SWIMMING – South Florida Aquatic Club's Blog

Sarasota Riverview Girls, Sarasota Boys Repeat As State 4A Champions; Diver James Boardman Lone Broward State Champion

By Sharon Robb
STUART, November 5, 2022–Sarasota Riverview and Sarasota High defended their team titles at the FHSAA State 4A Swimming and Diving Championships Saturday at Sailfish Splash Waterpark.

Riverview won its second girls’ team title since 2013 with 387. Oviedo was runner-up with 232. Cypress Bay was the top Broward girls team placing fifth with 114 points.

Sarasota won its third consecutive title with 265 points. Two years ago Sarasota won the 3A title but since has been bumped up to 4A. Fort Lauderdale was the top boys finisher placing 15th with 48 points.

Fort Lauderdale sophomore James Boardman captured the boys’ 1-meter diving title with 494.70 points ahead of runnerup Jack Sparks with 487.30 to earn Broward County’s only state champion title.

Taravella’s Mason Green was third in the 100-yard butterfly in 49.90.

Cypress Bay’s top event was the girls 200-yard medley relay where the Lightning finished third in 1:48.00 with Nicole Bellardi, Ana Villamil, Gabriella DeLuna and Mariana Cote. Villamil was also seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:05.13.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s 4A qualifiers were: Carley Kaplan of West Broward, Gabriella DeLuna and Ana Villamil of Cypress Bay, Hashan Ekanayake of Western and Ivan Grass of Miami Palmetto.

GIRLS TEAM SCORES

Sarasota Riverview 387, 2. Oviedo 232, 3. Windemere 231, 4. West Orange 154, 5. Cypress Bay 114, 6. Winter Park 103, 7. Boone 95, 8. George Steinbrenner 93, 9. Venice 83, 10. Lake Brantley 82, 15. Fort Lauderdale 56, 22. Braddock 22, 29. Douglas 15, 35. South Broward 8, 38. West Broward 5.

GIRLS RESULTS
1-meter diving: 1. Antonia Harned, WM 495.55, 2. Lanie Gutch, BOON 485.20, 3. Lauren French, WOR 415.85, 5. Hayden Ferenc, FTL 398.70, 8. Sophia Cavaretta, FTL 368.65, 10. Catherine Kilroy, FTL 360.75, 22. Ginger Boardman, FTL 142.20.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Sarasota Riverview 1:42.04 (Taylor Schwenk, Gracie Weyant, Addison Sauickie, Bailey O’Reagan), 2. Windemere 1:42.23, 3. Cypress Bay 1:48.00 (Nicole Bellardi, Ana Villamil, Gabriella DeLuna, Mariana Cote), 13. Douglas 1:51.68.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Addison Sauickie, SR 1:45.38, 2. Carinn Bethea, GU 1:48.96, 3. Addison Reese, WM 1:49.05, 10. Mariana Cote, CB 1:53.63.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Gracie Weyant, SR 1:58.66, 2. Bailey O’Reagan, SR 2:02.18, 3. Riley Leach, SR 2:02.61, 16. Nicole Bellardi, CB 2:12.35.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Sarah Beth Cathcart, OV 23.09, 2. Kaylin Herbet, OV 23.23, 3. Maeve Eckerman, VEN 23.33, 5. Tawannah McLemore, FTL 23.51.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Bella Answeeney, GEO 53.75, 2. Addison Reese, WM 53.79, 3. Sofia Jorge, FERG 54.96, 15. Samira Zambrano, CB 58.24.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Addison Sauickie, SR 49.03, 2. Kaylin Herbert, OV 50.28, 3. Sarah Beth Cathcart, OV 50.59, 11. Tawannah McLemore, FTL 52.91, 12. Carley Kaplan, WB 52.95, 14. Brianna Hernandez, SB 53.73.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Bailey O’Reagan. SR 4:49.28, 2. Lauren Milbaum, SR 4:52.43, 3. Marin Rose, OV 4:54.47, 5. Mariana Cote, CB 4:58.41.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Windemere 1:33.78 (Addison Reese, Hollace Stokes, Maddie Reynolds, Brooke Larweth), 2. Oviedo 1:35.62, 3. West Orange 1:36.49, 9. Cypress Bay 1:39.75 (Ana Villamil, Daniela Ortiz, Natalia Ortiz, Samira Zambrano).

100-yard backstroke: 1. Maeve Eckerman, VEN 54.65, 2. Bella Answeeney, GEO 55.84, 3. Taylor Schwenk, SR 56.20, 10. Carolyn Levy-Powell, DOUG 58.55, 15. Nicol Bellardi, CB 59.70.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Gracie Weyant, SR 1:01.68, 2. Ekaterina Baranova, ALON 1:02.56, 3. Riley Leach, SR 1:03.19, 7. Ana Villamil, CB1:05.13, 12. Brianna Hernandez, SB 1:06.27.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Sarasota Riverview 3:22.22, 2. Oviedo 3:26.98, 3. West Orange 3:28.95, 6. Cypress Bay 3:33.98 (Samira Zambrano, Natalia Ortiz, Nicol Bellardi, Mariana Cote), 15. Fort Lauderdale 3:49.74, Douglas, DQ.

BOYS TEAM SCORES

Sarasota 265, 2. Braddock 212, 3. Bartram Trail 147, 4. tie, Oviedo and Venice 138, 6. Boca Raton 130, 7. Lake Brantley 118, 8. Windermere 107, 9. Miami Beach 105.5, 10. George Steinbrenner 75, 15. Fort Lauderdale 48, 22. Taravella 27, 26. Miami Palmetto 19, 28. Coral Glades 11, 33. South Broward 5, 34. Western 2, 38. Deerfield Beach 1.

