By Sharon Robb
PEMBROKE PINES, November 24, 2020—For the second consecutive year, South Florida Aquatic Club, the largest and one of the most diverse clubs in the Florida Gold Coast, was awarded USA Swimming’s Silver Medal National Club Excellence Award for 2021.
Until last year, SOFLO had been a Bronze Medal club eight years (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), but had never earned a silver medal until last year.
SOFLO’s first year of existence was 2011 after starting out as the Comets. The club is currently celebrating its 20th year of existence.
The club excellence award program, now in its 21st year, is divided into gold, silver and bronze divisions. The rankings only include 18-and-under swimmers eliminating most pro and college swimmers.
The Top-20 clubs earn Gold level ranking and those rated 21-100 are designated as Silver honorees. The next 100 clubs are recognized at the Bronze level.
The rankings give points scores based on a power point rating system that gives swim points based on how fast it is relative to a swimmer’s age.
The focus of the USA Swimming voluntary program is to identify and reward up to 200 USA Swimming-sanctioned clubs that have attained a high level of athlete performance.
The program strives to meet the following initiatives:
Promote the development of strong, well-rounded age group and senior swimming programs that produce elite 18-and-under athletes.
Provide recognition and resources to motivate and assist member clubs to strive for the highest ideals of athlete performances.
SOFLO earned 4,296 rating points and is one of two Florida Gold Coast clubs (Eagle Aquatics is the other) and one of seven Florida teams (Sarasota Tsunami, Swim Florida, Gator Swim Club, Episcopal Amberjax and Bolles).
Among Bronze Medal Florida clubs are Pine Crest Swimming, St. Petersburg Aquatics, T2 Aquatics, Flood Aquatics Swim Team (FAST), Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club, St. Andrew’s Swimming and Tampa Bay Aquatic Club.
Only gold and silver level clubs are provided grant funding.
Nation’s Capital Swim Club of the Washington, D.C. area won its seventh consecutive Club Excellence title. Nation’s Capital totaled 71,900 finishing ahead of Gold level club SwimMAC Carolina (47,489) and Dynamo Swim Club (34,552). Only one Florida team made the Top 20, Sarasota Sharks with 26,120 points.
Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
http://www.swim4soflo.com
South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog 