3. North Palm Beach 360, 4. Jupiter Dragons 312, 5. Sunrise 189.50.
BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. SOFLO 373, 2. Midtown Weston 341, 3. North Palm Beach 293, 4. Jupiter Dragons 279, 5. Wellington 255.

GIRLS
200-yard breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Tessa Broedell, NPB 2:19.53; SOFLO: 9. Elise Dinehart 2:32.02.

50-yard breaststroke:
11-12, 1. Roxann Rohrbaugh, SAS 32.20; SOFLO: 5. Gianna Martin 33.65, 13. Christie Ann Lumsden 35.55.
10-and-under, 1. Ryann Lauck, NPB 35.47; SOFLO: 3. Catalina Akpabio 39.39.

100-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Gioia Balzano, EA 55.42; SOFLO: 13. Lydia Smutny 1:00.14, 15. Jenesys Amores 1:01.48.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 1:00.87; SOFLO: 8. Sofia Rodriguez 1:06.64, 11. Jianna Amores 1:00.87.
10-and-under, 1. Wendy LaPietra, SAS 1:05.74.

200-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Gioia Balzano, EA 1:50.05; SOFLO: 4. Carley Kaplan 1:54.82, 5. Laila Harran 1:56.12, 7. Jenesys Amores 1:57.27.

100-yard freestyle:
11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 51.93; SOFLO: 3. Jianna Amores 55.14, 12. Ellie Jackson 57.95, 13. Jianna Amores 55.14, 15. Gianna Martin 59.91.
10-and-under, 1. Wendy LaPietra, SAS 58.05.

400-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Maria Camila Perez, Azura 4:28.82, 7. Lydia Smutny 4:46.00, 8. Elise Dinehart 4:46.80.

500-yard freestyle:
11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 5:11.42; SOFLO: 5. Ellie Jackson 5:33.22, time drop 11.42, 6. Jemma Baldwin 5:34.09, 12. Sophie Szutkowski 5:44.57, time drop 15.50.

200-yard freestyle relay:
13-14, 1. SOFLO A 1:39.64 (Carley Kaplan, Jenesys Amores, Sofia Gomez, Laila Harran), 2. Jupiter Dragons 1:40.43, 3. St. Andrew’s Aquatics 1:40.52, 13. SOFLO B 1:45.96 (Elise Dinehart, Saree Young, Angelica Forsyth, Lydia Smutny).
11-12, 1. St. Andrew’s 1:45.75, 2. SOFLO A 1:46.44 (Jianna Amores, Jemma Baldwin, Sofia Rodriguez, Ellie Jackson), 3. North Palm Beach 1:48.84, 6. SOFLO B 1:51.07 (Sophie Szutkowski, Didia Miccolis, Gianna Martin, Christie Ann Lumsden).

200-yard medley relay:
13-14, 1. Jupiter Dragons 1:50.43, 2. North Palm Beach 1:50.63, 3. Azura 1:51.73, 5. SOFLO A 1:52.93 (Laila Harran, Elise Dinehart, Lydia Smutny, Carley Kaplan), 12. SOFLO B 1:58.90 (Jenesys Amores, Sofia Gomez, Saree Young, Mackenzie McPherson).
11-12, 1. St. Andrew’s 1:58.94, 2. SOFLO A 1:59.08 (Ellie Jackson, Gianna Martin, Jemma Baldwin, Jianna Amores), 3. Jupiter Dragons 2:03.37, 4. SOFLO B 2:03.89 (Lana Althuis, Christie Ann Lumsden, Sofia Rodriguez, Sophie Szutkowski).

BOYS
200-yard breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Juan Leon, TS 2:06.34; SOFLO: 7. Connor Jimenez 2:21.72, 13. Josha Menezes 2:26.84, 14. Ryan Harries 2:30.98.

50-yard breaststroke:
11-12, 1. Alexander Diaz, MWA 30.66; SOFLO: 5. Jonathan Li 34.14, 15. Julian Sibug 36.48.
10-and-under, 1. Patrick Ilonta, SFTL 37.41; SOFLO: 9. Leonardo Zuluaga 40.91.

100-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Santiago Campuzano, LLL 53.47.
11-12, 1. Trace Colton, NPB 56.55; SOFLO: 4. Noah Mejias 1:01.64.
10-and-under, 1. Kaan Trentadue, PB 1:06.70; SOFLO: 6. Ethan Phan 1:12.45.

200-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 1:44.21; SOFLO: 7. Nicolai Ross 1:47.84, 15. Mason Jimenez 1:53.35.

100-yard freestyle:
11-12, 1. Trace Colton, NPB 51.09; SOFLO: 3. Guillermo Mantilla 55.09, 5. Eric Ferrer 56.82, 12. Rainier Leyva Riestra 58.13.
10-and-under, 1. Kaan Trentadue, PB 1:00.82.

400-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 4:07.80; SOFLO: 5. Nicolai Ross 4:22.06.

500-yard freestyle:
11-12, 1. Roman Kondrashov, CSSC 5:19.59; SOFLO: 4. Guillermo Mantilla 5:24.80, time drop 6.56, 5. Eric Ferrer 5:28.94, time drop 9.95, 10. Alexander Ross 5:39.26, time drop 0.68.

200-yard freestyle relay:
13-14, 1. Jupiter Dragons 1:31.15, 2. Wellington 1:32.36, 3. SOFLO A 1:33.55 (Juan Vallmitjana, Jose Rincon, Mason Jimenez, Nicolai Ross), 19. SOFLO B 1:40.13 (Ethan Hall, David Valdiviezo, Joshua Menezes, Connor Jimenez).

11-12, 1. Midtown Weston 1:42.09, 2. North Palm Beach 1:43.22, 3. Wellington 1:43.82, 4. SOFLO A 1:45.94 (Guillermo Mantilla, Rainier Leyva Riestra, Noah Mejias, Eric Ferrer), 6. SOFLO B 1:51.89 (Kenneth Solis, Alexander Ross, Jonathan Li, Rafael Naranjo).