BOYS RESULTS
1-meter diving: 1. James Boardman, FTL 494.70, 2. Jack Sparks, FROR 487.30, 3. Trevor Kuhn, PHAR 437.00, 14. Josiah Richardson, FLAN 227.50.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Sarasota 1:32.91 (Evan Keogh, Liam Henry, Ethan Ooi, Luca Simon), 2. Lake Brantley 1:33.08, 3. Braddock 1:33.68, 9. Fort Lauderdale 1:38.04, 16. Taravella 1:43.44.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Jacob Hamlin, BOON 1:36.29, 2. Raymond Prosinski, BATR 1:37.86, 3. Ryan Erisman, WM 1:38.07, 8. Sean Doyle, CGL 1:43.06, 9. Mason Green, TAR 1:43.16.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Amadeusz Knop, VEN 1:48.81, 2. Luca Oliva, OV 1:49.11, 3. Michael Kent, NPRT 1:51.82, Makar Goncharov, FTL, DQ.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Marcoaurelio Lopez-Casula, MB 20.65, 2. Jack Stokvis, GUCO 20.67, 3. Leif Bouwman, JUP 20.80, 16. Brian Bencie, DB 22.00.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Liam Henry, SARA 48.61, 2. Nathan Puchalski, SHR 49.86, 3. Mason Green, TAR 49.90.

100-yard freestyle: 1. George Gonzalez, BRAD 45.25, 2. Gregory Nordheim, BR 45.52, 3. Seth Basinger, LB 45.61.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Jacob Hamlin, BOON 4:22.04, 2. Ryan Erisman, WM 4:23.39, 3. Luca Oliva, OV 4:29.00, 15. Hashan Ekanayake, WES 4:45.63, 16. Ivan Grass, MP 4:45.94.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Boca Raton 1:24.28 (Marcus Johnson, Kevin Melo, Lucas Bailey, Gregory Nordheim), 2. Bartram 1:24.57, 3. Sarasota 1:24.96, 6. Braddock 1:26.95, 7. Fort Lauderdale 1:27.14.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Amadeusz Knop, VEN 49.06, 2. Nicholas Cecchi, WOR 49.36, 3. Evan Keough, SARA 49.56, 12. Jackson Wampler, SB 52.63.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Liam Henry, SARA 55.00, 2. George Gonzalez, BRAD 55.92, 3. Denzhel Tuliao, LB 56.44, 11. Makar Goncharov, FTL 58.97.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Braddock 3:05.26 (George Gonzalez, Anthony Pineiro, Marcelo Mansur, Dylan Ferguson), 2. Venice 3:06.74, 3. Miami Beach 3:07.50.

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

Cypress Bay Girls, Braddock Boys Win Region 4-4A Team Titles; Flying Ls Divers Cavaretta, Boardman Win; Villamil, Kaplan, DeLuna Top SOFLO Finishers

By SHARON ROBB

BOCA RATON—Cypress Bay girls and Holmes Braddock boys won the team titles at the Region 4-4A Swimming and Diving Championships at Boca Raton Aquatic Center.

Cypress Bay, buoyed by three relay wins and double winner Mariana Cote, won the girls crown with 404.5 points. Fort Lauderdale was runner-up with 246.

Holmes Braddock, led by three relay wins and five individual wins including double winners George Gonzalez and Marcelo Mansur, captured the boys team title with 330 points followed by Miami Beach with 245 and Fort Lauderdale was third with 208.

For the second week in a row, Fort Lauderdale divers Sophia Cavaretta and James Boardman won the 1-meter springboard titles after winning last wek’s district titles.

Cavaretta, a freshman, won the girls title with 461.50 points for her second major title. The Flying Ls swept the top four girls spots. Boardman, a sophomore, won the boys title with 530.05.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s Ana Villamil, Carley Kaplan and Gabriella DeLuna were South Florida Aquatic Club’s top finishers.

Villamil of Cypress Bay was a member of two winning relays, the 200-yard medley relay (1:49.53) and 200-yard freestyle relay (1:40.77). She was also second in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:05.93.

DeLuna was a member of the winning 200-yard medley relay. She was also third in the 100-yard butterfly in 58.09.

Kaplan of West Broward was third in the 50-yard freestyle in 24.74.

Fort Lauderdale’s Tawannah McLemore was a double winner in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.50, an All-American consideration time, and 100-yard freestyle in 52.41.

Cote was a double winner in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:53.54 and 500-yard freestyle in 4:57.81.

The only Broward boys winners were Fort Lauderdale’s Makar Goncharov in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:56.70 and Mason Green of Taravella in the 100-yard butterfly in 50.23.

The FHSAA State 4A meet is Saturday, Nov. 5 at Sailfish Splash Waterpark in Stuart. The state qualifiers and psych sheet will be posted at fhsaa.org after the completion of all region meets around the state.

GIRLS TEAM SCORES

Cypress Bay 404.5, 2. Fort Lauderdale 246, 3. Douglas 225, 4. Doral 172, 5. West Broward 135, 6. Braddock 125, 7. Ferguson 124, 8. Western 119, 9. South Broward 103, 10. Coral Glades 81, 11. Cooper City 73, 12. Coral Reef 71.5, 13. Hialeah Gardens 71, 14. Miami Palmetto 68, 15. Miami Beach 54, 16. Goleman 53, 17. Taravella 44, 18. Monarch 35, 19. Miami Southwest 20, 20. Coral Gables 19, 21. Nova 18.

