SOFLO Heads Field For NPB Summer Kickoff This Weekend At Plantation Central Park Aquatic Complex

By Sharon Robb

May 30, 2019—South Florida Aquatic Club heads the field for this weekend’s 11th annual North Palm Beach Long Course Summer Kickoff at Plantation Central Park Aquatic Complex.

Plantation Swim Team and City of Plantation are hosting one of the biggest meets of the summer while North Palm Beach Swim Club officials are running it on Saturday and Sunday.

SOFLO has the largest team with 83 swimmers entered in 394 time final races.

The SOFLO contingent features a talented group of swimmers from Vietnamese Olympian and national record holder Vien Thianh Nguyen to collegians back for the summer including Heath Brames (University of Massachusetts), Kelley Heron (Michigan State), Melissa Marinheiro (Florida Gulf Coast) and C.J. Kopecki (Seton Hall) to high school and age group swimmers.

Among other SOFLO swimmers competing are Jemma Baldwin, 8, Fiorella Di Salvo, 11, Ryan Harries, 11, Lance Lesage, 16, Oleksii Viazmetinov, 10, and Juan Vallmitjana, 10.

Among SOFLO’s top seeds are:

Melissa Marinheiro, 22, 200-meter freestyle, 2:05.80.

Vien Thianh Nguyen, 22, 200-meter backstroke, 2:14.86; 100-meter butterfly, 1:03.18.

Marco Cabrera Duarte, 18, 200-meter backstroke, 2:07.01.

Samuel Quintero, 18, 400-meter individual medley, 4:47.60.

Juan Vallmitjana, 10, 200-meter freestyle, 2:34.63.

Izzy Wilson, 12, 200-meter freestyle, 2:21.61.

Fiorella Di Salvo, 11, 100-meter backstroke, 1:18.55.

Connor Jimenez, 10, 50-meter freestyle, 32.99; 200-meter individual medley, 3:01.79.

Kevin Moya, 12, 100-meter freestyle, 1:04.03; 50-meter breaststroke, 41.40.

The meet, one of the Florida Gold Coast’s top summer meets, will give SOFLO swimmers a chance to race long course against some of the Florida Gold Coast’s top swimmers and teams including Azura, Boca Raton Swim Team, SwimFast, Martin County, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Miami Swimming and hosts North Palm Beach and Plantation Swim Team.

IF YOU GO

What: 11th annual North Palm Beach Long Course Summer Kickoff

When: Saturday-Sunday

Where: Plantation Central Park Aquatic Complex, 9141 NW Second Street, off Broward Blvd.

Schedule: Saturday, Session One, 9 a.m.-12:52 p.m.; Session Two, 1:30-4:51 p.m.; Sunday, Session One 9 a.m.-1:37 p.m., Session Two 2-5:29 p.m.

Of note: Plantation Swim Team and City of Plantation are hosting the meet…North Palm Beach Swim Club staff is running the meet for the seventh consecutive year…Admission is $5 each session, heat sheet $2 each session. Meet directors are Alf Aguirre, 305-773-6060 and Dick Cavanah 561-762-7261…Time lines, psych sheets and results will be posted at http://www.npbswimming.com according to meet organizers.

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

SOFLO Boys Fifth After Day One Of FGC Senior Long Course Championships

By Sharon Robb

CORAL SPRINGS, July 27, 2018—South Florida Aquatic Club is among Top 10 teams after the opening day of the Florida Gold Coast Senior Long Course Championships at the Michael Lohberg Pool of Champions at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex.

SOFLO boys are fifth with 98 points, the girls are eighth with 82.50 and combined team is ninth with 180.50.

As expected, defending champion Azura Florida Aquatics got off to a strong start and leads combined with 425.50 and boys with 324. Pine Crest leads the girls with 283.

Melissa Marinheiro and CJ Kopecki were SOFLO’s top finishers.

Marinheiro, 21, was fourth in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:36.52. She was also a member of the 11th-place 400-meter freestyle relay and 12th place 200-meter freestyle relay.

Kopecki, 19, after qualifying fourth in 2:12.49 in the 200-meter butterfly, was sixth in finals in 2:16.01. He was also a member of the 200- and 400-meter freestyle relay that finished out of the Top 10 and 32nd in the 100-meter freestyle. John Paul Handal was ninth in the butterfly event in a best time 2:16.37 with an impressive time drom of 5.43

Robert Wilson, 15, was seventh in the 100-meter freestyle in 55.46 followed by Michael Arias, 15, eighth in 55.51.

Leonardo Mateus, 16, was eighth in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:19.64.

The field features 42 Florida Gold Coast teams including defending champion Azura, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, Gulliver Swim Club, Jupiter Dragons, Pine Crest Swimming, Westminster Academy, Boca Raton Swim Team and East Coast Aquatic Club.

FRIDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Azura Florida Aquatic 425.50, 2. Metro Aquatics 392.50, 3. Gulliver Swimming 348, 4. Pine Crest Swimming 340, 5. East Coast Aquatic Club 280.50, 9. SOFLO 180.50.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Azura 324.50, 2. Metro Aquatics 264, 3. Swim Fort Lauderdale 126, 4. Westminster Academy 102, 5. South Florida Aquatic Club 98, 8. BRST 80.

GIRLS TEAM TOTALS: 1. Pine Crest Swimming 283, 2. Gulliver 256, 3. East Coast Aquatic Club 217.50, 4. North Palm Beach 149.50, 5. Metro Aquatics 128.50, 8. SOFLO 82.50.

GIRLS

200-meter freestyle relay:
1. Swim Fort Lauderdale 1:48.38, 2. East Coast Aquatic Club 1:51.38, 3. Gulliver Swim Club 1:51.50, 12. SOFLO A 1:57.65 (Kylie Herman, Melissa Marinheiro, Abby Oyetunji, Maya Coffey), 20. SOFLO B 2:00.61 (Kyana Castro, Daniela Curbelo, Michelle Marinheiro, Alana Acevedo).

200-meter backstroke:
1. Amanda Kopas, Azura 2:25.74, 2. Madison Schain, AKS 2:30.10, 3. Hanna Smith, PC 2:30.11; Open, 1. Allison Kopas, Unattached 2:19.49, 2. Roxanne Yu, CANE 2:21.87, 3. Megan Schimansky, CSSC 2:29.22.

100-meter freestyle:
15-16, 1. Delaney Biro, TSA 59.79, 2. Claudia Acosta, HSC 1:00.05, 3. Mariangela Cincotti, Unattached 1:00.06; Open: 1. Jessica Nava, PC 58.36, 2. Carmen San Nicolas-Martinez, CANE 58.76, 3. Eriana Temperino, ECAC 58.91.

200-meter butterfly:
15-16, 1. Jocelyn Ruiz, BMHG 2:24.41, 2. Valerie Barreto, GRSC 2:25.89 3. Valeria Strohmeier, GRSC 2:28.67; Open, 1. Emily Cordovi, GRSC 2:17.61, 2. Victoria Miyamoto, PCS 2:21.29, 3. Alexandra Paz, MAC 2:23.53; SOFLO: 10. Kylie Herman 2:35.46.

50-meter breaststroke:
15-16, 1. Ryan Flynn, ECAC 35.26, 2. Hanna Smith, PCS 36.41, 3. tie, Michaela Avedisian, ECAC 36.53 and Naomi Eaton, SOFLO 36.53; Open, 1. Evita Leter, MAC 33.34, 2. Savannah Yates, PCS 34.52, 3. Emily Santos, Unattached 34.87.

400-meter freestyle:
Open, 1. Erin Tague, NPB 4:38.27, 2. Erika Wesch, NPB 4:29.75, 3. Rachel Contich, PCS 4:33.65; SOFLO: 4. Melissa Marinheiro 4:36.52.

400-meter freestyle relay:
1. East Coast Aquatic Club 4:03.63, 2. Gulliver 4:05.02, 3. Metro Aquatics 4:08.72, 11. SOFLO A 4:20.22 (Kylie Herman, Melissa Marinheiro, Kyana Castro, Maya Coffey), 15. SOFLO B 4:25.52 (Michelle Marinheiro, Daniela Curbelo, Abby Oyetunji, Alana Acevedo).

BOYS

200-meter freestyle relay:
1. Azura 1:35.90, 2. Metro Aquatics 1:36.19, 3. Performance Aquatics 1:36.23; 12. SOFLO A 1:41.79, 22. SOFLO B 1:47.77 (Jonathan Farah, John Paul Handal, Juan Colmenares).

200-meter backstroke:
15-16, 1. Gavin Smith, NPB 2:07.72, 2. Eduardo Abal, Unattached 2:12.62 3. Jose Ochoa, Unattached 2:13.36; SOFLO: 8. Leonardo Mateus 2:19.64; Open, 1. Lucas Duarte, Unattached 2:10.76, 2. Jose Diaz, PCS 2:13.03, 3. Drew Dickson, WA 2:14.50; SOFLO: 13. Alejandro Mateus 2:33.00.

