SOFLO Ready For Speedo Champion Series Southern Zone South Sectional Championships That Begin Thursday In Plantation

By Sharon Robb

PLANTATION, March 7, 2018—South Florida Aquatic Club will be well-represented at the Speedo Championship Series Southern Zone South Sectional Championships that begin Thursday at Plantation Aquatic Complex.

Kathleen Golding, Kelley Heron, Paige Lane, Mallory Schleicher, Luke Lezotte, Heath Brames and CJ Kopecki head SOFLO’s contingent that will be tested by an impressive field that includes several post-grads and Olympians including Ryan Lochte of the Gator Swim Club.

Gator Swim Club, led by the 33-year-old Olympian, Andrea D’Arrigo, 22, Isabel Ivey, 17, Mason Wilby, 18, and Talia Bates, 17, heads the competitive field.

After opening his racing season at the Florida Area Championships last weekend in Jacksonville, Lochte has entered seven events in the Plantation meet: 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 100 freestyle, 200 backstroke and 400 freestyle.

Lochte will be joined by Corey Main, who also trains with the Gator Swim Club along with Florida State alums Jared Pike and SOFLO’s Marc Rojas and Bruno Fratus.

Rojas, 24, is entered in the 50- and 100-meter breaststroke events. Rojas, who represents the Dominican Republic internationally, is seeded second in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:03.61. Heron is seeded second in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:05.33. Golding is seeded second in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:17.19 and third in the 50-meter freestyle in 26.24.

Other SOFLO swimmers competing are: Alana Acevedo, Michael Arias, Kyana Castro, Maya Coffey, Katrina Del Vecchio, Juan Diaz, Molly Golding, John Paul Handal, Jie Hoon Lee, Lance Lesage, Jacqueline Lugo, Leonardo Mateus, Nicolas Munoz, Juan Pablo Pineda, Kevin Porto, Sara Quintero, Ricardo Roche, Jennifer Rodriguez, Rafael Rodriguez, Nicolas Rossi, Juan Serna and Luis Villanueva.

SOFLO is seeded first in the women’s 200-meter medley relay and mixed 200-meter medley relay.

A field of more than 600 swimmers from 60 teams and 20 unattached teams will compete over four days in one of four designated USA Swimming zones. The others are Eastern, Central and Western Zone Sectionals. The meet attracts some of the top swimming talent from across the United States and internationally.

Among Florida Gold Coast teams entered are Azura Florida Aquatic, AquaKids Sharks, East Coast Aquatic Club, Boca Raton Swim Team, Pine Crest Swimming, North Palm Beach, Martin County, Hurricane Swim Club, TS Aquatics, and host Plantation Swim Team.

Out-of-state teams include North Andover YMCA, Arizona Aquatic Club, City of Lafayette Aquatics, Elmwood Sharks, Falfins Swimming, Franco’s Fins, Peddie Aquatics and Oro Valley Swim Team.

IF YOU GO
What: Speedo Championship Series Southern Zone South Sectional Championships

When: Thursday-Sunday

Schedule: Thursday, timed finals 5 p.m.; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, prelims 9 a.m. and finals 5 p.m.

Where: Plantation Aquatic Complex, 9151 NW Second Street.

Of note: Admission is $5 and heat sheets are $3 per session. For more information call 954-452-2526.

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

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Golding, Gonzalez, Heron, Asnis Top SOFLO Finishers In Opening Session Of Plantation Sectional Qualifier

By Sharon Robb

February 11, 2017—Kathleen Golding of South Florida Aquatic Club won the 50-meter freestyle Saturday in the opening session of the Senior Sectional Qualifier at Plantation Aquatic Complex.

Golding, 16, won in 27.14. She was also second in the 400-yard individual medley in 5:02.30.

SOFLO has 27 swimmers competing in 117 individual events over two sessions.

Other top finishers were:

Logan Gonzalez, 12, was second in the 500-meter freestyle in 5:51.31. He dropped 9.31 seconds and broke 6 minutes for the first time. His previous best was 6:00.62.

Kelley Heron was second in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:30.32 and also second in the 50-meter backstroke in 32.62.

Max Asnis was third in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:13.87.

Marianna Serrao, fourth, 400-meter individual medley, 5:42.77.

Jessica Rodriguez, fourth, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:20.64.

Luis Vullanueva, fourth, 200-meter butterfly, 2:15.59.

Luke Lezotte, fourth, 50-meter freestyle, 24.59; sixth, 50-meter butterfly, 26.75, time drop.

Jennifer Rodriguez, fifth, 400-meter individual medley, 5:43.90; sixth, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:21.59.

Ricardo Roche, fifth, 400-meter individual medley, 4:49.12; sixth, 50-meter backstroke, 30.00.

Rafael Rodriguez, fifth, 200-meter backstroke, 2:17.81, time drop; sixth, 400-meter individual medley, 4:49.79.

Other SOFLO swimmers with time drops were: Alana Acevedo, 50-meter freestyle, 30.61 and Maya Coffey, 50-meter freestyle, 30.92.

Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas was a back-to-back event double winner. Kapas, 23, won the 200-meter freestyle in 2:05.89 and 400-meter individual medley in 5:00.66.

Pine Crest Swimming’s Patrick Groters of University School won the 400-meter individual medley in 4:37.89 and 200-meter backstroke in 2:09.97. He was also second in the 50-meter backstroke in 28.25.