GIRLS RESULTS
1-meter diving: 1. Sophia Cavaretta, FTL 461.50, 2. Hayden Ferenc, FTL 444.35, 3. Catherine Kilroy, FTL 406.80, 4. Ginger Boardman, FTL 401.35.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Cypress Bay 1:49.53 (Nicol Bellardi, Ana Villamil, Gabriella DeLuna, Mariana Cote), 2. Douglas 1:51.21, 3. Doral 1:58.19.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Mariana Cote, CB 1:53.54, 2. Samira Zambrano, CB 1:57.21, 3. Erika Duardo, GOLE 1:58.60.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Paola Gonzalez, BRAD 2:07.75, 2. Nicol Bellardi, CB 2:08.05, 3. Adriana Roldan, FERG 2:08.14.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Tawannah McLemore, FTL 23.50, AA-C, 2. Sofia Jorge, FERG 24.02, 3. Carley Kaplan, WB 24.74.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Sofia Jorge, FERG 56.28, 2. Casey Perez, HG 57.87, 3. Gabriella De Luna, CB 58.09.

100-yard freestyle: 1. Tawannah McLemore, FTL 52.41, 2. Cassia Flynn CGL 53.76, 3. Brianna Hernandez, WB 53.95.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Mariana Cote, CB 4:57.81, 2. Katherine Voet, FTL 5:11.42, 3. Daniella Balkcom, DOUG 5:16.26.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Cypress Bay 1:40.77 (Ana Villamil, Natalia Ortiz, Daniela Ortiz, Samira Zambrano), 2. West Broward 1:43.94 (Gabriela Avila, Anjana Andapally, Kayla Diaz, Carley Kaplan), 3. Ferguson 1:46.21.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Carolyn Levy-Powell, DOUG 57.78, 2. Nicol Bellardi, CB 58.32, 3. Ainnara Lzzaro, DOR 59.39.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Paola Gonzalez, BRAD 1:05.43, 2. Anna Villamil, CB 1:05.93, 3. Brianna Hernandez, SB 1:06.52.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Cypress Bay 3:37.36 (Samira Zambrano, Natalia Ortiz, Nicol Bellardi, Mariana Cote), 2. Douglas 3:44.15, 3. Fort Lauderdale 3:44.75.

BOYS TEAM SCORES

Braddock 330, 2. Miami Beach 245, 3. Fort Lauderdale 208, 4. Doral 183.5, 5. Taravella 156.5, 6. Miami Palmetto 149, 7. Douglas 134, 8. Coral Reef 122, 9. Columbus 99.5, 10. Cypress Bay 95.5, 11. Western 92, 12. Cooper City 61, 13. Coral Glades 52, 14. Monarch 49, 15. Krop 40, 16. tie, South Broward 34 and Deerfield Beach 34, 18. Ferguson 27, 19. Coral Gables 19, 20. tie, Flanagan 17 and Goleman, 17, 22. Miami Senior 16, 23. Miami Southwest 13, 24. West Broward 7, 25. Hialeah Gardens 4, 26. Nova 2.

BOYS RESULTS
1-meter diving: 1. James Boardman, FTL 530.05, 2. Josiash Richardson, FLAN 291.10.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Braddock 1:34.65, AA-C (Dylan Ferguson, George Gonzalez, Anthony Pineiro, Juan Abella), 2. Miami Beach 1:37.05, 3. Taravella 1:37.34.

200-yard freestyle: 1. Marcelo Mansur, BRAD 1:42.32, 2. Mason Green, TAR 1:42.55, 3. Sean Doyle, CGL 1:42.97.

200-yard individual medley: 1. Makar Goncharov, FTL 1:56.70, 2. Robert Alvarez, BRAD 1:58.18, 3. Michael Baltodano, MB 2:00.76.

50-yard freestyle: 1. Marcoaurelio Lopez-Casula, MB 21.19, 2. Peyton Selts, MP 21.48, 3. Miles Green, TARA 21.69.

100-yard butterfly: 1. Mason Green, TA 50.23, 2. Anthony Pineiro, BRAD 51.32, 3. Andy Serrano-Pena, MB 51.62.

100-yard freestyle: 1. George Gonzalez, BRAD 45.99, 2. Marcoaurelio Lopez-Casula, MB 46.94, 3. Brian Bencie, DB 47.83.

500-yard freestyle: 1. Marcelo Mansur, BRAD 4:39.04, 2. Dylan Ferguson, BRAD 4:41.02, 3. Mathias Esteves, CR 4:44.47.

200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Braddock 1:27.42 (Juan Abella, Marcelo Mansur, Robert Alvarez, Dylan Ferguson), 2. Taravella 1:27.52, 3. Fort Lauderdale 1:29.28.

100-yard backstroke: 1. Anthony Pineiro, BRAD 51.54, 2. Tomas Fermin, MB 52.59, 3. Andy Serrano-Pena, MB 53.55.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. George Gonzalez, BRAD 57.30, 2. Makar Goncharov, FTL 58.90, 3. Brayden Spalluto, MON 59.41.

400-yard freestyle relay: 1. Braddock 3:06.68, AA-C (George Gonzalez, Anthony Pineiro, Marcelo Mansur, Dylan Ferguson), 2. Miami Beach 3:10.70, 3. Douglas 3:20.40.

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

SOFLO’s Jennifer Martin Golden Girl At U.S. Police & Fire Championships

By Sharon Robb
SAN DIEGO, Calif., June 15, 2022—Jennifer Martin showed no signs of slowing down at the 55th annual United States Police & Fire Championships.

The City of Pembroke Pines Police Sargeant assigned to the Traffic Unit won all nine of her swimming events in the 40-44 age group and broke four USPFC records including one that stood for 22 years on June 11th at Mesa College Aquatic Complex.

Over four years (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), Martin has won 36 gold medals and broken 14 records. In 2020, the meet was cancelled because of the pandemic.

During the one-day swimming competition, Martin, a former South Florida Aquatic Club coach, won the 100 breaststroke in a record 1:14.66, breaking a 22-year-old USPFC record by nearly nine seconds that was 1:23.79 set in 2000.

Her other gold-medal swims were:

50 breaststroke, 33.26.