100-meter freestyle:
15-16, 1. Reese Branzell, LLL 52.95, 2. Varis Monroe, NPB 54.05, 3. Carlos Nava, MAC 54.07; SOFLO: 7. Robert Wilson 55.46, 8. Michael Arias 55.51; Open, 1. Phillippe Marcoux, SFTL 51.57, 2. Pedro Chiancone, Azura 51.60, 3. Nikita Tretyakov, SFTL 51.78.

200-meter butterfly:
15-16, 1. Caleb Petrancuk, JDST 2:07.49, 2. Michael Fernandez, HSC 2:11.22, 3. Isiah Jimenez, GRSC 2:12.23; SOFLO: 9. John Paul Handal 2:16.37, time drop 5.43; Open, 1. Miguel Bernotti, BRST 2:07.68, time drop 0.34, 2. Edson Lima, Unattached 2:11.13, 3. Brayan Perez, BM 2:11.56; SOFLO: 6. CJ Kopecki 2:16.01.

50-meter breaststroke:
15-16, 1. Raphael Windmuller, NMST 29.98, 2. Carlos Nava, MAC 30.77, 3. Cameron Brown, Azura 31.13; Open, 1. Davion Conley, WA 28.63, 2. Teolio Darias, GRSC 29.95, 3. Adan Diaz, Azura 30.34; SOFLO: 13. Jonathan Farah 31.61.

400-meter freestyle relay:
1. Azura 3:31.48, 2. Metro Aquatics 3:33.93, 3. Performance Aquatics 3:37.00, 11. SOFLO A 3:45.98 (Robert Wilson, CJ Kopecki, Jonathan Farah, Heath Brames), 18. SOFLO B 3:55.80.

IF YOU GO

What: Florida Gold Coast Senior Long Course Championships

When: Saturday-Sunday, prelims 8:30 a.m., finals 5 p.m., warm-ups 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day.

Timelines: Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-12:19 p.m., 5-7:37 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-1:16 p.m., 5-8:03 p.m.

Where: Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, Michael Lohberg School of Champions, 12441 Royal Palm Blvd., Coral Springs.

Of note: In last year’s meet, Azura won the combined team title with 1,295.50 followed by Gulliver with 1,245 and Metro Aquatics with 930…Admission $5 per session for prelims and $3 per session for finals…Concession stand will be available…For information call 954-345-2121 or 954-340-5032.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Continue Championship Season At FGC Senior Championships This Weekend

By Sharon Robb

CORAL SPRINGS, July 26, 2018—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers will compete this weekend at the Florida Gold Coast Senior Long Course Championships.

The three-day meet will be hosted by Coral Springs Swim Club at the Michael Lohberg Pool of Champions at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex.

A week after winning the FGC Junior Olympics, SOFLO will compete along with several top teams including defending champion Azura Florida Aquatics.

SOFLO hopes to improve on last year’s seventh-place finish in the combined team totals with 540 points. A few SOFLO swimmers are also hoping to make their cuts for the USA Swimming Futures Championships.

SOFLO qualified 30 swimmers (12 women and 18 men) in 151 individual events. SOFLO also has 18 relay teams entered in 10 relays.

SOFLO swimmers are: Alana Acevedo, 17; Monica Alvarez, 30; Michael Arias, 15; Sophia Bedoya, 16; Heath Brames, 18; Kyana Castro, 15; Maya Coffey, 17; Juan Colmenares, 14; Daniela Curbelo, 15; Naomi Eaton, 16; Jonathan Farah, 20; Logan Gonzalez, 13; John Paul Handal, 15; Kylie Herman, 21; Kerollos Ibrahim, 18; Philopatier Ibrahim, 15; CJ Kopecki, 19; Jena Legaspi, 14; Rebekah Ling, 16; Melissa Marinheiro, 21; Michelle Marinheiro, 15; Alejandro Mateus, 13; Leonardo Mateus, 16; Abby Oyetunji, 18; Juancamilo Rivero, 15; Moises Rodriguez, 14; Nicolas Rossi, 15; Andrea Toledano, 17; Amy-Nicole Toro, 16; Michael Toro, 16; Christian Vasquez, 15; Marcos Vazquez, 15; and Robert Wilson, 15.

SOFLO’s CJ Kopecki, 19, is seeded second in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:08.83.

Melissa Marinheiro, 21, is seeded second in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:26.89 and second in the 200-meter freestyle in 2:07.55.

Leonardo Mateus, 16, is seeded first among 15-16s in the 1500-meter freestyle in 16:54.58.

The field features 42 Florida Gold Coast teams including Azura, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, Gulliver Swim Club, Jupiter Dragons, Pine Crest Swimming, Westminster Academy and East Coast Aquatic Club.

The 50s will start from the dive well end of the pool for the entire meet according to meet organizers.

IF YOU GO

What: Florida Gold Coast Senior Long Course Championships

When: Friday-Sunday, prelims 8:30 a.m., finals 5 p.m., warm-ups 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day.

Timelines: Friday, prelims, 8:30 a.m.-12:28 p.m., finals 5-7:42 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-12:19 p.m., 5-7:37 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-1:16 p.m., 5-8:03 p.m.

Where: Coral Springs Aquatic Complex, Michael Lohberg School of Champions, 12441 Royal Palm Blvd., Coral Springs.

Of note: In last year’s meet, Azura won the combined team title with 1,295.50 followed by Gulliver with 1,245 and Metro Aquatics with 930…Admission $5 per session for prelims and $3 per session for finals…Concession stand will be available…For information call 954-345-2121 or 954-340-5032.

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

South Florida Aquatic Club Swimmers Successful At Southern Zone South Sectional Championships

By Sharon Robb

ORLANDO, July 9, 2017—South Florida Aquatic Club finished a successful run at the Speedo Champions Series Southern Zone South Sectional Championships Sunday at the YMCA of Central Florida Aquatic Center.

SOFLO’s Marc Rojas, 23, competing in his final tuneup meet for the upcoming FINA World Aquatic Championships in Budapest, Hungary, was second in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:22.70 after going 2:26.73, fifth fastest in prelims. He finished with 52 points in high point.

Rojas will compete in the breaststroke events at his first worlds representing the Dominican Republic.

During the four-day meet, SOFLO’s Juan Serna, 15, Molly Golding, 14, and Kayla Cunningham, 14, earned their first cuts for the Aug. 4-7 Futures Championships in Nashville, Tenn. SOFLO now has a total of thirteen swimmers qualified for the prestigious USA Swimming meet.

South Florida Aquatic Club finished sixth among a field of 60 teams in the combined team standings with 1,187 points. SOFLO women were sixth with 595 points and men were seventh with 466.

In other Sunday races:

Melissa Marinheiro, 20, was eighth in the 800-meter freestyle in a best time of 9:10.70, shaving 0.49 off her previous best of 9:11.19. She finished with 47 points in high point.

Molly Golding, 14, swam a best time in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:43.52, dropping 0.97 off her previous best of 2:44.49.

SOFLO’s women’s 400-meter freestyle relay was fourth in 4:00.16 with Kathleen Golding, Kelley Heron, Jessica Rodriguez and Marinheiro.

Ricardo Roche was 12th in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:09.91.

SOFLO had 23 swimmers (14 men and 9 women) competing in 127 individual events and 24 relay teams in 12 relay events against several stacked teams with college and international swimmers.

The Speedo Sectionals Series display some of the top swimming talent across the U.S. The series has several stops.

SUNDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Scarlet Aquatics 2,414.5, 2. Gator Swim Club 2,032.5, 3. Bolles 1,337.5, 4. Metro Aquatics 1,299.5, 5. Sarasota YMCA 1,237.5, 6. South Florida Aquatic Club 1,187, 7. Club Seminole 1,172, 8. Gulliver Swim Club 1,044, 9. Swim Florida 940, 10. Trinity Prep 919.5.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Scarlet Aquatics 1,404, 2. Metro Aquatics 986.5, 3. Gator Swim Club 951, 4. Bolles 725.5, 5. Sarasota YMCA 723.5, 6. Club Seminole 563, 7. SOFLO 466, 8. Tampa Bay 455, 9. Gulliver 448, 10. Westminster Academy 359.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Gator Swim Club 1,025.5, 2. Scarlet Aquatics 832.5, 3. Swim Florida 732, 4. Bolles 612, 5. Gulliver 596, 6. SOFLO 595, 7. Club Seminole 545, 8. East Coast Aquatics 531.5, 9. Sarasota Y 514, 10. Trinity Prep 445.5.

WOMEN

800-meter freestyle: 1. Marcella Ruppert-Gomez, Gulliver Swim Club 8:54.67, 2. Madison Murtagh, FSLA 8:55.27, 3. Junseo Kim, SCAR 8:55.95; SOFLO: 8. Melissa Marinheiro 9:10.70, time drop.

