18th FINA World Aquatics Championships Opens Friday; Swimming Begins July 21

By Sharon Robb

GWANGJU, South Korea, July 10, 2019—The 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships will make its debut in Korea on Friday.

The biggest FINA event, held over 17 days, will feature competitions in all six aquatic disciplines–swimming, diving, high diving, open water swimming, synchronized swimming and water polo competing for 76 gold medals.

With the slogan of “Dive Into Peace” the world championships will offer a sneak preview of what’s to come at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Several international athletes are competing for Olympic berths.

The 18th edition of the FINA World Championships has attracted the largest number of athletes in event history with 2,639 from 194 countries.

With 82 athletes, host South Korea will have the largest contingent of athletes including 29 in swimming. South Korea will make its debut in open water swimming and water polo at worlds.

Swimming, the most popular event, will not begin until July 21, at the Nambu University Memorial Aquatics Center. The U.S. team leads in medals with 208 gold medals in 17 world championships.

China is expected to dominate the diving, that begins Friday. Divers will compete for 13 gold medals.

High diving, made from heights over 20 meters, made its debut at the 2013 world championships in Barcelona and is attracting a strong fan base around the world. Male divers will jump from a 27-meter platform and women will dive from 20-meters. Only two gold medals are available. In 2017, Steve LoBue of Pembroke Pines won gold. High diving will be held July 22-24 at the Chosun University High Diving competition venue.

More than 1,097 athletes from 47 countries will compete in synchronized swimming. Ten gold medals are up for grabs. Russia is expected to dominate.

Nearly 400 swimmers from 60 countries will compete in open water swimming held at the Yeosu EXPO Ocean Park Open Water swimming venue. The July 13-19 events featuring 5K, 10K and 25K distances will award seven gold medals.

Water polo is the only competitive team sport at worlds. Hungary, Italy and the U.S. will be playing for gold in the men’s and women’s tournaments, July 14-27.

PREVIEW COMING UP NEXT WEEK: South Florida will be well-represented in pool swimming at worlds with South Florida Aquatic Club’s Olympic veterans Nguyen Vien of Vietnam and Alia Atkinson of Jamaica along with several other swimmers from around the Florida Gold Coast.

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

SOFLO’s Sarah Acevedo Second At Flowers Sea Open Water Swim In Cayman Islands

By Sharon Robb

CAYMAN ISLANDS, June 17, 2019–Sarah Acevedo of South Florida Aquatic Club posted her highest finish in an international open water swimming race this past weekend.

With a nice tail wind, calm water and great weather, Acevedo, 15, was second overall among the women’s field and tenth overall among a field of more than 800 adult and youth swimmers at the annual Flowers Sea Swim off Seven Mile Beach on Saturday.

Acevedo finished the mile in 20 minutes and 45 seconds. Lexie Kelly won the women’s race in 20:24. Sydney Shemilt was third in 20:52 and Courtney Monsees was fourth in 21:08.

Former world champion Alex Meyer, 30, won the men’s race in 19:43 ahead of hometown favorite Shaune Fraser, 31, in 19:49. Teenager Alex Dakers was third in 19:57 and Jake Bailey was fourth in 20:08.

Proceeds from the event, which was expected to raise in excess of $70,000, went to the Special Olympics Foundation.

Meyer and Fraser are both retired after outstanding swimming careers in the Olympics and Pan American Games.

At the height of his career, Meyer won a gold medal in the 25K at the 2010 Open Water World Championships. Meyer also represented the U.S. at the 2012 London Olympics.

Fraser took a silver medal at the Pan American Games and now swims for fun, he said.

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

SOFLO Masters, Age Group Swimmers Shine At Swim Miami 2019

By Sharon Robb

MIAMI, May 9, 2019—-South Florida Aquatic Club age group and masters swimmers turned in some great swims Sunday at Swim Miami 2019 at Miami Marine Stadium.

Olivia Ware, 15, won the 15-16 age group in the 10K in 3:23:36.

Masters swimmer Kristen Vlaun, 46, won the 45-49 age group in 2:37:00 for 6.2 miles. Her mile pace was 25:19.

SOFLO’s Juan Vallmitjana, 10, won the 10-and-under 800-meter title in 16:57. Martin Petkov was third in 22:55.

SOFLO’s Isabelle Wilson was second in the 5K in 1:29:24 for 3.1 miles in the 11-12 age group.

Madeline Smutny was second in the 13-14 5K age group in 1:16:45 followed by Olivia Dinehart, third in 1:16:45.90 and Elena Dinehart in 1:16:56. Sophia Grubb was seventh in 1:29:31. In the 15-16 age group, Lucy Smutny was sixth in 1:17:38.

In the mile swim, Leonardo Mateus was sixth overall in 21:00.

In the 10-and-under age group, Lydia Smutny was sixth in 36:20 and Elise Dinehart was seventh in 36:21.

Anastasia Lutz was fifth in the 11-12 age group in 26:59.

Alexis Christensen was second in the 13-14 age group in 22:34 followed by teammates Victoria Torres, fifth in 23:06, Sabrina Osorio eighth in 25:00 and Sofia Osorio ninth in 25:13.

Isabella Di Salvo was sixth in the 15-16 in 24:35.

Connor Jimenez was third in the 10-and-under mile in 27:19. Alejandro Osorio was ninth in the 11-12 in 26:57. Alejandro Mateus was second in 13-14 in 21:29. Leonardo Mateus was fourth in 21:00 in 17-18 followed by Alexander Blandon, ninth in 26:27 and Ventura Torres, 11th in 29:16.

Masters swimmer Emmanuel Butmankiewicz, 33, was second in 30-34 in 26:13.

SOFLO age group coach George Mersinger was fourth in the 65-69 age group in 35:54.

Gina Grant of Pembroke Pines won the Special Olympics women’s mile in 33:55.

