PLANTATION, Florida, March 15. MICHAEL Andrew downed another National Age Group record – this time, his own record in the 100 back – and Theresa Michalak and Michael Klueh picked up their third wins of the weekend during the third night of swimming at the Speedo Champions Series in Plantation.
Clara Smiddy of the AquaKids got the night started with her first win of the meet in the women’s 100 back. Smiddy touched in 1:02.35, four-tenths ahead of Gator Swim Club’s Fernanda Gonzalez Ramirez, who finished in 1:02.76. Hannah Gouger of Loyola Blakefield Aquatics finished a distant third behind Smiddy and Gonzalez Ramirez in 1:05.48. Club Wolverine’s Junya Koga topped the men’s 100 back by a comfortable margin, topping the heat in 54.78. Olympic bronze medalist Arkady Vyatchanin of New York Athletic Club touched a second behind in 55.83. Indie Swimming’s Michael Andrew placed third in 56.83, breaking his own 13-14 National Age Group record of 57.13, set earlier this year.
After winning two events last night, Theresa Michalak picked up a third win in the women’s 200 IM tonight, touching first in 2:14.92. She finished well ahead of GMAC’s Samantha Stratford, who swam a 2:20.06 to take second. Clara Smiddy earned another top-three finish with a third place showing of 2:20.96. Gator Swim Club’s Nikita Denisyako grabbed the men’s 200 IM title with a 2:03.93, comfortably ahead of Luke Torres’ 2:07.28. Quinn Cassidy took third in the event in 2:07.46.
Pine Crest’s Marta Ciesla dominated the women’s 50 free finale, winning the event by more than seven-tenths in 26.14. Patricia Castro Ortega touched second in 26.87, while Toronto Swim Club’s Paige Schultz wrapped up third with a 26.93. Lara Jackson, who is making her return to racing while training in Florida, had the top prelim time at 25.87. Miguel Ortiz of Club Wolverine proved to be the top sprinter in the men’s field as he hit the wall in 22.91. Teammate Zachary Hayden wasn’t far behind though, finishing second in 22.99. Renzo Tjon A Joe claimed third in 23.08.
Emily Brunemann, winner of the women’s 1500 free on night one, earned her second individual win of the meet after posting a 4:21.56 in the 400 free tonight. Clara Smiddy picked up her third top-three finish of the weekend with a 4:26.30, while Jenna Pisani of Lake Lytal Lightning rounded out the top three in 4:33.03.
Michael Klueh of Club Wolverine swept the distance freestyle events with a 3:55.24, well ahead of Toronto’s Frank Despond (3:59.79) and Nicholas Alexiou (4:02.70).
The women’s and men’s 400 medley relays wrapped up the night. Azura Florida went 1-2 in the men’s race with times of 3:54.91 and 3:56.22, while Blue Dolfins took third in 4:02.23. On the women’s side, Guelph Marlin Aquatic Club led the way in 4:22.75, followed by Swim Fort Lauderdale (4:28.82) and Pine Crest (4:31.57).