Four-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson won the 100 breaststroke on Friday night at the 2020 Speedo Sectionals Plantation in Florida as the 31-year-old swam a 1:09.36 to win by three seconds. She was faster in the morning at 1:08.99.
Atkinson, who trains in Weston at South Florida Aquatic Club, is gunning for her fifth Olympics this summer in Tokyo as she was the fourth place finisher in the 100 at the 2012 Games in London.
Atkinson won ahead of Allison Henry (1:12.75).
SPEEDO SECTIONALS PLANTATION RESULTS – DAY TWO
Atkinson, 31, is one of the oldest swimmers in the competition. In contrast, 13-year-old Erika Pelaez of Eagle Aquatics won the 200 freestyle to start the night with a 2:03.88. Pelaez is the youngest winner thus far and is an emerging talent in the state of Florida. She won a good race over Bluefish’s Brynn Wright (2:04.72).
Pelaez nearly won two events on Friday night in Plantation as she was second in the 100 butterfly with a 1:01.86, getting edged out by Swim Florida’s Madeline Burt (1:01.63).
Overall, south Florida teams won seven total events on Friday night at the Speedo Sectionals Plantation. Azura Aquatics newcomer Raphael Windmuller won the 100 breaststroke at 1:03.54, and his Azura teammate Celina Marquez won the 50 backstroke at 29.84. Marquez, 20, represents El Salvador internationally.
27-year-old Daniel Ramirez took the win in the 100 butterfly while representing Westminster Academy as he swam a 55.16. He ran down 16-year-old Martin Espernberger of Bolles School who was just out-touched at the finish with a 55.20.
15-year-old Julia Podkoscielny of Pine Crest used a tremendous back half to win the 400 IM with a 4:52.49, coming back from seventh place at the 200 to take the lead after breaststroke. Podkoscielny finished ahead of SoFlo’s Mallory Schleicher (4:53.96).
Gator Swim Club’s Santiago Corredor, who represents Colombia internationally, won the men’s 200 free at 1:51.56, just ahead of Azura’s Joaquin Vargas (1:51.60).
Colorado Stars’ Blake Wilton won the 50 back (26.59) and Streamline’s Hector Ruvalcaba Cruz (4:23.88).
South Florida Aquatic Club is located in Pembroke Pines, not Weston. They train at Academic Village Pool. Thank you
Following the three Ruvalcaba siblings #RuvalForce