Costanza Cocconcelli Takes Maiden Voyage Inside 58 In 100 Fly; Filippo Megli Books Paris Relay Spot At Italian Trials
Costanza Cocconcelli became the third Italian woman inside 58secs in the 100 fly and Filippo Megli booked a spot on the men’s 4×200 relay on day two of the Olympic trials in Riccione.
Lisa Angiolini and Leonardo Deplano added their names to the team on day one at the third stage of qualifying following last November’s Italian Open and the Doha World Championships.
Should any slots remain after this week’s meet, then there will be a final chance to qualify at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome in June.
A 30.39 second 50 saw Cocconcelli come from third at the turn to take the 100 fly title in 57.77.
The 22-year-old sliced more than a second from her previous PB of 58.83 as she became the third Italian woman after Elena Di Liddo (57.04) and Ilaria Bianchi (57.22) to go inside 58 secs.
Cocconcelli’s time was 0.3 from the cut of 57.4 with Bianchi (58.05) and Sonia Laquintana (59.39) following her home.
Megli booked his Paris ticket with a 1:45.91 lead-off in the men’s 4x200m relay as the Centro Sportivo Carabinieri clocked 7:11.30 for second behind Centro Sportivo Esercito (7:11.11).
Michele Lamberti: Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Michele Lamberti added the 100 back title to his 50 on the opening day in 53.56, a personal best.
While outside the qualification time of 53.2, Lamberti – now coached by Alberto Burlina alongside world record-holder Thomas Ceccon in Verona – will have the chance to book a trip to Paris at the Sette Colli.
Christian Bacico (53.97) and Matteo Brunella (54.04) were the next swimmers home.
One place remains in the men’s 100m breaststroke alongside Nicolo Martinenghi, the Tokyo bronze medallist.
Federico Poggio took the touch, coming from second at the turn to stop the clock at 59.46, albeit outside the 59.1 required to punch his ticket.
Ludovico Blu Art Viberti was second in 59.75 after coming from fourth at the 50 with Simone Cerasuolo third in 59.80.
Francesca Fangio went ahead on the second 50 of the women’s 200 breaststroke, a position she never relinquished to take the title in 2:23,90, albeit outside the Paris cut of 2:23.1.
Angiolini added 200 silver to her 100 gold in 2:24.71 with Martina Carraro third in 2:25.60.
Sofia Morini led throughout to take the 200 free title in 1:58.64 – well outside the 1:57.00 to make the cut – while Simona Quadarella came from fifth at 150 with a 29.60 final 50 to take second in 1:58.82.
Sara Gailli was third in 1:59.48.
Silvia Scalia won the non-Olympic 50 back in 28.06 ahead of Sara Curtis whose time of 28.10 was an Italian junior record.
Lorenzo Gargani claimed the 50 fly – also a non-Olympic event – in 23.41.
Already qualified for Paris 2024:
Gregorio Paltrinieri in the 1500m and 800m freestyle
Alberto Razzetti in the 200m, 400m medley and 200m butterfly
Thomas Ceccon in the 100m backstroke
Benedetta Pilato in the 100m breaststroke
Alessandro Miressi in the 100m freestyle
Nicolò Martinenghi in the 100m breaststroke
Simona Quadarella in the 1500 and 800 freestyle
Manuel Frigo 4×100 freestyle
Lorenzo Zazzeri in the 50 freestyle
Sara Franceschi in the 400 medley
Lisa Angiolini in the 100 breaststroke
Leonardo Deplano in the 50 freestyle
Filippo Megli 4×200 freestyle
Is Jasmine Nocentini of UVA expected to get a shot at Italy’s Olympic team? Tremendous breaststroke and freestyle.