200-meter butterfly: 1. Mary Smutny, AquaKids Sharks 2:13.85, 2. Carley Lowe, Highlandser 2:15.54, 3. Emily Cordovi, Gulliver 2:16.00.

100-meter freestyle: 1. Mary Smutny, AquaKids Sharks 57.18, 2. Ryley Ober, SRQ 57.31, 3. Grace Redding, SWIM 57.38; SOFLO: 64. Kelley Heron 1:01.42, 131. Jennifer Rodriguez 1:04.60.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Emma Weyant, Sarasota Y 2:36.97, 2. Paige Scheriger, GSC 2:38.44, 3. Nicole Hunnewell, FIU 2:39.08; SOFLO: 13. Molly Golding 2:43.52, time drop, 24. Jennifer Rodriguez 2:44.83, 25. Jessica Rodriguez 2:44.83.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Caitlin Brooks, GSC 2:17.06, 2. Shelly Drozda, Club Seminoles 2:19.13, 3. Ryley Ober, SRQ 2:19.25; SOFLO: 20. Kelley Heron 2:24.50, 21. Kayla Cunningham 2:25.81, time drop.

400-meter freestyle relay: 1. Gator Swim Club 3:57.86, 2. East Coast Aquatic Club 3:58.40, 3. Scarlet Aquatics 3:59.21, 4. SOFLO A (Kathleen Golding, Kelley Heron, Jessica Rodriquez, Melissa Marinheiro) 4:00.16, 30. SOFLO B (Isabella Di Salvo, Molly Golding, Kayla Cunningham, Jennifer Rodriguez) 4:18.81.

MEN

1500-meter freestyle: 1. Brendan Driscoll, TBAY 15:55.90, 2. Blake Manganiello, AquaKids Sharks 15:56.84, 3. Jackson Karofsky, SCAR 16:07.46; SOFLO: 14. Rafael Rodriguez 16:44.92.

200-meter butterfly: 1. Jonathan Gomez, SCAR 2:00.70, 2. Joseph Carbone, Bolles 2:02.57, 3. Ben Kennedy, CAV 2:03.14; SOFLO: 14. Max Asnis 2:08.12, 26. CJ Kopecki 2:10.04, 27. Luis Villanueva 2:10.75.

100-meter freestyle: 1. Grant Sanders, Unattached 51.10, 2. Alberto Mestre, Clearwater 51.23, 3. Jan Collazo Torres, Trinity Prep 52.13; SOFLO: 30. Kevin Porto 54.75, time drop prelims, 54.84 70. Juan Serna 55.58, 78. Heath Brames 55.84, time drop, 119. Luke Lezotte 57.66, 133. Lance Lesage 58.85.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Juan Sequera, Club Seminole 2:17.13, 2. Marc Rojas, SOFLO 2:22.70, 3. Teolio Darias, Gulliver 2:23.29; SOFLO: 13. Samuel Quintero 2:29.11.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Arkady Vyatchanin, NYAC 1:58.59, 2. Johannes Calloni, SCAR 2:03.09, 3. Grant Sanders, Unattached 2:05.28; SOFLO: 12. Ricardo Roche 2:09.91, 32. Lance Lesage 2:17.97, time drop prelims, 2:21.01.

400-meter freestyle relay: 1. Gator Swim Club 3:26.95, 2. Metro Aquatics 3:28.51, 3. Trinity Prep 3:32.42, 11. SOFLO A 3:37.87 (Kevin Porto, Marc Rojas, CJ Kopecki, Juan Serna), 15. SOFLO B 3:39.61 (Heath Brames, Rafael Rodriguez, Max Asnis, Luke Lezotte).

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SWIMMING ROUNDUP: American Heritage Finishes In Top 10; Florida Gulf Coast Places Third At All-Florida Invite

By Sharon Robb

September 26, 2016—American Heritage Plantation got in some good racing against the state’s best Saturday at the 53rd annual Woodson Invitational at Pine Crest.

The defending state champion boys’ team finished in the Top 10, placing tenth with 50 points. The girls finished 12th with 43 points.

The boys and girls fields featured defending 1A state champion Jacksonville Bolles, Pine Crest, St. Andrew’s, Trinity Prep, University School, Belen Jesuit, Boca Raton, Ransom Everglades and Bishop Verot among others.

Cathy Cooper was the Patriots’ highest finisher, placing second to Marta Ciesla in the 100-yard freestyle in 51.41 and third in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.88. Cooper was also a member of the Patriots’ eighth place 200-yard freestyle relay.

SOFLO’s Annita Huang was a member of the 200-yard medley relay that placed 12th.

Sebastian Vargas was fourth in the 100-yard butterfly in 52.28 for the boys.

SOFLO’s Kevin Porto was eighth in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:57.44.

The undefeated Pine Crest girls team (11-0) turned in back-to-back days of jaw-dropping swims.

On Friday, Pine Crest knocked off former mythical national champion and defending state 1A champion Jacksonville Bolles breaking a 20-year dual meet losing streak.

Bolles has won 23 girls state team titles including the last 19. Last year Pine Crest was fourth in the 1A state meet.

The girls team won by 11 points, 160-149. The Panthers won 10 out of all 12 events including all three relay events. Alexandra Meszaros and Gulliver Prep transfer Andrea Santander were double winners. They also took the top four spots in the 1-meter springboard diving event.

The girls also captured the 53rd annual Woodson Invitational that featured Bolles, St. Andrew’s, Trinity Prep and Bishop Verot. Pine Crest won with 283 and Bolles was third with 197.

The Panthers have won their share of state titles (27) but last won in 1990, having to settle for 11 runner-up finishes to Bolles.

In the boys’ competition, Bolles defeated Pine Crest, 193-112, in the dual meet winning seven of the 12 events. Bolles also won the Woodson boys title with 217 points. Pine Crest was third.

Three-time high school state champion Marta Ciesla was voted the Ann Marshall Award for the most outstanding girl swimmer of the meet.

It was the second consecutive year she won the award. Ciesla swept the 50- and 100-yard freestyles and was a member of the winning 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relays.

North Broward Prep transfer Nico Ferrara of Pine Crest was voted the Andy Coan Award for most outstanding boy swimmer. Both Marshall and Coan, former highly-decorated Pine Crest swimmers, were on hand to present the swimmers the awards.

Ferrara won the 50-yard freestyle, was second in the 100-yard freestyle and member of the winning 200-yard freestyle relay.

University School’s Patrick Groters won the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard individual medley in 1:51.52, knocking off Bolles’ Santi Corredor in 1:52.66.

Kyla Valls of Ransom-Everglades was a double winner in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:56.65 and 200-yard freestyle in 1:49.46.

WOODSON RESULTS

GIRLS: 1. Pine Crest 283, 2. St. Andrew’s 219, 3. Jacksonville Bolles 197, 4. Trinity Prep 129, 5. Bishop Verot 101, 6. University School 73, 7. Calvary Christian 69, 8. Westminster Academy 68, 9. Berkeley Prep 67, 10. Boca Raton 56.

GIRLS RESULTS:

200-yard medley relay: 1. Pine Crest 1:47.70 (Annabella Lyn, Hannah Virgin, Andrea Santander, Marta Ciesla), 2. Trinity Prep 1:48.94, 3. St. Andrew’s 1:50.72, 12. American Heritage 2:05.61 (Annita Huang, Thea Mckenna, Molly Weidner, Cathy Cooper).

200-yard freestyle: 1. Kyla Valls, RE 1:49.46, 2. Alexandra Meszaros, PC 1:52.62, 3. Rachel Contich, CALV 1:53.91.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Andrea Santander, PC 2:06.39, 2. Shayna Fetes, SAS 2:07.72, 3. Hannah Virgin, PC 2:08.81.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Marta Ciesla, PC 22.79, 2. Jessica Nava, WA 23.51, 3. Cathy Cooper, AH 23.88.

1-meter springboard diving: 1. Maia Goldstein, US 460.10, 2. Daniela Castillo, SAGE 456.80, 3. Juliette Pozzuoli, PC 423.70.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Claire Maiocco, TP 54.50, 2. Alexandra Meszaros, PC 56.50, 3. Molly See, PC 58.21.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Marta Ciesla, PC 49.69, 2. Cathy Cooper, AH 51.41, 3. Andrea Santander, PC 52.35.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Kyla Valls, RE 4:56.65, 2. Rachel Contich, CALV 5:01.20, 3. Hannah Van Dress, BV 5:08.63.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Pine Crest 1:38.79 (Marta Ciesla, Alexandra Meszaros, Hannah Virgin, Marissa Brannan), 2. St. Andrew’s 1:38.81, 3. Berkeley 1:42.97, 8. American Heritage 1:46.32 (Cathy Cooper, Olivia Mason, Jade Grabow, Kassidy Kadosh).