In the 800-meters, Pilar Duranti was fifth in 11-12 in 18:26 and Genesis Escobar was sixth in 19:02.

In Sunday morning’s opening event, the Italian trio of Gregorio Paltrinieri (53:42.32), Domenico Acerenza (53:42.78) and Mario Sanzullo (54:33.19)won the U.S. Open Water National 5K Championships. American Zane Grothe was fourth in 54:34.71.

In the women’s 5K, American Ashley Twichell (58:25.97) finished ahead of Brazilian Ana Cunha (58:26.00) and was the only U.S. champion of the senior races. Becca Mann was sixth in 58:35.09.

Former Pine Crest swimmer Joey Pedraza of Miami swam alongside Special Olympian and lifelong friend Andy Miyares in the 5K. Pedraza announced Sunday that he is training for his swim from Cuba to Key West in 2020.

His support team will include oceanographers, shark experts and machine @andymaquina who broke the world record for 24 hours on a skateboard.

“I hope to inspire the youth around the world that they can achieve anything they set their mind to despite the setbacks,” Pedraza said after the race. “As some of you may know I was born and raised in Cuba, and in 1998 my family and I escaped by boat. It was a hard journey, but the hardest is yet to come.”

Swim Miami in association with Swim Gym is the longest standing open water swim on the east coast and one of the largest in the U.S. Over 14 years, the event has attracted 13,096 swimmers and raised $100,000 for the H2Os Foundation.

SUNDAY RESULTS

10K OVERALL: 1. Heidi Ullrich, Victoria 2:18:34.11, 2. Sandra Frimerman, Bloomington 2:18:34.51, 3. Ashley Whitney, Nashville 2:24:13, 4. Eric Sullivan, Bay Harbor Islands 2:20:00, 5. Victor Mestre, Key Biscayne 2:30:08.

10K AGE GROUP: FEMALE, 13-14, 1. Mattea Sokolow 2:33:15; 15-16, 1. Olivia Ware, SOFLO 3:23:36; 19-24, 1. Heidi Ullrich 2:18:34, 2. Christina Manganelli 3:28:20, 3. Yahsyra Dazza 3:45:20; 25-29, 1. Merle Livand 2:30:37, 2. Marissa Mcauliffe 3:15.27; 30-34, 1. Heather Roka 2:43:34, 2. Nadezhda Svetlakova 2:55:35, 3. Alizee Brion 3:23:50; 35-39, 1. Sandra Frimerman 2:18:34, 2. Ashley Whitney 2:24:13, 3. Kate Arrizza 3:41:48; 40-44, 1. Kristin Putchinski 3:39:09; 45-49, 1. Kristen Vlaun, SOFLO 2:37:00; 50-54, 1. Cathy Gainor 3:08:20, 2. Denise Desauliniers 3:28:27, 3. Roxana Castellari 3:35:53; 55-59, 1. Hilary Cohen 4:01.34; 60-64, 1. Tamara Burton 3:06:49.

10K AGE GROUP: MEN, 30-34, 1. Benjamin Hartell 2:48:13, 2. Marcos Quiros 3:08:35; 35-39, 1. Edmund Haskins 2:39:18, 2. Filipp Nosov 2:45:32, 3. Roy Rozman 3:06:30; 40-44, 1. Xavier Mufraggi 3:18:96; 45-49, 1. Paul Fisher 2:32:44, 2. Eddie Ames 2:56:49, 3. Raul Celada 3:09:17; 50-54, 1. Eric Sullivan 2:30:00, 2. Victor Mestre 2:30:08, 3. Juan Carlos De Lasa 2:42:24; 55-59, 1. Claudio Geleroff 3:04:12, 2. Robert Sparks 3:05:46, 3. Shaun Kelly 3:25:66; 60-64, 1. David Boudreau 2:47:07, 2. Jorge Cortina 2:48:57, 3. Richard Schoenborn 3:29:51.

5K OVERALL: 1. Ian Friesen, Ontrio 1:00:42, 2. Liam Clawson-Honeyman, Quebec 1:00:55, 3. Edouard Belanger 1:01:16, 4. Erwin Maldonado, Miami 1:01:24, 5. Maxime Gagnon, Quebec 1:02:21.

5K AGE GROUP: FEMALE, 11-12, 1. Claire Weinstein 1:06:23, 2. Isabelle Wilson, SOFLO 1:29:24, 3. Iris Mogul 1:31:07; 13-14, 1. Natalie Gembicki 1:16:30, 2. Madeline Smutny, SOFLO 1:16:45.10, 3. Olivia Dinehart, SOFLO 1:16:45.90, 4. Elena Dinehart, SOFLO 1:16:56, 7. Sophia Grubb, SOFLO 1:29:31; 15-16, 1. Hannah Fu 1:06:37, 2. Sydney Shemilt 1:07:38, 3. Mariangela Cincotti 1:07.58, 6. Lucy Smutny, SOFLO 1:17:38; 17-18, 1. Mia Desjarlais 1:05:33, 2. Ashley Cozad 1:08:42, 3. Ketlyn Rodriguez 1:10:56; 19-24, 1. Alexandra Bougie 1:09:48.46, 2. Andrea Terriault 1:09:48.67, 3. Rachel Whitaker 1:11:02; 25-29, 1. Jana Mangimelli 1:15:44, 2. Aly Paz 1:20:06, 3. Mary Cash 1:20:14; 30-34, 1. Francesca Smart 1:13:13, 2. Jen Schumacher 1:18:02, 3. Meaghan Suhich 1:26:52; 35-39, 1. Colleen Sturgess 1:20:16, 2. Maria Victoria Farias Correa 1:36:10, 3. Abigail Gonzalez 1:36:34; 40-44, 1. Melissa McCartney 1:20:38, 2. Elsa Sanchez 1:46:47, 3. Jami Rubin 1:50:17; 45-49, 1. Suzanne Woody 1:21:55, 2. Caron Whitaker 1:32:21, 3. Erinne Guthrie 1:41:44; 50-54, 1. Araceli Vazquez 1:30:24, 2. Cathy Goodwin 1:40:46, 3. Karla Mihm 1:52:27; 55-59, 1. Kristy Kellogg 1:44:43, 2. Nadia Fogel 1:52:53, 3. Lyne Desormeaux 2:15:17; 60-64, 1. Cynthia Henley 1:48:56, 2. Nancy Famulari 1:52:46, 3. Kathryn Cronin 2:02:39; 65-69, 1. Catherine Rust 1:24:48, 2. Janice Mattson 1:26:16, 3. Frances Hare 1:28:11; 70-and-over, 1. Buzzy Darden 2:23:08.

