Florida Gators Sweep SEC Championships, Make History; Miami’s Max Flory ACC Championships Men’s Most Valuable Diver

By Sharon Robb
COLLEGE STATION, Tex., February 19, 2023—University of Florida’s swim program made a little more history at the Southeastern Conference Championships Saturday at the Rec Center Natatorium.

The Gators are the first college to win the men’s and women’s titles at the same meet since Auburn accomplished the feat in 2008. It is the ninth time the programs have won in the same year but first since 1993.

The men’s team, powered by depth and talent, won its 11th consecutive and 44th SEC title with 1,488.5, the highest in league history. The Gators won three of five relays: 200 freestyle, 400 medley and 800 freestyle.

Florida freshman Aleksas Savickas of Lithuania won the 200-yard breaststroke in 1:50.08, breaking Nic Fink’s 2015 SEC record by .72 seconds.

The women’s team returned to the top five since 2007 by winning the women’s title with 1,255 points ahead of defending champion Tennessee with 950.5. It was the seventh highest score in SEC history. SOFLO’s and UF girls team captain Kathleen Golding played a role with her 56 points scoring in the 200 and 400 IMs and 200 butterfly, all with best times.

The Gator women won the 800 freestyle, were second in the 400 freestyle relay and finished no worse than third in the other relays.

It was also Gator coach Anthony Nesty’s fifth consecutive conference title in five years as the Gator men’s coach and yes, he was thrown into the pool twice by his winning teams after the meet.

Kentucky freshman Levi Sandidge won the 1,650-yard freestyle and is the first Wildcat male swimmer to win an SEC title in 17 years. He won in a best time 14:31.37, dropping more than 18 seconds.

“I had a thought in the back of my mind that there was a chance I would win this,” Sandidge said. “We’re still hoping to go to NCAAs. I did not expect to go a 14:31.”

Jordan Crooks of Tennessee outsprinted Florida’s Josh Liendo to win the 100-yard freestyle in 41.19-41.24. The Cayman Islands swimmer is the first Tennessee swimmer to win the event since former Pine Crest swimmer Ricky Busquets in 1996.

UF’s Anna Auld of West Palm Beach was 13th in the 1,650-yard freestyle, dropping 2.12 seconds.

In the men’s 200-yard backstroke, South Carolina senior Patrick Groters, was 24th in 1:44.55.

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
North Carolina State men and Virginia women won ACC team titles Saturday at the 2022 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships at Georgia Tech’s McAuley Aquatic Pavilion. NC State won its 31st ACC title, including its seventh in the last eight years. Virginia earned its third straight ACC championship and 18th in program history.

NC State men won with 1,501.5 points, most in ACC Championships history. Louisville (1,192.5), Virginia Tech (1,054) and Virginia (1,041) finished second through fourth, respectively. FSU was sixth with 676 points.

With two first-place finishes and a third, Virginia Tech’s Youssef Ramadan of Egypt was named the ACC Championships Men’s Most Valuable Swimmer by vote of the head coaches. Miami’s Max Flory was chosen as the ACC Championships Men’s Most Valuable Diver.

Virginia women won with 1418.5 points. NC State was second with 1347 points, while Louisville was third with 1136.5 and North Carolina was fourth with 760. Florida State women were eighth with 549 and University of Miami were ninth with 411.

After winning three individual events, Virginia’s Alex Walsh earned the ACC Championships Women’s Most Valuable Swimmer after winning three individual events, while Duke’s Margo O’Meara was named ACC Championships Women’s Most Valuable Diver.

SATURDAY SEC RESULTS
WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Florida 1,255, 2. Tennessee 950.5, 3. Kentucky 946, 4. Alabama 791, 5. LSU 775, 6. Georgia 756, 7. Auburn 688, 8. South Carolina 587, 9. Texas A&M 583.5, 10. Arkansas 530, 11. Missouri 418, 12. Vanderbilt 169.

WOMEN RESULTS
1,650-yard freestyle: 1. Kensey McMahon, ALA 15:47.02, 2. Aly Breslin, TENN 15:52.71, 3. Kristen Stege, TENN 15:53.47, 13. Anna Auld 16:09.52.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Ella Varga, LSU 1:51.74, 2. Josephine Fuller, TENN 1:52.21, 3. Caitlin Brooks, KY 1:52.38, 7. Emma Weyant, UF 1:54.06.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Maggie MacNeil, LSU 46.27, 2. Kalia Antoniou, ALA 47.46, 3. Ekaterina Nikonova, UF 47.97.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Mona McSharry, TENN 2:05.11, 2. Zoie Hartman, GA 2:05.48, 3. Avery Wiseman, ALA 2:05.85.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. LSU 3:10.57, 2. Florida 3:10.83 (Ekaterina Nikonova, Talia Bates, Katie Mack, Micayla Cronk), 3. Arkansas 3:13.60.

Platform diving: 1. Montserrat Lavenant, LSU 293.50, 2. Kyndal Knight, KY 285.45, 3. Maggie Buckley, LSU 268.45.

400-yard medley relay: 1. Alabama 3:28.46, 2. Tennesee 3:28.78, 3. Florida 3:29.98 (Aris Runnels, Nina Kucheran, Olivia Peoples, Micayle Cronk).

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Florida 1,488.5, 2. Auburn 1,089.5, 3. Tennessee 1,035.5, 4. Texas A&M 1,018, 5. Georgia 828.5, 6. Missouri 725.5, 7. Alabama 667, 8. Kentucky 514, 9. South Carolina 458.5, 10. LSU 337.

MEN RESULTS
1,650-yard freestyle: 1. Levi Sandidge, KY 14:31.47, 2. Jake Magahey, GA 14:38.45, 3. Tyler Watson, UF 14:38.50.

200-yard backstroke: 1. Bradley Dunham, GA 1:39.27, 2. Baylor Nelson, TAMU 1:39.79, 3. Jack Dahlgren, MISS 1:39.80, 24. Patrick Groters, SC 1:44.55.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Jordan Crooks, TENN 41.19, 2. Josh Liendo, UF 41.24, 3. Guilherme Santos, TENN 41.55.