100-yard backstroke: 1. Jessica Nava, WA 55.65, 2. Lauren Hew, SAS 58.40, 3. Allison Kopas, US 58.48, 28. Annita Huang, AH 1:10.96.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Hannah Virgin, PC 1:05.80, 2. Shayna Fetes, SAS 1:06.21, 3. Victoria Miyamoto, BR 1:06.51.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Pine Crest 3:34.02 (Andrea Santander, Marissa Brannan, Annabella Lyn, Alexandra Meszaros), 2. St. Andrew’s 3:34.72, 3. Trinity Prep 3:34.99, 10. American Heritage 4:05.22.

BOYS: 1. Bolles 217, 2. St. Andrew’s 159, 3. Pine Crest 156, 4. Berkeley Prep 153, 5. Trinity Prep 136, 6. Belen Jesuit 95, 7. Boca Raton 92, 8. University School 78, 9. Ransom Everglades 56, 10. American Heritage 50.

BOYS RESULTS:

200-yard medley relay: 1. Bolles 1:36.99 (Matt Serra, Paul DeGrado, Ariel Spektor, John Pate), 2. St. Andrew’s 1:40.35, 3. Belen Jesuit 1:42.00 (Alejandro Carriazo, Juan Ramirez, Andres Solares, Daniel Simpson), 12. Sagemont 1:54.60 (Sam Quintero, Alan Corvaia, Juan Imposimato, Lucas Munoz), 15. American Heritage 1:57.28 (Carlos Rodriguez, Cristian Rossi, Cody Chin, Guy Royce).

200-yard freestyle: 1. Robert Cecil (TB) 1:41.23, 2. Daniel Jacobs, US 1:42.26, 3. Nathan Stovern, TB 1:42.56, 5. Sebastian Vargas, AH 1:46.23, 10. Kevin Porto, AH 1:49.79, 12. CJ Kopecki 1:52.12.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Patrick Groters, US 1:51.52, 2. Santi Corredo, JB 1:52.66, 3. Adan Diaz, WESP 1:55.98.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Nico Ferrara, PC 21.29, 2. Christian Soderberg, PC 22.04, 3. Jan Collazo-Torres, TP 22.14.

1-meter springboard diving: 1. Kevin Mendez, PC 516.35, 2. Lyle Hayes-Macaluso, PC 440.15, 3. Javier Saumell, BJ 367.80.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Ariel Spektor, JB 50.03, 2. Matt Serra, JB 50.45, 3. Matthew Degtyar, TP 51.24, 4. Sebastian Vargas, AH 52.28.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Robert Cecil, TB 46.48, 2. Nico Ferrara, PC 46.83, 3. Nathan Stovern, TB 47.11.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Santi Corredor, JB 4:32.80, 2. Daniel Jacobs, US 4:36.34, 3. Nicholas Pacitti, AH 4:47.94, 8. Kevin Porto,AH 4:57.44, 11. CJ Kopecki, AH 5:01.00.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Pine Crest 1:27.44 (Nico Ferrera, Elvis Kotivovski, Nicholas Vale, Christian Soderberg), 2. Trinity Prep 1:27.85, 3. St. Andrew’s 1:28.30, 12. American Heritage 1:42.33.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Patrick Groters, US 51.04, 2. Elvis Kotikovski, PC 51.57, 3. Matthew Degtyar, TP 52.75.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Izaak Bastian, SAS 7.53, 2. Adan Diaz, WESP 57.97, 3. Paul DeGrado, JB 1:00.82.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Bolles 3:10.20, 2. Berkeley 3:10.99, 3. Trinity Prep 3:12.33, 11. American Heritage 3:35.26.

COLLEGE SWIMMING

Florida Gulf Coast University’s women’s team, including SOFLO’s Marcella and Melissa Marinheiro, finished third at the All-Florida Invitational at the NSU Aquatic Center this past weekend.

Even though the Eagles decided to scratch from Sunday’s final events, they totaled 692 points during the three-day meet. Florida won the women’s team title with 1,076 points and University of Miami was second with 744. The Gators won the men’s title with 1,099 followed by NSU with 894.

Sophomore Melissa Marinheiro was 14th in the 1650-yard freestyle in 17:57.59. She also went 5:09.33 in prelims and 5:05.27 in finals in the 500-yard freestyle and 2:14.06 in the 200-yard backstroke prelims and 1:54.99 in the 200-yard freestyle,. She was also a member of the third place 800-yard freestyle relay that finished in 7:38.78.

Older sister Marcella Marinheiro, a senior, went 2:17.53 in the 200-yard individual medley and 1:56.32 and 2:15.61 in the 200-yard backstroke and 57.24 in the 100-yard freestyle.

“The team did a great job this weekend,” said FGCU first-year coach Dave Rollins. “Our team spirit was off the charts. This early in the season, we have been focused on building our base and getting into shape. It was great to watch them compete.”

Florida Gulf Coast returns home Saturday for the annual Green-Blue Scrimmage at 10 a.m.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com for results and questions.

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Florida Gold Coast Swimmers Flex Muscles At Southern Zones, Futures; Donahue Fifth At U.S. Open

By Sharon Robb

Joshua Zuchowski of FAST won an individual event and anchored Florida Gold Coast’s fourth-place relay at the Southern Zone Age Group Championships Thursday at Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary, N.C.

Zuchowski, 12, won the 11-12 50-meter backstroke in 30.24.

The FGC 11-12 400-meter freestyle relay of Matthew Tarafa, Nicolas Gallego, SOFLO’s Sebastian Lares and Zuchowski was fourth in 4:04.42.

Lares was also 29th in the 50-meter backstroke in 33.74.

SOFLO teammate Leonardo Mateus was 15th in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:58.94 and 22nd in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:21.13.

SOFLO’s Paige Lane was 24th in the 100-meter freestyle in 1:02.33 and was a member of the FGC’s seventh place 400-meter freestyle relay.

The zone championships feature top regional swimmers at the senior and age group levels who qualify for these meets within the four designated zones (Eastern, Central, Southern and Western.)

THURSDAY RESULTS

COMBINED: 1. North Carolina 498, 2. Georgia 469.5, 3. Florida Swimming 365, 9. Florida Gold Coast 91.

MEN: 1. North Carolina 298, 2. Florida Swimming 197, 3. Georgia 193, 7. Florida Gold Coast 63.

WOMEN: 1. Georgia 276.5, 2. North Carolina 200, 3. Florida Swimming 168, 9. Florida Gold Coast 28.

WOMEN

50-meter backstroke:

11-12, 1. Charlotte Hook, NCS 31.00; FGC: 6. Megan Murphy 31.61, 30. Madelyn Hebert 34.77.

200-meter backstroke:

13-14, 1. Alex Massey, SES 2:19.74; FGC: 21. Jocelyn Ruiz 2:33.24, 28. Amanda Kopas 2:34.56; 15-18, 1. Grace Huber, KY 2:22.68.

100-meter freestyle:

13-14, 1. Ella Marlow, FL 58.31; FGC: 10. Rachel Botting 1:01.24, 24. Paige Lane 1:02.33, 34. Gabrianna Banks 1:03.55, 38. Ashley Cozad 1:04.18, 39. Stephanie Suarez 1:04.59, 50. Jocelyn Ruiz 1:06.34; 15-18, 1. Hannah Mattson, GAZ 59.20; FGC: 9. Sarah Abril 1:01.08, 22. Marissa Brannan 1:02.49, 44. Daniela Kim 1:04.90.

400-meter individual medley:

13-14, 1. Alex Massey, SES 5:01.04; FGC: 10. Anna Auld 5:15.61, 17. Amanda Kopas 5:21.56, 23. Stephanie Suarez 5:31.52; 15-18, 1. Ashley Cesario, GAZ 5:03.48.

400-meter freestyle relay:

11-12, 1. Georgia 4:04.19, 7. Florida Gold Coast 4:14.40 (Megan Murphy, Kiara Caamano, Rebeca Montero, Chloe Hernandez); 13-14, 1. Georgia 3:59.35, 7. Florida Gold Coast 4:06.97 (Anna Auld, Paige Lane, Gabrianna Banks, Rachel Botting); 15-18, 1. Georgia 4:00.16.

MEN

50-meter backstroke:

11-12, 1. Joshua Zuchowski, FGC 30.24; FGC: 14. Matthew Tarafa 32.66, 19. Carter Hewitt 32.89, 26. Nicolas Gallego 33.47, 29. Sebastian Lares 33.74, 45. Victor Valdes 35.23, 53. Aiden Kohanyi 37.86.

200-meter backstroke:

13-14, 1. Gabriel Bartolomei, GAZ 2:09.58; FGC: 14. Bryan Rivero 2:18.51, 20. Nestor Montero 2:21.11, 22. Leonardo Mateus 2:21.13, 29. Joshua Balbi 2:24.14; 15-18, 1. Nickolas Wolwark, GAZ 3:42.25; FGC: 9. Noah Proctor 2:16.82.

