By Abby Boone, Swimming World College Intern
The 2015 Sunshine State Conference Championships ended Sunday evening with Nova Southeastern women celebrating their first win in their five years of having a swimming program. The Florida Southern men brought home their third title in a row, beating Nova by a mere nine points. Florida Southern women placed second and Tampa came in at third on both sides, but all seven teams in the conference had impressive swims, concluding the weekend with 29 meet records and 20 conference records, as well as two NCAA DII records.
Here is a recap of some of the best moments of the SSC Championships…
Photo Courtesy: Jim Hogue
Anton Lobanov Makes Major Waves
Lobanov may be a 22-year-old freshman, but no comment about his age is enough to shadow his two impressive NCAA DII records in the 100 and 200 breaststroke. His 100 time (52.00) beat the record by more than two seconds and his 200 time (1:53.49) was more than a second under the previous record. He also left the competition behind in the pool, winning the 100 by three seconds and the 200 by five.
Women’s 100 Breast
In a conference record time of 1:00.88, Rebecca Matthews of Lynn brought home a first place medal in the 100 breast and sealed the deal on being SSC female swimmer of the meet. Matthews also won the 200 breast and 200 IM, but the 100 breast was a thrilling race that she owned from the beginning. Teammate Tyne Potgieter and Malin Westman of Nova fought for second place, with Westman out-touching Potgieter in the end.
Men’s 100 Fly
With the entire finals heat finishing less than two seconds apart from one another, the men’s 100 fly was a nail biter to watch. Marco Palacios of FSC (48.34) brought home the first fifty in 21.93, but couldn’t hold onto his close lead, ultimately coming in fourth behind Thiago Sickert of Nova (47.69), Matheus Assis of St. Leo (47.77) and Runar Borgen of Tampa (48.31). Nir Barneau of Florida Tech (48.86) came in fifth and rounded out the competition with swimmers from five different teams placing first through fifth.
Men’s 800 Free Relay
The battle came down to the line in the men’s 800 free relay. Nova held onto first place for the first 650, but Florida Southern didn’t give up. Alec Wathen came home in 1:39.53, beating Marco Aldabe by two seconds and helping to put Florida Southern ahead in the points.
Women’s 100 Back
Much like the men’s 100 fly, the women fought hard for a close race in the 100 back. Dar Raz of Florida Tech took home the gold with a time of 55.36, but Lauren Reynolds of FSC (55.63) was close behind, and the rest of the heat was not far off. Women from Florida Tech, FSC, Tampa, Nova and St. Leo brought the race home and down to the wire.
Results from all of the events can be found here.