Swimming Notebook: Boca Raton Swim Team Hosts Swim Clinic With Olympian Ryan Lochte; Dylan Carter Earns FINA World Cup Title; Gators Dominate Golden Goggles

By Sharon Robb
BOCA RATON, November 27, 2022—Twelve-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte, one of the most decorated swimmers and entertaining clinicians, will hold a swim clinic on Saturday, December 17th at Boca Raton High School’s Aquatic Center.

The world record holder will be joined by longtime coach Steve Lochte, his father. Lochte has more than four decades of coaching experience from age groupers and collegians to Olympians. Lochte swam for his father’s club as a child and represented them nationally as an adult several times.

Along with Natalie Coughlin, Dara Torres, and Jenny Thompson, the 38-year-old Lochte is the second-most decorated swimmer in Olympic history measured by total number of medals, behind only Michael Phelps. Lochte’s seven individual Olympic medals rank second in history in men’s swimming (again to Phelps), tied for second among all Olympic swimmers.

The swim clinic is for swimmers, parents and coaches. The highlights include each stroke, drill and demonstrations with time for questions and answers, photos and autographs.

The first session for 12-and-unders is 9 a.m.-noon and second session for 13-and-overs, 1-4 p.m. Space is limited. The price is $150 per athlete. The aquatic center is located at 1501 NW 15th Court. Those interested may sign up at http://www.legacyswimming.com.

DYLAN CARTER SHINES
Former American Heritage Plantation swimmer Dylan Carter, Trinidad and Tobago’s two-time Olympian, earned the overall FINA Swimming World Cup men’s title after the final short course meet in Indianapolis.

Carter, 26, won the overall World Cup title with nine wins across three weeks in the 50-meter butterfly, backstroke and freestyle finals. Carter never lost a 50-meter final totaling three triple crowns

Carter’s success comes on the heels of a good summer at the World Championships in June where he was fourth in the 50 butterfly. At the Commonwealth Games in July, he was fourth in the butterfly and fourth in the 50 freestyle.

“I came home this summer after World Champs and Commonwealth Games and I went to my local gym and the amount of people that came up to me to ask if I was going to retire I can’t count on one hand,” Carter said.

“I had a great summer. I swam some good times but people were like, ‘this guy is done and washed up. He’s never going to break through.’ And that really drove me and made me really mad. I think that’s part of the results you see now.”

Carter has switched his focus on events. Carter had been more known as a 200 freestyle swimmer and made his Olympic debut in 2016 in the 100 freestyle, where he was 23rd. It’s now been the 50s where he has been successful recently.

“I was a main 200 guy until I was 23 or 24,” Carter said. “I always wanted to have a bit of a second career in just the 50s because I felt like I had potential. I didn’t know how much potential but I knew I had a good 50 fly and it was always good for a 200 guy, so I wanted to put it all there and see where I could go and I think that’s why I’m seeing some good times because I’ve never trained for them up until now.”

Carter is training at home in Trinidad with coach Dexter Browne. He set best times in both the 50 backstroke and 50 butterfly at the Indianapolis World Cup, ranking him 11th and 17th all-time respectively. His 50 butterfly in Indianapolis was only 0.01 off his best time, where he is fourth on the all-time list.

Carter is happy swimming, not because his events are shorter but because he feels that he is finally reaching his true potential. And making money through the World Cups has also helped.

“It’s fun, a lot more fun than training for the 200,” Carter said of his reborn life as a sprinter. “I think that swimming in a way that is sustainable mentally and you’re happy, that’s when you can see your career stretch out in front of you. I know it’s not always happy days like winning and best times, but the 50s and being creative with it are really fun and really rewarding.”

Carter also knows how much his win means to Trinidad and Tobago, a nation with only one Olympic medal in swimming history.

“I don’t think we ever won it. I know George (Bovell) came close,” Carter said. “At world champs or Olympics, it’s who is the best on that day. The World Cup is who is the best over an extended period of time. It’s really a phenomenal feat and not just fast swimming but endurance and mental endurance. It is a big step for our sport and the Caribbean.”

GATORS DOMINATE GOLDEN GOGGLES

The University of Florida Gators dominated the recent 2022 Golden Goggle Awards at the New York Marriott Marquis, winning six awards (five individual, one relay).