200-yard medley relay
13-14, 1. Jupiter Dragons 1:41.18, 2. Wellington 1:43.85, 3. FAST 1:43.94, 8. SOFLO A 1:46.73 (Maximiliano Remmele, Juan Vallmitjana, Mason Jimenez, Nicolai Ross), 13. SOFLO B 1:50.29 (Connor Jimenez, Joshua Menezes, Jose Rincon, Ethan Hall).

11-12, 1. Midtown Weston 1:51.47, 2. Wellington 1:58.73, 3. MAC 2:01.32, 5. SOFLO A 2:03.25 (Guillermo Mantilla, Noah Mejias, Rainier Leyva Riestra, Eric Ferrer), 13. SOFLO B 2:12.02 (Kenneth Solis, Julian Sibug, Rafael Naranjo, Alexander Ross).

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

Vallmitjana Wins Third Event; SOFLO Leads Combined, Boys Team Standings After Day Three Of FGC Age Group Championships

By Sharon Robb
CORAL SPRINGS, March 11, 2023—Juan Vallmitjana of South Florida Aquatic Club won his third event of the Florida Gold Coast Age Group Championships Saturday at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex.

At 14, Vallmitjana is leaving a lasting impression in his final 14-and-under FGC Age Group Championships.

Vallmitjana won the 500-yard freestyle in a best time 4:40.29, dropping 1.01 seconds off his previous best. He was also second in the 100 IM in a best time 56.04, dropping 2.41. He swam third leg on the 400-yard medley relay that finished second in 3:48.43. His butterfly split was 55.66. Earlier in the meet, he also won the 1,650-yard freestyle and 200-yard IM.

Vallmitjana is second among individual high point scorers with 47 points, four points behind Hamilton Gates of FAST with 51.

The 11-12 girls’ 400-yard medley relay won in 4:19.17 with Ellie Jackson, Gianna Martin, Jianna Amores and Jemma Baldwin.

After three days of competition, South Florida Aquatic Club continues to lead the combined and boys team standings. SOFLO girls are second. SOFLO has 655 in combined points ahead of defending champion St. Andrew’s with 594.50.

Other top four SOFLO finishers were:
Jianna Amores, 100 IM 1:04.57; 200 freestyle, 4. 2:03.51.
Laila Harran, 100 backstroke, 3. 58.33.
Lydia Smutny, 200 butterfly, 4. 2:12.80.
Ellie Jackson, 50 backstroke, 4. 30.40.
Guillermo Mantilla, 200 freestyle, 4. 2:01.40.
SOFLO girls 13-14 400-yard medley relay was third in 4:02.05 with Laila Harran, Elise Dinehart, Lydia Smutny and Carley Kaplan.
SOFLO boys 11-12 400-yard medley relay was fourth in 4:27.83 with Guillermo Mantilla, Noah Mejias, Rainier Leyva Riestra and Eric Ferrer.
SOFLO boys 13-14 400-yard medley relay was second in 3:48.43 with Maximiliano Remmele, Mason Jimenez, Juan Vallmitjana and Nicolai Ross.

The top six finishers in each event qualify for the FGC All-Star team for the March 24-26 All-Star Meet in Fort Pierce.

SOFLO has 53 swimmers competing in 273 individual events and 20 relays. The meet has attracted 530 swimmers from throughout the Florida Gold Coast.

In addition to favorites SOFLO, St. Andrew’s and Metro Aquatics, among other FGC clubs competing are Jupiter Dragons, Eagle Aquatics, Midtown Weston Aquatics, Pompano Piranhas, Lake Lytal Lightning, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Pine Crest, North Palm Beach, FAST, Sunrise Swimming, Wahoos of Wellington, SwimFast, Azura, Heritage Aquatics and host Coral Springs Swim Club.

SATURDAY RESULTS
COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. South Florida Aquatic Club 655, 2. St. Andrew’s Aquatics 594.50, 3. North Palm Beach 468, 4. Jupiter Dragons 387, 5. Wahoos of Wellington 328.
GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1.
BOYS TEAM TOTALS:

GIRLS
200-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Gioia Balzano, EA 2:03.24; SOFLO: 4. Lydia Smutny 2:12.80, 8. Mackenzie McPherson 2:17.08, 16. Sofia Lugo 2:22.04.

50-yard butterfly:
11-12, 1. Kira Perry, SUN 27.55; SOFLO: 6. Jemma Baldwin 28.90, 7. Sofia Rodriguez 29.28.
10-and-under, 1. Wendy LaPietra, SAA 29.09; SOFLO: 9. Catalina Akpabio 33.37.

100-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Maria Camila Perez, Azura 56.60; SOFLO: 3. Laila Harran 58.33, 8. Jenesys Amores 1:00.99, 10. Saree Young 1:01.90, 12. Lydia Smutny 1:03.48.

50-yard backstroke:
11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 27.71; SOFLO: 4. Ellie Jackson 30.40, 13. Lana Althuis 31.99.
10-and-under, 1. Julieta Stolk, SAA 30.65; SOFLO: 10. Catalina Akpabio 36.06.

100-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Maria Camila Perez, Azura 58.87; SOFLO: 6. Laila Harran 1:01.89, 7. Carley Kaplan 1:02.03, 9. Elena Dinehart 1:02.52.
11-12, 1. Roxann Rohrbaugh, SAA 1:03.25; SOFLO: 2. Jianna Amores 1:04.57, 7. Jemma Baldwin 1:06.96, 8. Ellie Jackson 1:07.27, 11. Sophie Szutkowski 1:09.22, 14. Gianna Martin 1:09.46.
10-and-under, 1. Julieta Stolk, SAA 1:10.58.

100-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Gioia Balzano, EA 49.89; SOFLO: 5. Laila Harran 52.90, 6. Carley Kaplan 53.06, 14. Elise Dinehart 55.22.

200-yard freestyle:
11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 1:53.56; SOFLO: 4. Jianna Amores 2:03.51, 6. Ellie Jackson 2:05.60, 7. Jemma Baldwin 2:05.67.
10-and-under, 1. Wendy LaPietra, SAA 2:07.38.

500-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Allison Kelly, JD 5:02.47; SOFLO: 6. Carley Kaplan 5:14.73, 7. Jenesys Amores 5:14.83, 9. Elise Dinehart 5:21.74.