200 women’s freestyle relay 30-plus, 1:52.76, breaking the USPFC record of 2:00.78 set in 2018. Her relay teammates were Marcela Reuda, Carrie Nordyke and Tesla Hughes.

50 freestyle, 25.19.

50 butterfly, 28.41.

200 women’s medley relay 30-plus, 2:08.43, breaking the USPFC record of 2:19.25 set in 2018. Reuda, Nordyke and Hughes were relay teammates.

200 women’s mixed freestyle relay 18-plus, 1:58.81 with Reuda, Nordyke and Robert Daltorio.

50 backstroke, 30.72, breaking her own 2021 record of 31.07.

200 mixed medley relay, 2:22.46, with Reuda, Nordyke and Daltorio.

“Overall, a pretty good day as far as my times,” Martin wrote on her Facebook page. “The old lady, who apparently needs to take a step back, still had a 25.1, 50 free left in her after swimming nine events in three hours. Blessed that my body has held up as long as it has and that I have been able to maintain consistency for the past 20 years.”

As if that wasn’t enough, she also competed in the indoor rowing event two days later at Four Points Sheridan in San Diego. Martin learned the finer points of rowing from YouTube tutorials.

Martin won four gold medals and broke two USPFC records.

Martin won the 2000-meters race in 8:15.2, breaking the USPFC record of 9:09.1 set in from 2016. She also won the 500-meter race in 1:147.2.

She teamed with Reuda to win the 1000-meter doubles in 1:55.5, breaking the previous record 1:56.5.

Martin also won the 1000-meter mixed doubles in 1:51.0 with teammate and boyfriend Chance O’Quinn, a retired fireman from Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue.

“The best part is when your boyfriend registers last minute to team up with you for the mixed 1000 meters and you take the gold. Best gold medal I’ve ever won!” Martin said.

Martin, wearing her USA swim cap while racing, was also the poster girl for the swimming event on the event’s website promoting the USPFC.

The United States Police & Fire Championships, presented by Bio-One Crime & Trauma Scene Cleaning, is an Olympic-style competition with athletes representing law enforcement, firefighters and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigration and customs from across the country.

It began in 1967 as the California Police Olympics, in 1990 was the California Police Summer Games, in 2000 was the California Police and Fire Games, and since 2012 has been known as the U.S. Police and Fire Championships.

The California Police Athletic Federation is the governing body for the U.S. Police & Fire Championships. Its mission is to promote sport and physical fitness among personnel representing various agencies. More than 2,800 athletes are competing in 40 various sports at 30 venues around San Diego County June 11-19.

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

SOFLO’s Jennifer Martin Wins Nine Gold Medals, Breaks Five Records At U.S. Police & Fire Championships

By Sharon Robb
SAN DIEGO, June 19, 2021—After the meet was cancelled last year because of the pandemic, Jennifer Martin was eager to get back to the United States Police & Fire Championships.

The City of Pembroke Pines Police Sergeant assigned to the Traffic Unit more than made up for lost time on Saturday capturing nine gold medals and five new records, including breaking three 20-year-old records at the Salvation Army Kroc Center.

In the last three U.S. Police & Fire Games meets, she has won 27 gold medals and broken ten records.

On Saturday, Martin, 40, won five gold medals in individual events and four on relays in the 40-49 age group.

Her individual medals were:

50-yard breaststroke in 32.13, previous record 37.17 from 2000 by E. Wimer.

50-yard freestyle in 24.53, previous record 27.10 from 2000 by E. Wimer.

50-yard butterfly 27.87, previous record 30.74 from 2004 by O. Moore.

100-yard freestyle 57.32, previous record 1:01.99 by E. Wimer 2000.

50-yard backstroke 31.07, previous record 34.66 from 2009 by K.Clifford.

Her relay medals were:

Mixed 200-yard Medley Relay, 2:25.32 new record, no previous record. Teammates Carrie Nordyke, Jennifer Valosek and Jim Schiller.

Women 200-yard Medley Relay 2:29.18, Teammates Carrie Nordyke, Jennifer Valosek and Marcela Rueda.

Women 200-yard Freestyle Relay 2:10.62, Teammates Carrie Nordyke, Jennifer Valosek and Marcela Rueda.

Mixed 200-yard Freestyle Relay 1:58.06, Teammates Carrie Nordyke, Jennifer Valosek and Jim Schiller.

The eight-day United States Police & Fire Championships is an Olympic-style competition with athletes representing law enforcement, firefighters and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigration and customs from across the country.

The Championships started June 10 with athletes competing in 50 different sports at 35 venues. It ends on Monday.

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

FHSAA Tables Varsity Rule Change Against Middle School Students

By Sharon Robb
GAINESVILLE, June 9, 2021—Middle school students will continue to compete on high school varsity sports teams after a proposal was tabled at the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Board of Directors fifth and final regularly scheduled meeting of the 2020-21 school year Tuesday at FHSAA headquarters.

A rule change proposed by Merritt Island Athletic Director Jeff McLean seeking to prevent student-athletes in grades six through eighth grades from participating on varsity teams starting with the 2023-24 school year.

The Board of Directors elected not to vote on the item. The proposal will probably go through careful examination by FHSAA committees.

If approved, the rule change will have major implications on Broward and Miami-Dade schools including Pembroke Pines Charter.

Several ADs from private schools do not agree with the proposal. The issue of middle school students competing in varsity sports has been brought up before in past years. Public schools are not as affected as the private and charter schools which have smaller high school enrollments and do not have access to hundreds of students.

The proposal is partially based on injury reduction as a positive result of banning middle school students from varsity programs. However, few middle school students play football where injuries do occur. It’s the non-contact sports such as swimming, tennis and golf that have a majority of seventh and eighth graders competing.

Schools with grades six through 12 that have 100 to 200 students in their high school rely on middle school students for their non-contact sports to maintain the programs.