The 18th edition of the awards ceremony began in 2004 to recognize the USA’s most accomplished swimmers. This year’s awards were mostly based on performances from the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Bobby Finke was named the 2022 Male Athlete of the Year, winning the award for the first time. Finke also won the 2022 Race of the Year for his American record-breaking 800 freestyle at the World Championships back in June with a 7:39.36. The Clearwater native now has won the Male Race of the Year in back-to-back years after pocketed the 2021 Male Race of the Year last year for his comeback win in the 800 freestyle to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Finke also broke the American record in the 1500 freestyle last June.
 
Volunteer coach Katie Ledecky won three Golden Goggle awards, topping her decorated night with the 2022 Female Athlete of the Year. This is the eighth time Ledecky has won the award (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022), passing Michael Phelps for the most Golden Goggle awards in history. Ledecky won four gold medals at the World Championships in Budapest, winning gold in the 800 free, a race that won her the Race of the Year award tonight, and in the 4×200 freestyle, winning Relay of the Year award alongside 2023 Gator signee Bella Sims. Ledecky also took gold in the 1500 freestyle and 400 freestyle in Budapest.

Head coach Anthony Nesty earned the 2022 Coach of the Year Award. He was head coach in Budapest, coaching multiple medal winners including Finke, Ledecky, Caeleb Dressel and Trey Freeman.

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

Aussies Dominate; Dylan Carter Qualifies For Sprint Butterfly Final On Day One Of Commonwealth Games

By Sharon Robb
BIRMINGHAM, England—Reigning world champion Elijah Winnington led an Australian sweep in the 400 freestyle on opening day of the Commonwealth Games Friday at Sandwell Aquatic Center.

Winnington, 22, led from start to finish to win the 400-meter distance event in 3:43.06, slower than his world championship time and lifetime-best of 3:41.22. Aussie teammates Sam Short was second in 3:45.07 and Mack Horton was third in 3:46.49.

In other final events:
Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh, 15, broke her own Games and national record to win the 400-meter individual medley in 4:29.01. Her previous best time was 4:29.12.

Aussie Ariarne Titmus won the 200-meter freestyle in a Games record 1:53.89. It was another Aussie sweep with Mollie O’Callaghan (1:54.01) and Madi Wilson (1:56.17).

In an exciting men’s 200-meter breaststroke final, Aussie Olympic champion and world record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook overtook early leader Brit James Wilby down the stretch for the gold, 2:08.07-2:08.59.

Australia (William Yang, Kyle Chalmers, Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon) finished with a gold in the first-ever 4×100-meter mixed freestyle relay in 3:21.18 ahead of England in 3:22.45 and Canada in 3:24.86.

Two-time Olympian and national record holder Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago, a Plantation American Heritage alum, was top local finisher qualifying for the final in the 50-meter butterfly. Carter qualified third fastest in semis in 23.41 behind Brit Ben Proud in 23.06 and Singapore’s Tzen Wei Teong. Carter went 23.59 in his opening heat.

Other Florida Gold Coast/South Florida swimmers results:
50 butterfly: Sidrell Williams, Jamaica, Azura, eighth in heat, 25.32.
200 breaststroke: Kito Campbell, Jamaica, Azura, sixth in heat, 2:29.95.

The meet continues Saturday with prelims at 5:30 a.m. EST and finals 2 p.m. EST.

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

Puerto Rico’s Morales Sweeps Backstroke Events; Peru Wins Combined Team Title On Final Day Of Panam Aquatics Age Group Swimming Championships

By Sharon Robb
BALMAIN COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago, June 5, 2022–Yeziel Morales of Puerto Rico made it a clean sweep on the fourth and final day of the Panam Aquatics Age Group Swimming Championships Sunday at National Aquatic Centre.

Morales, 26, who trains with Azura Florida Aquatics and only Florida Gold Coast swimmer in the meet, won the 100-meter backstroke in 56.67, more than 3 seconds ahead of Peru’s Ricardo Willing.

Earlier in the meet, Morales also won the 200-meter backstroke by 7 seconds in 2:02.02 and 50-meter backstroke in 26.40.

“I felt confident going into my races, we put in a lot of training before this meet,” Morales said. “Even though I am not tapered for this meet because we have worlds coming up I am happy with my times.”

Ecuador’s Elvira Demera, 13, was a double winner on the final day in the 11-12 100-meter backstroke in 1:11.88 and 50-meter freestyle in 28.48, both best times.