SESSION ONE RESULTS

GIRLS

200-meter freestyle:

1.Boglarka Kapas, Hungary 2:05.89, 2. Daniela Hernandez, Unattached 2:09.20, 3. Mary Smutny, AquaKids Sharks 2:09.53; SOFLO: 23. Marianna Serrao 2:19.77, 28. Maya Coffey 2:22.06, 29. Abby Oyetunji 2:22.40.

400-meter individual medley:

1.Boglarka Kapas, Hungary 5:00.66, 2. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 5:02.30, 3. Hannah Virgin, PC 5:28.71; SOFLO: 4. Marianna Serrao 5:42.77, 5. Jennifer Rodriguez 5:43.90.

200-meter butterfly:

1.Mary Smutny, AquaKids Sharks 2:22.05, 2. Jennifer Secrest, North Palm Beach 2:22.32, 3. Allison Kopas, Swim Fort Lauderdale 2:23.24; SOFLO: 14. Alexandra Crespo 2:55.02.

50-meter freestyle:

1.Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 27.14, 2. Chade Nersicio, ECAC 27.42, 3. Nicole Gomez, North Palm Beach 27.93; SOFLO: 34. Abby Oyetunji 30.60, 37. Alana Acevedo 30.61, time drop, 44. Maya Coffey 30.92, time drop, 78. Stephanie Mlujeak 32.63.

200-meter backstroke:

1.Giulia Guerra Montes, Pine Crest 2:24.87, 2. Kelley Heron, SOFLO 2:30.32, 3. Mary Killman, STSA 2:31.09; SOFLO: 17. Stephanie Mlujeak 2:52.69.

100-meter breaststroke:

1.Lisa Blackburn, Gulliver 1:17.81, 2. Hailey Jerew, AquaKids Sharks 1:20.13, 3. Anna Auld, East Coast 1:20.38; SOFLO: 4. Jessica Rodriguez 1:20.64, 6. Jennifer Rodriguez 1:21.59.

50-meter butterfly:

1.Jessica Nava, Pine Crest 29.35, 2. Madison Cummings, East Coast 29.57, 3. Eriana Temperino, East Coast 29.61; SOFLO: 18. Alana Acevedo 33.04, 19. Jessica Rodriguez 33.05, 34. Alexandra Crespo 34.90.

50-meter backstroke:

1.Mary Killman, STSA 31.54, 2. Kelley Heron, SOFLO 32.62, 3. Solana Capalbo, Azura 33.16; SOFLO: 18. Alana Acevedo 37.49, 27. Stephanie Mlujeak 39.00.

500-meter freestyle:

11-12, 1. Becca Montero, AquaKids Sharks 5:31.37, 2. Erin Miller, St. Andrew’s 5:41.45, 3. Olivia Dinehart, AquaKids Sharks 5:41.52; SOFLO: 9. Alexis Christensen 6:21.98, time drop, 11. Luna Delgado 6:27.39; 13-14, 1. Simone Vale, Pine Crest 5:26.44, 2. Daniela Munoz, Pine Crest 5:26.51, 3. Lucy Miller, St. Andrew’s 5:30.80.

BOYS

200-meter freestyle:

1.Gargely Gyurta, Hungary 1:57.99, 2. Nikita Tretyakov, Swim Fort Lauderdale 1:58.01, 3. Nicholas Vale, Pine Crest 1:59.45; SOFLO: 12. CJ Kopecki 2:05.08, 27. Kevin Porto 2:08.56, 31. Heath Brames 2:09.60, 46. Tomas Pelaez 2:15.03.

400-meter individual medley:

1.Patrick Groters, Pine Crest 4:37.89, 2. Gargely Gyurta, Hungary 4:40.27, 3. Julio Horrego, Hialeah 4:42.14; SOFLO: 5. Ricardo Roche 4:49.12, 6. Rafael Rodriguez 4:49.79, 9. Leonardo Mateus 4:57.80, 11. Ervin Marin 5:01.65, 23. Sebastian Sevilla 5:37.57.

200-meter butterfly:

1.Marcos Lavado, Azura 2:05.26, 2. Diego Machado, TSA 2:13.58, 3. Max Asnis, SOFLO 2:13.87; SOFLO: 4. Luis Villanueva 2:15.59, 12. Sebastian Lares 2:29.46, 13. Juan Diaz 2:29.51.

50-meter freestyle:

1.Runar Borgen, PAQ 23.99, 2. Jhonny Perez, Unattached 24.46, 3. Nixon Hernandez, East Coast 24.50; SOFLO: 4. Luke Lezotte 24.59, 15. Kevin Porto 26.13, 30. Heath Brames 26.97, 39. CJ Kopecki 27.35, time drop, 60. Sebastian Sevilla 28.38, time drop, 61. Eiza Gantus 28.48, 62. Tomas Pelaez 28.50, 70. Wyatt Jennessee 29.03.

200-meter backstroke:

1.Patrick Groters, Pine Crest 2:09.97, 2. Elvis Kotikovski, Pine Crest 2:12.03, 3. Eisner Barberena, Azura 2:16.22; SOFLO: 5. Rafael Rodriguez 2:17.81, time drop, 7. Leonardo Mateus 2:19.96, 10. Samuel Quintero 2:20.70, 11. Ricardo Roche 2:21.29, 29. Sebastian Lares 2:33.40.