In other FHSAA business, the Board approved the current financial statements and 2021-22 tentative budgets for FHSAA, Inc. and FHSAA Land Corporation.

As is customary during the June Board Meeting, the board reviewed and approved recommendations for applying, current and new member schools. The following schools were welcomed as new full members of the FHSAA to begin the 2021-22 school year: First Baptist (Bunnell), First Baptist (Jacksonville), Franklin Academy (Pembroke Pines) and True North (Miami).

The Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on September 26-27, 2021 for their first meeting of the 2021-22 school year.

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

National Girls and Women In Sports Day Goes Virtual

By Sharon Robb
NEW YORK, February 3, 2021–Today is the 35th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

Every year, this celebration inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power.

This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of staying mentally and physically healthy during challenging times has never gained more attention.

The Women’s Sports Foundation’s theme “Lead Her Forward in 2021” will host Girls Fest, an online event geared towards elementary, middle, and high school girls.

The President of the Women’s Sports Foundation and first African American World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee, Phaidra Knight J.D., speaks with newscaster Marysol Castro about the organization’s first Girls Fest and how WSF inspires thousands of girl’s coast to coast each year. Knight is hosting along with Journalist and Athlete Pepper Persley and Award-winning Basketball Analyst LaChina Robinson.

The event features interviews with college athletes, an inside look from Olympic and Paralympic athletes training for Tokyo and a new fitness challenge.

Girls Fest starts at 4 p.m. today (Wednesday) and will be streamed on the WSF YouTube channel and can be found on the channel if unable to view it today.

Virtual community events are also taking place across the nation to celebrate female athletes and promote equality in sports.

DICK’S sporting goods also kicked off the StrongerWithSports challenge, which aims to showcase the strength girls and women gain by participating in sports.

“DICK’S Sporting Goods is committed to championing girls and women in sports. We know that when young female athletes have access to the proper equipment and can look up to other female athletes, they are more likely to remain in a sports program and gain the skills to help equip themselves to be future leaders,” said Lauren Hobart, President, DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. “We intend to stay at the forefront of advocating for female athletes and athletics.”

The company’s 2021 efforts include:

*A commitment by DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation to donate 100,000 DSG Brand sports bras over the next 18 months to under-resourced female athletes across the country. To distribute the sports bras, the Foundation will partner with Good Sports, a non-profit organization that provides athletic equipment, apparel and footwear to young athletes in need. Sports bras are an essential piece of equipment for girls, but many girls do not have access to them, something that can contribute to increased drop-out rates in sports. Research shows that by the age of 14, girls quit sports at two times the rate of boys. In addition, 73% of girls have concerns about their body when they play.

*The formation of the company’s first-ever Girls’ Power Panel for girls ages 13-17 with the goal of giving a younger generation of females a voice to provide general insights on sports issues, give their input on product offerings and initiatives for the company and help overcome barriers for women in sports. Starting today, interested young females can apply or learn more by filling out the online application.

*A National Girls and Women in Sports Day social challenge, #StrongerWithSports, aimed at showcasing the strength girls and women gain by participating in sports. Candace Parker, Sydney Leroux and Morgan Simianer are among the group of today’s female sports advocates and leaders supporting the challenge. Each will post a sports photo from when they are younger and describe how sports have positively impacted her life and will encourage others to post in support of the challenge on National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Knowing the valuable life lessons and confidence sports offer, the company hopes current and former female athletes of all levels will join this effort to celebrate the power of sports and inspire increased participation by young girls.

*Offering an exclusive drop of the Brooks Running “Empower Her” collection, specifically celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The product line, including a variety of footwear, apparel and accessories, are available in DICK’S stores nationwide and online at dicks.com. A portion of sales of this special collection up to a total donation of $500,000 will help The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation to directly support under resourced Girls Running Programs across the country.

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

ASCA Cyber World Clinic Begins Sunday For SOFLO Coaches; Bob Bowman, Mark Schubert Head Speaker Lineup

By Sharon Robb

PEMBROKE PINES, September 11, 2020—South Florida Aquatic Club will be well-represented when the 52nd annual ASCA Cyber World Clinic gets underway on Sunday.

SOFLO’s coaching staff headed by CEO and head coach Chris Anderson, Lou Manganiello and Rose Lockie, will participate in the week-long clinic that ends on Sept. 20.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and travel and hotel restrictions, this year’s clinic will be virtual.

In addition to their SOFLO on-deck club coaching responsibilities in challenging pandemic times, SOFLO coaches will be virtually attending several lectures and clinics to further their education and coaching techniques for SOFLO swimmers.

Fort Lauderdale-based ASCA is the American Swimming Coaches Association. It is a professional service organization based on a central theme of leadership in American swimming through education, certification and co-operation.

ASCA is dedicated to creating and enhancing progressive and highly visible programs that are effective in strengthening and improving the coaching profession and building a strong swimming community. There are currently 11,000 members in ASCA.

More than 1,500 swimming coaches annually attend the ASCA World Clinic each September. It is the largest swimming clinic in the world.

The clinic will feature five days of 30 speakers and 100 exhibitors. An impressive lineup of speakers include Arizona State head coach Bob Bowman, longtime coach of Michael Phelps and several other world-class swimmers; Gator Swim Club’s high performance director Gregg Troy; Mission Viejo head coach Mark Schubert, former coach of Mission Bay in Boca Raton; Princeton coach Susan Teeter; Nation’s Capital Swimming coach Bruce Gemmell; Rose Bowl Aquatics coach Jeff Julian and University of California coach Teri McKeever.

ASCA works closely with other swimming-related organizations including USA Swimming, NCAA, YMCA, United States Aquatic Sports, College Swimming Coaches Association of America and National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association.