Peru won the combined team title with 1,149 points ahead of Puerto Rico (1,073) and Trinidad & Tobago (818.5). Host Trinidad & Tobago won the men’s team title with 520.5. Peru also won the women’s team title with 628 points.

Among dignitaries attending the meet was FINA treasurer Dale Neuburger.

“In a single word, it’s been fantastic,” Neuburger told PanAm Aquatics guest interviewer Jordy Groters.

“The easiest thing to do during the pandemic and immediately afterwards is to not do something, to cancel, to say no. The willingness for PanAm Aquatics to host an important event like this and for Trinidad & Tobago’s swimming federation to host this event and all that goes along with it, they really are to be commended for it. It’s so easy to say ‘we can’t do something.’ It takes a lot to do this under tough conditions.”

Several countries chose not to compete because of other meets being held the same week and close proximity of the world championships.

“We had 17 nations here which is tremendous,” Neuburger said. “We are a couple of weeks away from a world championship. This has been a tremendous step forward. The success of this event by word-of-mouth will bring other federations, swimmers and coaches the next time.”

The meet attracted 232 athletes from 17 nations and served as a qualification meet for the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games. The four-day tournament, formally called the UANA Cup, is an elite championship for age group swimmers. The event had athletes from South America, Central America, British Commonwealth and Caribbean.

SUNDAY RESULTS
COMBINED: 1. Peru 1,149, 2. Puerto Rico 1,073, 3. Trinidad & Tobago 818.5, 4. Jamaica 278.5, 5. Honduras 236.5.
WOMEN: 1. Peru 628, 2. Puerto Rico 561, 3. Trinidad & Tobago 250, 4. Jamaica 182, 5. Colombia 142.
MEN: 1. Trinidad & Tobago 520.5, 2. Peru 467, 3. Puerto Rico 460, 4. Honduras 159.5, 5. Surinam 118.

WOMEN
1500-meter freestyle: 11-and-over, 1. Emma Guglielmello, PUR 17:13.24, 2. Danna Moreno, ECU 17:19.51, 3. Tifany Jinete, COL 17:43.77.

100-meter backstroke: 11-12, 1. Elvira Demera, ECU 1:11.88; 13-14, 1. Carolyn Levy-Powell, JAM 1:08.10; 15-17, 1. Alexia Acuna, PER 1:04.21; 18-and-over, 1. Ornella Walker, TTO 1:04.18.

200-meter butterfly: 11-and-over, 1. Yasmin Contreras, PER 2:19.12, 2. Maria Machuca, PER 2:22.30, 3. Jennifer Posada, HON 2:22.61.

50-meter freestyle: 11-12, 1. Elvira Demera, ECU 28.48, 2. Karla Carrizo, PAN 28.94, 3. Astrid Cervantes, PER 29.38.

MEN:
1500-meter freestyle: 11-and-over, 1. Diego Paredes, HON 16:12.43, 2. Caleb Serrano, PUR 16:36.70, 3. Adrian Papi, PER 16:39.62.

100-meter backstroke: 11-12, 1. Esteban Loncharich, PER 1:10.96; 13-14, 1. David Guevara, ECU 1:01.05; 15-17, 1. Zackary Gresham, GRN 59.54; 18-and-over, 1. Yeziel Morales, PUR 56.67.

200-meter butterfly: 11-and-over, 1. Victor Rosado, PUR 2:02.50, 2. Ariel Herrera, ECU 2:07.56, 3. Jose Olivo, PER 2:08.27.

50-meter freestyle: 11-12, 1. Carlos Carmona, PER 26.73; 13-14, 1. Zachary Anthony, TTO 24.79; 15-17, 1. Nikoli Blackman, TTO 22.71; 18-and-over, 1. Ricardo Willing, PER 23.88.

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

Azura’s Yeziel Morales Wins On Day Two Of Panam Aquatics Age Group Swimming Championships

By Sharon Robb
BALMAIN COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago, June 3, 2022–Yeziel Morales, the only Florida Gold Coast swimmer competing in the Panam Aquatics Age Group Swimming Championships, won on Day Two at National Aquatic Centre.

Morales, 26, representing Puerto Rico, won the 50-meter backstroke in 26.40 and finished second in the 100-meter butterfly in 55.22 in the 18-and-over category on Friday. Morales trains with Azura Florida Aquatics.

Ecuador’s Elvira De Los Angele Espinosa Demera was a double winner in the 11-12 category. Demera won the 200-meter freestyle in a best time 2:12.08, dropping 2.21 and 100-meter butterfly in 1:06.63, another best time dropping 0.99.