5K AGE GROUP: MEN, 11-12, 1. Julian Lezcano 1:20:28, 2. Mateo Silva 1:37:45; 13-14, 1. Quinn Matteis 1:04:15, 2. Charlie Kwinter 1:04:16, 3. Nicholas Kjaerulff 1:12:41; 15-16, 1. Ian Friesen 1:00:42, 2. Liam Clawson-Honeyman 1:00:55, 3. Carlos Lezcano 1:07:42; 17-18, 1. Nestor Montero 1:04:15, 2. Matheo Mateos 1:09:42, 3. Matthew Amor 1:11:54; 19-24, 1. Edouard Belanger 1:01:16, 2. Maxime Gagnon 1:02:21, 3. Gabriel Araya 1:04:21; 25-29, 1. Miguel Portes Matfas 1:08:47, 2. Peter Vila 1:30:07, 3. Brent Knowles 1:32:28; 30-34, 1. Todd Wilson 1:19:37, 2. Eduardo Villareal 1:27:57, 3. Oscar Nino 1:33:36; 35-39, 1. Erwin Maldonado 1:01:24, 2. Elias Vargas 1:19:51, 3. Carlos Herrera 1:22:29; 40-44, 1. Ricardo Monasterio 1:06:25, 2. Michael Weiss 1:13:26, 3. Peter Gutenberg 1:17:46; 45-49, 1. Christian Goerloff 1:17:04, 2. Christian Lenz-Cesar 1:18:00, 3. Rob Abcug 1:21:20; 50-54, 1. Ricardo Valdivia 1:05:34, 2. Mike Lewis 1:13:09, 3. Thomas Jones 1:30:04; 55-59, 1. Bill Korey 1:17:12, 2. Jonathan Sloan 1:28:39, 3. David Sabra 1:28:57; 60-64, 1. Donald Cooper 1:25:43, 2. Carlos Lloreda 1:28:23, 3. Brent Rutte Miller 1:42:18; 65-69, 1. Mark Hanson 1:30:11, 2. Marty Sudut 1:42:29, 3. Jose Fernandez 2:01:34.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS, 1. Maiko Monsalve 1:39:57.

ONE MILE OVERALL: 1. Steven Aimable, Davie 20:29, 2. Cristian Tortola, Davie 20:43, 3. Ella Martinez, Boca Raton 20:44, 4. Benjamin Carey, Pine Crest 20:46, 5. Brandon Moran, David 20:50, 6. Leonardo Mateus, SOFLO 21:00.

ONE MILE FEMALE: 10-and-under, 1. Sofia Jorge 28:42, 2. Valentina Alvarez 28:59, 3. Freya-Marie Reil 31:19, 6. Lydia Smutny, SOFLO 36:20, 7. Elise Dinehart, SOFLO 36:21; 11-12, 1. Olivia Nelson 23:24, 2. Taylor Rizzi 25:59, 3. Sahana Idler 26:00, 5. Anastasia Lutz 26:59; 13-14, 1. Erin Miller 21:19, 2. Alexis Christensen, SOFLO 22:34, 3. Havana Layton 22:37, 5. Victoria Torres, SOFLO 23:06, 8. Sabrina Osorio, SOFLO 25:00, 9. Sofia Osorio, SOFLO 25:13; 15-16, 1. Ella Martinez 20:44, 2. Sydney Mullin 21:48, 3. Chloe Hernandez 24:05, 6. Isabella Di Salvo, SOFLO 24:35; 17-18, 1. Adrianna Barone 21:44, 2. Sarah Abril 22:56, 3. Marial Mencia 23:22; 19-24, 1. Melanie Acuna 31:28; 25-29, 1. Priscilla Bbarletta 26:43, 2. Linda Reitter 33:30, 3. Estefania Fierro 33:54; 30-34, 1. Kelly Tewksbury 31:15, 2. Anya Machado 31:28, 3. Maggie Place 31:29; 35-39, 1. Alejandra Cordovez 31:17, 2. Ariana Brice 33:30, 3. Stephanie Samson 33:47; 40-44, 1. Marbell Cervantes 27:46, 2. Julie Fermayer 31:19, 3. Ana Brisky 32:10; 45-49, 1. Alejandra Gonzales 25:38, 2. Corinne Tureau 28:31, 3. Luisanna Rodriguez 29:56; 50-54, 1. Jamie Herrington 28:14, 2. Mimi Reeves 33:36, 3. Sherrie Bieniek 33:49; 55-59, 1. Jodi Lucker 32:28, 2. Karen Clarkson 32:52, 3. Laila De La Cuesta 33:48; 60-64, 1. Carla Albano 29:55, 2. Gail Musk 39:41, 3. Patricia Garone 43:39; 65-59, 1. Marti Erickson 37:10; 70-and-over, 1. Dottie Buchhagen 58:31.