200-yard breaststroke: 1. Aleksas Savicka, UF 1:50.08, 2. Dillon Hillis, UF 1:51.44, 3. Lyubomir Epitropov, TENN 1:51.83.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Tennessee 2:46.25, 2. Florida 2:46.42 (Macguire McDuff, Josh Liendo, Adam Chaney, Julian Smirh), 3. Georgia 2:49.06.

Platform diving: 1. Bryden Hattie, TENN 457.10, 2. Manny Vazquez Bas 432.75, 3. Leonardo Garcia, UF 418.65.

400-yard medley relay: 1. Florida 2:59.48 (Adam Chaney, Dillon Hillis, Josh Liendo, Macguire McDuff), 2. Tennessee 3:02.51, 3. Auburn 3:03.03.

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

Florida Leads Men’s, Women’s Team Standings After Day Two Of SEC Championships; Crooks Swims Sub-18

By Sharon Robb
COLLEGE STATION, Tex., February 15, 2023—University of Florida leads the men’s and women’s fields after the second day of competition at the Southeastern Conference Championships Wednesday at the Rec Center Natatorium.

The Gators lead the women with 502 and LSU is second with 378. The men lead with 542.5 points and Auburn is second with 380.

Florida won the men’s 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:14.19 with Macguire McDuff, Josh Liendo, Adam Chaney and Alberto Mestre. South Carolina was eighth in 1:17.43 with Patrick Groters swimming anchor leg in 19.12, the fastest of the foursome.

Groters, making his final SEC appearance, was 13th in the 200-yard individual medley prelims in a best time 1:44.09, dropping 1.04 seconds.

In a huge turnaround, LSU won the women’s 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:26.70 with Katarina Milutinovich, Maggie MacNeil, Peyton Curry and Michaela De Villiers. LSU had not sent a relay to the NCAAs in 2016 but have now qualified five in two days.

MacNeil broke her own SEC record to win the 50-yard freestyle in 20.98. She is only the fourth woman to go under 21 seconds.

In the men’s 50, Jordan Crooks of Tennessee won in 17.93, only the second swimmer to go under 18 seconds. He broke Caeleb Dressel’s SEC record of 18.23 set in 2016. Florida’s Josh Liendo (18.39) and Adam Chaney (18.71) were second and third.

In the women’s 500-meter freestyle, it was a sister showdown. Georgia’s Rachel Stege beat her older sister Kristen Stege of Tennessee by just 0.04 seconds, 4:36.31-4:36.35. Sarasota’s Emma Weyant of Florida was third in 4:37.96 and teammate Anna Auld of West Palm Beach was tenth in 4:40.32.

Florida men had four swimmers in the top five of the 500-yard freestyle with Gator Jake Mitchell winning in 4:09.85.

SOFLO’s Kathleen Golding of Florida finished ninth in the 200-yard individual medley prelims in 1:57.27, just off her entry time of 1:57.26. In the final, she finished tenth in 1:56.49, dropping 0.78.

Miami’s Kyle Korvick, a freshman at South Carolina, was 34th in the 500-yard freestyle in a best time 4:25.69, dropping 6.46.

Florida’s Anna Auld of West Palm Beach was tenth in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:40.32, dropping 2.79 off her entry time of 4:43.11.

WEDNESDAY RESULTS
WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Florida 502, 2. LSU 378, 3. Tennessee 375, 4. Georgia 329, 5. Alabama 306, 6. Kentucky 300, 7. South Carolina 286, 8. Texas A&M 226, 9. Auburn 222, 10. Arkansas 205, 11. Missouri 177, 12. Vanderbilt 94.

WOMEN RESULTS
200-yard freestyle relay: 1. LSU 1:26.70 (Katarina Milutinovich, Maggie MacNeil, Peton Curry, Michaela De Villiers), 2. Alabama 1:27.21, 3. Florida 1:27.28 (Ekaterina Nikonova, Katie Mack, Talia Bates, Micayla Cronk).

500-yard freestyle: 1. Rachel Stege, UGA 4:36.31, 2. Kristen Stege, TENN 4:36.35, 3. Emma Weyant, UF 4:37.96, 10. Anna Auld, UF 4:40.32.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Zoie Hartman, GA 1:53.58, 2. Josephine Fuller, TENN 1:55.01, 3. Lauren Poole, KY 1:55.12, 10. Kathleen Golding, UF 1:56.49.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Maggie MacNeil, LSU 20.98, 2. Mona McSharry, TENN 21.74, 3. Kalia Antoniou, BAMA 21.75.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Florida 542.5, 2. tie, Texas A&M 380 and Auburn 380, 4. Tennessee 347, 5. Georgia 268.5, 6. Alabama 249, 7. Missouri 214.5, 8. South Carolina 203.5, 9. Kentucky 162, 10. LSU 131.

MEN RESULTS

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida 1:14.19 (Macguire McDuff, Josh Liendo, Adam Chaney, Alberto Mestre) 2. Tennessee 1:15.34, 3. Auburn 1:15.94.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Jake Mitchell, UF 4:09.85, 2. Jake Maghey, GA 4:10.03, 3. Alfonso Mestre, UF 4:10.15.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Baylor Nelson, TAMU 1:40.86, 2. Koko Bratanov, TAMU 1:42.50, 3. Ben Patton, UMIZ 1:42.98, 4. Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero, UF 1:43.09.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Jordan Crooks, TENN 17.93, 2. Josh Liendo, UF 18.39, 3, Adam Chaney, UF 18.71.

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

Gators Sweep 800 Free Relays On Day One Of SEC Championships; Florida Gold Coast Well-Represented

By Sharon Robb
COLLEGE STATION, Tex., February 14, 2023—University of Florida opened with two relay wins Tuesday in the Southeastern Conference Championships at the Rec Center Natatorium.