200-yard medley relay:
10-and-under, 1. Sunrise Swimming 2:19.08, 2. St. Andrew’s 2:21.97, 3. North Palm Beach 2:24.18, 5. SOFLO A 2:28.08, 8. SOFLO B 2:42.06.

400-yard medley relay:
11-12, 1. SOFLO A 4:19.17 (Ellie Jackson, Gianna Martin, Jianna Amores, Jemma Baldwin), 2. St. Andrew’s 4:22.21, 3. Lake Lytal Lightning 4:26.03, 11. SOFLO B 4:39.83.
13-14, 1. tie, North Palm Beach, Jupiter Dragons 3:58.25, 3. SOFLO A 4:02.05, 11. SOFLO B 4:20.28.

BOYS
200-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Lucas Fernandez-Chung, MAC 1:56.27; SOFLO: 12. Mason Jimenez 2:07.54

50-yard butterfly:
11-12, 1. Trace Colton, NPB 25.67; SOFLO: 7. Noah Mejias 28.18.
10-and-under, 1. Kaan Trentadue, PB 29.41; SOFLO: 9. Ethan Phan 32.82.

100-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Hamilton Gates, FAST 53.33; SOFLO: 9. Connor Jimenez 57.93, 11. Maximiliano Remmele 57.58

50-yard backstroke:
11-12, 1. Alexander Diaz, MWA 28.03.
10-and-under, 1. Ryan Harris, HAT 32.52.

100-yard individual medley:
13-14, 1. Juan Leon, TS 53.35; SOFLO: 2. Juan Vallmitjana 56.04; 16. Connor Jimenez 59.87.
11-12, 1. Alexander Diaz, MWA 1:00.87; SOFLO: 5. Guillermo Mantilla 1:05.22.
10-and-under, 1. Joaquin Gomez-Liendo, SAA 1:11.22; SOFLO: 9. Gabriel Ferrer 1:18.68.

100-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Hamilton Gates, FAST 48.01; SOFLO: 13. Nicolai Ross 49.85.

200-yard freestyle:
11-12, 1. Trace Colton, NPB 1:52.59; SOFLO: 4. Guillermo Mantilla 2:01.40, 7. Rainier Leyva Riestra 2:04.99, 8. Eric Ferrer 2:05.08.
10-and-under, 1. Joaquin Gomez-Liendo, SAA 2:11.64; SOFLO: 10. Ethan Phan 2:26.24.

500-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 4:40.29; SOFLO: 7. Mason Jimenez 4:58.64, 8. Nicolai Ross 4:59.53.

200-yard medley relay:
10-and-under, 1. Jupiter Dragons 2:17.47, 2. North Palm Beach 2:18.68, 3. Coral Springs 2:20.17, 5. SOFLO A 2:22.14, 10. SOFLO B 2:34.85.

400-yard medley relay:
11-12, 1. Midtown Weston 4:08.33, 2. North Palm Beach 4:24.32, 3. MAC 4:25.90, 4. SOFLO A 4:27.83, 11. SOFLO B 4:45.21.
13-14, 1. Jupiter Dragons 3:41.59, 2. SOFLO A 3:48.43, 3. FAST 3:48.88, 12. SOFLO B 4:02.07.

IF YOU GO
What: Florida Gold Coast Age Group Championships
When: Sunday
Where: Michael Lohberg Pool of Champions, Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, 12441 Royal Palm Blvd.
Timelines: Sunday, Girls & Boys prelims, 8:30 a.m.-11:59 a.m. and finals 5:30-7:04 p.m.
Admission: $5 per person, cash only. Heat sheets are free and can be found at http://www.swimcssc.com or Meet Mobile. A concession stand will be available.

Amores, Vallmitjana Lead SOFLO On Day Two Of FGC Age Group Championships; SOFLO Leads Combined, Boys Teams

By Sharon Robb
CORAL SPRINGS, March 11, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club had another good day at the Florida Gold Coast Age Group Championships Friday at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex.

After two days of competition, South Florida Aquatic Club leads the combined and boys team standings. SOFLO girls are second.

Jianna Amores, 12, won the 11-12 200-yard individual medley in 2:19.47, sweeping the IM events. She was the fastest qualifier in morning prelims in a best time 2:20.46, dropping 5.52 and bettered that in 2:19.47, for a total time drop of 6.51. She also won the 400 IM on opening day in a best time 4:58.05, dropping 10.94. She was also third in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:03.45.

Juan Vallmitjana, 14, competing in his final age group championship, won the 13-14 200 IM in a best time 1:58.19, dropping 6.74. He was the second fastest qualifier in 2:00.47, dropping 4.46 and improved that best time dipping under 2 minutes in the final. It was his second win, he also won the 1,650 freestyle.

Other top three SOFLO finishers were:
Laila Harran, 13, second in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.96.

SOFLO 11-12 girls 400-yard freestyle was second in 3:52.63 with Jianna Amores, Jemma Baldwin, Gianna Martin and Ellie Jackson.

SOFLO 13-14 girls 400-yard freestyle relay was second in 3:34.21 with Carley Kaplan, Jenesys Amores, Elise Dinehart and Laila Harran.

Ethan Phan, 10, second in the 200 IM in 2:41.11.

SOFLO 11-12 boys 400-yard freestyle relay was third in 3:23.49 with Eric Ferrer, Rainier Leyva Riestra, Noah Mejias and Guillermo Mantilla.

The top six finishers in each event qualify for the FGC All-Star team for the March 24-26 All-Star Meet in Fort Pierce.

SOFLO has 53 swimmers competing in 273 individual events and 20 relays. The meet has attracted 530 swimmers from throughout the Florida Gold Coast.

In addition to favorites SOFLO, St. Andrew’s and Metro Aquatics, among other FGC clubs competing are Jupiter Dragons, Eagle Aquatics, Midtown Weston Aquatics, Pompano Piranhas, Lake Lytal Lightning, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Pine Crest, North Palm Beach, FAST, Sunrise Swimming, Wahoos of Wellington, SwimFast, Azura, Heritage Aquatics and host Coral Springs Swim Club.