ONE MILE MALE: 10-and-under, 1. Lucas Fernandez-Chung 24:44, 2. Oliver Cannings 27:08, 3. Connor Jimenez, SOFLO 27:19; 11-12, 1. Alessandro Pereira 21:23, 2. Chase Denigan 24:01, 3. George Gonzalez 24:22; 9. Alejandro Osorio, SOFLO 26:57; 13-14, 1. Enrique Rodriguez 21:13, 2. Alejandro Mateus, SOFLO 21:29, 3. Joao Pedro Lenz-Cesar 23:20; 15-16, 1. Ethan Roach 21:27, 2. Matthew Gocke 21:40, 3. Jacob Wienants 21:44; 17-18, 1. Cristian Tortola 20:43, 2. Benjamin Carey 20:46, 3. Brandon Moran 20:50, 4. Leonardo Mateus, SOFLO 21:00, 9. Alexander Blandon, SOFLO 26:27, 11. Ventura Torres 29:16; 19-24, 1. Steven Aimable 20:29, 2. Hernan Gonzalez 22:06, 3. Ivan Capalbo 22:42; 25-29, 1. Eddy Marin 23:00, 2. Gustavo Rasia 27:07, 3. Jonathan Delliganti 29:42; 30-34, 1. Dan Casey 25:15, 2. Emmanuel Butmanjiewicz, SOFLO 26:13, 3. John Watson 32:03; 35-39, 1. Quinn Fitzgerald 21:08, 2. Kiernan Locke 23:44, 3. Julio Cesar Fuentes 24:07; 40-44, 1. Eric Arndt 25:25, 2. John Hinshaw 28:55, 3. Alejandro Silva 31:55; 45-49, 1. Ramses Rodriguez 21:17, 2. Sami Shiro 25:46, 3. Elias Munguia 26:04; 50-54, 1. Trey Seibold 24:47, 2. Matteo Rossi 28:52, 3. Fernando Mercenari 29:48; 55-59, 1. Paul Endres 24:00, 2. Carlos Dolabella 25:09, 3. John De Olazarra 28:30; 60-64, 1. Jim Woodman 23:49, 2. Alan Serure 26:45, 3. Thomas Denes 28:24; 65-69, 1. Richardson Rivera 29:19, 2. Pedro Marsan 31:06, 3. Robin Macklin 35:44, 4. George Mersinger, SOFLO 35:54; 70-and-over, 1. Bruce Lyon 56:27.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS: FEMALE, 1. Gina Grant, Pembroke Pines 33:55, 2. Layla Crehan 42:47.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS: MALE, 1. Joshua Olds 27:08, 2. Gianna Mercado 33:52, 3. Luis Crespo 39:31.

800-METER OVERALL: 1. Ian Friesen, Ontario 13:06, 2. Quinn Matteis, Ontario 13:20, 3. Charlie Kwinter, Ontario 13:21, 4. Joey Pedraza, Miami 13:26, 5. Hannah Fu, Ontario 13:44

800-METER FEMALE: 10-and-under, 1. Sabina La Pietra 17:59, 2. Makayla Montenegro 21:58, 3. Rilary Andres 20:38; 11-12, 1. Maria Grant 16:06, 2. Sofia Ciperski 17:35, 3. Katelyn Gembicki 17:47, 5. Pilar Duranti, SOFLO 18:26, 6. Genesis Escobar, SOFLO 19:02; 13-14, 1. Roseanne Rodriguez 17:47, 2. Isabel Schlicht 17:54, 3. Sofia Ramirez 20:42; 15-16, 1. Hannah Fu 13:44, 2. Sydney Shemilt 14:47, 3. Jorja Shemilt 14:33; 17-18, 1. Sarita Vargas 26:43; 19-24, 1. Liz Gallardo 17:20, 2. Mandy Hunnewell 18:14, 3. Katherine Mustafa 22:23; 25-29, 1. Mandy Twardowski 21:06; 30-34, 1. Diana Herrera 21:25, 1. Nury Avila 22:42, 3. Meghan Suhich 25:14; 35-39, 1. Cynthia Selene Hernandez 19:26, 2. Marion Coda 20:32, 3. Kristell Acosta 20:45; 40-44, 1. Sonia Behrendt 24:23, 2. Christina Avila 24:26, 3. Maria Fernandez Rivera 24:39; 45-49, 1. Corinne Tureau 30:36, 2. Olga Ulloa 30:37, 3. Maria Rodriguez 31:34; 50-54, 1. Maria Ahearn 22:26, 2. Kara Cassidy 26:25, 3. Carolina Mendoza 27:50; 55-59, 1. Caroline Gatto 23:07, 2. Cafeae Rebecca Brown 24:47; 60-64, None; 65-69, 1. Martha Erickson 26:38, 2. Loreda Johnson 35:29; 70-and-over, None.

800-METER MALE: 10-and-under, 1. Juan Vallmitjana, SOFLO 16:47, 2. David Bosch 22:06, 3. Martin Petkov, SOFLO 22:55; 11-12, 1. Eduardo Kingston 16:23, 2. Peyton Selts 16:36, 3. Abraham Penaloza 19:13; 13-14, 1. Quinn Matteis 13:20, 2. Charlie Kwinter 13:21, 3. Dario Martin 15:04; 15-16, 1. Ian Friesen 13:06, 2. William Risk 13:44, 3. Nikita Efimov 15:36; 17-18, 1. Joseph Perdomo 16:12, 2. Tucker Crook 19:46, 3. Alexander Albores 36:46; 19-24, 1. Ronald Santos 16:42, 2. Juan Olano 16:53, 3. Quinn Cassidy 17:47; 25-29, 1. Jorge Anillo 16:49, 2. Ramon Walton 16:54, 3. Antoine Mano 26:22; 30-34, 1. Joey Pedraza 13:26, 2. Felipe Bencosme 20:42, 3. Alejandro Sauleda 24:31; 35-39, 1. Alejandro Sanchez 19:23, 2. Derek Gelber 22:50, 3. Carlos Porchetto 24:13; 40-44, 1. Marcelo Kingston 18:11, 2. Bryan Capriles 19:41, 3. Milen Petkov 22:56; 45-49, 1. Luis Wiadacz 17:33, 2. Mike Gaw 18:14, 3. Christian Crews 20:12; 50-54, 1. Kevin Armstrong 21:28, 2. Carlos Zepeda 23:02, 3. Brad Wohler 26:02; 55-59, 1. Carlos Dolabella 16:18, 2. Cary Zinkin 22:37, 3. Clifford Mermell 22:41; 60-64, 1. Frank Campbell 17:40, 2. Alonso Moreno 18:04, 3. Sid Cassidy 19:07; 65-69, 1. Sergio Vilhena 26:32; 70-and-over, 1. Craig Kuglen 26:47, 2. Robert Ulanowicz 27:50, 3. Carlos Abreu 37:09.