What’s expected to be a showdown between defending women’s champion Tennessee and Florida for the women’s title, the Gators got the ball rolling in the 800-yard freestyle relay.

Florida women won the 800-yard freestyle relay in 6:57.11 with Ekaterina Nikonova, Talia Bates, Emma Weyant and Micayla Cronk while Tennessee was second in 6:58.26.

The Gators were also second in the women’s 200-yard medley relay in 1:34.76 just behind Alabama in 1:34.20 with Aris Runnels, Nina Kucheran, Olivia Peoples and Katie Mack.

Defending men’s champion Florida also won the 800 free relay in 6:08.64 with Macguire McDuff, Julian Smith, Alfonso Mestre and Jake Mitchell. Auburn was second in 6:12.39.

Florida men were also runners-up in the 200-yard medley relay in 1:21.73 with Adam Chaney, Aleksas Savickas, Eric Friese and Josh Liendo.

In diving, Brooke Schultz of South Carolina won the 3-meter springboard with 356.35 points and Victor Povzner of Texas A&M won the 1-meter with 375.50.

The Florida Gold Coast is well-represented with qualifiers. They are sisters Kathleen and Molly Golding of Florida, Anna Auld of Florida, Patrick Groters and Kyle Korvick of South Carolina.

TUESDAY RESULTS
WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. LSU 178, 2. Florida 150, 3. Kentucky 149, 4. South Carolina 142, 5. Tennessee 136.
WOMEN RESULTS
200-yard medley relay: 1. Alabama 1:34.20 (Rhyan White, Avery Wiseman, Emily Jones,Kalia Antoniou), 2. Florida 1:34.76 (Aris Runnels, Nina Kucheran, Olivia Peoples, Katie Mack), 3. Tennessee 1:35.53.

3-meter diving: 1. Brooke Schultz, SC 356.35, 2. Sophie Verzyl, SC 349.65, 3. Chaira Pellacani, LSU 341.85.

800-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida 6:57.11 (Ekaterina Nikonova, Talia Bates, Emma Weyant, Micayla Cronk), 2. Tennessee 6:58.26, 3. Georgia 6:58.90.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Texas A&M 229, 2. Auburn 166, 3. Tennessee 159, 4. Florida 138, 5. Missouri 126.
MEN RESULTS
1-meter diving: 1. Victor Povzner, TAMU 375.50, 2. Bryden Hatties, TENN 364.40, 3. Rhett Hensley, TAMU 343.60.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Tennessee 1:21.43 (Bjoern Kammann, Michael Houlie, Jordan Crooks, Guilherme Santos), 2. Florida 1:21.73 (Adam Chaney, Aleksas Savickas, Eric Friese, Josh Liendo), 3. Auburn 1:22.98.

800-yard freestyle relay: 1. Florida 6:08.64 (Macguire McDuff, Julian Smith, Alfonso Mestre, Jake Mitchell), 2. Auburn 6:12.39, 3. Alabama 6:12.46.

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

Italian Thomas Ceccon Breaks World Record; Katie Ledecky Wins 17th Title At FINA World Aquatics Championships

By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 20, 2022–In an exciting finish, Italy’s Thomas Ceccon pulled off the shocker breaking the world record in the 100-meter backstroke Monday night at the 19th FINA World Aquatics Championships at Duna Arena.

Ceccon, 21, stunned the field that included the former world record holder by putting on the after burners in the final 25 meters to win in 51.60, bettering the previous record by 0.15 seconds set by American Ryan Murphy at the 2016 Olympics.

“I have no words for this,” Ceccon said. “There is an Olympic champion from 2016 so no I did not expect to win. The world record is not a simple thing. It’s a nice step I’ve taken.

“Yesterday I swam 52.1 very easy,” Ceccon said. “I am feeling good in the water and just doing my race, staying calm and focused on my race. And that’s it.”

Ceccon is only the second Italian to set a world record in long course swimming. Giorgio Lambert was the first in the 200 freestyle.

Murphy finished second, just 0.37 seconds off the winning pace in 51.97. Murphy has yet to win an individual world long course title. U.S. teammate Hunter Armstrong was third, 0.38 seconds behind in 51.98.

“Hats off to Thomas,” said Murphy, a Bolles alum. “That’s a really, really fast time. It’s going to be an exciting couple of years.”

Katie Ledecky of Gainesville won her 17th world title winning her fourth gold medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle. Ledecky led from start-to-finish to win in 15:30.15, just 10 seconds under her world record set in 2018. U.S. teammate Sixteen-year-old American teenager Katie Grimes was second, 14.74 seconds behind her in a best time 15:44.89. Aussie Lani Pallister was third in 15:48.96, also a best time.

“To share this moment with her is really special,” said Ledecky referring to Grimes, her future heir apparent. Grimes is the second youngest medalist in the 1,500 at worlds since Ledecky won it for the first time in 2013.

“It takes a lot of hard work,” said Ledecky, a grad assistant coach at University of Florida. “It’s about doing all the right things in and out of the pool to have that longevity. You can’t get complacent.”

Said Grimes, “I was really nervous leading up to it because it’s my first world championship and Team USA has been doing a great job. I wanted to keep that going.”

South Florida Aquatic Club Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego, 23, was disqualified in the 50-meter breaststroke in his final event at worlds. He has now been disqualified in three of his last four races in the U.S. and Hungary. Earlier in the meet, he was 32nd in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:02.07.

There are 21 past and present Florida Gold Coast swimmers competing on one of swimming’s biggest international stages.

Other swimmers who competed on Monday with Florida Gold Coast ties were:

Izaak Bastian, 21, Bahamas (St. Andrew’s, Florida State), 50 breaststroke, 32nd in 28.47.

Kito Campbell, 19, Jamaica (Azura), 50 breaststroke, 39th in 29.06.

FGC swimmers competing on Tuesday are:

Patrick Groters, 23, Aruba, (NSU University School, Pine Crest Swim Club, University of South Carolina), 200 IM.