100-meter freestyle:

13-14, 1. Boyd Poelke, NCS 53.33; FGC: 13. Aaron Rodriguez 56.70, 21. Andres Wong 57.47, 34. Joshua Balbi, 58.97, 39. Santiago Goez 59.20; 15-18, 1. Zach Dingfield, FL 52.38; FGC: 10. Andres Lares 55.78, 35. Kevin Hernandez 58.33, 42. Andres Vargas 59.24.

400-meter individual medley:

13-14, 1. Zachary Cairns NCS 4:46.94; FGC: 14. Nestor Montero 4:55.64, 15. Leonardo Mateus 4:58.94, 17. Bryan Rivero 4:59.73; 15-18, 1. Gabriel Parnell, FL 4:34.24; FGC: Noah Proctor 5:01.56, 19. Cameron Anderson 5:03.75.

400-meter freestyle relay:

11-12, 1. North Carolina 3:54.86, 4. Florida Gold Coast 4:04.42 (Matthew Tarafa, Nicolas Gallego, Sebastian Lares, Joshua Zuchowsi); 13-14, 1. North Carolina 3:40.43, 6. Florida Gold Coast 3:47.45 (Nestor Montero, Andres Wong, Aaron Rodriguez, Bryan Rivero); 15-18, 1. Florida Swimming 3:36.21, 10. Florida Gold Coast 3:48.26 (Andres Lares, Andres Vargas, Noah Proctor, Kevin Hernandez).

FUTURES CHAMPIONSHIPS

South Florida Aquatic Club’s women’s contingent is sixth after the opening day of the USA Swimming Futures Championships at Georgia Tech’s McCauley Aquatic Center in Atlanta.

The action opened with the women’s 800, men’s 1500 and 800-meter freestyle relays.

SOFLO’s women’s relay of Kathleen Golding, Emiliana Pelaez, Kelley Heron and Melissa Marinheiro finished sixth in 8:33.31. Marinheiro was also 20th in the 800 in 9:12.61.

Metro Aquatics and Swim Fort Lauderdale finished one-two in the men’s 800 freestyle relay.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

COMBINED: 1. Dynamo 167, 2. SwimMAC 113, 3. Tennessee Aquatics 89, 4. Raleigh Marlins 75, 5. T2 Aquatics 53, 10. South Florida Aquatic Club 36.

MEN: 1. Dynamo 73, 2. SwimMAC 52, 3. Metro Aquatics 40, 4. Swim Fort Lauderdale, Raleigh Marlins 34, 15. SOFLO 10.

WOMEN: 1. Dynamo 94, 2. Tennessee Aquatics 63, 3. SwimMAC 61, 4. Raleigh Marlins, 41, 5. Highlander 28, 6. SOFLO 26.

WOMEN

800-meter freestyle:

1.Katelyn Kilpatrick, CFN 8:53.58; SOFLO: 20. Melissa Marinheiro 9:12.61; FGC: 17. Mary Smutny, AquaKids Sharks 9:10.45, 29. Audrey Mason, Pine Crest 9:2a8.01.

800-meter freestyle relay:

1.Dynamo 8:25.61, 2. Raleigh Marlins 8:26.94, 3. SwimMAC 8:27.12, 6. South Florida Aquatic Club 8:33.31 (Kathleen Golding, Emiliana Pelaez, Kelley Heron, Melissa Marinheiro), 14. Pine Crest 8:43.63.

MEN

1500-meter freestyle:

1.John Scanlon, T2 Aquatics 15:54.15; FGC: 10. Marco Hosfeld, Pine Crest 16:23.22.

800-meter freestyle relay:

1.Metro Aquatics (Adrian Aguilar, Aitor Fungairino, Miguel Madeira, Alexander Arrieta) 7:38.24, 2. Swim Fort Lauderdale (Raphael Marcoux, Julien Pinon, Philippe Marcoux, Nikita Tretyakov) 7:40.45, 3. Dynamo Swim Club 7:40.55, 8. Pine Crest 7:50.97, 12. SOFLO (Ervin Marin, Rafael Rodriguez, Max Asnis, Ricardo Roche) 7:53.96.

U.S. OPEN

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Claire Donahue, 27, finished fifth in the 100-meter butterfly Thursday night at the U.S. Open in Minneapolis. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist, seeded fifth, finished in 59.18, off her seed time of 58.08. Sarah Gibson of San Antonio won the butterfly event in 58.39. It is the only event Donahue is entered in. Bethany Galat of Mishawaka, Ind. won her second event of the week in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:38.66 to add to her 200 breaststroke title. The U.S. Open continues through Saturday.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

South Florida Aquatic Club Shines, Golding Wins Second Gold, Gets Olympic Trials Cut On Final Night Of Inaugural USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb

August 2, 2015—South Florida Aquatic Club ended on a good note on a national stage on the fourth and final night of the inaugural USA Swimming Futures Championships in West Lafayette, Ind.

South Florida Aquatic Club was the top finisher among Florida teams in the combined and women’s team standings.

SOFLO was second among women’s teams with 208 points and fourth in the combined team standings with 270.5 points. Highlander was the top boys finisher placing ninth with 130.

SOFLO’s Kathleen Golding, 14, won her second title sweeping the individual medley events and is going to the U.S. Olympic Trials next year in Omaha, Neb.

After winning the 400 IM in a lifetime-best 4:55.80, Golding won the 200 IM in 2:18.67, also a best time. She first bettered her previous best of 2:21.43 in prelims in 2:20.39 and dropped even more time in finals for a combined 2.76-second drop. Even better, it was Golding’s first U.S. Olympic Trials cut.

South Florida Aquatic Club was third in the 400-meter medley relay in 4:22.22 with Marcella Marinheiro, Jessica Rodriguez, Kathleen Golding and Melissa Marinheiro.

Golding was also 11th in the 100-meter freestyle in 58.49.

Kelley Heron was 11th in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:22.03.

Melissa Marinheiro was fifth in the 1500-meter freestyle in 17:24.34.

Julien Pinon was seventh in the 100-meter freestyle in 52.85.

Ervin Marin was tenth in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:11.18.

The Futures Championships are a trio of meets in Greensboro, N.C., Mt. Hood, Ore. and West Lafayette, Ind.

The meets are designed to bridge the gap between Sectionals and Junior Nationals enabling swimmers not qualified for Junior Nationals to compete in their own meet.

SUNDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Boilermaker Aquatics 491, 2. Columbia Swim Club 424, 3. Indiana University Swim Team 350.5, 4. South Florida Aquatic Club 270.5, 5. Stingrays 251, 13. Highlander 188, 16. Swim Fort Lauderdale 120, 18. Southwest Stars Swim Club 95, 21. Area Tallahassee 82, 25. Miami Swimming 70, 33. Gulliver Swim Club 48, 39. Unattached Florida Gold Coast 42, 66. Tampa Bay 9.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Columbia Swim Club 230.5, 2. South Florida Aquatic Club 208, 3. University of Kentucky Swim Team 200, 4. Boilermaker 132, 5. Indiana University Swim Team 129, 7. Swim Fort Lauderdale 120, 11. Southwest Stars Swim Club 95, 17. Miami Swimming 70, 20. Highlander 58, 29. Gulliver 33, 32. Area Tallahassee 31, 45. Tampa Bay 9.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Boilermaker 359, 2. Indiana University Swim Team 221.5, 3. Columbia 193.5, 4. Dynamo 179.5, 5. Memphis Thunder 174.5, 9. Highlander 130, 15. South Florida Aquatic Club 62.5, 18. Area Tallahassee 51, 22. Unattached Florida Gold Coast 42, 36. Gulliver 15.