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

SOFLO’s Jennifer Martin Preps For World Games At U.S. Police & Fire Championships On Saturday

By Sharon Robb

SAN DIEGO, June 27, 2019—With the Aug. 8-18 World Police and Fire Games just 41 days away in China, Jennifer Martin will get her first big test Saturday at the United States Police & Fire Championships.

The City of Pembroke Pines police sergeant will compete in the one-day swimming competition at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. The championships got under way on June 2 with various other sports.

Martin, 38, representing the Pembroke Pines Police Department, will compete in nine events including four relays.

When not working full-time, Martin has been training and fine tuning with SOFLO head coach Chris Anderson at SOFLO’s Academic Village Pool, where she use to coach with the Comets Swim Team. She has also been cross training in the gym and local road races.

For the second consecutive year, Martin is being sponsored by the Broward County PBA (Police Benevolent Association).

Over three hours, Martin has a Herculean lineup of individual and relay events. She will compete in the 30-39 50-yard breaststroke, 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard butterfly, 100-yard freestyle and 50-yard backstroke. She will also swim four relays: 200 freestyle, 200 medley, 200 medley mixed and 200 freestyle mixed.

“It’s a very challenging day for me,” Martin said.

Martin has been among top athletes in several local, state, national and international competitions. It is the second time she will compete in the United States Police & Fire Championships.

At the 2018 competition in less than three hours, Martin won nine gold medals and broke three USPFC meet records including an 18-year-old record. She competed in three races in less than seven minutes which included two meet-record performances.

Martin won the 50 breaststroke, 50 freestyle, 50 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, 100 freestyle, 50 backstroke and was a member of the winning 200 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay mixed relay and 200 freestyle mixed relay.

She broke meet records in the 50 breaststroke (1990 record of 33.93) in 33.11, 100 breaststroke (1994 record of 1:17.89) in 1:13 and 50 butterfly (2016 record of 28.36) in 28.1.

In her last major international competition, the 2017 World Police & Fire Games in Los Angeles, Martin won seven gold medals and one silver and broke five world records over four days of open water and pool racing.

Athletes compete in 54 different sports at 33 venues throughout the San Diego county.

The World Police & Fire Games are set for 2019 in Chengdu, China. The World Games are held every two years.

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

Bolles’ Caeleb Dressel Wins Again On Day Three Of World Team Trials

By Sharon Robb

June 29, 2017—Caeleb Dressel is showing just how versatile he is in the pool.

The Bolles swimmer won the 100-meter butterfly Thursday at the Phillips 66 National Championships and World Team Trials at Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis.

Dressel won in 50.87, the fastest time in the world this year and first swimmer to break 51 seconds this year. Dressel swept the butterfly events.

“I was happy with the butterfly races and I couldn’t ask for more,” Dressel told reporters. “I’m definitely a speed guy, that’s how I swim most of my races. But I just want to swim a smart race.

“I don’t want to be labeled as a sprinter that goes out wicked fast and just dies,” Dressel said. “I want to be a speed guy that controls his races.”

Dressel, who beat Olympic gold medalist Joseph Schooling at this year’s NCAAs, will have another showdown with the superstar at the world championships.

Other Thursday winners were:

Kelsi Worrell of Louisville won the 100-meter butterfly in 57.38. It was the third event she qualified for world championship schedule.

Olympic silver medalist Chase Kalisz, who finished his college swimming career at Georgia this past season, swam the fastest time in the world this year to win the 400-meter individual medley in 4:06.99.

Leah Smith of Cavalier won the 400-meter individual medley in 4:33.86. Elizabeth Beisel was second in 4:38.55. Bethany Galat and Ella Eastin were both disqualified.

Justin Ress of Wolfpack knocked off Ryan Murphy of Cal Aquatics to win the 50-meter backstroke in a meet record 24.41. Murphy was second in 24.64 and Matt Grevers was third in 24.67.

Hannah Stevens won the 50-meter backstroke in a meet record 27.33.

Lilly King of Indiana won the 50-meter breaststroke in 29.66, the only swimmer to dip under 30 seconds. It was a meet, U.S. Open and American record.

Kevin Cordes won the men’s 50-meter breaststroke in a meet record 26.88, the only swimmer under 27 seconds.

The winners of each event qualify for worlds with runners-up also likely to make the team through a selection process.

The five day meet continues Friday. Friday’s events are: women’s and men’s 400-meter freestyle, 100-meter breaststroke and 100-meter backstroke.

The meet is being live streamed at usaswimming.org and also televised over 12 hours on the NBC Sports Group that includes NBCSN, Universal HD and NBC on July 1-2, 1-3 p.m.

FLORIDA GOLD COAST RESULTS

Women’s 400-meter individual medley: 10. Rachael Bradford-Feldman, Louisville, 4:45.16, prelims; B Final, 4. Bradford-Feldman, 4:46.32.

Men’s 400-meter individual medley: 52. Miguel Cancel, Gulliver 4:36.86.

Women’s 100-meter butterfly: 48. Jessica Nava, Pine Crest 1:01.05, 61. Mary Smutny, AquaKids Sharks 1:01.52.

Women’s 50-meter breaststroke: 21. Emily Kopas, Michigan 32.21.

Men’s 50-meter breaststroke: 23. Alex Evdokimov, Coral Springs Swim Club 28.75.

Women’s 50-meter backstroke: 72. Darby Goodwin, VILL 30.23, 89. Jessica Nava, Pine Crest 31.20, Clara Smiddy, Michigan, DNS.

THURSDAY RESULTS

Women’s 400-meter individual medley: 1. Leah Smith, Cavalier 4:33.86, 2. Elizabeth Beisel, ABF 4:38.55, 3. Brooke Ford, Lakeside 4:39.19.