Dylan Carter, 26, Trinidad & Tobago, (Plantation American Heritage), 100 freestyle.

Esteban Nunez del Prado, 18, Bolivia, (Azura), 200 IM.

Jayhan Odlum-Smith, 20, St. Lucia, (Azura), 100 freestyle.

Jenebi Benoit, 19, Grenada, (Azura) 100 freestyle.

Julimar Avila, 25, Honduras, (Azura), 200 butterfly.

Leon Seaton, 18, Guyana, (Azura), 100 freestyle.

Matheo Mateos, 21, Paraguay, (Azura), 200 IM.

Steven Aimable, 23, Senegal, (Azura), 100 freestyle.

In Monday night’s final events:

200 men’s free: Romania’s David Popovici broke his own world junior record to win gold in 1:43.21, 1.26 seconds ahead of the field. His previous record was 1:44.40. Korean teenager Hwang Sunwoo was second in 1:44.47 and Brit Tom Dean was third in 1:44.98.

100 women’s backstroke: American Regan Smith won gold in 58.22, 0.18 seconds ahead of Canadian two-time world champion Kylie Masse in 58.40. American Claire Curzan took the bronze in 58.67. It was the first time Americans won two medals in the event since the 2008 Olympics.

100 women’s breaststroke: The Italians’ success continued with teenager Benedetta Pilato, 17, winning a tight race in 1:05.93, 0.05 ahead of Germany’s Anna Elendt in 1:05.98 and 0.09 ahead of Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte in 1:06.02 for her first career world title. Pilato is the youngest Italian swimmer to win a gold medal at worlds. American two-time defending world champion Lilly King was fourth in 1:06.07. “It’s really a surprise,” Pilato said. “I’m obviously happy. I really didn’t expect it. It’s been my dream. Before I swam I watched Thomas’ swim and I was crying for him. Then I realized I had to race and ran to the call room.”

Tuesday prelim events are women’s 50 backstroke, men’s 100 freestyle, men’s 200 IM, women’s 200 butterfly and mixed 4×100 medley relay.

The swimming runs through June 25 with the pool events. The aquatics championships that also features diving, water polo, high diving, open water swimming and synchronized swimming end July 3.

The Olympic Channel and Peacock, on the NBC platform, is televising the finals at noon each day. A highlights show will be on NBC at noon on June 26. The FINA facebook page is also posting competition news. Canada’s CBC will also broadcast the swimming.

There are huge cheers for any Hungarian swimmers from spectators at Duna Arena. FINA, the sport’s governing body, has asked fans each day to clap rather than cheer as a precaution against coronavirus infections. There were no other requests or restrictions.
FINALS SCHEDULE
Tuesday, June 21: 800 men’s free, 200 women’s free, 200 men’s fly, 50 men’s breast, 4×100 mixed medley relay.

Wednesday, June 22: 200 women’s fly, 100 men’s free, 50 women’s back, 200 men’s IM, 4×200 women’s free relay.

Thursday, June 23: 100 women’s free, 200 women’s breast, 200 men’s back, 200 men’s breast, 4×200 men’s free relay.

Friday, June 24: 50 women’s fly, 50 men’s free, 100 men’s fly, 200 women’s back, 800 women’s free, 4×100 mixed free relay.

Saturday, June 25: 50 men’s back, 50 women’s breast, 1500 men’s free, 50 women’s free, 400 women’s IM, 4×100 men’s and women’s medley relay.

Sunday, June 26: Open water, 6K team relay.

Monday, June 27: Open water, men’s and women’s 5K.

Wednesday, June 29: Open water, men’s and women’s 10K.

Thursday, June 30: Open water, men’s and women’s 25K.

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

Dressel Wins Second Gold Medal; Carter Breaks Own National Record; SOFLO’s Horrego Swims Monday At FINA World Aquatics Championships

By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 19, 2022–Caeleb Dressel won his 15th world championship gold medal Sunday night at the 19th FINA World Aquatics Championships at Duna Arena.

The 25-year-old Clay High School and Bolles Swim Club alum led from start to finish with 18 strokes to win the 50-meter butterfly in 22.57, defending his title in the event.

“It was good,” Dressel said. “I knew I had to hit it. If I hit 18 strokes, I knew I had a chance to win it. I was right at 18. I was a little long on the finish, but I didn’t want to jam it. Not a perfect plan, but the best race plan I had for tonight.”

The 50 butterfly is not an Olympic event.

“It’s not an event I really train for,” Dressel said. “It just kind of comes from my 100 fly training. It’s a tricky one. My stroke is pretty long for the 50, but it worked.”

It was Dressel’s 17th world championship medal overall, the fourth most medals at worlds behind Michael Phelps (26), Ryan Lochte (18) and Katie Ledecky (17) and second gold at this meet. He also won gold leading off the winning 4×100 relay.

Ageless Brazilian Nicholas Santos, 42, was second in 22.78. American Michael Andrew was third in 22.79, winning his first long course individual championship medal.

Trinidad & Tobago’s Dylan Carter, swimming in Lane 7, just missed a medal placing fourth in a best time, breaking his own national record for the second time in the meet in 22.85.

Carter was the top Florida Gold Coast finisher on Day Two. The Plantation American Heritage and USC alum started out strong in the event with the fastest prelim in a then best time and national record 22.87. It was the first time Carter broke 23 seconds. He came back in a fast semifinal to qualify sixth in 22.98 for the final.

South Florida Aquatic Club Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego, 23, 32nd in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:02.07, will swim the 50-meter breaststroke on Monday, his final event at worlds.

There are 21 Florida Gold Coast swimmers competing on one of swimming’s biggest international stages.

Other swimmers who competed on Sunday with Florida Gold Coast ties are:

Dylan Carter, 26, Trinidad & Tobago, 50-meter butterfly final, Plantation American Heritage, fourth, 22.85.

Yeziel Morales, 26, Puerto Rico, 100-meter backstroke, Azura, 32nd, 56.52.