100-meter breaststroke:

1.Julio Horrego, Hialeah 1:07.43, 2. Adan Diaz, Azura 1:07.78, 3. Jose Tomas Galvez, Unattached 1:09.67; SOFLO: 7. Samuel Quintero 1:11.17, time drop, 9. Ervin Marin 1:13.22.

50-meter butterfly:

1.Runar Borgen, PAQ 25.29, 2. Marcos Lavado, Azura 25.73, 3. Jhonny Perez, Unattached 25.93; SOFLO: 6. Luke Lezotte 26.75, time drop, 15. Max Asnis 28.42, 20. CJ Kopecki 29.33, 24. Juan Diaz 29.55, 37. Eiza Gantus 30.72, time drop.

50-meter backstroke:

1.David Van Der Colff, Unattached 28.15, 2. Patrick Groters, Pine Crest 28.25, 3. Eisner Barberena, Azura 28.82; SOFLO: 6. Ricardo Roche 30.00, 9. Luke Lezotte 30.38, 10. Kevin Porto 30.81, 21. Wyatt Jennessee 33.75, time drop.

500-meter freestyle:

11-12, 1. Dylan Felt, Swim Fort Lauderdale 5:46.84, 2. Logan Gonzalez, SOFLO 5:51.31, time drop, 3. Andrew Brantmeyer, Swim Fort Lauderdale 5:52.28; SOFLO: 8. Matthew Kim 6:31.46, time drop; 13-14, 1. Dominic Bono, AquaKids Sharks 5:05.26, 2. Trent Albury, GBT 5:05.41, 3. Georgy Goncharov, Swim Fort Lauderdale 5:05.86.

Mixed 200-meter medley relay:

1.East Coast Aquatic Club 2:00.61, 2. SOFLO A 2:01.02 (Ricardo Roche, Jessica Rodriguez, Luke Lezotte, Kathleen Golding), 3. North Palm Beach 2:01.67, 5. SOFLO B 2:04.39 (Kelley Heron, Jennifer Rodriguez, Max Asnis, Kevin Porto), 12. SOFLO C 2:10.87 (Rafael Rodriguez, Marianna Serrao, CJ Kopecki, Alana Acevedo), 17. SOFLO D 2:19.43 (Leonardo Mateus, Alexandra Crespo, Heath Brames, Maya Coffey).

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

FGC Speedo Winter Championships Begin Thursday At Plantation Aquatic Complex

By Sharon Robb

November 16, 2016—A field of 1,100 swimmers and more than 50 teams including South Florida Aquatic Club will compete Thursday through Sunday at the 26th annual Florida Gold Coast Speedo Winter Championships at Plantation Aquatic Complex.

SOFLO is sending 21 swimmers of all ages, from age groupers to Olympians and national record holders to the four-day meet. The swimmers will compete in 82 individual events and two relays.

SOFLO’s swimmers entered are: Fernando Barreto, 10; Kaitlyn Barrios, 10; Mariann Catalasan, 10; Kerry Cunningham, 10; Luna Delgado, 10; Fiorella DiSalvo, 8; Nathaniel Garrick, 11; Logan Gonzalez, 11; Luke Lezotte, 15; Jonathan Lozano, 9; Yannai Michael, 12; Sabrina Osorio, 11; Sofia Osorio, 11; Leah Pando, 10; Giada Porven, 8; Rafael Rodriguez, 14; and Aldo Zepeda, 11.

Some of SOFLO’s older swimmers are also in the field including Marc Rojas, 22; Santiago Rivera, 19; Bermuda national record holder Lisa Blackburn, 44; and four-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson, who missed out on an Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro and then bounced back with a short course world record at the FINA World Cup Series.

Atkinson, 27, is seeded first in the 100-yard breaststroke in 57.29, the only swimmer under a minute. Rojas, 22, is seeded first in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Most of Florida Gold Coast teams will be represented including Azura, Pine Crest, Swim Fort Lauderdale, Miami Swimming, Boca Raton Swim Team and AquaKids Sharks.

Azura returns as defending champion in the boys and combined. Pine Crest is defending girls champion.

There are also teams from New York, Ecuador, Jamaica and Bahamas entered. Several swimmers are not competing, choosing instead to focus and train for next month’s junior nationals.

IF YOU GO

What: 26th annual Florida Gold Coast Speedo Winter Championships

When: Thursday-Sunday

Schedule: Thursday, 5 p.m.; Friday, prelims 8:30 a.m., finals 5 p.m.; Saturday, prelims 8:30 a.m., finals 5 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m. prelims, 5 p.m. finals.

Where: Plantation Aquatic Complex, 9151 NW Second St., Plantation.

Admission: $5 adults, $3 children. Heat sheets available for free online at http://www.swimpst.com and on meet mobile. Special session passes are also available. For information call 954-452-2525.

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

http://www.swim4soflo.com

South Florida Aquatic Club Wins Women’s Team Title At Speedo Southern Zone Sectionals

By Sharon Robb

March 14, 2016—South Florida Aquatic Club, with a mix of pro swimmers and elite age group swimmers, captured the women’s team title and finished second overall for the first time in the team’s history Sunday at the Speedo Southern Zone Sectional Championships at Plantation Aquatic Complex.