FRIDAY RESULTS
GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. St. Andrew’s 258, 2. South Florida Aquatic Club 238, 3. North Palm Beach 160, 4. Wellington 114, 5. Sunrise Swimming, Eagle Aquatics 112.
BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. South Florida Aquatic Club 207, 2. Midtown Weston 168, 3. St. Andrew’s 141, 4. tie, Metro Aquatics, Coral Springs 120.
GIRLS
100-yard backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Julieta Stolk, SAS 1:06.38; SOFLO: 9. Catalina Akpabio 1:20.39.
11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 1:00.29; SOFLO: 3. Jianna Amores 1:03.45, 5. Ellie Jackson 1:04.79, 6. Jemma Baldwin 1:05.38, 15. Sofia Rodriguez 1:09.34.

200-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Gioia Balzano, EA 2:02.14; SOFLO: 6. Laila Harran 2:06.43, 7. Jenesys Amores 2:08.69, 11. Saree Young 2:15.38.

100-yard breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Emma Ellis, SUN 1:19.76; SOFLO: 7. Catalina Akpabio 1:32.00.
11-12, 1. Lydia Wagner, LLL 1:10.23; SOFLO: 7. Gianna Martin 1:15.77, 9. Christie Ann Lumsden 1:17.70, 12. Sophie Szutkowski 1:17.87.
13-14, 1. Tessa Broedell, NPB 1:05.12; SOFLO: 7. Elise Dinehart 1:09.37.

50-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Wendy La Pietra, SAS 26.54.
11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 23.96
13-14, 1. Gioia Balzano, EA 23.37; SOFLO: 2. Laila Harran 23.96, 5. Carley Kaplan 24.39.

200-yard individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Wendy LaPietra, SAS 2:24.20.
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 2:19.47; SOFLO: 4. Ellie Jackson 2:24.40, 6. Jemma Baldwin 2:24.87.
13-14, 1. Addison Kent, JD 2:06.19; SOFLO: 8. Laila Harran 2:13.84, 9. Carley Kaplan 2:14.59, 10. Elise Dinehart 2:16.69, 15. Lydia Smutny 2:17.03.

200-yard freestyle relay:
10-and-under, 1. Sunrise 2:03.65, 2. St. Andrew’s 2:06.56, 3. Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:08.13, 5. SOFLO A 2:10.32, 9. SOFLO B 2:18.58.

400-yard freestyle relay:
11-12, 1. St. Andrew’s 3:49.26, 2. SOFLO A 3:52.63, 3. North Palm Beach 3:58.37, 13. SOFLO B 4:12.65.
13-14, 1. Jupiter 3:34.18, 2. SOFLO A 3:34.21, 3. Wellington 3:38.93, 10. SOFLO B 3:47.89.

BOYS
100-yard backstroke:
10-and-under, 1. Kaan Trentadue, PB 1:09.51; SOFLO: 8. Gabriel Ferrer 1:19.21.
11-12, 1. Alexander Diaz, MWA 1:00.10; SOFLO: 11. Guillermo Mantilla 1:04.63

200-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Hamilton Gates, FAST 1:54.45; SOFLO: 8. Maximiliano Remmele 2:03.60, 10. Connor Jimenez 2:07.50, 11. Nicolai Ross 2:04.94.

100-yard breaststroke:
10-and-under, 1. Patrick Ilonta, SFTL 1:23.74; SOFLO: 4. Ethan Phan 1:25.66, 9. Luis Escobar 1:30.22, 12. Sean Tee 1:33.17.
11-12, 1. Alexander Diaz, MWA 1:07.51; SOFLO: 4. Noah Mejias 1:14.91, 11. Eric Ferrer 1:18.70, 15. Alexander Ross 1:20.01.
13-14, 1. Juan Leon, TSA 58.28; SOFLO: 10. Mason Jimenez 1:05.94, 14. Connor Jimenez 1:06.73.

50-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Kaan Trentadue, PB 28.14.
11-12, 1. Trace Colton, NPB 23.67; SOFLO: 5. Guillermo Mantilla 25.66.
13-14, 1. Julian Granison, WOW 21.71; SOFLO: 6. Juan Vallmitjana 22.80, 14. Nicolai Ross 23.12.

200-yard individual medley:
10-and-under, 1. Joaquin Gomez-Liendo, SAS 2:32.22; SOFLO: 2. Ethan Phan 2:41.11, 8. Gabriel Ferrer 2:45.90, 13. Sean Tee 2:53.91, 15. Luis Escobar 2:56.20.
11-12, 1. Trace Colton, NPB 2:09.25; SOFLO: 7. Guillermo Mantilla 2:20.35, 13. Noah Mejias 2:23.69, 14. Eric Ferrer 2:25.85.
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 1:58.19; SOFLO: 13. Nicolai Ross 2:04.27.

200-yard freestyle relay:
10-and-under, 1. North Palm Beach 1:59.93, 2. Jupiter Dragons 2:02.61, 3. Coral Springs Swim Club 2:03.03, 5. SOFLO A 2:04.79, 11. SOFLO B 2:16.00.

400-yard freestyle relay:
11-12, 1. Midtown Weston 3:46.70, 2. North Palm Beach 3:48.63, 3. SOFLO A 3:53.74.
13-14, 1. Jupiter 3:20.37, 2. FAST 3:23.17, 3. SOFLO A 3:23.49.

IF YOU GO
What: Florida Gold Coast Age Group Championships
When: Saturday-Sunday
Where: Michael Lohberg Pool of Champions, Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, 12441 Royal Palm Blvd.
Timelines: Saturday, Girls & Boys prelims, 8:30-11:23 a.m. and finals, 5:30-8:29 p.m.; Sunday, Girls & Boys prelims, 8:30 a.m.-11:59 a.m. and finals 5:30-7:04 p.m.
Admission: $5 per person, cash only. Heat sheets are free and can be found at http://www.swimcssc.com or Meet Mobile. A concession stand will be available.
Note: Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday morning so move your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night before you go to bed or you’re going to miss your first morning prelim race!

Amores, Vallmitjana Lead SOFLO On Opening Day Of Florida Gold Coast Age Group Championships; SOFLO Leads Combined, Boys Teams

By Sharon Robb
CORAL SPRINGS, March 9, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers got off to a good start at the Florida Gold Coast Age Group Championships Thursday at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex.

Jianna Amores and Juan Vallmitjana won individual distance events against a good field.