Patrick Groters, 23, Aruba, 100-meter backstroke, NSU University School, Pine Crest Swim Club, University of South Carolina, 37th, 57.37.

Nicole Frank, 18, Uruguay, 100-meter breaststroke, Azura, 32nd, 1:10.48.

FGC swimmers competing on Monday are:
Izaak Bastian, 21, Bahamas (St. Andrew’s, Florida State), 50 breaststroke.

Kito Campbell, 19, Jamaica (Azura), 50 breaststroke.

In Sunday night’s final events:
MEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE: Italian Nicolo Martinenghi turned it on in the back half with a 30.87 split to win gold in 58.26. Arno Kamminga of the Netherlands was second in 58.62 and American Nic Fink, 28, was third in 58.65, winning his first long course world medal. British Olympic champion Adam Peaty is not competing in the meet because of a foot injury.

WOMEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY: American Torri Huske, 19, flirted with the world record while breaking her own American record to win her first world title in 55.64. She was the only swimmer to crack 56 seconds and first U.S. woman to win gold in the event since five-time Olympic gold medalist Dana Vollmer in 2011. Marie Wattel of France was second in 56.14 and China’s Yufei Zhang was third in 56.41. American Claire Curzan was fifth in 56.74.

WOMEN’S 200 IM: American Alex Walsh went out faster than she thought she would to lead from start to finish to win gold in 2:07.13, fifth fastest swim in history. Sixteen year old Leah Hayes was third in a Junior world record in 2:08.91. Aussie Kaylee McKeown took second in 2:08.57.

Team USA won six more medals for a two-day total of 12.

Monday prelim events are men’s 50 breaststroke, women’s 200 freestyle, men’s 200 butterfly and men’s 800 freestyle.

The swimming runs through June 25 with the pool events. The aquatics championships that also features diving, water polo, high diving, open water swimming and synchronized swimming end July 3.

The Olympic Channel and Peacock, on the NBC platform, is televising the finals at noon each day. A highlights show will be on NBC at noon on June 26. The FINA facebook page is also posting competition news. Canada’s CBC will also broadcast the swimming.

There were huge cheers for any Hungarian swimmers from spectators at Duna Arena. FINA, the sport’s governing body, appealed for fans to clap rather than cheer as a precaution against coronavirus infections. There were no other requests or restrictions.

Finals Schedule
Sunday, June 19: 100 men’s breaststroke, 100 women’s butterfly, 50 men’s fly, 200 women’s IM.

Monday, June 20: 200 men’s free, 1500 women’s free, 100 women’s and men’s backstroke, 100 women’s breast.

Tuesday, June 21: 800 men’s free, 200 women’s free, 200 men’s fly, 50 men’s breast, 4×100 mixed medley relay.

Wednesday, June 22: 200 women’s fly, 100 men’s free, 50 women’s back, 200 men’s IM, 4×200 women’s free relay.

Thursday, June 23: 100 women’s free, 200 women’s breast, 200 men’s back, 200 men’s breast, 4×200 men’s free relay.

Friday, June 24: 50 women’s fly, 50 men’s free, 100 men’s fly, 200 women’s back, 800 women’s free, 4×100 mixed free relay.

Saturday, June 25: 50 men’s back, 50 women’s breast, 1500 men’s free, 50 women’s free, 400 women’s IM, 4×100 men’s and women’s medley relay.

Sunday, June 26: Open water, 6K team relay.

Monday, June 27: Open water, men’s and women’s 5K.

Wednesday, June 29: Open water, men’s and women’s 10K.

Thursday, June 30: Open water, men’s and women’s 25K.

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

Katie Ledecky Wins; Dylan Carter Makes Final; Patrick Groters Swims First Of Three Prelim Events Sunday At FINA World Aquatics Championships

By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 18, 2022–Did you really expect opening day of the 19th FINA World Aquatics Championships not to be exciting Saturday at Duna Arena?

Olympian Katie Ledecky, 25, didn’t regain her world record but she did win another world title in the 400-meter freestyle, winning her 16th world championship gold medal in a championship record 3:58.15. It was her fourth world title in the 400 after settling for silver in 2019.

Ledecky, grad assistant coach at University of Florida where she trains with head coach Anthony Nesty, was pushed for most of the race by Canadian 15-year-old Summer McIntosh, second in a Canadian record 3:59.29. At 14, McIntosh was the youngest member of Team Canada at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. American Leah Smith was third in 4:02.08. Reigning world record (3:56.40) holder, world and Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus of Australia is not competing at worlds, choosing instead to focus on next month’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The top Florida Gold Coast swimmer performance was turned in by Dylan Carter, 26, of Trinidad & Tobago in the 50-meter butterfly.

The Plantation American Heritage alum was fastest qualifier in prelims in a best time and national record 22.87. It was the first time Carter broke 23 seconds. He came back in a fast semifinal to qualify sixth despite a poor start in 22.98 for Sunday’s final. Brit Benjamin Proud was fastest qualifier in 22.76 followed by American Caeleb Dressel in 22.79.

In his opening prelim event, South Florida Aquatic Club Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego, 23, was 32nd in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:02.07. The top qualifying time was 58.69 by Arno Kamminga of the Netherlands. It was the first of two events Horrego is entered in. He swims the 50-meter breaststroke on Monday.

Carter and Horrego are among 21 Florida Gold Coast swimmers competing on one of swimming’s biggest international stages.

Other swimmers who competed on opening day with Florida Gold Coast ties are:

Izaak Bastian, 21, Bahamas, 100 breaststroke. (St. Andrew’s School and Florida State), 42nd, 1:03.95.

Jayhan Odlum-Smith, 23, St. Lucia, 50 butterfly. (Azura), 49th, 24.81.

Julimar Avila, 25, Honduras, 100 butterfly. (Azura), 22nd, 1:02.20.

Kito Campbell, 19, Jamaica, 100 breaststroke. (Azura), 52nd, 1:05.27.