Men’s 400-meter individual medley: 1. Chase Kalisz, North Baltimore 4:06.99, 2. Jay Litherland, Dynamo 4:09.31, 3. Gunnar Bentz, Athens Bulldogs 4:11.66.

Women’s 100-meter butterfly: 1. Kelsi Worrell, Louisville 57.38, 2. Sarah Gibson, TAMU 57.96, 3. Mallory Comerford, Louisville 57.97.

Men’s 100-meter butterfly: 1. Caeleb Dressel, Bolles 50.87, 2. Tim Phillips, Swim MAC 51.30, 3. Jack Conger, NCA 51.33.

Women’s 50-meter breaststroke: 1. Lilly King, Indiana 29.66, 2. Katie Meili, NYAC 31.11, 3. Molly Hannis, TNAQ 30.24.

Men’s 50-meter breaststroke: 1. Kevin Cordes, Unattached 26.88, 2. Andrew Wilson, TXL 27.18, 3. Cody Miller, Badger 27.24.

Women’s 50-meter backstroke: 1. Hannah Stevens, UMI 27.63, 2. Kathleen Baker, TE 27.69, 3. Ali Deloof, Club Wolverine 27.89.

Men’s 50-meter backstroke: 1. Justin Ress, Wolfpack 24.41, 2. Ryan Murphy, Cal Aquatics 24.64, 3. Matt Grevers, Ford 24.67.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com

Vank, Bullen Lead SOFLO At Gulliver Fall Invitational

By Sharon Robb

October 17, 2016—Valerie Vank and Samuel Bullen led South Florida Aquatic Club at the Gulliver Fall Invitational this past weekend at Gulliver Prep.

Vank, 11, won the 11-12 50-yard breaststroke in a best time 35.75, a time drop of 1.75 seconds. Her previous best was 37.50.

Vank was also third in the 200-yard freestyle in a best time 2:17.74 and third in the 100-yard individual medley in 1:11.93.

Bullen won the 11-12 50-yard breaststroke in 38.14, also a best time and first time he cracked 40 seconds, a drop of 2.42 seconds off his personal best of 40.56.

Other top SOFLO finishers:

Kaitlyn Barrios, second, 200-yard freestyle, 2:30.87, best time; second, 50-yard breaststroke, 41.32, best time.

Mariann Catalasan, second, 100-yard backstroke, 1:19.60, best time; fifth, 200-yard freestyle, 2:36.28.

Kerry Cunningham, third, 100-yard individual medley, 1:19.43.

Victoria Torres, fourth, 50-yard breaststroke, 37.00.

Natasha Testa, fourth, 100-yard butterfly, 1:04.25.

Matthew Kim, fourth, 50-yard breaststroke, 39.54, best time.

Aldo Zepeda, fourth, 100-yard butterfly, 1:14.59; fifth, 200-yard freestyle, 2:18.78.

Marcos Vazquez, fifth, 100-yard backstroke, 1:05.56.

The meet featured swimmers ages 8 to 20, including some of Florida Gold Coast’s top swimmers. SOFLO had 50 swimmers entered in the timed final meet.

GULLIVER FALL INVITE RESULTS

GIRLS

100-yard freestyle:

Open, 1. Gabrianna Banks, Heritage Aquatics 55.10; SOFLO: 18. Michelle Ordonez 1:00.86, 21. Rebekah Ling 1:01.35, 24. Cassandra Oliver 1:01.89, 29. Amy-Nicole Toro 1:03.17, 34. Valeria Garcia 1:04.48, best time, 40. Natasha Testa 1:05.37.

200-yard freestyle:

10-and-under, 1. Bianca Nieto, City of Miami 2:26.62; SOFLO: 2. Kaitlyn Barrios 2:30.87, best time, 5. Mariann Catalasan 2:36.28, 6. Luna Delgado 2:36.59, best time, 9. Giada Porven 2:39.68, best time; 11-12, 1. Erin Miller, Unattached 2:12.89; SOFLO: 3. Valerie Vank 2:17.74, best time, 17. Judith-Alison Natino 2:37.63, 21. Alexis Christensen 2:41.12.

200-yard backstroke:

Open, 1. Jocelyn Ruiz, Blue Marlins 2:12.03; SOFLO: 26. Zariya Harris 2:41.13.

100-yard backstroke:

10-and-under, 1. Nicole Macedo, City of Miami 1:18.50; SOFLO: 2. Mariann Catalasan 1:19.60, best time, 9. Giada Porven 1:27.23, 21. Abigail Natino 1:37.57, best time; 11-12, 1. Erin Miller, Unattached 1:11.38; SOFLO: 18. Alexis Christensen 1:27.77, best time, 19. Judith-Alison Natino 1:28.16; Open, 1. Ana Kondratovich, Hialeah 1:01.20; SOFLO: 11. Rebekah Ling 1:08.92, 21. Zariya Harris 1:12.28, 23. Michelle Ordonez 1:13.00, best time, 29. Fabiola Avendano 1:14.88, 35. Natasha Testa 1:19.71.

100-yard breaststroke:

Open, 1. Gabriela Fernandez, Hialeah 1:10.44; SOFLO: 23. Lisette Castellanos 1:21.22, best time, 25. Natasha Testa 1:21.53, 27. Rebekah Ling 1:23.72, best time, 31. Valeria Garcia 1:24.29, best time.

200-yard breaststroke:

Open, 1. Iliza Aguiar, Gulliver 2:33.75; SOFLO: 13. Valeria Garcia 3:03.24, best time, 18. Mariann Catalasan 3:18.16.