Amores, 12, won the 400-yard individual medley in a best time 4:58.05, dropping 10.94 seconds from her previous best. She has six events remaining over the next three days.

Vallmitjana, 14, won the 1,650-yard freestyle in 15:58.25, also a best time dropping 9.65 from his previous best. He also has six events left to swim.

Other SOFLO Top 15 point-scorers were:
Jemma Baldwin, 1,650 freestyle, 3. 19:01.94, best time.
Carley Kapan, 1,650 freestyle, 4. Carley Kaplan 18:06.24, best time.
Didia Miccolis, 1,650 freestyle, 10. 20:51.28.
Sophie Szutkowski, 400 IM, 11. 5:17.16, best time.
Sofia Rodriguez, 400 IM, 12. 5:18.96.
Mason Jimenez, 1,650-yard freestyle, 7. 17:06.53, time drop.
Gabriel Ferrer, 500 freestyle, 9. 6:23.41, best time.
Ethan Phan, 500 freestyle, 10. 6:24.52, time drop.
Luis Escobar, 500 freestyle, 14. 6:36.26, best time.
Noah Mejias, 400 IM, 9. 5:02.99.
Eric Ferrer, 400 IM, 10. 5:07.76, best time.

The top six finishers in each event qualify for the FGC All-Star team for the March 24-26 All-Star Meet in Fort Pierce.

The four-day meet continues Friday with prelims and finals.

SOFLO has 53 swimmers competing in 273 individual events and 20 relays. The meet has attracted 530 swimmers from throughout the Florida Gold Coast.

In addition to favorites SOFLO, St. Andrew’s and Metro Aquatics, among other FGC clubs competing are Jupiter Dragons, Eagle Aquatics, Midtown Weston Aquatics, Pompano Piranhas, Lake Lytal Lightning, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Pine Crest, North Palm Beach, FAST, Sunrise Swimming, Wahoos of Wellington, SwimFast, Azura, Heritage Aquatics and host Coral Springs Swim Club.

THURSDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. South Florida Aquatic Club 197, 2. St. Andrew’s 189, 3. Pompano Beach 131, 4. Eagle Aquatics 97, 5. Midtown Weston 93.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. SOFLO 101, 2. St. Andrew’s 83, 3. Midtown Weston 65, 4. Pompano Beach 58 and Metro Aquatics 58.

GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. St. Andrew’s 106, 2. SOFLO 96, 3. Pompano Beach 73, 4. Eagle Aquatics 63, 5. Wellington 59.
GIRLS
1,650-yard freestyle:
11-12, 1. Penelope Lopez-Casula, EA 17:53.92; SOFLO: 3. Jemma Baldwin 19:01.94, time drop 14.70, 10. Didia Miccolis 20:51.28.
13-14, 1. Veronica Metz, WOW 17:16.54; SOFLO: 4. Carley Kaplan 18:06.24, time drop 14.99.
500-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Wendy LaPietra, SAS 5:45.39.
400-yard individual medley:
11-12, 1. Jianna Amores, SOFLO 4:58.05, time drop 10.94; SOFLO: 11. Sophie Szutkowski 5:17.16, time drop 2.86, 12. Sofia Rodriguez 5:18.96.

BOYS
1,650-yard freestyle:
11-12, 1. Alexander Diaz, MWA 18:10.37.
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 15:58.25, time drop 9.65; SOFLO: 7. Mason Jimenez 17:06.53, time drop 44.39.
500-yard freestyle:
10-and-under, 1. Joaquin Gomez-Liendo, SAS 5:52.17; SOFLO: 9. Gabriel Ferrer 6:23.41, time drop 18.80, 10. Ethan Phan 6:24.52, time drop 7.84, 14. Luis Escobar 6:36.26, time drop 4.25.
400-yard individual medley:
11-12, 1. Trace Colton, NPB 4:35.28; SOFLO: 9. Noah Mejias 5:02.99, 10. Eric Ferrer 5:07.76, time drop 1.03.

IF YOU GO
What: Florida Gold Coast Age Group Championships
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: Michael Lohberg Pool of Champions, Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, 12441 Royal Palm Blvd.
Timelines: Friday, Girls & Boys prelims, 8:30-11:01. a.m. and finals, 5:30-8:15 p.m.; Saturday, Girls & Boys prelims, 8:30-11:23 a.m. and finals, 5:30-8:29 p.m.; Sunday, Girls & Boys prelims, 8:30 a.m.-11:59 a.m. and finals 5:30-7:04 p.m.
Admission: $5 per person, cash only. Heat sheets are free and can be found at http://www.swimcssc.com or Meet Mobile. A concession stand will be available.
Note: Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday morning so move your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night before you go to bed or you’re going to miss your first morning prelim race!

Julio Horrego Wins Third Event; SOFLO Finishes Third In Southern Zone South Sectional Championships

By Sharon Robb
ORLANDO, February 12, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club ended on a successful note on the fourth and final day of the Southern Zone South Sectional Championships Sunday at Rosen Aquatic Center.

South Florida Aquatic Club finished third in the combined team standings with 715.5 points ahead of Azura Florida Aquatics with 681.5. Sarasota Sharks pulled away on the final day to win the title with 1,211.5. Bolles was runner-up with 1,005.5.

SOFLO and Azura were the only Florida Gold Coast teams in the Top 10 combined.

Azura defended its men’s title with 616.5 points. Bolles was runner-up with 507. SOFLO was fourth with 398.5.

Sarasota Sharks defended their girls title with 805.5 points. Bolles was second with 498. SOFLO was fourth with 317.

Joining Juan Vallmitjana (800 freestyle and 400 freestyle) with USA Swimming Futures cuts are Wisthon Rendon (200 backstroke) and Aldo Zepeda (50 freestyle). According to SOFLO coach Chris Anderson, overall, Zepeda had the best meet and participation in relays. Manny Melendez turned in the best performances on the final day.

Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego swept the breaststroke events, winning the 200-meter breaststroke on the final day in 2:20.10, with a time drop of 1.93. He also won the 50 and 100 races earlier in the meet.

Olivia Dinehart was SOFLO’s top girls’ finisher placing second in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:38.20, with a time drop of 5.34.