Matheo Mateos, 21, Paraguay, 400 IM. (Azura), 27th, 4:30.20.

Nicole Frank, 18, Uruguay, 200 IM. (Azura), 28th, 2:17.78.

FGC swimmers competing on Sunday are:

Dylan Carter, 26, Trinidad & Tobago, 50-meter butterfly final, Plantation American Heritage.

Patrick Groters, 23, Aruba, 100-meter backstroke, NSU University School, Pine Crest Swim Club, University of South Carolina.

Nicole Frank, 18, Uruguay, 100-meter breaststroke, Azura.

Yeziel Morales, 26, Puerto Rico, 100-meter backstroke, Azura.

In Saturday night’s four final events:
MEN’S 400 FREESTYLE: With a burst of speed (26.50 split) in the final 50-meters, Australia’s Elijah Winnington, 22, won in 3:41.22, his first individual gold medal at worlds. He overtook leader Lukas Martens of Germany, second in 3:42.85. Brazilian national record holder Guilherme Costa was third in 3:43.31. American Kiernan Smith, one of 16 former and present University of Florida Gators competing for various countries in swimming and diving, was seventh in 3:46.43 and U.S. teammate Trey Freeman eighth in 3:46.53.

“I tried to have fun in the pool and enjoy this whole experience,” Winnington said. “In the last call room I heard the noise, the MC’s (master of ceremonies) voice and it was a total boost for me. I haven’t had this feeling for a long time.”

MEN’S 400 IM: French national record holder Leon Marchand, 20, a freshman at Arizona State, won in stunning fashion in 4:04.28, a Championship, European and French record. He was the fastest qualifier in 4:09.09. American Carson Foster was second in 4:06.56 and U.S. teammate Chase Kalisz was third in 4:07.47.

Marchand was third on the opening butterfly leg and second after the backstroke leg. He pulled away on the breaststroke leg and was on world record pace, flirting with Michael Phelps’ 2008 world record (4:03.84) with a 1:07 split. Marchand didn’t break the world record but it was the second fastest time in event history. Marchand is coached by Bob Bowman, Phelps’ former coach.

MEN’S 4×100 FREE RELAY: Heavy favorite Team USA won in 3:09.34, just a second off the world record with relay swimmers Caeleb Dressel (47.67), Ryan Held (46.99), Justin Ress (47.48) and Brooks Curry (47.20). It was their third straight title. Held’s split of 46.99 briefly put them on world record pace. The Aussies, eighth at the halfway mark, were second in 3:10.80 and Italians third in 3:10.95.

WOMEN’S 4X100 FREE RELAY: Another heavy favorite, Australia, even without their big names, came through winning the event in 3:30.95. The winning relay members were Mollie O’Callaghan, Madison Wilson, Meg Harris and Shayna Jack. Canada was second in 3:32.15. The U.S. took the bronze in 3:32.58 with Torri Huske, Erika Brown, Kate Douglass and Claire Curzan.

Team USA won six medals including two gold on opening night.

Sunday prelim events are women’s 1500 freestyle, women’s and men’s backstroke, women’s breaststroke, men’s 200 freestyle.

The swimming runs through June 25 with the pool events. The aquatics championships that also features diving, water polo, high diving, open water swimming and synchronized swimming end July 3.

The Olympic Channel and Peacock, on the NBC platform, is televising the finals at noon each day. A highlights show will be on NBC at noon on June 26. The FINA facebook page is also posting competition news. Canada’s CBC will also broadcast the swimming.

There were huge cheers for any Hungarian swimmers from spectators at Duna Arena. FINA, the sport’s governing body, appealed for fans to clap rather than cheer as a precaution against coronavirus infections. There were no other requests or restrictions.

Finals Schedule
Sunday, June 19: 100 men’s breaststroke, 100 women’s butterfly, 50 men’s fly, 200 women’s IM.

Monday, June 20: 200 men’s free, 1500 women’s free, 100 women’s and men’s backstroke, 100 women’s breast.

Tuesday, June 21: 800 men’s free, 200 women’s free, 200 men’s fly, 50 men’s breast, 4×100 mixed medley relay.

Wednesday, June 22: 200 women’s fly, 100 men’s free, 50 women’s back, 200 men’s IM, 4×200 women’s free relay.

Thursday, June 23: 100 women’s free, 200 women’s breast, 200 men’s back, 200 men’s breast, 4×200 men’s free relay.

Friday, June 24: 50 women’s fly, 50 men’s free, 100 men’s fly, 200 women’s back, 800 women’s free, 4×100 mixed free relay.

Saturday, June 25: 50 men’s back, 50 women’s breast, 1500 men’s free, 50 women’s free, 400 women’s IM, 4×100 men’s and women’s medley relay.

Sunday, June 26: Open water, 6K team relay.

Monday, June 27: Open water, men’s and women’s 5K.

Wednesday, June 29: Open water, men’s and women’s 10K.

Thursday, June 30: Open water, men’s and women’s 25K.

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

SOFLO’s Julio Horrego Leads Florida Gold Coast 20-Swimmer Contingent For FINA World Aquatics Championships That Begin Saturday

By Sharon Robb
BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 15, 2022–Honduran Olympian Julio Horrego of South Florida Aquatic Club will compete on opening day of the 19th FINA World Aquatics Championships Saturday at Duna Arena.

Horrego, 23, will swim the prelims of the 100-meter breaststroke. It is the first of two events he will compete in. He will also swim the 50-meter breaststroke.

Horrego competed in the 2019 World Championships in South Korea, 2019 Pan American Games in Peru and 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan and was flagbearer for his country in the opening parade of nations ceremony.

Horrego will see plenty of familiar faces during the meet with Florida Gold Coast well-represented with 20 swimmers competing on one of swimming’s biggest international stages.

Azura Florida Aquatics has qualified 14 swimmers.

Heading the group is Uruguayan national record holder Micaela Sierra. The Pompano Beach resident who will start swimming for Auburn University this fall, competed for South Florida Heat in high school.