50-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Bianca Nieto, Club of Miami 37.52; SOFLO: 2. Kaitlyn Barrios 41.32, best time, 7. Kerry Cunningham 43.42, best time, 11. Luna Delgado 44.80, best time, 12. Natalia Sibug 45.46, 13. Fiorella Di Salvo 45.70, 30. Carleigh Schleicher 51.64, 31. Abigail Natino 51.79, best time; 11-12, 1. Valerie Vank, SOFLO 35.75, best time; SOFLO: 4. Victoria Torres 37.00, 11. Judith-Alison Natino 43.28, best time, 20. Alexia Christensen 47.48, best time, 26. Celeste Estrada 54.79, best time.

200-yard butterfly:

Open, 1. Jocelyn Ruiz, Blue Marlins 2:10.50.

100-yard butterfly:

Open, 1. Ana Kondratovitch, Hialeah 1:00.14; SOFLO: 4. Natasha Testa 1:04.25, 34. Lisette Castellanos 1:34.00.

50-yard freestyle:

Open, 1. Gabrianna Banks, Heritage Aquatics 24.48; SOFLO: 22. Melanie Jimenez 27.51, 32. Rebekah Ling 28.31, best time, 33. Cassandra Oliver 28.33, 35. Natasha Testa 28.66.

100-yard individual medley:

10-and-under, 1. Casey Perez, Blue Marlins 1:15.86; SOFLO: 3. Kerry Cunningham 1:19.43, 7. Kaitlyn Barrios 1:22.36, 9. Mariann Catalasan 1:23.85, best time, 11. Luna Delgado 1:24.29, best time, 12. Fiorella Di Salvo 1:24.38, best time, 17. Giada Porven 1:27.21, best time, 19. Anastasia Lutz 1:28.99, best time, 20. Natalia Sibug 1:29.34, 22. Carleigh Schleicher 1:32.97, 25. Mary Sawyer 1:33.77, 37. Abigail Natino 1:41.16; 11-12, 1. Sophie G, Gulliver 1:05.63; SOFLO: 3. Valerie Vank 1:11.93, 11. Victoria Torres 1:20.48, 15. Samantha Solis 1:20.78, 19. Kailey Smith 1:23.32, best time, 24. Alexis Christensen 1:28.47.

200-yard individual medley:

Open, 1. Claudia Acosta, Hialeah 2:16.83; SOFLO: 18. Rebekah Ling 2:31.22, best time, 24. Michelle Ordonez 2:33.74, best time.

400-yard individual medley:

Open, 1. Iliza Aguiar, Gulliver 4:50.82.

500-yard freestyle:

Open, 1. Iliza Aguiar, Gulliver 5:26.40; SOFLO: 25. Fabiana Avendano 6:26.22.

BOYS

200-yard freestyle:

11-12, 1. Luca Lesentier, Miami Swimming 2:10.49; SOFLO: 5. Aldo Zepeda 2:18.78; Open, 1.Vanessa Mesa, Hialeah 1:59.00; Open, 1. Julio Horrego, Hialeah 1:41.61; SOFLO: 23. Gabriel Ferdinand 1:58.56.

200-yard backstroke:

Open, 1. Matthew Amor, Hialeah 2:04.25.

100-yard backstroke:

Open, 1. Pedro Beron-Vera, Miami Swimming 1:01.68; SOFLO: 5. Marcos Vazquez 1:05.56, 13. Zackary Harris 1:08.25, best time.

200-yard breaststroke:

Open, 1. Merlin Plant, Miami Swimming 2:33.14.

100-yard breaststroke:

Open, 1. Julio Horrego, Hialeah 57.35; SOFLO: 35. Zackary Harris 1:18.01, best time.

50-yard breaststroke:

10-and-under, 1. Giancarlo Suarez, Blue Marlins 39.20; SOFLO: 9. Jonathan Lozano 48.09, best time, 10. Benjamin Kim 48.81, 14. Owen Smith 50.32, 18. Kyle Dorn 51.26, best time, 20. Joseph-Blake Natino 52.52; 11-12, 1. Samuel Bullen, SOFLO 38.14, best time; SOFLO: 4. Matthew Kim 39.54, best time, 10. Lucas Porven 43.41, best time, 20. Sebastian Shy 49.74, best time .

200-yard butterfly:

Open, 1. Diego Mateus, Blue Marlins 1:57.30; SOFLO: 28. Lucas Porven 2:44.42, best time.

100-yard butterfly:

10-and-under, 1. Fabio Mora, Gulliver 1:16.87; SOFLO: 8. Jonathan Lozano 1:30.57, best time; 11-12, 1. David Chavez, Miami Swimming 1:08.69; SOFLO: 4. Aldo Zepeda 1:14.59, 7. Nathaniel Garrick 1:20.73, best time, 12. Samuel Bullen 1:34.00; Open, 1. Tommy Lorenz, HAFL 56.05; SOFLO: 17. Marcos Vazquez 1:04.91, 21. Zackary Harris 1:05.57, best time, 23. Jiovanni Tapia 1:05.88, best time, 27. Michael Toro 1:06.51, best time.

100-yard freestyle:

Open, 1. Luciano Rodriguez, Unattached 47.20; SOFLO: 30. Michael Toro 57.27, best time, 46. Jiovanni Tapia 59.55.

50-yard freestyle:

Open, 1. Luciano Rodriguez, Unattached 20.54; SOFLO: 32. Luca Lodi 25.85.

200-yard individual medley:

Open, 1. Robert Valdes, Gulliver 2:10.97; SOFLO: 21. Zackary Harris 2:23.11, 48. Gabriel Ferdinand 2:48.56, best time.

400-yard individual medley:

Open, 1. Julio Horrego, Hialeah 4:07.42; SOFLO: 10. Lance Lesage 4:49.43, best time.

500-yard freestyle:

Open, 1. Roberto Valdes, Gulliver 5:04.61; SOFLO: 13. Michael Toro 5:37.64, best time, 20. Nathaniel Garrick 6:02.50, best time, 24. Lucas Porven 6:12.10.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com

http://www.swim4soflo.com