Hometown favorite Nikoli Blackman, 16, of Trinidad & Tobago won his second event of the meet. After winning the 100-meter freestyle in a best time 50.91 on Thursday, won the 200-meter freestyle in a best time 1:53.39.

Peru overtook Puerto Rico to lead the combined team standings, 675-644. Host Trinidad & Tobago leads the men’s team standings with 301 and Peru continues to lead the women’s teams with 398.

The meet has attracted 232 athletes from 17 countries and is serving as a qualification meet for the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games.

The four-day meet, formally called the UANA Cup, is an elite championship for age groupers. The event has athletes from South America, Central America, Canada, British Commonwealth and Caribbean.

Saturday’s events are 400-meter freestyle, 100-meter breaststroke, 200-meter backstroke, 50-meter butterfly, and 4×200-meter freestyle relay.

The event is being live streamed on the Panam Sports app. Streaming website: http://www.panamsportschannel.org. Former SOFLO swimmer Alia Atkinson is doing on-deck interviews of the gold medalists.

FRIDAY RESULTS
COMBINED: 1. Peru 675, 2. Puerto Rico 644, 3. Trinidad & Tobago 435, 4. Honduras 158.5, 5. Jamaica 149.5.
WOMEN: 1. Peru 398, 2. Puerto Rico 352, 3. Trinidad & Tobago 134, 4. Jamaica 106, 5. Colombia 82.
MEN: 1. Trinidad & Tobago 301, 2. Puerto Rico 292, 3. Peru 277, 4. Honduras 105.5, 5. Surinam 77.

WOMEN
400-meter individual medley: 11-and-over, 1. Maria Machuca, PER 5:05.85.

200-meter freestyle: 11-12, 1. Elvira Demera, ECU 2:12.08; 13-14, 1. Tifanny Jinete, COL 2:06.60; 15-17, 1. Danna Moreno, ECU 2:07.44; 18-and-over, 1. Jessica Cattaneo, PER 2:07.24.

100-meter butterfly: 11-12, 1. Elvira Demera, ECU 1:06.63; 13-14, 1. Yasmin Contreras, PER 1:03.64; 15-17, 1. Ella Alvarez, PER 1:04.47; 18-and-over, 1. Jennifer Posada, HON 1:04.02.

200-meter breaststroke: 11-and-over, 1. Adriana Cornejo, PER 2:44.54.

50-meter backstroke: 11-12, 1. Karla Carrizo, PAN 33.98; 13-14, 1. Leah Chin, JAM 31.57; 15-17, 1. Alexia Acuna, PER 29.88; 18-and-over, 1. Ornella Walker, TTO 29.89.

MEN
400-meter individual medley: 11-and-over, 1. Xavier Flores, PUR 4:36.87.

200-meter freestyle: 11-12, 1. Felipe Nunez, HON 2:13.25; 13-14, 1. Caleb Serrano, PUR 1:56.60; 15-17, 1. Nikoli Blackman, TTO 1:53.39; 18-and-over, 1. Victor Rosado, PUR 1:54.15.

100-meter butterfly: 11-12, 1. Andres Vigil, PER 1:05.93; 13-14, 1. Giovanni Rivas, TTO 58.27; 15-17, 1. Ariel Herrera, ECU 56.02; 18-and-over, 1. Cadell Lyons, TTO 55.84, 2. Yeziel Morales, PUR/AZURA 55.22.

200-meter breaststroke: 11-and-over, 1. Xavier Flores, PUR 2:21.92.

50-meter backstroke: 11-12, 1. Zachary Burke, BAR 32.40; 13-14, 1. Cristobal Buchholtz, PER 28.59; 15-17, 1. Johann Matamoro, TTO 27.81; 18-and-over, 1. Yeziel Morales, PUR/AZURA 26.40.

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

Trinidad’s Agard Double Winner On Day One Of Panam Aquatics Age Group Swimming Championships; Morales Swims Friday

By Sharon Robb
BALMAIN COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago, June 2, 2022–With the hometown crowd cheering him on, Alejandro Johann Agard was a double winner for Trinidad & Tobago on Day One of the Panam Aquatics Age Group Swimming Championships Thursday at National Aquatic Centre.

Agard, 12, won his country’s first gold medal in the 11-12 200-meter individual medley in 2:30.93. He also won the 50-meter breaststroke in 35.70.