Other Azura swimmers are: Esteban Nunez Del Prado, Bolivia; Fatima Portillo, El Salvador, open water; Jahir Lopez, Ecuador, open water; Jayhan Odlum-Smith, St. Lucia; Jenebi Benoit, Grenada; Julimar Avila, Honduras; Kito Campbell, Jamaica; Leon Seaton, Guyana; Matheo Mateos, Paraguay; Maximiliano Paccot, Uruguay; Nicole Frank, Uruguay; Steven Aimable, Senegal and Yeziel Morales, Puerto Rico, coming off the PanAm Aquatics Age Group Championships.

Brazil Olympic bronze medalist Bruno Fratus of Coral Springs Swim Club will compete in the 50-meter freestyle.

Patrick Groters, a former NSU University School and Pine Crest Swim Club swimmer now at South Carolina, will represent Aruba in the 100 and 200 backstrokes and 200 individual medley.

Former St. Andrew’s and Florida State swimmer Izaak Bastian, national record holder for the Bahamas, will compete in the 50 and 100 breaststrokes.

Former Plantation American Heritage swimmer Dylan Carter of Trinidad & Tobago will compete in the 50 butterfly, and 50 and 100 freestyles.

University of Florida’s Anna Auld of West Palm Beach and Forest Hill High School and East Coast Aquatic Club alum, will compete in the 5K and 25K open water events for the U.S. team.

The swimming opens Saturday and runs through June 25 with the pool events. The aquatics championships that also features water polo, diving, open water swimming, high diving and synchronized swimming end July 3. NBC Sports will televise the swimming finals only. The FINA facebook page will show the other competitions. Canada’s CBC will also broadcast the swimming.

Saturday’s opening day prelim events are: women’s 200 IM, men’s 400 freestyle, women’s 100 butterfly, men’s 50 butterfly, women’s 400 freestile, men’s 100 breaststroke, men’s 400 IM and women’s and men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay. Finals will be held in the men’s and women’s 400 freestyle, men’s 400 IM and relays. The opening ceremony will also be held.

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

Florida Gators Defend SEC Men’s Swimming And Diving Title; Tennessee Wins Women’s Crown; Patrick Groters Breaks USC School Record

By Sharon Robb
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., February 20, 2022—University of Florida men’s team won its tenth consecutive Southeastern Conference Swimming and Diving Championship Saturday night at Jones Aquatics Center.

The Gators won with 1,414 points, a 476-point cushion over Tennessee and Alabama. It was the fourth time in team history the Gators cracked 1,400 points.

And the Gators did it without defending SEC champions Bobby Finke and Dillon Hillis, both scratched from the meet because of COVID-19 protocols.

The Gators swept all the men’s relays. In individual events, Olympian and senior Kieran Smith led the Gators’ winning the 400-yard individual medley. Sophomore Adam Chaney won the 100-yard backstroke, breaking Ryan Lochte’s school record in 44.51.

The Gators dominated the final day of competition taking seven of the top nine spots in the 1,650-yard freestyle.

Winning for the Gators were:
200-yard medley relay: Adam Chaney, Dillon Hillis, Eric Friese, Alberto Mester, 1:22.06, SEC record.

800-yard freestyle relay: Kieran Smith, Trey Freeman, Oskar Lindholm, Alfonso Mestre, 6:08.00, SEC record.

200-yard freestyle relay: Adam Chaney, Eric Friese, Kieran Smith, Macguire McDuff, 1:15.18, SEC record.

400-yard individual medley: Kieran Smith, Senior, 3:39.33.

400-yard medley relay: Adam Chaney, Amro Al-Wir, Eric Friese, Kieran Smith, 3:02.61.

1650-yard freestyle: Trey Freeman, Junior, 14:39.74.

200-yard backstroke: Kieran Smith, Senior, 1:39.51.

400-yard freestyle relay: Macguire McDuff, Adam Chaney, Eric Friese, Kieran Smith, 2:46.91.

It was the 43rd overall title for the Gators. Florida is now primed for the March 23-26 NCAA Men’s Championships in Atlanta.

In the women’s competition, Tennessee won its second women’s title in three years. The Volunteers won with 1,313.5 points ahead of Kentucky with 1,043 and Alabama, 1,038. The Gators were fifth with 905 points. It was Tennessee’s highest point total in team history.

Freshman Ellen Walshe became the third woman in the team’s history to win three individual events in a single SEC Championships.

Walshe won the 400-yard individual medley in 4:01.53, second fastest in NCAA history this season, and 100-yard butterfly in 50.34. She also won the 200 IM in 1:52.97. She was a member of the winning 800-yard freestyle relay.

The Vols also picked up a win from freshman Julia Mrozinski in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:35.95, third fastest in the NCAA this season.

The Volunteers won the 800-yard freestyle relay and finished runner-up in the remaining relays. All five relays were under NCAA A cuts.

Other Tennessee winners were:
800-yard freestyle relay: Julia Mrozinski, Ellen Walshe, Trude Rothrock, Tjasa Pintar – 6:56.81, pool record.

100-yard breaststroke: Mona McSharry, 57.50.

1650-yard freestyle: Kristen Stege, 15:42.37.

Among Florida Gold Coast swimmer results:

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Kathleen Golding, a junior at University of Florida, competed in three events. She was 18th in the 200 IM in a best time 1:57.63, seventh in the 400 IM in 4:11.14 and 21st in the 1,650-yard freestyle in 16:27.95. She dropped 1.32 second off her previous 1:58.95 200 IM.

Florida freshman Anna Auld was 33rd in the 500 freestyle in 4:48.87; 11th in the 400 IM in a best time 4:11.02 and 10th in the 1,650-yard freestyle in a best time 16:16.87, dropping 10.25 seconds.

SOFLO’s Molly Golding and Miguel Cancel did not compete.