Other top SOFLO finishers were:
Elena Dinehart was fifth in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:24.42 with a 0.66 time drop.

Manny Melendez was fifth in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:27.77.

Wisthon Rendon was seventh in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:10.75, dropping 1.83 for a Futures cut.

Izzy Wilson was seventh in the 1500-meter freestyle in 17:33.78 with a time drop of 9.06 off her long course seed time of 17:42.84.

Juan Vallmitjana was also seventh in the 1500-meter freestyle in 16:40.33, with a time drop of 23.59. Ivan Grass had a time drop of 14.62 in 16:58.96.

Ana Villamil was ninth in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:46.54 with a drop of 2.43.

Maddie Smutny was tenth in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:25.43, dropping 1.07.

Ricardo Roche was tenth in the 200-metr backstroke in 2:12.31 with a time drop of 1.83.

SUNDAY RESULTS
COMBINED TEAM SCORES: 1. Sarasota Sharks 1,211.5, 2. Bolles 1,005.5, 3. South Florida Aquatic Club 715.5, 4. Azura Florida Aquatics 681.5, 5. Windermere 517.5
MEN: 1. Azura 616.5, 2. Bolles 507.5, 3. Sarasota Sharks 406, 4. SOFLO 398.5, 5. Greater Orlando Aquatics 263.
WOMEN: 1. Sarasota Sharks 805.5, 2. Bolles 498, 3. Windermere 348.5, 4. SOFLO 317, 5. Gator Swim Club 256.

WOMEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Brinkleigh Hansen, SPA 17:00.74, 2. Bailey O’Regan, SYS 17:01.40, 3. Clare Custer, SYS 17:20.09; SOFLO: 7. Izzy Wilson 17:33.78, time drop 9.06.

200-meter butterfly: 1. Addison Reese, LAK 2:16.69, 2. Sofia Krstolic, LAK 2:17.86, 3. Avery Hawker, TEAM 2:18.60; SOFLO: 10. Maddie Smutny 2:25.43, time drop 1.07, 12. Michelle Marinheiro 2:27.66, time drop 0.70, 13. Gabriella DeLuna 2:27.84, time drop 1.54, 15. Elena Dinehart 2:28.48, 25. Lydia Smutny 2:33.33, time drop 0.13.

100-meter freestyle: 1. Lillie Nesty, GSC 56.45, 2. Emma Sundermeyer, STAR 57.04, 3. Rylee Erisman, LAK 57.68; SOFLO: 17. Carley Kaplan 1:00.21, 30. Natalie Gembicki 1:01.75, time drop 0.34.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Ekaterina Malyshev, WOW 2:37.88, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 2:38.20, time drop 5.34, 3. Gwen Shaboz, GSC 2:38.67; SOFLO: 9. Ana Villamil 2:46.54, time drop 2.43, 14. Sabrina Osorio 2:51.92, time drop 1.53, 22. Mariann Catalasan 2:55.71, 29. Sophia Grubbs 2:55.96, time drop 1.10.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Lillie Nesty, GSC 2:16.88, 2. Rylee Erisman, LAK 2:17.93, 3. Maya Foley, STAR 2:22.70; SOFLO: 5. Elena Dinehart 2:24.42, time drop 0.66, 29. Jenesys Amores 2:32.74, 30. Izzy Wilson 2:32.94.

MEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Amadeusz Knop, SYS 15:44.12, 2. Diego Dulieu, AZU 15:59.10, 3. Brody Singley, EAJ 16:03.20; SOFLO: 7. Juan Vallmitjana 16:40.33, time drop 23.59, 17. Ivan Grass 16:58.96, time drop 14.62, 28. Felix Gonzalez 17:15.24.

200-meter butterfly: 1. Ryan Erisman, LAK 2:02.73, 2. Yeziel Morales, AZU 2:03.07, 3. Xavier Venture, CSSC 2:04.51; SOFLO: 20. Enrique Rodriguez 2:15.38, time drop 1.59, 21. Alejandro Mateus 2:15.41, 23. Jaden Amores 2:17.50.

100-meter freestyle: 1. Tomas Koski, UN 50.46, 2. Leif Bouwman, JUP 51.38, 3. Jayhan Odlum-Smith, AZU 52.00; SOFLO: 19. Aldo Zepeda 54.36, time drop 0.73.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Julio Horrego, SOFLO 2:20.10, time drop 1.93, 2. Grant Sanders, TBAY 2:20.31, 3. Giulian Martin, CANE 2:20.40; SOFLO: 5. Manny Melendez 2:27.77; SOFLO: 11. Javier Colmenares 2:30.06, time drop 3.33, 30. Stephen Kim 2:38.22, time drop 0.24.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Ethan Ekk, ATAC 2:02.25, 2. Yeziel Morales, AZU 2:04.16, 3. Evan Keogh, SRQ 2:06.87; SOFLO: 7. Wisthon Rendon 2:10.75, time drop 1.83, 10. Ricardo Roche 2:12.31, time drop 3.76, 12. Austin Nelson 2:12.96, time drop 2.08, 15. Aldo Zepeda 2:17.33, 19. Jaden Amores 2:19.28, time drop 0.34, 30. Nicholas Pelaez 2:26.13, 32. Alejandro Mateus 2:26.66.

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

SOFLO’s Gonzalez, Horrego Win; Vallmitjana Gets First Futures Cut; SOFLO Third In Combined, Second In Men’s Team Standings After Day One Of Southern Zone South Sectional Championships

By Sharon Robb
ORLANDO, February 9, 2023—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers got off to a great start on opening day of the Southern Zone South Sectional Championships Thursday at Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center.

SOFLO men’s team is second with 108.5 points behind Azura and SOFLO is third in the combined with 164.5 behind Bolles and Sarasota Sharks. SOFLO women are fourth with 56 points.

Luciano Gonzalez and Julio Horrego won their sprint events and teenager Juan Vallmitjana got his first Futures Cut.

Gonzalez, 29, of Cuba won the 50-meter butterfly in 24.82.

Horrego, 24, 2020 Honduran Olympian, won the 50-yard breaststroke in 28.42. Last year he was third.

Juan Vallmitjana, 14, earned his first USA Swimming Futures cut in the 800-meter freestyle with an 11th place finish in a best time 8:38.58.