Caleb Romero Serrano, 14, of Puerto Rico won the 13-14 200-meter individual medley in 2:16.93 for his first major IM title and first time under 2:18.

Christanya Shirley, 14, won Jamaica’s first gold medal in the 13-14 50-meter breaststroke in a best time 35.24, lowering her previous best of 35.63. It was her country’s first medal ever in the race.

Bransly Dirksz, 16, of Aruba won his country’s first gold medal in the 15-17 50-meter breaststroke with a best time 29.67. Dirksz had won CARIFTA gold in the Barbados earlier this year in 29.97.

Azura’s Yeziel Morales, 26, representing Puerto Rico, will compete Friday in the first of four events he entered. He will swim the 18-and-over 100-meter butterfly.

Puerto Rico leads the combined and men’s team standings and Peru leads the women’s teams.

The meet has attracted 232 athletes from 17 countries and is serving as a qualification meet for the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games.

The four-day tournament, formally called the UANA Cup, is an elite championship for age groupers. The event has athletes from South America, Central America, Canada, British Commonwealth and Caribbean.

Friday’s events are 400 IM, 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 200 breaststroke, 50 backstroke, 4×50 and 4×100 freestyle relays.

The event is being live streamed on the Panam Sports app. Streaming website: http://www.panamsportschannel.org.

THURSDAY RESULTS
COMBINED: 1. Puerto Rico 317.5, 2. Peru 313, 3. Trinidad & Tobago 203, 4. Honduras 74.5, 5. Jamaica 71.5.
WOMEN: 1. Peru 187, 2. Puerto Rico 177, 3. Trinidad & Tobago 64, 4. Jamaica 49, 5. Colombia 44.
MEN: 1. Puerto Rico 140.5, 2. Trinidad & Tobago 139, 3. Peru 126, 4. Honduras 55.55, 5. Surinam 39.

WOMEN
800-meter freestyle:
13-14, 1. Tifany Murillo Jinete, COL 9:14.79; 15-17, 1. Emma Sophia Guglielmello PUR 9:02.47; 18-and-over, 1. Jennifer Posada, HON 9:28.66.

200-meter individual medley:
11-12, 1. Astrid Cervantes, PER 2:39.04; 13-14, 1. Lia Lugo, PER 2:31.11; 15-17, 1. Ella Alvarez, PER 2:24.15; 18-and-over, 1. Maria Machuca, PER 2:23.97.

50-meter breaststroke: 11-12, 1. Ana Cornejo, PER 39.45; 13-14, 1. Christanya Shirley, JAM 35.24; 15-17, 1. Andrea Cuebas, PUR 35.63; 18-and-over, 1. Marissa Mojica, PUR 34.05.

100-meter freestyle: 11-12, 1. Elvira Demera, ECU 1:00.90; 13-14, 1. Tifanny Jinete, COL 59.15; 15-17, 1. Alanis Maceira, PUR 58.77; 18-and-over, 1. Rafaela Erazo, PER 57.39.

MEN
800-meter freestyle: 11-and-over, 1. Victor Rosado, PUR 8:30.44.

200-meter individual medley: 11-12, 1. Alejandro Agard, TTO 2:30.93; 13-14, 1. Caleb Serrano, PUR 2:16.93; 15-17, 1. Xavier Flores, PUR 2:11.44; 18-and-over, 1. Luis Mercado, PER 2:17.32.

50-meter breaststroke: 11-12, 1. Alejandro Agard, TTO 35.70; 13-14, 1. Jorell Figueroa, PUR 31.01; 15-17, 1. Baynsly, Dirksz, ARU 29.67; 18-and-over, 1. Josue Ramos, DOM 28.46.

100-meter freestyle: 11-12, 1. Chris Soeperman, SUR 59.93; 13-14, 1. Zachary Anthony, TTO 53.99; 15-17, 1. Nikoli Blackman, TTO 50.91; 18-and-over, 1. Ricardo Willing PER 52.52.

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

Panam Aquatics Age Group Swimming Championships Begin Thursday; Azura’s Yeziel Morales Heads Field

By Sharon Robb
BALMAIN COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago, May 31, 2022–Teams started arriving Tuesday for the much-anticipated Panam Aquatics Age Group Swimming Championships at National Aquatic Centre Thursday through Sunday.

The meet has attracted 230 athletes from 17 countries and is serving as a qualification meet for the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games.