SOFLO won the women’s team title with 490 points, finishing ahead of Gator Swim Club with 432 and Colorado Stars, featuring Missy Franklin, with 427.5.

SOFLO was runner-up behind the Colorado Stars, 891.5-816 in the combined team standings. Colorado Stars did not win a single event on the final night of swimming. Gator Swim Club was third with 771.5.

SOFLO’s previous best finish was third overall last year.

On the fourth and final day, Alia Atkinson and Kile Aukerman were SOFLO’s top finishers.

Atkinson, a three-time Jamaican Olympian, won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:32.49. She was also ninth in the 100-meter freestyle in 56.52.

Aukerman was second in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:1.9.51.

Claire Donahue was fourth in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:14.90.

Atkinson and Donahue were members of SOFLO’s runner-up 400-meter freestyle relay team that finished in 3:50.75 along with teammates Kathleen Golding and Alina Schulhofer.

The four-day meet attracted 750 swimmers and 80 teams including Franklin and Michael Andrew.

SUNDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. Colorado Stars 891.5, 2. South Florida Aquatic Club 816, 3. Gator Swim Club 771.5, 4. Azura 712, 5. Blue Dolfins 639, 6. Swim Fort Lauderdale 479.5, 7. Seacoast Swimming 423, 8. Bluefish 363.5, 9. Colorado Springs 362, 10. Arizona Aquatic Club 287.5.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. SOFLO 490, 2. Gator Swim Club 432, 3. Colorado Stars 427.5, 4. Seacoast Swimming 323, 5. Blue Dolfins 234.

MEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. Azura 630, 2. Colorado Stars 348, 3. Blue Dolfins 299, 4. Swim Fort Lauderdale 296, 5. Gator Swim Club 271.5, 6. SOFLO 266.

WOMEN

200-meter butterfly:

1.Audrey Lacroix, PCS 2:10.55, 2. Isabel Ivey, GSC 2:13.36, 3. Alena Kraus, MAC 2:14.27; SOFLO: 4. Claire Donahue 2:14.90.

100-meter freestyle:

1.Sandrine Mainville, PC 54.81, 2. Penn Oleksiak, PC 55.05, 3. Chantal Van Landeghem, PC 55.32; SOFLO: 9. Alia Atkinson 56.52, 12. Kathleen Golding 57.63.

200-meter breaststroke:

1.Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 2:32.49, 2. Asia Minnes, NEP 2:37.78, 3. Isabel Ivey, GSC 2:39.02; SOFLO: 9. Kathleen Golding 2:43.80, best time, 10. Monica Alvarez 2:45.94.

200-meter backstroke:

1.Erin Voss, Unattached 2:11.33, 2. Fernando Gonzalez, STAR 2:19.05, 3. Ashley Boddiford, BD 2:19.95; SOFLO: 10. Kelley Heron 2:25.37.

400-meter freestyle relay:

1.Colorado Stars 3:47.28, 2. SOFLO 3:50.75 (Kathleen Golding, Alia Atkinson, Claire Donahue, Alina Schulhofer), 3. Gator Swim Club 3:53.02.

800-meter freestyle:

1.Kate Sanderson, Colorado Springs 8:49.61, 2. Kate Magill, SSA 9:06.27, 3. Andrea Santander, Unattached 9:10.22.

MEN

200-meter butterfly:

1.Zach Chetrat, Unattached 2:00.79, 2. Maxwell Miranda, ABF 2:04.42, 3. Mason Wilby, GSC 2:05.08; SOFLO: 12. Max Asnis 2:11.31, 20. Rafael Rodriguez 2:15.07, 23. Juan Diaz 2:17.20.

100-meter freestyle:

1.Karl Krug, SA 50.83, 2. Viktor Toth, DBS 51.32, 3. Jhonny Perez, Unattached 51.58; SOFLO: 20. Ryan Capote 54.55.

200-meter breaststroke:

1.Richard Funk, PC 2:14.94, 2. Kile Aukerman, SOFLO 2:19.51, 3. Stanley Wu, Unattached 2:22.76; SOFLO: 12. Ervin Marin 2:34.29, 21. Samuel Quintero 2:36.93, 31. Ricardo Roche 2:42.90.

200-meter backstroke:

1.Kevin Lindgren, MART 2:06.06, 2. Quinn Cassidy, Unattached 2:06.25, 3. Zachary Poti, BD 2:07.33; SOFLO: 16. Esteban Diaz-Velasco 2:17.49, 22. Ricardo Roche 2:22.30, 26. Leonardo Mateus 2:18.18, best time.

400-meter freestyle relay:

1.Swim Fort Lauderdale 3:30.48, 2. Azura 3:34.74, 3. Colorado Stars 3:34.96, 10. SOFLO 3:43.55 (Max Asnis, Esteban Diaz-Velasco, Ervin Marin, Ryan Capote).

1500-meter freestyle:

1.Marcelo Acosta, Azura 15:35.42, 2. Eric Geunes, GSC 16:00.70, 3. William Haeffner, PC 16:23.03.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

SOFLO’s Kathleen Golding Makes Second U.S. Olympic Trials Cut At Speedo Southern Zone Sectional Championships

By Sharon Robb

March 11, 2016—Teenager Kathleen Golding of South Florida Aquatic Club got her second U.S. Olympic Trials cut.