Other top SOFLO finishers were:
In the 50-meter breaststoke, Ana Villamil was fourth in 34.39. Sophia Grubbs was eighth in 34.81.

In the 50-meter backstroke, Aldo Zepeda was fourth in 27.98 and Ricardo Roche was fifth in 28.00.

SOFLO’s men’s 800-meter freestyle relay was second in 8:06.31 in Austin Nelson, Ricardo Roche, Enrique Rodriguez and Wisthon Rendon.

The women’s relay was fourth in 8:40.20 with Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Natalie Gembicki and Maddie Smutny.

Canadian Olympian Summer McIntosh, 16, a world champion who broke over 50 age group records by age 15, won the 800-yard freestyle in 8:20.19 and led a Sarasota Sharks sweep of the top three spots. Michaela Mattes was second in 8:41.15 and Addison Sauickie was third in 8:50.61. Izzy Wilson was SOFLO’s top finisher 18th in 9:17.42.

South Florida Aquatic Club qualified 32 swimmers (17 men and 15 women) to the four-day meet which ends on Sunday. The swimmers qualified to compete in 137 individual events and 10 relay events.

THURSDAY RESULTS
COMBINED TEAM SCORES: 1. Bolles Sharks 213, 2. Sarasota Sharks 195.5, 3. South Florida Aquatic Club 164.5, 4. Azura 154, 5. Academy Aquatics 91.
MEN: 1. Azura 126, 2. SOFLO 108.5, 3. Bolles 88, 4. Greater Orlando 61, 5. tie, Academy Aquatics and Southwest Stars, 48.
WOMEN: 1. Sarasota Sharks 152.5, 2. Bolles 125, 3. St. Petersburg 64, 4. SOFLO 56, 5. Gator Swim Club 45.

WOMEN
800-meter freestyle: 1. Summer McIntosh, SYS 8:20.19, 2. Michaela Mattes, SYS 8:41.15, 3. Addison Sauickie, SYS 8:50.61; SOFLO: 18. Izzy Wilson 9:17.42, 42. Michelle Marinheiro 9:43.33, time drop 8:00.15.

50-meter butterfly: 1. Avery Hawker, TEAM 28.07; SOFLO: 20. Ana Villamil 29.89, 24. Natalie Gembicki 30.10, 33. Gabriella DeLuna 30.72.

50-meter backstroke: 1. Kate Meyers-Labenz, BSS 30.33, 2. Taylor Schwenk, SYS 30.40, 3. Lila Higgo, BSS 30.42.

50-meter breaststroke: 1. Gracie Weyant, SYS 33.30; SOFLO: 4. Ana Villamil 34.39, 8. Sophia Grubbs 34.81, 30. Mariann Catalasan 36.62, 47. Carley Kaplan, 37.45, 55. Sabrina Osorio 38.41.

800-meter freestyle relay: 1. St. Petersburg Aquatics 8:31.45, 2. Windemere 8:32.11, 3. Southwest Stars 8:33.46, 4. SOFLO 8:40.20 (Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Natalie Gembicki, Maddie Smutny).

MEN
800-meter freestyle: 1. Ryan Erisman, LAKR 8:10.22, 2. Ethan Ekk, ATAC 8:14.62, 3. Diego Dulieu, AZUR 8:23.08; SOFLO: 11. Juan Vallmitjana, 8:38.58, time drop 8:25.34, Futures Cut, 48. Nicholas Pelaez 9:25.71.

50-meter butterfly: 1. Luciano Gonzalez, SOFLO 24.82, 2. Jayhan Odlum-Smith, Azura 24.92, 3. Leif Bowman, Jupiter 25.09; SOFLO: 22. Wisthon Rendon 27.17, 29. Javier Colmenares 27.43, 30. Alejandro Mateus 27.47.

50-meter backstroke: 1. Yeziel Morales, Azura 26.63, 2. Landon Kyser, BSS 26.92, 3. Felipe Costa, GOAT 27.19; SOFLO: 4. Aldo Zepeda 27.98, 5. Ricardo Roche 28.00, 17. Alejandro Mateus 29.19, 21. Jaden Amores 29.33, 26. Enrique Rodriguez 29.94.

50-meter breaststroke: 1. Julio Horrego, SOFLO 28.42, 2. Kito Campbell, Azura 29.14, 3. Liam Heary, SYS 29.62; SOFLO: 17. Javier Colmenares 30.81, 22. Manuel Melendez 31.06, 36. Stephen Kim 32.40, 53. Giorgio Rusconi 33.63.

800-meter freestyle relay: 1. Academy Aquatics 7:57.91, 2. SOFLO 8:06.31 (Austin Nelson, Ricardo Roche, Enrique Rodriguez, Wisthon Rendon), 3. Southwest Stars 8:06.61.

ESTIMATED TIMELINES
Friday, prelims 9 a.m.-1:02 p.m., finals 5-7:21 p.m.; Saturday, prelims 9 a.m.-1:12 p.m., finals 5-7:18 p.m.; Sunday, prelims 9 a.m.-1:02 p.m., distance, 1:15-3:58 p.m. and finals 5-7:20 p.m.

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

Jenesys Amores Leads SOFLO In Session Four Of TYR SOFLO Open; Older Swimmers Shine On Final Day

By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, January 22, 2023—Jenesys Amores led South Florida Aquatic Club on the third and final day of the TYR SOFLO Open Sunday at Academic Village Pool.

Amores, 14, won four events and finished with 98 points for the meet.

Amores won the 200-yard freestyle in 2:02.19; 50-yard backstroke in 31.28; 200-yard backstroke in 2:17.56; and 100-yard freestyle in 58.29.

In another exciting relay race, SOFLO A’s girls 200-yard freestyle relay of Ana Villamil, Natalie Gembicki, Carley Kaplan and Olivia Dinehart won in 1:40.12, edging out TS Aquatics in 1:40.65 with Tawannah McLemore, Brianna Hernandez, Kendra Gomez and Nati Ortiz.

Juan Vallmitjana and Nicolai Ross were double winners for SOFLO boys.

Vallmitjana won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:51.62 and 200-yard butterfly in 2:05.28.