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

Paltrinieri, Cunha Capture 10K National Championship Titles; SOFLO’s Schleicher, Bono Compete Saturday In 5K Junior National Championships At Miami Marine Stadium

By Sharon Robb

May 3, 2019—Jordan Wilimovsky, David Heron, Ashley Twichell and Haley Anderson were the top U.S. finishers Friday in the USA Swimming National Open Water 10K Championship.

Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri, 24, won the men’s race in 1:49:25 followed by Wilimovsky, 25, in 1:50:57, Mario Sanzullo, 25, of Italy in 1:51:41 and Heron, 24 in 1:52:22 among a field of 35 swimmers.

Brazil’s Ana Marcela Cunha, 27, won the women’s race in 2:00:00.17 followed by Twichell, 29, in 2:00:00.67 and Anderson, 27, in 2:00:01 among a field of 21 swimmers. Former Florida swimmer Becca Mann, 21, was sixth in 2:00:14. Anna Auld of East Coast Aquatic Club was 16th in 2:11.47.

The top two U.S. men and women in the 10K races qualified for the 18th FINA World Championships in July in Gwangju, South Korea where they can qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a Top 10 finish. The 10K has been an Olympic event since 2008.

On Saturday, SOFLO’s Mallory Schleicher and Dominic Bono will compete in the 5K Junior National Championships 16-and-under races. The boys race is 8 a.m. and girls race at 8:05 a.m.

The 5K national championships are Sunday. The men’s race is 7:30 a.m. and women’s race is 7:35 a.m.

On Sunday, Swim Miami 2019 returns to Miami Marine Stadium. The course is an amazing pristine, generally calm water environment that will definitely allow all ages and abilities to enjoy the open water event.

Four races will be held in Sunday’s Swim Miami 2019: 800-meters, Miami Mile, 5K (3.1 miles) and 10K (6.2 miles). There is also the K-9 Krawl World Championships, a human and dog duathlon where owner and dog swim 200 yards and run 400 yards.

Swim Miami is the longest-standing open water swim on the East Coast and one of the largest in the U.S.

SOFLO has entered 24 age group swimmers (17 girls and 7 boys) and three masters swimmers.

The age group swimmers are Sophia Bedoya, 16, mile; Alexander Blandon, 17, mile; Alexis Christensen, 13, mile; Elena Dinehart, 14, 5K; Elise Dinehart, 10, mile; Olivia Dinehart, 14, 5K; Pilar Duranti, 11, 800; Genesis Escobar, 11, 800; Sophia Grubbs, 14, 5K; Anastasia Lutz, 12, mile; Alejandro Mateus, 13, mile; Leonardo Mateus, 17, mile; Sabrina Osorio, 14, mile; Sofia Osorio, 14, mile; Martin Petkov, 10, 800; Rafael Rodriguez, 16, 5K; Lucy Smutny, 16, 5K; Lydia Smutny, 10, mile; Madeline Smutny, 13, 5K; Ventura Torres, 17, mile; Victoria Torres, 14, mile; Juan Vallmitjana, 10, 800; Olivia Ware, 15, 10K; and Isabelle Wilson, 12, 5K.

The masters swimmers are Emmanuel Butmankiewicz, 33, in the mile; Hawaii Ironman Evelyn Salama, 45, 5K; and Kristen Vlaun, 46, 10K.

SOFLO coach Chris Anderson will also be involved in the event. His boat will serve as the officials’ boat for every race throughout the weekend.

The course is one lap for the mile, three laps for the 5K and six laps for the 10K.

The finish time limits are: 10K Swim: 4 hours; 5K Swim: 2 hours; Miami Mile: 1 hour and 800 meters: 30 minutes.

Proceeds benefit the H2Os Foundation. The H2Os Foundation through grants, generous donations, events, and strategic corporate partnerships offers children and youth a unique opportunity to learn a lifesaving skill, and more importantly a life-long commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Live coverage of each race from Miami will be available each morning at usaswimming.org. The webcast schedule is Friday at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m.

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

SOFLO’s Mallory Schleicher Wins Swim Miami Beach Open Water Mile

By Sharon Robb

MIAMI BEACH, December 3, 2018—Mallory Schleicher of South Florida Aquatic Club won the second annual Swim Miami Beach Open Water Mile off North Beach Bandshell on Sunday.

After competing in the two-day SOFLO Holiday Classic, Schleicher, 15 won the overall women’s title in 16 minutes and 26 seconds.

Schleicher was eighth overall among a field of 174 men and women swimmers and also won her 15-16 age group. Schleicher is one of the Florida Gold Coast’s top open water swimmers.

At the SOFLO Holiday Classic, she was second in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events and 100-yard backstroke and third in the 100-yard butterfly, all with time drops.

Gina Grant, 20, of Pembroke Pines and SOFLO was second overall among women and second in her age group in 26:08 in the Special Olympics Open Water Mile Swim.