GIRLS

100-meter freestyle: 1. Geena Freriks, UKY 56.70, 2. Kaitlyn Schorr, STAR 56.84, 3. Kobie Melton, HAS 57.30; FLORIDA: 11. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 58.49, 14. Dorothy Morgan, Miami Swimming 58.50. 58.65, 16. Abigail Burke, Highlander 58.91/58.92, 18. Kyla Valls, Miami Swimming 58.69/59.12, 19. Catharine Cooper, Coral Springs Swim Club 58.75/59.41, 36. Sofia Bernard, STAR 1:00.00, 45. Kelly Harrington, Boca Raton Swim Team 1:00.42, 46. Paige Hamilton, Highlander 1:00.46, 60. Andie Myers, Highlander 1:01.29, 68. Eleanor Pollitt, LA 1:02.19, 69. Chloe Grimme, FE 1:02.20.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Kelly Leonard, RIPT 2:16.99, 2. Kayla Churman, UKY 2:17.66, 3. Emma Gourdie, MPSC 2:17.90; FLORIDA: 11. Kelley Heron, SOFLO 2:22.03, 16. Amanda Tipton, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:23.63/2:23.37, 17. Megan Schimansky, Coral Springs 2:23.02/2:24.05, 19. Spencer Lucas, Highlander 2:23.58/2:24.31, 28. Marcella Marinheiro, SOFLO 2:24.88, 35. Kara Wilkins, Unattached 2:25.94, 61. Chloe Hampson, Highlander 2:40.40.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 2:18.67, 2. Allison Kopas, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:21.35, 3. Carolyn Jungers, SSTY 2:21.74; FLORIDA: 19. Elizabeth Zubero, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:24.63/2:25.74; 20. Paige Hamilton, Highlander 2:24.69; 24. Kelley Heron, SOFLO 2:25.28/2:25.29, 27. Kaitlyn Schorr, STAR 2:26.68, 28. Amanda Tipton, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:26.74, 29. Samantha Schieffelin, STAR 2:27.13, 40. Spencer Lucas, Highlander 2:28.04, 41. Caroline Cooper, Highlander 2:28.11, 52. Pakawadee Sopapong, Tampa Bay 2:29.56, 54. Colleen Driscoll, Tampa Bay 2:29.67, 59. Jessica Rodriguez, SOFLO 2:30.02, 60. Lauren Peavy, ATAC 2:30.65, 70. Alexa Kalandiak, Miami Swimming 2:33.42, 79. Caitlin Ahern, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:35.61.

1500-meter freestyle: 1. Kelly Berger, UKY 17:07.03, 2. Emily Meckstroth, STAR 17:10.97, 3. Alicia Mancilla, Gulliver 17:20.31; FLORIDA: 5. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 17:24.34, 6. Stephanie Holmes, ATAC 17:24.43, 12. Alixandra Ro, Highlander 17:48.09.

400-meter medley relay: 1. Swim Fort Lauderdale 4:20.44 (Amanda Tipton, Caitlin Ahern, Elizabeth Zubero, Allison Kopas), 2. Miami Swimming 4:22.19 (Dorothy Morgan, Anna Valls, Alexa Kalandiak, Kyla Valls), 3. South Florida Aquatic Club 4:22.22 (Marcella Marinheiro, Jessica Rodriguez, Kathleen Golding, Melissa Marinheiro), 15. Highlander 4:31.88, 17. Southwest Stars 4:32.13.

BOYS

100-meter freestyle: 1. Michael Dugan, RAYS 51.45, 2. Christopher Kearney, COHO 51.90, 3. John Stephens, BA 51.93; FLORIDA: 7. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 52.85, 33. Andrew Dupont, Highlander 54.21, 34. Derek Peeples, LAS 54.27, 40. John Yambor-Maul, ATAZ 54.52, 42. Ryan Capote, SOFLO 54.57, 47. Corbin Cooper, Highlander 54.79.

200-meter backstroke: 1. Jacob Thomas, BA 2:03.81, 2. Samuel Marlow, RSCA 2:06.17, 3. Tucson Dunn, SCAT 2:06.49; FLORIDA: 12. Calvin Lillo, Highlander 2:10.25/2:11.58, 20. David Perez, Highlander 2:13.27/2:14.08, 24. Derek Peeples, LAS 2:14.61.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Sam Iida, GTAC 2:06.04, 2. Adam Kastigar, ASC 2:06.53, 3. Hudson Bursch, STAR 2:08.31; FLORIDA: 10. Ervin Marin, SOFLO 2:11.18/2:11.37, 15. Sean Arrington, Unattached 2:12.79/2:12.37; 16. Calvin Lillo, Highlander 2:12.10/2:14.05; 18. Marc Rojas, SOFLO 2:10.55/2:12.97, 34. Jose Pascual, Coral Springs 2:15.10, 55. Rafaele Chambasian, ATAC 2:19.46, 61. Jonathan Oliva, Gulliver 2:22.38.

800-meter freestyle: 1. Nathan Hopkins, BA 8:24.32, 2. William Bresette, ESC 8:25.07, 3. Hayden Curley, Highlander 8:28.41; FLORIDA: 6. Brandon Chason, ATAC 8:31.93, 7. Christopher Holmes, ATAC 8:32.11, 3.

400-meter medley relay: 1. Dynamo 3:53.20, 2. Boilermaker Aquatics 3:54.17, 3. Indiana University Swim Team 3:54.29, 8. Highlander 3:59.10 (Calvin Lillo, Joshua Monacelli, Corbin Cooper, Andrew Dupont), 11. South Florida Aquatic Club 4:00.79 (Ryan Capote, Marc Rojas, CJ Kopecki, Ervin Marin).

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www,swim4soflo.com

Big Night For SOFLO Swimmers: Rojas Wins Gold, Rodriguez Takes Silver At Inaugural USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb

August 1, 2015—It was a big night for South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers Marc Rojas and Jessica Rodriguez Saturday at the inaugural USA Swimming Futures Championships.

Rojas, 21, a Florida State senior-to-be and South Florida Aquatic Club swimmer, topped a talented men’s field to win the 200-meter breaststroke in a lifetime-best 2:18.97.

Rojas shaved 4.09 seconds off his previous best and broke 2:20 minutes for the first time.

Rojas swam the third fastest time in morning prelims in 2:23.06 to better his best time and then poured it on in the final to improve his time for a total drop of 6.94 seconds.

SOFLO’s Jessica Rodriguez, 16, took the silver medal in the 200-meter breaststroke in a lifetime-best 2:36.88, dropping 0.68. She was top morning seed in 2:37.56. Her previous best time was 2:41.79. Rodriguez was the only other Florida swimmer to finish in the Top 3.

SOFLO’s Marcella Marinheiro, 20, was fifth in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:05.37. The Florida Gulf Coast swimmer was fourth seed after morning prelims in a best time 1:05.13, bettering her previous time of 1:06.79.

Florida Gulf Coast-bound and younger sister Melissa Marinheiro, 18, was eighth in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:26.83 after going 4:23.99, the seventh fastest time in morning prelims.

Among the 79-team field, South Florida Aquatic Club is the top Florida team in the combined team standings with 174 points for fourth place. The battle for first is between Boilermaker Aquatics with 317 and Columbia Swim Club with 314. SOFLO women’s team is second with 130 points and men’s team is 15th with 44 points.

Ninety-eight swimmers competed in the girls’ 50-meter freestyle prelims.

The Futures Championships are a trio of meets in Greensboro, N.C., Mt. Hood, Ore. and West Lafayette, Ind.

The meets are designed to bridge the gap between Sectionals and Junior Nationals enabling swimmers not qualified for Junior Nationals to compete in their own meet.

The meet concludes on Sunday with prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

Results are posted on Meet Mobile under FUTURES West Lafayette 2015.

SATURDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Boilermaker Aquatics 317, 2. Columbia 314, 3. Indiana University Swim Team 236.5, 4. South Florida Aquatic Club 174, 5. Rockwood 172, 6. Huntsville 162.5, 7. University of Kentucky Swim Team 160.5, 8. Stingrays 152, 9. Dynamo Swim Club 147.5, 10. Memphis Thunder 144, 11. Highlander 134, 16. Southwest Stars Swim Club (STAR) 78, 19. Swim Fort Lauderdale 62, 27. Area Tallahassee 44, 37. Miami Swimming 33, 39. Gulliver Swim Club 32.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Columbia Swim Club 166, 2. South Florida Aquatic Club 130, 3. University of Kentucky 126, 4. Kansas City Blazers 113, 5. Huntsville 109, 8. STAR 78, 12. Swim Fort Lauderdale 62, 15. Highlander 48, 25. Miami Swimming 33.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Boilermaker Aquatics 228, 2. Indiana University Swim Team 159.5, 3. Columbia Swim Club 148, 4. Dynamo 121.5, 5. Memphis Thunder 116, 8. Highlander 86, 15. South Florida Aquatic Club 44, 23. ATAC 26.