Golding, 15, finished second in the 400-meter individual medley in a lifetime-best 4:53.68 Friday night at the Speedo Southern Zone Sectional Championships at Plantation Aquatic Complex.

The time standard is 4:54.99.

Golding shaved 2.12 seconds off her previous best of 4:55.80. Golding had already made the 200 IM Trials cut. Her splits were 1:06.24 (fly), 1:17.26 (back), 1:24.32 (breast) and 1:05.86 (freestyle).

The U.S. Trials are June 26-July 3 in Omaha, Neb.

It was another good night for South Florida Aquatic Club, leaders in combined team scoring with 520, women’s team scoring with 272 and second in the men’s scoring with 188 points after second day action.

Three-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson, 27, won the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:07.82.

Also in the 100-meter breaststroke, SOFLO teammates Ksen Golovkina, 26, was fifth in a best time 1:15.34, bettering her previous best of 1:17.31. Kelley Heron, 16, was 14th in a best time, 1:18.49, dropping from 1:19.18. Heron also swam a best time in the 50-meter backstroke in 31.33, dropping .84 off her previous best of 32.17.

Former world champion Megan Romano, 25, competing in her first high profile meet since training at SOFLO, was second in the 200-meter freestyle in 2:00.91. Romano was also fourth in the 50-meter backstroke in 30.28.

U.S. Olympic gold medalist Claire Donahue, 27, won the 100-meter butterfly in 58.86.

Kile Aukerman, 23, was third in the 100-meter breaststroke in a best time 1:03.75, shaving 0.45 off his previous best of 1:04.20.

SOFLO’s women’s 800-meter freestyle relay was third in 8:39.88 with Atkinson, Golding, Emiliana Pelaez and Heron. SOFLO’s men’s relay was fifth in 8:08.04 with Ervin Marin, Marc Rojas, Ryan Capote and Max Asnis.

The four-day meet, which has attracted 750 swimmers and 80 teams including Missy Franklin and Michael Andrew, continues on Saturday with prelims and finals.

FRIDAY RESULTS

COMBINED TEAM TOTALS: 1. SOFLO 520, 2. Colorado Stars 442, 3. Blue Dolfins 362, 4. Azura 360, 5. Gator Swim Club 356, 6. Seacoast Swimming 262, 7. Bluefish 226, 8. Swim Fort Lauderdale 225.5, 9. Arizona 141.5, 10. Colorado Springs 140.

WOMEN TEAM TOTALS: 1. SOFLO 272, 2. Colorado Stars 190, 3. Seacoast Swimming 182, 4. Gator Swim Club 169, 5. Blue Dolfins 111.

MEN TEAM TOTALS : 1. Azura Florida Aquatic Club 278, 2. SOFLO 188, 3. Blue Dolfins 145, 4. Colorado Stars 136, 5. Swim Fort Lauderdale 133.

WOMEN

200-meter freestyle:

1.Penny Oleksiak, Pine Crest 2:00.80, 2. Megan Romano, SOFLO 2:00.91, 3. Alena Kraus, MAC 2:02.72; SOFLO: 13. Alina Schulhofer 2:08.78.

100-meter breaststroke:

1.Alia Atkinson, SOFLO 1:07.82, 2. Monica Alvarez, SOFLO 1:13.96, 3. Alexis Divelbiss, Unattached 1:14.01; SOFLO: 5. Ksen Golovkina 1:15.34, 14. Kelley Heron 1:18.49, 26. Emiliana Pelaez 1:18.74, 28. Elise Larin 1:20.12.

50-meter backstroke:

1.Fernanda Gonzalez, STAR 29.14, 2. Missy Franklin, STAR 29.18, 3. Erin Voss, Unattached 29.43; SOFLO: 4. Megan Romano 30.28, 7. Carolina Colorado 31.16, 9. Kelley Heron 31.33, 11. Marcella Marinheiro 31.66.

100-meter butterfly:

1.Claire Donahue, SOFLO 58.86, 2. Penny Oleksiak, PCS 1:00.10, 3. Isabel Ivey, GSC 1:00.62; SOFLO: 9. Cataline Mendieta 1:03.89, 10. Carolina Colorado 1:03.93.

400-meter individual medley:

1.Isabel Ivey, GSC 4:51.55, 2. Kathleen Golding, SOFLO 4:53.68, 3. Allison Kopas, SFTL 5:02.05.

800-meter freestyle relay:

1.Colorado Stars 8:20.95, 2. Gator Swim Club 8:28.40, 3. SOFLO A 8:39.88 (Alia Atkinson, Kathleen Golding, Emiliana Pelaez, Kelley Heron).

MEN

200-meter freestyle:

1.Marcelo Acosta, Azura 1:52.39, 2. Eric Geunes, GSC 1:52.95, 3. Maxwell Miranda, ABF 1:53.47; SOFLO: 26. Max Asnis 2:00.88, 31. Ryan Capote 2:01.70.

100-meter breaststroke:

1.Richard Funk, PCS 1:01.61, 2. Michael Andrew, IS 1:02.10, 3. Kile Aukerman, SOFLO 1:03.75; SOFLO: 7. Marc Rojas 1:07.98.