Ross won the 200-yard backstroke in 2:06.65 and 100-yard freestyle in 51.63.

TS Aquatics knocked off SOFLO A’s boys’ 200-yard freestyle relay (Javier Colmenares, Derek Hau, Jaden Amores and Aldo Zepeda), 1:29.58-1:31.96 with Miles Green, Mason Green, RJ Martin and Mekhi Dawkins.

Individual SOFLO winners were: Natalie Gembicki, Lydia Smutny, Maddie Smutny, Elise Dinehart, Elena Dinehart, Olivia Dinehart, Mason Jimenez, Maximilian Remmele, Jaden Amores and Luciano Gonzalez.

In addition to host SOFLO, among Florida Gold Coast swim teams that competed were SwimFast, Metro Aquatics, Miami Swimming, Sunrise Swimming, Cooper City Cyclones, Hialeah, Speed World Swimming, TS Aquatics, Mar JCC Swim Team, College of Florida Keys and Boca Raton.

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.”

SESSION FOUR RESULTS
GIRLS
200-yard freestyle relay:

1. SOFLO A 1:40.12 (Ana Villamil, Natalie Gembicki, Carley Kaplan, Olivia Dinehart), 2. TS Aquatics 1:40.65, 3. SOFLO B 1:42.94.

200-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 2:02.19, 2. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 2:06.23, 3. Mackenzie McPherson, SOFLO 2:06.97, time drop 0.92.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonzalez, UNFG 1:55.89, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 1:57.45, 3. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 1:57.49.

50-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 31.28, 2. Sofia Gomez, SOFLO 31.48, 3. Ainsley Miller, SOFLO 32.50, time drop 1.49, 4. Angelica Forsyth, SOFLO 3.64, time drop 0.21.
15-and-over, 1. Natalie Gembicki, SOFLO 29.03, time drop 1.66, 2. Ana Villamil, SOFLO 29.13, time drop 0.54, 3. Ainnara Lazzaro, UNFG 29.42.

200-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 2:21.06.
15-and-over, 1. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 2:12.21, 2. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 2:12.97, 3. Michelle Marinheiro, SOFLO 2:13.33.

100-yard breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 1:16.65, 2. Ainsley Miller, SOFLO 1:16.88, 3. Laila Harran, SOFLO 1:18.02.
15-and-over, 1. Paola Gonzalez, UNFG 1:06.47, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 1:06.62, 3. Tawannah McLemore, TSA 1:06.73.

200-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 2:17.56, 2. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 2:25.51, 3. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 2:27.37, time drop 0.13.
15-and-over, 1. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 2:08.08, 2. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 2:13.55, time drop 1.26, 3. Kendra Gomez, TSA 2:15.56.

50-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Emma Lewis, BR 29.07, 2. Rachel Miller, SUN 30.38, 3. Ainsley Miller, SOFLO 31.75.
15-and-over, 1. Sahara Idler, UNFG 27.34, 2. Nati Ortiz, TSA 27.53, 3. Natalie Gembicki, SOFLO 27.56, time drop 3.63.

100-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Jenesys Amores, SOFLO 58.29, 2. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 59.20, 3. Mackenzie McPherson, SOFLO 59.22, time drop 0.37.
15-and-over, 1. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 53.70, 2. Tawannah McLemore, TSA 53.78, 3. Maddie Smutny, SOFLO 54.84.

BOYS
200-yard freestyle relay:

1. TS Aquatics 1:29.58 (Miles Green, Mason Green, RJ Martin, Mekhi Dawkins), 2. SOFLO A 1:31.96, 3. SOFLO B 1:34.22.

200-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 1:51.62, 2. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 1:55.56, 3. Zane Samms, TSA 1:56.00, 4. Connor Jimenez, SOFLO 1:59.28, time drop 0.29.
15-and-over, 1. George Gonzalez, UNFG 1:41.18, 2. Anthony Pineiro, UNFG 1:43.47, 3. Mason Green, TSA 1:44.38.

50-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Maximiliano Remmele, SOFLO 28.21, 2. Daniel Ella, SUN 28.40, 3. Jose Rincon, SOFLO 28.83, time drop 0.37.
15-and-over, 1. Marcelo Mansur, UNFG 24.64, 2. Miles Green, TSA 26.09, 3. Derek Hau, SOFLO 26.80, time drop 1.12.

200-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 2:05.28, 2. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 2:14.00, time drop 5.22.
15-and-over, 1. Mason Green, TSA 2:01.33, 2. Wisthon Rendon, SOFLO 2:01.55, 3. Javier Colmenares, SOFLO 2:02.34, 4. Manny Melendez, SOFLO 2:03.37, time drop 21.54.

100-yard breaststroke:
13-14, 1. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 1:08.59, time drop 3.00, 2. Chris DeAngulo, MS 1:10.11, 3. Maximiliano Remmele, SOFLO 1:10.30, 4. Joshua Menezes, SOFLO 1:10.48, time drop 0.34.
15-and-over, 1. George Gonzalez, UNFG 59.14, 2. Robert Alvarez, MAC 1:00.98, 3. Oscar Rios, HSC 1:01.34.

200-yard backstroke:
13-14, 1. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 2:06.65, 2. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 2:07.88, 3. David Valdiviezo, SOFLO 2:16.60, time drop 1.38.
15-and-over, 1. Jaden Amores, SOFLO 1:59.19, 2. Robert Alvarez, MAC 2:03.30, 3. Sean Doyle, SUN 2:05.73.

50-yard butterfly:
13-14, 1. Jorvir Tigrero, HSC 25.63, 2. Daniel Ella, SUN 26.32, 3. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 26.77, time drop 6.42.
15-and-over, 1. Luciano Gonzalez, SOFLO 21.79, 2. Miles Green, TSA 23.27, 3. George Gonzalez, UNFG 23.40.

100-yard freestyle:
13-14, 1. Nicolai Ross, SOFLO 51.63, 2. Jorvir Tigrero, HSC 52.08, 3. Mason Jimenez, SOFLO 53.69, time drop 0.47.
15-and-over, 1. George Gonzalez, UNFG 46.64, 2. Mason Green, TSA 47.00, 3. Anthony Pineiro, UNFG 47.00,

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