GIRLS

200-meter butterfly: 1. Kyla Valls, Miami Swimming 2:14.80, 2. Elaine Zhou, MPSC 2:17.82, 3. Kayla Churman, UKY 2:18.28; FLORIDA: 7. Allison Kopas, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:20.77, 11. Caroline Cooper, Highlander 2:20.06, 13. Emily Cordovi, Gulliver 2:20.45, 24. Amanda Tipton, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:23.12/2:24.10, 25. Alicia Mancilla, Gulliver 2:24.31, 34. Alexa Kalandiak, Miami Swimming 2:26.58, 43. Chloe Hampson, Highlander 2:30.15.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Kaitlyn Schorr, STAR 26.38, 2. Anna Miller, RSCA 26.64, 3. Kobie Melton, HAS 26.66; FLORIDA: 30. tie Catherine Cooper, Unattached 27.56, Dorothy Morgan, Miami Swimming 27.56, 38. Sofia Bernard, STAR 27.68, 38. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 27.68, 40. Paige Hamilton, Highlander 27.69, 42. Abigail Burke, Highlander 27.71, 45. Andie Myers, Highlanders 27.75, 53. Chloe Grimme, FE 27.87, 58. Kelly Harrington, Boca Raton Swim Team 27.94, 63. Kyla Valls, Miami Swimming 28.06, 89. Eleanor Politt, LA 28.90.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Haley Downey, P66 2:34.84, 2. Jessica Rodriguez, SOFLO 2:36.88, 3. Emma Hruby, IFLY 2:37.03; FLORIDA: 9. Pakawadee Sopapong, Tampa Bay 2:41.00, 11. Elizabeth Zubero, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:41.51, 20. Caitlin Ahern, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:43.62, 25. Samantha Schieffelin, STAR 2:45.32, 27. Allison Kopas, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:45.72, 38. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 2:47.70, 39. Anna Valls, Miami Swimming 2:48.09, 43. Lauren Peavy, ATAC 2:48.83, 46. Coleen Driscoll, Tampa Bay 2:50.39.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Sophia Sorenson, ACAC 1:04.43, 2. Kobie Melton, HSA 1:04.84, 3. Shelby Carrol, IUST 1:05.50; FLORIDA: 5. Marcella Marinheiro, SOFLO 1:05.37, 15. Amanda Tipton, Swim Fort Lauderdale 1:05.67/1:05.88, 26. Kelley Heron, SOFLO 1:06.39, 35. Dorothy Morgan, Miami Swimming 1:07.22, 39. Abigail Burker, Highlander 1:07.47, 40. Spencer Lucas, Highlander 1:07.54, 55. Kaitlyn Schorr, STAR 1:08.34, 58. Megan Schimansky, Coral Springs 1:08.38, 59. Kara Wilkins, Unattached 1:08.39, 68. Emily Cordovi, Gulliver 1:09.51, 82. Eleanor Politt, LA 1:12.23.

400-meter freestyle: 1. Christine Blomquist, KCB 4:19.78, 2. Emily Meckstroth, STAR 4:21.35, 3. Gabrielle Stecker, Unattached 4:22.40; FLORIDA: 8. Melissa Marinheiro, SOFLO 4:26.83, 13. Stephanie Holmes, ATAC 4:26.54, 20. Abigail Burke, Highlander 4:29.81, 23. Alicia Mancilla, Gulliver 4:31.31/4:31.92, 35. Namilla Sanchez, Gulliver 4:35.10, 37. Alixandra Roy, Highlander 4:36.12, 38. Spencer Lucas, Highlander 4:38.03.

BOYS

200-meter butterfly: 1. Elijah Patrick, NAC 2:04.09, 2. Mitchell Strahlman, HWSA 2:05.18, 3. Jacob Smith, LAK 2:05.33; FLORIDA: 4. Julien Pinon, SOFLO 2:05.56, 5. Nicholas Nord, Gulliver 2:06.67, 16. David Perez, Highlander 2:09.96, 17. Carlos Comenares, Miami Swimming 2:06.58, 23. CJ Kopecki, SOFLO 2:10.89, 10. prelims, Joshua Monacelli, Highlander 2:07.83, 32. Matthew Nardozzi, Highlander 2:13.31, 35. Sean Arrington, Unattached 2:17.14.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Justin White, Y2K 23.36, 2. Ben Carter, STAR 23.77, 3. Nathaniel Thomas, BA 23.80; FLORIDA: 11. Corbin Cooper, Highlander 24.17, 29. Alexander Reid, Miami Swimming 24.64, 39. Ryan Capote, SOFLO 24.79, 42. Calvin Lillo, Highlander 24.94.

200-meter breaststroke: 1. Marc Rojas, SOFLO 2:18.97, 2. Liam Bell, DYNA 2:19.09, 3. Sam Lida, GTAC 2:20.05; FLORIDA: 9. Joshua Monacelli, Highlander 2:23.90, 27. Jose Pascal, Coral Springs Swim Club 2:28.33, 36. Rafaele Chambasian, ATAC 2:29.91, 42. Jonathan Oliva, Gulliver 2:30.81, 49. Alexander Reid, Miami Swimming 2:31.43.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Ethan King, MTAC 56.42, 2. Tucson Dunn, SCAT 57.09, 3. James Beckman, MSC 57.25; FLORIDA: 24. Derek Peeples, LAS 1:00.45/1:00.94, 26. Calvin Lillo, Highlander 1:00.96, 34. Carlos Colmenares, Miami Swimming 1:01.60, 47. Corbin Cooper, Highlander 1:02.79, 48. Matthew Nardozzi, Highlander 1:02.89.

400-meter freestyle: 1. Michael Dugan, RAYS 3:59.71, 2. Luke Trimmer, BA 4:01.42, 3. Nathan Hopkins, BA 4:01.99; FLORIDA: 13. Hayden Curley, Highlander 4:06.68, 14. Christopher Holmes, ATAC 4:06.64/4:06.97, 16. Brandon Chason, ATAC 4:13.47, 18. John Yambor-Maul, ATAC 4:06.61/4:10.63, 31. Andrew Dupont, Highlander 4:13.79, 32. Nicholas Nord, Gulliver 4:14.00, 35. CJ Kopecki, SOFLO 4:16.25, 41. Ervin Marin, SOFLO 4:19.81.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

South Florida Aquatic Club Well-Represented At Inaugural USA Swimming Futures Championships

By Sharon Robb

July 29, 2015—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers will make history when they compete in one of three inaugural USA Swimming Futures Championships.

The Futures Championships are a trio of meets in Greensboro, N.C., Mt. Hood, Ore. and West Lafayette, Ind.

SOFLO along with several Florida Gold Coast and Florida Swimming swimmers will compete against other swimmers from the mid-region of the United States in the four-day meet that begins on Thursday.

The meets are designed to bridge the gap between Sectionals and Junior Nationals enabling swimmers not qualified for Junior Nationals to compete in their own meet.

While the meets are intended for swimmers ready to make the jump to Junior National level, the meets are technically an open age meet not limited to 18-and-unders.

SOFLO swimmers will compete at Purdue’s Boilermaker Aquatic Center in West Lafayette. The meet in Indiana is larger and more competitive than the other two meets.

South Florida Aquatic Club has nine swimmers competing in the meet. “This is really a great opportunity for these swimmers to rise to the occasion,” SOFLO CEO and head coach Chris Anderson said.

Florida State senior Marc Rojas leads the SOFLO contingent.

Rojas will be joined by French junior national age group champion Julien Pinon, Ryan Capote, Kathleen Golding, Kelley Heron, CJ Kopecki, Ervin Marin, sisters Marcella and Melissa Marinheiro of Florida Gulf Coast and Jessica Rodriguez.

SOFLO has also entered six boys and girls relays.

Pinon, 16, is seeded third in the 200-meter freestyle.

Melissa Marinheiro, 18, is seeded fourth in the 800-meter freestyle, the opening event of the meet. Teammate Kathleen Golding, 14, one of the youngest swimmers in the meet, is seeded eighth.

Golding is seeded second in the 400 IM and fourth in the 200 IM. Melissa Marinheiro is also seeded fourth in the 400 freestyle and fourth in the 1500 freestyle.

Thursday’s opening day events are the 800-meter freestyle, 1500-meter freestyle and 800-meter freestyle relay, all timed finals.

The remainder of the meet will be prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

SOFLO’s Atkinson Takes Third; Marinheiro Finishes Well On Final Day Of Santa Clara Arena Pro Swim Series

By Sharon Robb

June 22, 2015—Olympian Alia Atkinson, rising star Jorge Murillo Valdes and up-and-coming national team swimmer Melissa Marinheiro led South Florida Aquatic Club on the fourth and final day of the Santa Clara Arena Pro Swim Series Sunday at George F. Haines International Swim Center.

Alia Atkinson, 26, took third in the 50-meter breaststroke against a fast field that featured winner Yulia Efimova and Jessica Hardy.

The three-time Jamaican Olympian and short course world record holder, finished in 31.01, slower than her 30.54 Charlotte swim that ranks her third in the world.

Atkinson also swam the 200-meter individual medley in 2:23.86, failing to make any 200 IM final.

SOFLO teammate Jorge Murillo Valdes of Colombia was fifth in the men’s 50-meter breaststroke in 28.56.

SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson was impressed with Melissa Marinheiro’s racing. The Florida Gulf Coast-bound swimmer, who is getting back into serious training, finished 21st in the 800-meter freestyle in 9:08.14 on the final day.

In other Sunday championship finals:

Women 800-meter freestyle:

Denmark Olympian Lotte Friis, 26, of North Baltimore Aquatic Club pulled away early in the race and went on to win in 8:25.33. North Baltimore had four swimmers in the final including runner-up Sierra Schmidt, 17, in a best time 8:28.91 and former Clearwater swimmer Becca Mann, also training at North Baltimore, third in 8:30.02. Friis and several of her teammates now head to Colorado Springs for altitude training before the World Championships in Kazan.