Two other SOFLO swimmers competed in the mile swim. Leonardo Mateus, 16, was sixth overall in 15:47 and Alejandro Mateus, 13, was tenth overall in 16:39. Both won their age groups.

Canadian David Pouliot won the men’s overall title in 14:24 among 123 men and his 19-24 age group title.

ELSEWHERE

Olympian and former Florida Atlantic swimmer Manny Huerta won the 30-34 age group title Sunday at the Ironman South American Championship in Mar del Plata, Argentina. He finished in 8 hours, 29 minutes and 47 seconds. He was 15th among 728 male triathletes and 18th overall among a field of 834. He qualified in his age group for the Kona Ironman World Championship representing Puerto Rico. Michaeil Weiss of Austria won in 7:30:23. Aussie Sarah Crowley won the women’s title in 8:20.17.

MEN OVERALL

1. David Pouliot, Canada 14:24, 2. Nathan Beaudin-Bolduc, Canada 14:54, 3. Edouard Belanger, Canada 14:55, 4. Mathieu Potvin, Canada 14:58, 5. Maxime Gagnon, Canada 15:01, 6. Leonardo Mateus, Miramar 15:47, 7. Ricardo Valdivia, South Miami 15:51, 8. Alejandro Mateus, Miramar 16:39, 9. Xavier Desharnais, Canada 17:08, 10. Diego Lopez, Boynton Beach 17:21.

WOMEN OVERALL

1. Mallory Schleicher, Cooper City 16:26, 2. Rosalie Davidson, Canada 16:38, 3. Mia Venera Desjarlais, Canada 16:41, 4. Genevieve Louis-Seize, Canada 17:01, 5. Andrea Terriault, Canada 17:06, 6. Alexandra Judith Bougie, Canada 17:07, 7. Liz Dillman, Naperville, Ill. 18:00, 8. Samantha Trodick, Sunrise 19:23, 9. Anabela Shearer, Sunrise 19:26, 10. Merle Liivand, Tallinn 19:35.

GIRLS AGE GROUP

13-14, 1. Anabela Shearer 19:26, 2. Megan Smith 20:16.7, 3. Sofia Avellaneda 20:16.9; 15-16, 1. Mallory Schleicher 16:26, 2. Genevieve Louis-Seize 17:01, 3. Samantha Trodick 19:23; 17-18, 1. Rosalie Davidson 16:38, 2. Mia Venera Desjarlais 16:41, 3. Maya Goldstein 24:52; 19-24, 1. Andrea Terriault 17:06, 2. Alexandra Judith Bougie 17:07, 3. Kristen Page 22:25; 25-29, 1. Merle Liivand 19:35, 2. Monica Sita 20:58, 3. Arianna Sunyak 24:42; 30-34, 1. Francesca Smart 20:58, 2. Kelly Tewksbury 23:38, 3. Alise Shoemaker 24:42; 35-39, 1. Liliana Montes 23:57, 2. Sara Edlund 25:00, 3. Jennifer Cotugno 29:20; 40-44, 1. Isabel De La Vega 32:01; 45-49, 1. Maete Porto 21:44, 2. Kathleen Cattie 27:40, 3. Amanda Hunt 29:55; 50-54, 1. Liz Dillman 18:00, 2. Valerie Yaeger 31:21, 3. Kathy Eva 35:14; 55-59, 1. Carin Cohen 23:10, 2. Cafeae Rebecca Brown 26:53, 3. Adrienne Chin-Ogilvie 31:25; 60-64, 1. Carla Albano 23:20, 2. Nancy Famulari 26:53, 3. Sheryl Strasser 28:32; 65-69, 1. Janice Mattson 21:25; 70-and-over, 1. Susan Morris 32:40.

BOYS AGE GROUP

11-12, 1. Lucas Young 21:51, 2. Giovanni Gianfriddo 27:55, 3. Leonardo Moncada 28:13; 13-14, 1. Alejandro Mateus 16:39, 2. Roberto Kassin 20:11, 3. Cesar Rodriguez 28:19; 15-16, 1. Leonardo Mateus 15:47, 2. Diego Lopez 17:21; 17-18, 1. Mathieu Potvin 14:58, 2. Maxime Gagnon 15:01, 3. Brandon Schleicher 19:49; 19-24, 1. David Pouliot 14:24, 2. Nathan Beaudin-Bolduc 14:54, 3. Edouard Belanger 14:55; 25-29, 1. Xavier Desharnais 17:08, 2. Nicholas Ewing 22:35, 3. Caio Pereira 23:07; 30-34, 1. Oscar Fonseca 19:54, 2. Mario Pacitti 23:14, 3. Juan Castaneda 23:18; 35-39, 1. Wesley Hardin 21:23, 2. Jasmel Acosta 22:21, 3. Eduardo Klepacz 22:48; 40-44, 1. Peter Gutenberg 20:46, 2. Alejandro Kaed 22:47, 3. Brian Clay 22:53; 45-49, 1. Andrew Farrell 18:56, 2. Eduardo Tawil 19:07, 3. Luiz Andrade 20:45; 50-54, 1. Ricardo Valdivia 15:51, 2. Jeffrey Moore 17:35, 3. Victor Mestre 20:34; 55-59, 1. Hugo Vila 20:03, 2. John De Olazarra 20:23, 3. Mark Beutler 20:25; 60-64, 1. David Boudreau 20:44, 2. Edward Boaz 20:49, 3. Carlos Lloreda 20:52; 65-69, 1. Robert Strauss 25:37, 2. Frank McCarthy 29:20, 3. Arnaldo Ramos 29:21; 70-and-over, 1. John Peck 33:29, 2. Ron Samson 35:37.

ONE MILE SPECIAL OLYMPICS

1. Filipp Nosov, Sunny Isles Beach 15:43, 2. Kateryna Honcharova, St. Charles, Mo. 18:06, 3. Peter Vila, Miami 24:26, 4. Gianni Mercado, Hollywood 24:29, 5. Gina Grant, Pembroke Pines 26:08.

