Liendo, Mestre, Nikonova, Dixon Lead Florida in Dominant Effort Against Florida State

josua-liendo-sec
Josh Liendo -- Photo Courtesy: Florida Athletics

Liendo, Mestre, Nikonova, Dixon Lead Florida in Dominant Effort Against Florida State

The Sunshine State showdown between Florida and Florida State Friday saw the Gators emerge comfortably on top in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Florida won 179 to 118 on the men’s side with Canadian newcomer Josh Liendo and senior Alfonso Mestre each winning twice, while sophomore Ekaterina Nikonova and freshman Zoe Dixon took three individual wins apiece in the Florida women’s 191-103 victory.

Liendo topped the 50 freestyle in 19.61, and he posted a time of 46.45 for an easy win in the 100 butterfly. Additionally, the Florida team of Adam ChaneyAleksas Savickas, Liendo and Alberto Mestre took the win in the 200 medley relay in 1:26.53, and Macguire McDuff, Liendo, Alberto Mestre and Eric Friese won the 200 free relay in 1:19.05.

Alfonso Mestre’s individual wins came in the 200 free, where he touched out teammate Jake Mitchell, 1:37.02 to 1:37.16, and in the 500 free, where he won comfortably in 4:19.23. His older brother, Alberto, added to his relay success with a win in the 100 free, touching in 44.35 to beat out the Seminoles’ Peter Varjasi (44.45).

Aryan Nehra won the 1650 free for Florida in 14:58.52, and Savickas took the 100 breaststroke win in 53.77, with teammate Mateusz Dubas taking the 200 breast (1:58.12). Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero went 1:46.90 for the win in the 200 butterfly. Leonardo Garcia earned a pair of diving wins, on 1-meter (359.10) and 3-meter (439.43).

Florida State’s men captured three individual wins, two of them in backstroke with Mason Herbet taking the 100 (47.39) and Arijus Pavlidi winning the 200 (1:46.15). Utku Kurtdere finished first in the 400 IM (3:53.68).

For the Gator women, Nikonova was a dominant force in the freestyle races, winning the 200 (1:47.80), 50 (22.67) and 100 (49.46), and at the end of the meet, Katie Mack, Nikonova, Talia Bates and Olivia Peoples cruised to a win in the 200 free relay in 1:30.48. Dixon made noise in some of the sport’s most intense races, as she won the 200 fly (1:57.89), 200 back (1:55.02) and 400 IM (4:14.58).

Bates, Nina Kucheran, Peoples and Mack opened the meet with a 200 medley relay win (1:38.69), and Kucheran later added individual wins in the 100 breast (1:01.61) and 200 breast (2:12.94). Diver Maha Amer won 1-meter (319.95) and 3-meter (329.10). Olympian Emma Weyant emerged comfortably on top in the 1650 free with a time of 16:08.24, and Aris Runnels claimed the 100 back win in 55.13. Florida’s Hayden Miller dominated the 500 free in 4:46.39.

The Seminoles’ only women’s win came in the 100 fly, where Sophie Freeman got to the wall in 53.97.

Results

1 University of Florida-FL A NT 1:38.69 11
1) Bates, Talia B SR 2) Kucheran, Nina A 5Y 3) Peoples, Olivia G SO 4) Mack, Katie G SR
25.42 52.78 (27.36) 1:16.35 (23.57) 1:38.69 (22.34)
2 Florida State University-FL A N

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