Women 200-meter individual medley:

Hungarian Katinka Hosszu, 26, who has been training in South Florida, led after the backstroke leg and was one second under her U.S. Open record pace early in the race. She won in 2:09.19, second fastest time in the world this year and just missing her own U.S. Open record. Caitlin Leverenz, 24, of Cal Aquatics was second in 2:11.52 and Yulia Efimova, 23, of Trojan Swim Club was third in 2:12.91.

Men 200-meter individual medley:

Michael Phelps, 29, of North Baltimore won his second event of the meet in 1:59.39. He was the only swimmer to crack 2 minutes. Josh Prenot, 21, of Cal Aquatics was second in 2:00.43 and Chase Kalisz, 21, of North Baltimore was third in 2:02.33. Phelps led after the backstroke with a half-body length lead and was at 1:31.08 headed into freestyle. It was the 22-time Olympic medalist’s first of three events of the day. “The hard work is paying off, I’m happy,” Phelps said. “It was a good weekend for me to build confidence this summer. I had some goals I wanted to hit. I hit one, I guess one is better than none. I can see a lot of little improvements now.”

Women 200-meter backstroke:

Katinka Hosszu held off Maya DiRado, 22, of Stanford Swimming in the final 20 meters to win her second event of the night in 2:07.93. DiRado finished second in 2:08.50 and Missy Franklin, coming off a three-month absence from racing, was third in 2:09.84. Two-time Colombian Olympian Carolina Colorado of South Florida Aquatic Club was forced to scratch from the event because of illness.

“I haven’t raced this tired in a long time,” Franklin said. “Overall, I am really happy where I am right now. My strokes felt strong but there wasn’t a lot of speed there.”

Men’s 200-meter backstroke

Bolles alum and California junior Ryan Murphy continued his domination of the backstroke events. After winning the 100 backstroke, Murphy blew past the field in the 200-meter backstroke winning by nearly a full body-length in 1:57.06. His 100 split was 56.89.

Murphy, ranked ninth in the world (1:56.91), now returns to training for three weeks before heading to the World Championships in Kazan with his U.S. teammates.

“It was good to race in a meet setting, I didn’t expect to go that fast,” Murphy said. “I have been racing these guys for a while. This was reassurance that I can compete with these guys.”

Tyler Clary of SwimMAC was second in 1:59.32 and Cal teammate Jacob Pebley was third in 1:59.82. The trio was the only swimmers to go under 2 minutes.

Michael Phelps, after winning the 200-meter individual medley, was ninth in 2:04.11. Phelps competed in three events on the final day.

Women 50-meter breaststroke:

Yulia Efimova, 23, of Trojan Swim Club, coming off a 16-month doping suspension, won in 30.37, second fastest time in the world this year. Jessica Hardy, 28, of Trojan Swim Club was second in 30.94. It was Efimova swept all three breaststroke events. “I am so happy to be coming back, it is so exciting, no pressure,” Efimova said.

Men 50-meter breaststroke:

Brazilian Felipe Lima, 30, of Fiat Minas, won in 27.65 ahead of Glenn Snyders in 28.11 and Chuck Katis in 28.32. SOFLO’s Jorge Murillo Valdes, 23, was fifth in 28.56.

Women 100-meter freestyle:

Olympian Femke Heemskerk, 27, of the Netherlands won in 53.64. Simone Manuel, 18, of Stanford Swimming was second in 54.29 and Allison Schmidt, 25, of North Baltimore was third in 54.85. Franklin was sixth in 55.49.

Men 100-meter freestyle:

Vladimir Morozov, 23, of Trojan Swim Club won in 49.28 just ahead of Argentine Federico Grabich in 49.50 and Brazilian Nicolas Oliveira was third in 49.60.

Men 1500-meter freestyle:

Connor Jaeger, 24, of Club Wolverine pulled away from Michael McBroom, 24, of The Woodlands to win in 14:56.43. McBroom’s time was 15:02.56 and Tunisian Ous Mellouli was third in 15:18.02. Gator Swim Club’s True Sweetser, 17, was fifth in 15:26.20.

The four-day meet was the sixth and final stop of the 2014-15 Arena Pro Swim Series.

The meet served as a final tune-up for several major meets this summer including the Pan American Games, World Championships, World University Games, USA Nationals and Los Angeles Invitational.

The top three finishers earned $1,000, $600 and $200 in prize money and five, three and one points for points standings.

Defending series champions Conor Dwyer, a Florida alum, and Hosszu clinched the series titles for the second consecutive year. Each won $10,000 as series points leaders. Dwyer finished with $12,200 in race earnings and 61 points. Hosszu won $18,600 and totaled 93 points. Caitlin Leverenz won the BMW lease for a year since she is a U.S. citizen. Florida alum Elizabeth Beisel finished third with $7,700 and 38.5 points. Atkinson finished with $1,800 in prize money.

SUNDAY RESULTS

WOMEN

800-meter freestyle:

1.Lotte Friis, Denmark/North Baltimore 8:25.33, 2. Sierra Schmidt, North Baltimore 8:28.91, 3. Becca Mann, North Baltimore 8:30.02; FLORIDA: 5. Andreina Pinto, Gator Swim Club 8:32.94, 21. Melissa Marinheiro, South Florida Aquatic Club 9:08.14, 24. Daniella Van den Berg, Azura Florida Aquatics 9:11.82.

200-meter individual medley:

1.Katinka Hosszu, Hungary 2:09.19, 2. Caitlin Leverenz, Cal Aquatics 2:11.52, 3. Yulia Efimova, Trojan Swim Club 2:12.91; FLORIDA: 45. Alia Atkinson, South Florida Aquatic Club 2:23.86,

200-meter backstroke:

1.Katinka Hosszu, Hungary 2:07.93, 2. Maya DiRado, Stanford 2:08.50, 3. Missy Franklin, Colorado Stars 2:09.84; FLORIDA: 16. Tasija Karosas, Longhorn Aquatics 2:16.36.

50-meter breaststroke:

1.Yulia Efimova, Trojan Swim Club 30.37, 2. Jessica Hardy, Trojan Swim Club 30.94, 3. Alia Atkinson, South Florida Aquatic Club 31.01.

100-meter freestyle:

1.Femke Heemskerk, Netherlands 53.64, 2. Simone Manuel, Stanford 54.29, 3. Allison Schmitt, North Baltimore 54.85.

400-meter medley relay:

1.Argentina 4:12.72, 2. Mexico 4:13.05, 3. Palo Alto Stanford 4:20.55.

MEN

200-meter individual medley:

1.Michael Phelps, North Baltimore 1:59.39, 2. Josh Prenot, Cal Aquatics 2:00.43, 3. Chase Kalisz, North Baltimore 2:02.33; FLORIDA: 25. Marco Guarente, Azura Florida Aquatics 2:08.90.

200-meter backstroke:

1.Ryan Murphy, Cal Aquatics 1:57.06, 2. Tyler Clary, SwimMAC 1:59.32, 3. Jacob Pebley, Cal Aquatics 1:59.82; FLORIDA: 54. Timothy Wynter, South Florida Aquatic Club 2:11.74

50-meter breaststroke:

1.Felipe Lima, Fiat Minas 27.65, 2. Glenn Snyders, Trojan Swim Club 28.11, 3. Chuck Katis, Cal Aquatics 28.32; FLORIDA: 5. Jorge Murillo Valdes, South Florida Aquatic Club 28.56, 26. Marco Guarente, Azura Florida Aquatics 30.09.

100-meter freestyle:

1.Vladimir Morozov, Trojan Swim Club 49.28, 2. Federico Grabich, Argentina 49.50, 3. Nicolas Oliveira, Fiat Minas 49.60; FLORIDA: 7. Dylan Carter, Trojan Swim Club 49.81, 47. Corey Main, Gator Swim Club 51.66, 67. Mitch D’Arrigo, Gator Swim Club 52.70, 84. Bayley Main, Gator Swim Club 53.31, 92. Timothy Wynter, South Florida Aquatic Club 53.57, 112. Julien Pinon, South Florida Aquatic Club 54.22.

1500-meter freestyle:

1.Connor Jaeger, Club Wolverine 14:56.43, 2. Michael McBroom, The Woodlands 15:02.56, 3. Ous Mellouli, Trojan Swim Club 15:18.02; FLORIDA: 5. True Sweetser, Gator Swim Club 15:26.20, 7. Marcelo Acosta, Azura Florida Aquatics 15:29.22, 20. Franco Lupoli, Azura Florida Aquatics 15:53.72.

400-meter medley relay:

1.Argentina 3:45.44, 2. Mexico 3:48.27, 3. Fiat Minas 3:50.44.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com