In his SEC debut for University of South Carolina, Aruba’s Patrick Groters competed in three events. The former NSU University School and Pine Crest swimmer broke the school record in the 200 IM C-final with a best time of 1:43.77. The previous school record was 1:44.00 by Tomas Peribonio in 2018. Groters finished first in the C-final and was bumped up from 17th to 15th place after two swimmers were disqualified from the A-final. He was 18th in the 400 IM in a best time 3:47.17, dropping 1.12 and 13th in the 200 backstroke in 1:43.24, also a best time dropping 1.93.

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

Aruba’s Patrick Groters Wins Second Gold Medal, Breaks Second Junior Pan American Games Record Twice

By Sharon Robb
CALI, Colombia, November 30, 2021–Patrick Groters of Aruba won his second gold medal and broke his second meet record at the Junior Pan American Games Tuesday at Hernando Botero O’Byrne Swimming Pool.

On the fifth and final night of the inaugural competition, Groters, 22, won the 200-meter individual medley with an exciting finish in 2:02.09, holding off Guatemala’s Erick Gordillo in 2:02.47.

Groters broke his second Junior Pan American Games record in morning prelims in 2:03.93 and came back to break it again in finals in 2:02.09.

The former NSU University School and Pine Crest Swim Club swimmer, now at University of South Carolina, finished with two gold medals, two meet records, two national records, one silver medal and three World Championship qualifying times.

Nicole Frank, 17, of Uruguay and Azura Florida Aquatics, won her first gold medal of the meet in the 200-meter individual medley. She won in a best time 2:17.46, a drop of 0.78. She was second fastest in morning prelims in 2:21.61.

Brazil swept the men’s and women’s team titles.

Cali, the capital of Valle del Cauca, hosted the first-ever edition of the Junior Pan American Games.

It was a key event in the lead-up to the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games and Paris 2024 Olympics, allowing up-and-coming athletes a new level of competition they didn’t have in past years.

Approximately 3,000 volunteers, 1,400 technical officials and 1,142 other officials participated along with 4,806 athletes from 41 countries and territories affiliated with Panam Sports in 39 sports. The meet was for ages up to 22.

Neither the U.S. or Canada, the region’s most successful countries, sent swim teams to the event although they competed in other sports. Brazil (25), Colombia (25), and Mexico (26) had the largest delegations of swimmers.

The Games were initially scheduled to begin on June 5 but were postponed to September 9 to 19. It was further delayed because of COVID-19 before moving to late November and early December.

WOMEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Karen Durango Restrepo, Colombia 17:18.34, 2. Maite Gonzalez Rodriguez, Cuba 17:35.28, 3. Michelle Jativa, Ecuador 17:45.32.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Nicole Frank, Uruguay 2:17.46, 2. Maria Selene Alborzen, Argentina 2:18.99, 3. Fernando De Groeij, Brazil 2:19.32.

MEN
1500-meter freestyle: 1. Gerald Hernandez Huerta, Nicaragua 16:44.64, 2. Juan Jose Bolanos, Costa Rica 16:50.44, 3. Miguel Siwady, Honduras 16:52.42.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Patrick Groters, Aruba 2:02.09, 2. Erick Gordillo, Guatemala 2:02.47, 3. Matheo Mateos, Paraguay 2:04.53.

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

SOFLO’s Gaby Banks Closes Out Junior Pan American Games

By Sharon Robb
CALI, Colombia, November 29, 2021–South Florida Aquatic Club’s Gaby Banks competed in her final event in her first Junior Pan American Games Monday at Hernando Botero O’Byrne Swimming Pool.

The 18-year-old Florida State swimmer who represents Jamaica internationally, finished 14th in the 50-meter freestyle in 26.90. Banks was 16th in prelims in 27.04. It was her fifth and final event.

Aruba’s Patrick Groters, 22, entered in the 400-meter individual event, did not compete. The former NSU University School and Pine Crest Swim Club swimmer, who has already won gold and silver medals, has the 200 IM left to swim on Tuesday.

Nicole Frank, 17, of Uruguay and Azura, was eighth in the 400-meter individual medley prelims in 5:09.55. She did not compete in finals.

South Florida Heat’s Micaela Sierra, 17, of Uruguay and Azura will compete in the 200-meter individual medley on Tuesday.

Brazil leads the men’s and women’s team standings. The swimming competition ends Tuesday night.

Cali, the capital of Valle del Cauca, is hosting the first-ever edition of the Junior Pan American Games.

It is a key event in the lead-up to the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games and Paris 2024 Olympics, allowing up-and-coming athletes a new level of competition they didn’t have in past years.

Approximately 3,000 volunteers, 1,400 technical officials and 1,142 other officials are participating along with 4,806 athletes from 41 countries and territories affiliated with Panam Sports in 39 sports. The meet is for ages up to 22.

Neither the U.S. or Canada, the region’s most successful countries, sent swim teams to the event although they are competing in other sports. Brazil (25), Colombia (25), and Mexico (26) have the largest delegations of swimmers.

The Games were initially scheduled to begin on June 5 but were postponed to September 9 to 19. It was further delayed because of COVID-19 before moving to late November and early December.

WOMEN
50-meter freestyle:

1. Stephanie Balduccini, Brazil 25.47, 2. Deyse Goncalves Pereira Ba, Brazil 25.74, 3. Anicka Delgado, Ecuador 25.74, 14. Gaby Banks, Jamaica 26.90.

400-meter individual medley:

1. Maria Selene Alborzen, Argentina 4:52.22, 2. Fernanda De Groeij, Brazil 4:55.13, 3. Alondra Ortiz, Costa Rica 4:57.14.

MEN
50-meter freestyle:

1. Victor Alcara Guimaraes, Brazil 22.08, 2. Lucas Peixoto, Brazil 22.34, 3. Camilo-Andres Marrugo Montano, Colombia 22.92

400-meter individual medley:

1. Erick Gordillo, Guatemala, 4:22.09, 2. Stephan Steverink, Brazil 4:24.35, 3. Roberto Bonilla Flores, Guatemala 4:26.08.

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