50-meter backstroke:

1.Michael Andrew, IS 25.66, 2. Zachary Poti, BD 27.47, 3. Kevin Lindgren, MART 27.77; SOFLO: 24. Ryan Capote 30.79.

100-meter butterfly:

1.Zach Chetrat, Unattached 55.03, 2. Michael Andrew, IS 55.05, 3. Mason Wilby, GSC 56.98.

400-meter individual medley:

1. Marcelo Acosta, Azura 4:33.04, 2. Maxwell Miranda, ABF 4:35.03, 3. John Fulginiti, BD 4:38.55; SOFLO: 12. Rafael Rodriguez 4:53.11, 16. Max Asnis 4:56.07.

800-meter freestyle:

1. Azura 7:41.45, 2. Colorado Stars 7:55.80, 3. Swim Fort Lauderdale 7:56.15, 5. SOFLO A 8:08.04 (Ervin Marin, Marc Rojas, Ryan Capote, Max Asnis), 9. SOFLO B 8:14.46 (Ricardo Roche, Rafael Rodriguez, Sam Asnis, Kevin Porto).

IF YOU GO

What: Speedo Southern Zone Sectional Championships

When: Saturday-Sunday, prelims 9 a.m., finals 5 p.m.

Where: Plantation Aquatic Complex, 9151 NW Second St.

Admission: $5 per session, heat sheets $3. For information call 954-452-2526.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

SOFLO, Missy Franklin Head Field For Southern Zone Sectional Championships

By Sharon Robb

March 9, 2016—The Speedo Southern Zone Sectional Championships begin Thursday in Plantation with a star-studded lineup headed by four-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Missy Franklin.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s large contingent, including its ProFlo team, will be among a field of 750 swimmers and 80 teams at Plantation Aquatic Complex.

Franklin is coming off last weekend’s Arena Pro Swim Series meet in Orlando, where she swam her best in-season meet times in the 50-meter backstroke and 400-meter freestyle since 2013. This weekend she is entered in the 50 backstroke and 50, 100 and 400 freestyles.

Franklin, 20, is seeded first in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:14.33; first in the 100-meter freestyle in 53.43; and second in the 50 backstroke in 28.77.

SOFLO’s Megan Romano will race Franklin in the 50-meter backstroke where she is seeded fourth in 29.18 and 50-meter freestyle.

Romano, 25, competing in her first high profile meet since joining SOFLO, is entered in five events. She withdrew from the Orlando meet, opting instead to train with SOFLO coach Chris Anderson.

Romano, a former world champion, is seeded first in the 200-meter freestyle (1:58.99) among 131 swimmers. She will also swim the 50 and 100 freestyles and 100-meter backstroke.

SOFLO’s three-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson, 27, is entered in six events. She is seeded first in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:05.93), 50-meter breaststroke in 30.11 and 200-meter breaststroke in 2:25.48.

U.S. Olympic relay gold medalist Claire Donahue, 27 is entered in four events. She is seeded first in the 100-meter butterfly in 58.03 and 50-meter butterfly in 26.09.

Alina Schulhofer is entered in the 50 butterfly and freestyle and 200 freestyle.

Colombian two-time Olympian Carolina Colorado, 28, is swimming five events. She is seeded second in the 100-meter backstroke in 1:01.06; third in the 200-meter backstroke; third in the 50-meter backstroke in 29.00 and fourth in the 100-meter butterfly in 1:00.48

Kile Aukerman, 23, is entered in three events and seeded third in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:22.57 and fourth in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:04.20.

Teenager Michael Andrew, a pro and national age group record holder in several events, heads the men’s field after a poor Orlando meet. He is entered in eight events.

SOFLO is top seed in the women’s 200-meter medley relay. Franklin’s club team Colorado Stars and SOFLO are seeded first and second in the 200-meter freestyle relay.

Other ProFlo swimmers competing are newcomer Monica Alvarez, three events; Bermuda national record holder Lisa Blackburn, three events; Ksen Golovkina, three events; Catalina Mendieta, five events; and Santago Rivera, four events

Canadian sprinters Chantal van Landeghem and Sandrine Mainville, who train at Pine Crest, are also entered.

Other top SOFLO swimmers competing are:

Kathleen Golding, 15, entered in six events, is seeded second in the 200-meter individual medley and second in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:55.80.

Jessica Rodriguez, 17, entered in three events, is seeded third in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:36.88 and fifth in the 50 breaststroke in 35.02.

Marc Rojas, 22, returns to competing for SOFLO unattached in the 100-meter breaststroke. He is seeded eighth in 1:04.86.

Rounding out the contingent are Max Asnis, six events; Sam Asnis, five events; Tyler Bland, four events; Ryan Capote, six events; Isabella Di Salvo, four events; Juan Diaz, six events; Esteban Diaz-Velasco, five events; Tyler Gibson, three events; Kelley Heron, six events; Elise Larin, four events; Luke Lezotte, two events; Ervin Marin, three events; Marcella Marinheiro, two events; Leonardo Mateus, five events; Matthew Menocal, three events; Stephanie Mlujeak, four events; Abby Oyetunji, four events; Emiliana Pelaez, six events; Kevin Porto, three events; Samuel Quintero, six events; Ricardo Roche, six events; Rafael Rodriguez, five events; Juan Serna, three events; Carly Swanson, six events; and Alejandro Zambrano, three events.

