Despite SwimMAC’s 7 First-Place Finishes On Night 2 of Greensboro Speedo Sectionals, Nicolas Albiero Stands Out
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Finals for Speedo Sectionals in Greensboro, North Carolina resumed tonight at 6pm.
SwimMAC Carolina’s winning streak of the evening was interrupted by Cardinal Aquatic Club’s Nicolas Albiero in the men’s 100-yard butterfly. Coming off of an outstanding Kentucky High School State Championships, Albiero placed first in the men’s 100-yard butterfly with a 46.59, lowering his new Kentucky state record set last month at states by another 0.18. The high school senior will be heading to the University of Louisville next year to swim under his father, coach Arthur Albiero. Second to Albiero was unattached 20-year-old Noah Hensley in 47.30. Third was Noah Henderson of Star Aquatics with a 48.71.
In the very next event, the men’s 400 IM, Albiero dropped a blistering 3:49.81 to finish eight seconds ahead of the field. Next was John Frith of New South Swimming, with a time of 3:57.61. Third was Lucas Johnson of SwimMAC Carolina, who finished in 3:58.32. The top five finishers in the event were under the four-minute mark.
Earlier in the session, SwimMAC Carolina had five women in the A-final heat of the 200-yard freestyle, with Sinclair Larson coming out on top of a close race. The top four finishers had times ranging from 1:48.10 to 1:48.60. Larson’s teammate Sophie Lindner finished second in 1:48.44, and Emma Cole from Chattahoochee Gold Swim Club out of Georgia grabbed the third place spot with a time of 1:48.49.
The men’s 200 freestyle saw another teammate 1-2 pair, with 29-year-old Konstantinos Siokos blasting a 1:36.90 for first place over 18-year-old Talmadge Davis (1:39.09), both from Team Greenville. SwimMAC’s Robbie Epler came in a close third place with a time of 1:39.46.
Caroline Hauder of SwimMAC won the women’s 100 breaststroke, stopping the clock in 1:00.99. Next was Elizabeth Roberts of Savannah Swim Team in 1:01.21, and third place went to Jane Donahue of SwimMAC with a 1:01.49.
In the men’s 100 breaststroke, standout breaststroker William Chan finished ahead of the field under the 54-second mark in 53.78. Not only did SwimMAC notch another first-place finish with Chan’s swim, they garnered second and third-place in the event with teammates Colson Zucker and Lucas Johnson, who went 55.35 and 55.48, respectively.
SwimMAC continued to dominate in the women’s 100-yard butterfly, with Julia Menkhaus racing to a fast 53.93 finish. Lindner grabbed another second-place finish in a time of 54.27. Third was Zorryonna Mason from Cardinal Aquatic Club, touching the wall in 55.08.
Menkhaus and Larson continued to dominate for SwimMAC, placing 1-2 in the women’s 400-yard IM. Menkhaus dropped five seconds from her prelims time to finish in 4:15.75, to second-place Larson’s 4:17.70. Third was Anna Rice from Team Greenville with a 4:20.60, posting another big prelims to finals drop of five and a half seconds.
To finish off the evening, SwimMAC garnered first and third-place honors in the women’s 400-yard freestyle relay. Heidi Lowe, Hauder, Katie Corbi, and Lindner combined for first place with a time of 3:22.37. Second place went to Cardinal Aquatic Club, with 15-year-old Gabriela Albiero joining teammates Kaylee Wheeler, Kelly Tichenor, and Mason to finish in 3:24.90. SwimMAC’s B-squad of Amy Dragelin, Alexandria Baker, Charlotte Hylinski, and Kensley Merritt were third in 3:25.36.
SwimMAC men repeated the performance in their event, with the A-squad and B-squad going 1-3. Epler, Chan, John Walker, and Boyd Poelke combined for a time of 3:02.88. Chan split a 44.85, the fastest split of the event. Team Greenville dropped big from their prelims time to place second, Siokos and Davis joining Brandon Meier and Liam Walker to stop the clock in 3:04.95. SwimMAC’s B-squad of Jeffrey Murray, Jack Edelson, Hernan Gonzalez, and Coleman Manchester went 3:05.51 for third place honors.
Overall, SwimMAC combined for a total of 7 first-place finishes, 4 second-place finishes, and 6 third-place finishes during an evening of fast swimming. Standout performances from Albiero’s team Cardinal Aquatic Club and Team Greenville were also notable.
Finals for tomorrow’s session begin at 6pm.