The four-day tournament, formally called the UANA Cup, is an elite championship for age groupers. Azura’s Yeziel Morales will represent Puerto Rico.

The meet is recognized as the premier age group competition in the Americas. The event has athletes from South America, Central America, Canada, British Commonwealth, Caribbean and U.S.

Giants Aquatics swimmer Inald Fernandes Perna is a member of the Aruba team. Perna will swim the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle and 50 and 100 breaststroke.

Luis-Mario Arends, who also qualified, will not compete because of an injury. Both swimmers are coached by Jordy Groters, former Nova University School, Pine Crest Swim Club and Missouri swimmer.

The event will be live streamed on the Panam Sports app. Streaming website: http://www.panamsportschannel.org…

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

SOFLO’s Atkinson Wins; Energy Standard, Cali Condors Will Battle It Out For ISL Title

By Sharon Robb
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, December 3, 2021—Going into the final day of the International Swimming League championship finals, it looks like defending champion Cali Condors and 2019 champion Energy Standard will battle it out for the title.

After opening day competition on Friday at Pieter van den Hoogenband Zwemstadion, Energy Standard leads with 271 points followed by the Cali Condors with 250, London Roar with 206 and LA Current with 171.

SOFLO’s five-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson of London Roar won the 50-meter breaststroke in 29.15 ahead of Lilly King in 29.44. It tied the fastest swim (by King) this season.

London teammate Dylan Carter, two-time Olympian for Trinidad & Tobago, was sixth in the 50-meter freestyle in 21.15.

Adam Peaty (pay issues) and Kira Toussaint (health issues) not competing hurt London’s chance of being in the hunt for the title.

A costly mistake caused the Cali Condors to get disqualified in the women’s 4×100-meter medley relay with the Energy Standard winning and picking up big points. The relay was disqualified after King had a one-hand touch during the third turn of her breaststroke leg.

The Cali Condors men’s 400-meter medley relay bounced back with a win in an American record of 3:19.64 with Coleman Stewart, Nic Fink, Caeleb Dressel and Justin Ress.

Other winners were:
Former UM swimmer Kelsi Dahlia of Cali Condors won the 100-meter butterfly breaking the short course world record in 54.59. The previous record was 54.61 set by Sarah Sjostrom in 2014.

Tom Shields of LA Current won the 100-meter butterfly in 49.03, finishing ahead of well-rested Caeleb Dressel of Cali Condors in 49.23 and Chad Le Clos of Energy Standard in 49.54.

Beata Nelson of Cali Condors won the 200-meter backstroke in 2:00.33.

Evgeny Rylov of Energy Standard won the 200-meter backstroke in 1:47.88 ahead of Ryan Murphy in 1:48.12.

Lilly King of Cali Condors won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:17.06.

Nic Fink of Cali Condors won the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:02.41. He also won the 50-meter breaststroke in an American record 25.72.

Ben Proud of Energy Standard won the 50-meter freestyle in 20.40 ahead of Kyle Chalmers of the London Roar in 20.96. It was the fastest 50 freestyle in British history.

Sarah Sjostrom of Energy Standard won the 50-meter freestyle in 23.27.

Duncan Scott of London Roar won the 200-meter individual medley in a British record 1:51.53.

Sydney Pickrem of London Roar won the 200-meter individual medley in 2:05.79.

Ingrid Wilm of LA Current won the 50-meter backstroke in 26.24.

Ryan Murphy of LA Current won the 50-meter backstroke in 22.56.

Siobhan Haughey of Energy Standard won the 400-meter freestyle in 3:58.80.

Tom Dean of London Roar won the 400-meter freestyle in 3:40.67.

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

SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson Wins, London Roar Advances Into ISL Final Four

By Sharon Robb
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, November 26, 2021–South Florida Aquatic Club’s Alia Atkinson won her final individual event of the ISL’s Match 5 playoff Friday at Pieter van den Hoogenband Zwemstadion.

The five-time Jamaican Olympian won the 100-meter breaststroke easily in 1:04.38 as the London Roar clinched a berth in the Final Four.

London teammate and two-time Olympian Dylan Carter of Trinidad & Tobago was second in the 100-meter freestyle in 46.47 just 24/100ths behind teammate Kyle Chalmers. He was also third in the 50-meter butterfly in 22.27. Carter led early but Tom Shields and Ben Proud reeled him in for the final meters.