Rodriguez, 14, one of the youngest swimmers in the meet, is seeded third in the 800-meter freestyle in 8:44.12. Rodriguez is one of six SOFLO swimmers seeded among the Top 10. The others are Max Asnis, Sam Asnis, Ricardo Roche, Juan Diaz and Leonardo Mateus.

SOFLO also has 24 relays entered, the most ever for a high profile meet.

IF YOU GO

What: Speedo Southern Zone Sectional Championships

When: Thursday-Sunday

Schedule: Thursday, 5 p.m. timed finals; Friday-Sunday, prelims 9 a.m., finals 5 p.m.

Where: Plantation Aquatic Complex, 9151 NW Second St.

Admission: $5 per session, heat sheets $3. For information call 954-452-2526.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

SOFLO’s Kathleen Golding Makes Impressive BCAA Championships Debut; Cypress Bay, St. Thomas Aquinas Win Team Titles

By Sharon Robb

October 11, 2015—Kathleen Golding is making a lasting impression in her first year of high school swimming.

The Cooper City High School freshman, who has already qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, won two events and broke a meet record in her debut at the Broward County Athletic Association Swimming and Diving Championships Saturday at the Plantation Aquatic Complex.

Golding, who turned 15 on Sunday, won the 200-yard individual medley in a season-best and county-leading 2:06.86. In her final individual event of the night, Golding won the 100-yard butterfly breaking a nine-year-old meet record in 56.80, another season-best and county-leading time.

The previous butterfly record was 57.30 set by Ileana Lucos of Cypress Bay in 2006.

Golding, who is undefeated in high school swimming, was neither shaved or tapered for the daylong meet.

“The 100 fly was my last individual race and it was the last time I swam it as a 14-year-old so I wanted to give it my all,” Golding said. “It was so much fun to swim it.”

Golding led her team to a Top 10 finish, with the Cowboys placing sixth with 194 points. She also led off the Cowboys’ third-place 200-yard medley relay that finished in 1:56.69 with teammates Solana Capalbo, Natasha Testa and Jordan Cook and fourth place 400-yard freestyle relay that was fourth in 3:52.96 with teammates Kalene Kennedy, Testa and Capalbo.

“I really didn’t think I was going to do that well,” Golding said. “I thought I would probably win but not being tapered I didn’t think my times would be so good. I wanted to get the 200 IM record since it’s my best event but it didn’t happen.”

Golding is enjoying the best year of her young swimming career. She already has a U.S. Olympic Trials cut time in the 200-meter individual medley in a lifetime-best 2:18.67. The gymnast-turned-swimmer has been training with the South Florida Aquatic Club since her family moved to Florida and has been blossoming ever since. She is one of three swimming siblings in her family. Her mom swam at Acadia University in Canada and her dad is a top swim official.

“I love Florida, there is really good swimming here,” Golding said. “When I was 8, my goal was to go to the Olympics. It’s always been my goal. Now that we moved down here, it’s starting to become a reality.”

Golding has districts and regions where she hopes to qualify for her first state meet. If she wins a state title, she would be the first Cooper City freshman to win.

“I really like high school swimming and my teammates,” Golding said. “It’s more laidback. It’s more about having fun and it is really, really fun.

“If I don’t win states I won’t be too upset, but obviously I would love to win as a freshman. I know that’s really hard for a freshman. That would be super cool for my school. They have never had a state finalist.”

SOFLO teammates Kelley Heron of Pembroke Pines Charter was third in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:01.42, matching her season-best. Ryan Capote of Pembroke Pines Charter was second in the 50-yard freestyle in a season-best 21.86 and third in the 100-yard freestyle in a season-best 48.00. Pembroke Pines Charter boys team, coached by SOFLO coach Rose Lockie, was fourth with 324.5 points.

Cypress Bay boys and St. Thomas Aquinas girls won the team titles. Cypress Bay won with 517.50 points and St. Thomas Aquinas was runner-up with 426 points.

St. Thomas Aquinas, the underdog going in, won another title with 499.50 points. The Raiders picked up key points by winning the 200-yard medley relay in 1:53.12 and 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:44.88 with the same foursome of Samantha Stinemire, Natalya Wozab, Quinn Connor and Sarah Asseraf. The Raiders edged Cypress Bay, runner-up with 477, for the second consecutive year.

On a big night for parity in high school swimming, six meet records were broken.

Raphael Marcoux of Fort Lauderdale won four events and broke three records. The Harvard-bound senior won the 50-yard freestyle in 21.02 and 100-yard freestyle in a record 45.78. He was also a member of two record-breaking relays. He finished with 10 career titles over three years at the BCAA meet.

Fort Lauderdale High boys team broke two relay records in the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays in 1:25.68 and 3:11.02 respectively with Raphael Marcoux, James Dika, Tyler Zuyus and Philippe Marcoux.

“I am so proud of them,” said Flying L’s coach Debbie Cavanaugh. “Both our boys and girls finished third overall. I couldn’t ask for a better group of young athletes.”

Marco Guarente, who competes internationally for Venezuela, was a double winner with two meet records. Guarente won the 200-yard individual medley in 1:52.75 and 100-yard breaststroke in 56.57.

Senior Andrea van den Berg of Cypress Bay, who also competes internationally for Aruba, was a double winner in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events in season-bests 1:57.63 and 5:13.16.