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

SOFLO Swimmers Compete Saturday In P.O.W.E.R. Challenge At Pompano Beach Pier; Jennifer Martin, Lance Lesage Head Contingent

By Sharon Robb

POMPANO BEACH, August 30, 2018—South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers will kick off the Labor Day holiday weekend with an open water swim.

Sixteen SOFLO swimmers will compete in the P.O.W.E.R. (Piranhas Open Water Extreme Race) Challenge 2018 Saturday at Pompano Beach Pier.

The event is sanctioned by the World Open Water Swim Association and sponsored by Pompano Piranhas, Inc., Pompano Piranhas Swim Team, City of Pompano Beach.

Races include pier-to-pier 5K swim at 8 a.m., one mile swim, 8 a.m., paddleboard, 10:15 a.m., 500 meters, 10:30 a.m. and splash and dash 100 meters, 10:45 a.m. The races begin on the beach just south of the Pompano Beach Pier.

World Police & Fire Games world record holder and gold medalist Jennifer Martin, 37, heads the SOFLO contingent. Martin, a City of Pembroke Pines police sergeant, won seven gold medals and one silver and broke five world records at the 2017 World Games.

At the June 2018 U.S. Police & Fire Championships, Martin won a meet record nine gold medals and broke three meet records including an 18-year-old record.

The former Comets Swim Team coach is currently training for the Oct. 21 U.S. Marine Corps Marathon, one of the nation’s largest marathons. Her long range training goal, however, is the Aug. 8-18 2019 World Police & Fire Games in Chengdu, China where she will compete in several swimming events.

On Saturday morning, Martin will compete in the women’s 5,000 and Lesage, 15, who just started the high school swim season at Fort Lauderdale High, will also swim the men’s 5,000.

Martin and Lesage will be joined by teammates Jemma Baldwin, 7, 100 freestyle; Fiorella Di Salvo, 10, 1500 freestyle; Jordan Evans, 7, 500 freestyle; Shelby Evans, 8, 500 freestyle; Connor Jimenez, 9, 500 freestyle; Mason Jimenez, 10, 500 freestyle; Matthew Jimenez, 10, 500 freestyle; Anastasia Lutz, 11, 1500 freestyle; Martin Petkov, 9, 500 freestyle; Mariana Pinto, 10, 1500 freestyle; Alexandra Strong, 10, 500 freestyle; Juan Vallmitjana, 9, 500 freestyle; Christian Vasquez, 15, 1500 freestyle; and Saree Young, 500 freestyle.

POOL SWIMMING

SOFLO’s Samuel Bullen, 13, will compete Saturday in the Florida Gold Coast Key West Pentathlon at Bone Island. He will compete in his age group in the 50-yard butterfly (31.31), 50-yard backstroke (31.27), 50-yard breaststroke (32.69), 50-yard freestyle (26.61) and 100-yard individual medley (1:04.84).

WATER POLO

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 4-9 p.m. at the Habit Burger Grill, 306 NW 145th Ave. in Pembroke Pines, 20 percent of sales will go to the Forza Stefano Charitable Foundation that helps teens with cancer. The foundation was formed to honor water polo player and swimmer Stefano Dioguardi. He was a member of the South Florida Water Polo Club and graduated from Pembroke Pines Charter. He was going to attend Florida Atlantic University until he succumbed to a year-long battle to Ewing’s Sarcoma, a severe form of bone cancer, at age 18.

IF YOU GO

What: P.O.W.E.R. (Piranhas Open Water Extreme Race) Challenge 2018

When: Saturday, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Pompano Beach Pier, 222 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach

Of note: Races include pier-to-pier 5K swim, 8 a.m., one mile swim, 8 a.m., paddleboard, 10:15 a.m., 500 meters, 10:30 a.m. and splash and dash 100 meters, 10:45 a.m….There is online registration and also race day registration available at the race site, 6-7:30 a.m…Pompano Beach Piranhas is the host club…Contact is head coach Jesse Vassallo at 787-315-1529…Admission is free to the general public. Parking is available on site for a fee.

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

SOFLO’s Rafael Rodriguez Wins USA Swimming Southern Zone Open Water Title, Earns Trip To Nationals

By Sharon Robb

June 3, 2018—In an exciting finish, Rafael Rodriguez of South Florida Aquatic Club won the boys 15-16 5K race Saturday at the USA Swimming Southern Zone Open Water Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Rodriguez, 16, representing the Florida Gold Coast, won in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 53.4 seconds ahead of Zach Brewer, 16, of Florida Swimming in 1:04:55.5, capturing the boys and overall 3.1-mile titles and qualified for his first national championships.

Rodriguez also had the fastest split time (39:57.5) on Florida Gold Coast’s “A” 3,000 pursuit relay that finished fifth in a cumulative time of 40:18.5 in Sunday’s event. He was the only FGC relay swimmer to crack 40 minutes.

SOFLO’s top girls finisher was Mallory Schleicher. The 14-year-old was fourth in the girls’ 13-14 5K race in 1:13:49.9 and 22nd overall. She was also a member of FGC’s runner-up 14-and-under 3,000-yardf pursuit relay team with a split time of 43:44.1, the fastest split time, in the Sunday event.

Chattanooga’s riverfront served as the race site in the Tennessee River.

Florida Gold Coast zone team finished fifth among nine teams with 222 points. As expected, Florida Swimming dominated the championship winning the title with 603 points, nearly a 200-point margin ahead of North Carolina (416).

Former Swim Fort Lauderdale masters coach and Broward Sports Hall of Famer Megan Lassen was fifth in the 45-49 age group and 41st overall in 1:48:42.8 in the 12th annual USMS Chattanooga Rat Race, part of the Chattanooga Swim Fest, on Saturday. It served as the Dixie Zone Open Water Championships.