Carter and Atkinson were relay members of the third place 4×100-meter medley relay that finished in 3:17.17 with Vini Lanza and Freya Anderson.

With a second-place finish in Match 5, London Roar clinched one of the four spots in the ISL championship.

Energy Standard won the four-team match with 561.5 points followed by the Roar with 498.5, LA Current with 415.5 and DC Trident with 289.5, ending its season.

Energy Standard’s Ilya Shymanovich of Belarus won the Match MVP honors with two jackpot wins for 30 points in the men’s 50- and 100-meter breaststroke. For the second time in two weeks, he broke his world short course record in the 100 breaststroke in 55.28.

Match 6, featuring Cali Condors, Toronto Titans, Aqua Centurions and Iron is Saturday and Sunday and will determine the final two teams.

Caleb Dressel will sit out the playoff match to rest for the final. The defending champion Cali Condors are heavy favorites to make the Final Four.

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

SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson Wins On Day Two Of London Roar’s ISL Playoffs; Dylan Carter Breaks National Record

By Sharon Robb
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, November 15, 2021–South Florida Aquatic Club’s Alia Atkinson of the London Roar won the 100-meter breaststroke Sunday at Pieter van den Hoogenband Zwemstadion.

Atkinson, 32, won the event in 1:03.58. London teammate Annie Lazor was third.

Atkinson just missed winning the 50-meter breaststroke women’s skins event. Anastasia Gorbenko of Israel, swimming in the event for the first time this season, won in 29.53, .03 seconds ahead of Atkinson, picking up key points for the LA Current’s rally.

On Saturday, the five-time Jamaican Olympian was second in the 50-meter breaststroke in 29.54. Imogen Clark of the LA Current won in 29.32, a new British national record, for her second win of the season.

Atkinson was a member of the winning 4×100-meter medley relay that won in 3:47.17 with teammates Kira Toussaint, Marie Wattel and Emma McKeon. Atkinson’s breaststroke split was 1:04.21.

London teammate Dylan Carter of Trinidad & Tobago was second in the 50-meter butterfly in 22.52, tying Matteo Rivolta of Aqua Centurions. In the men’s butterfly skins event’s first round, Carter finished ahead of Tom Shields in a national record 22.25. Shields finished in 22.46.

LA Current overtook early leader London Roar after Day Two with 506 points. The Roar was second with 494.5 followed by the Toronto Titans, 398.5 and Aqua Centurions, 357. The Roar resumes competing in the playoffs on Nov. 20-21.

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

SOFLO’s Alia Atkinson Takes First, Second On Day One Of London Roar’s ISL Playoff Opener

By Sharon Robb
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, November 13, 2021–South Florida Aquatic Club’s Alia Atkinson returned to International Swimming League action Saturday at Pieter van den Hoogenband Zwemstadion.

In the second match of the International Swimming League playoffs, Atkinson took a first and second in her events as the Roar dominated the match.

The five-time Jamaican Olympian was second in the 50-meter breaststroke in 29.54. Imogen Clark of the LA Current won in 29.32, a new British national record, for her second win of the season.

Atkinson was a member of the winning 4×100-meter medley relay that won in 3:47.17 with teammates Kira Toussaint, Marie Wattel and Emma McKeon. Atkinson’s breaststroke split was 1:04.21.

London teammate Dylan Carter of Trinidad & Tobago was second in the 50-meter freestyle in 21.11. Carter also anchored London’s winning 4×100-meter freestyle relay with a 45.80 split to win in 3:05.43.

Other London winners were: Emma McKeon, 100-meter butterfly, 55.57; Annie Lazor, 200-meter breaststroke, 2:19.01; women’s 4×100 freestyle relay, 3:28.04; Kyle Chalmers, 50-meter freestyle 21.10; Sydney Pickrem, 200-meter individual medley, 2:06.46; men’s 4×100 freestyle relay; and Kira Toussaint, 50-meter backstroke 25.91.

After missing the regular season, Ryan Murphy returned to the LA Current lineup to make his post-Olympic debut. He won the 200-meter backstroke in 1:48.43, the fastest time in the event this season. Murphy also won the 50-meter backstroke in 22.79. He was a member of the winning 4×100-meter medley relay that won in 3:23.58.

After Day One, London took the lead with 280.5 points followed by LA Current, 246, Toronto Titans, 231.5 and Aqua Centurions, 138. Second day action continues on Sunday.

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