Fort Lauderdale senior Fatimah Westbrook also won two events in the 50-yard freestyle in 24.18 and 100-yard breaststroke in 1:07.80.

Logan Downey of South Plantation won the boys 1-meter diving title with 370.90 points. Karlee Price of St. Thomas Aquinas won the girls title with 304.70 points. It was the third BCAA title for each of the two-time state champions.

GIRLS TEAM TOTALS

1.St. Thomas Aquinas 499.5, 2. Cypress Bay 477, 3. Fort Lauderdale 364, 4. Cardinal Gibbons 240, 5. Pompano Beach 219, 6. Cooper City 194, 7. Nova 188, 8. Coral Glades 182, 9. Deerfield Beach 141, 10. Taravella 137.5.

GIRLS RESULTS

200-yard medley relay: 1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Samantha Stinemire, Natalya Wozab, Quinn Connor, Sarah Asseraf) 1:53.12, 2. Cardinal Gibbons 1:56.23, 3. Cooper City 1:56.69.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Andrea van den Berg, CB 1:57.63, 2. Cameron Thomas, WES 1:58.39, 3. Kelly Gest, CG 2:00.24.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Kathleen Golding, CC 2:06.86, 2. Megan Schimansky, CGL 2:14.54, 3. Sarah Asseraf, STA 2:15.15.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Fatimah Westbrook, FTL 24.56, 2. Courtney Stewart, PB 24.63, 3. Allora Williams, PHS 24.64.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Kathleen Golding, CC 56.80, 2. Racine Ross, HH 59.66, 3. Sarah Asseraf, STA 1:00.27.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Courtney Stewart, PB 53.85, 2. Emiliana Pelaez, CB 54.21, 3. Kelly Gest, CG 55.49.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Andrea van den Berg, CB 5:13.16, 2. Marianna Serrao, CB 5:18.64, 3. Julianna Russell, CG 5:25.42.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Quinn Connor, Sarah Asseraf, Carly Hyman, Emily Puia) 1:44.88, 2. Cypress Bay 1:44.93, 3. Fort Lauderdale 1:45.41.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Megan Schimansky, CGL 59.77, 2. Samantha Stinemire, STA 1:01.02, 3. Kelley Heron, PPC 1:01.42.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Fatimah Westbrook, FTL 1:07.80, 2. Savannah Yates, CG 1:08.76, 3. Daniela Kim, CB 1:10.46.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Cypress Bay (Savannah Yates, Julianna Russell, Brooke Gest, Kelly Gest) 3:48.64, 2. St. Thomas Aquinas 3:45.89, 3. Cypress Bay 3:48.64.

1-meter springboard diving: 1. Karlee Price, STA 304.70, 2. Carolyn Ehrlich, PB 224.55, 3. Leanne Sheffer, SP 222.85.

BOYS TEAM TOTALS

1.Cypress Bay 517.5, 2. St. Thomas Aquinas 426., 3. Fort Lauderdale 422, 4. Pembroke Pines Charter 324.5, 5. Pompano Beach 236, 6. Monarch 199, 7. Douglas 185, 8. West Broward 143, 9. Western 128, 10. Cooper City 113.

BOYS RESULTS

200-yard medley relay: 1. Cypress Bay (Eduardo Pineiro-Barros, Jonathan Strod, Carlos Gallego, Luiz Renato Freire) 1:45.02, 2. Pompano Beach 1:45.07, 3. Pembroke Pines Charter 1:45.21.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Tyler Zuyus, FTL 1:43.13, 2. Andres Lares, PPC 1:44.48, 3. Padraic Cassidy, STA 1:45.57.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Marco Guarente, CB 1:52.75, 2. James Dika, FTL 2:00.90, 3. Eric Veit, CB 2:01.91.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Raphael Marcoux, FTL 21.02, 2. Ryan Capote, PPC 21.86, 3. Kearn Kurbanali, STA 22.57.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Carlos Gallego, CB 53.94, 2. Daniel Lobaton, CC 54.28, 3. Quinn Roth, MHS 54.37.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Raphael Marcoux, FTL 45.78, 2. Philippe Marcoux, FTL 46.36, 3. Ryan Capote, PPH 48.00.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Padraic Cassidy, STA 4:44.27, 2. Eduardo Pineiro-Barros, CB 4:45.56, 3. James Dika, FTL 4:49.41.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Fort Lauderdale (Philippe Marcoux, Tyler Zuyus, James Dika, Raphael Marcoux) 1:26.84, 2. Cypress Bay 1:28.49, 3. St. Thomas Aquinas 1:31.48.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Philippe Marcoux, FTL 52.74, 2. Andres Lares, PPC 53.66, 3. Tyler Zuyus, FTL 54.75.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Marco Guarente, CB 56.57, 2. Victor Fajer, WH 1:01.62, 3. Eric Veit, CB 1:02.00.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Fort Lauderdale (Philippe Marcoux, James Dika, Tyler Zuyus, Raphael Marcoux) 3:11.02, 2. Cypress Bay 3:12.24, 3. St. Thomas Aquinas 3:22.55.

1-meter springboard diving; 1. Logan Downey, SP 370.90, 2. Zach Allen, CG 319.75, 3. Sky Geovanni, FTL 253.70.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com