Full event results were provided by the meet director.

Chattanooga Swim Fest Results
USA Swimming Southern Zone Open Water Championships

TEAM: 1. Florida 603, 2. North Carolina 416, 3. Southeastern 280, 4. Georgia 271, 5. Florida Gold Coast 222, 6. Kentucky 183, 7. South Texas 116, 8. Mississippi 26, 9. Louisiana 0.

3K OVERALL (11-12)
1. Brynn Stoneburg, Florida 45:50.2, 2. Chipper Edwards, FGC 46:00.8, 16. Tyler Armbrister, FGC 50:13.7, 33. Liam Aleman, FGC 56:57.1.

BOYS 3K AGE GROUP
11-12, 1. Chipper Edwards, FGC 46:00.8, 10. Tyler Armbruster 50:13.7, 20. Liam Aleman 56:57.1.

GIRLS 3K
11-12, 1. Brynn Stoneburg, Florida 45:50.2, 15. Reese Andres, FGC 1:01.55.9.

5K OVERALL (13-14)
1. Spencer Howery, Florida 1:08:10.7, 19. Dominic Bono, FGC 1:13:24.5, 22. Mallory Schleicher, FGC 1:13:49.9, 26. Rylie Barnhardt, FGC 1:15:31.0, 28. Pace Edwards, FGC 1:15:37.4, 33. Erin Miller 1:16:02.8, 34. Nicholas Kjaerulff, FGC 1:16:05.4, 37. Sarah Acevedo, FGC 1:16:53.9, 39. Alejandro Mateus, FGC 1:17:29.7, 52. Maris Proscia, FGC 1:19:15.7.

BOYS 5K AGE GROUP
13-14, 1. Spencer Howery, Florida 1:08:10.7, 16. Dominic Bono, FGC 1:13:24.5, 20. Pace Edwards 1:15:37.4, 22. Nicholas Kjaerulff, FGC 1:16:05.4, 24. Alejandro Mateus, FGC 1:17.29.7.

GIRLS 5K AGE GROUP
13-14, 1. Kelsey Swartout, Florida 1:11:02.4; 4. Mallory Schleicher, FGC 1:13:49.9, 8. Rylie Barnhardt, FGC 1:15:31.0, 12. Erin Miller, FGC 1:16:02.8, 15. Sarah Acevedo, FGC 1:16:53.9, 26. Maris Proscia, FGC 1:19:15.7.

5K OVERALL (15-16)
1. Rafael Rodriguez, FGC 1:04:53.4; 10. Leonard Mateus, FGC 1:08:17.1, 27. Ethan Roach, FGC 1:11:26.2, 28. Michael Fernandez, FGC 1:11:41.5, 40. Flora Beleznay, FGC 1:14:45.5, 50. Adrianna Barone, FGC 1:19:18.4, 52. Felicia Taylor, FGC 1:21:55.9.

GIRLS 5K AGE GROUP
15-16, 1. Meghan Bolin, Florida 1:10:06.9, 15. Flora Beleznay, FGC 1:14:45.5, 22. Adrianna Barone, FGC 1:19:18.4, 24. Felicia Taylor, FGC 1:21:55.9.

BOYS 5K RESULTS
15-16, 1. Rafael Rodriguez, FGC 1:04:53.4; 10. Leonardo Mateus, FGC 1:08:17.1, 23. Ethan Roach, FGC 1:11:26.2, 24. Michael Fernandez, FGC 1:11:41.5.

5K OVERALL (Open)
1. Cale Russell, Florida 1:04:39.4; 17. Marcella Ruppert-Gomez, FGC 1:09:46.6, 31. Marissa Brannan, FGC 1:14:10.3, 36. Lucia Miller, FGC 1:15:40.4, 41. Benjamin Carey, FGC 1:20:14.7, 44. Rachel Lilienthal, FGC 1:22:19.6, 45. Zachary Schechter, FGC 1:22:35.8, 51. Alex Akouri, FGC 1:40:44.2.

BOYS 5K RESULTS
Open, 1. Cale Russell, Florida 1:04:39, 21. Benjamin Carey, FGC 1:20:14.7, 23. Zachary Schechter, FGC 1:22:35.8, 24. Alex Akouri, FGC 1:40:44.2.

GIRLS 5K RESULTS
1. Taylor Ward, Florida 1:08:31.0; 4. Marcella Ruppert-Gomez, FGC 1:09:46.6, 13. Marissa Brannan, FGC 1:14:10.3, 16. Lucia Miller, FGC 1:15:40.4, 22. Rachel Lilienthal, FGC 1:22:19.6.

3,000-YARD PURSUIT RELAY
GIRLS 14&UNDER

1. Florida 41:56.2, 2. Florida Gold Coast (Erin Miller, Mallory Schleicher, Rylie Barnhardt) 43:45.1, 3. North Carolina 44:21.5.

BOYS 14&UNDER
1. Georgia 39:44.7, 2. North Carolina 39:56.6, 3. Florida 40:09.2, 6. Florida Gold Coast 43:23.9 (Alejandro Mateus, Dominic Bono, Nicholas Kjaerulff, Pace Edwards, Chipper Edwards).

GIRLS 15&UP
1. Florida A 41:12.6, 2. Florida B 41:51.1, 3. North Carolina 42:19.8, 8. Florida Gold Coast (Marcella Ruppert-Gomez, Marissa Brannan, Florda Beleznay, Felicia Taylor) 44:52.4.

BOYS 15&UP
1. North Carolina 38:00.8, 2. Florida A 38:53.4, 3. Florida B 39:21.3, 5. Florida Gold Coast (Rafael Rodriguez, Leonardo Mateus, Michael Fernandez, Ethan Roach) 40:18.5.

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