USA Swimming Sectionals, Ft. Lauderdale: Area Tallahassee Extends Lead Going Into Last Day

FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida, July 14. AREA Tallahassee extended its lead in the women's team race, while it remains a close battle between Metro Aquatic Club and Westminster Academy as the third night of finals concluded in Ft. Lauderdale.

Coming down the home stretch, at least five swimmers had a shot at the women's 100m back title. Area Tallahassee's Alyssa Yambor-Maul, who flipped third to last at the halfway point, showed incredible backhalf speed as she stroked her way to victory in 1:05.46, nearly even-splitting the swim. Justine Ress of Santa Clara got to the wall second in 1:05.77, while First Coast YMCA's Lydia Ware swam a 1:05.81 for third. Gator Swim Club's Arkady Vyatchanin, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in the 100m back, finished first here in 54.65, more than three seconds in front of Zach McGinnis (57.69). Matthew Thompson of West Florida Lightning took third in 58.69.

Johanna Gustafsdottir of the Golden Panthers captured the women's 200m IM in a time of 2:20.61, while Area Tallahassee's Lauren Piper (2:21.06) and Saint Andrew's Megan Moroney (2:22.82) rounded out the top three finishers. On the men's side, Eric Ress of Santa Clara took home the title in 2:05.05, not far in front of Gator Swim Club's Dan Wallace (2:05.42). Carlos Omana of Metro Aquatics took third in 2:06.74.

The fastest event of the meet, the 50m free, finished in a dead heat on the women's side as Tiffany Oliver and Kelsi Hall, both swimming unattached, posted matching 26.11s for the win. Sarah Bateman of Patriot Aquatics came in third, just .01 behind in 26.12. Swim Florida's Pavel Babaev brought home the men's championship in 22.98, just .03 ahead of Gator Swim Club's Shaune Fraser (23.01). Paul Murray claimed third in 23.37.

The women's and men's 400m free wrapped up the individual event slate tonight. Sisters Andreina and Yanel Pinto, both representing Gator Swim Club, finished 1-2 in the women's event in 4:16.79 and 4:17.40, respectively. Autumn Finke of Saint Petersburg placed third in 4:23.07. Dan Wallace rebounded nicely from his second place finish in the men's 200m IM with a winning effort in the 400m free. Wallace swam a 3:59.01 to out pace teammate Alejandro Gomez (3:59.34) and West Florida Lightning's Matthew Thompson (4:02.00).

In relay action, Area Tallahassee's Alyssa Yambor-Maul, Lia Lombardi, Alex Merritt and Delaney Barnard won the women's 4x100m medley relay in 4:24.22, while Westminster Academy's Nick Carter, Gregory Penny, Garland Sullivan and Nick Schuttinger picked up the men's relay title in 3:53.21.

Area Tallahassee (600 points) and Metro Aquatic Club (455 points) lead the women's and men's team standings heading into the final day of competition.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x