Orlando Week 2: 2,851 points for LIAC!

​Week 2 brought some of our younger swimmers to Orlando to show off their stuff!
 
Following the example of the older swimmers the previous week, LIAC worked together on relays to rack up points towards the team total.  We had 12 relay teams take home medals for their top 3 finishes. 

Day 1 started with the 200 Medley Relay and 3 Bronze Medals for LIAC:  13-14 Boys Ryan, Justen, Billy, and Tyler, 11-12 Girls (Alex, Bridget, Cavan, and Brooke), and 10& Under Girls (Abigail, April, Brooke, and Brianna).  On day 2 the 11-12  Girls and Boys both took 2nd in the 400 Free Relay (Bridget, Brooke, Alex, Cavan & Matty B., Spice, Alvin, and Brian).  The 13-14 relays must have been inspired by their teammates because they both got up and raced to first place finishes in the same event!  (Isabela, Joanie, Sophia, Briana, and Ryan, Tyler, Hans, and Billy).  The boys relay was a new 13-14 LIAC and Metro record!  One gold medal wasn’t enough for the 13-14 relays as the same 8 swimmers sprinted their way to gold again in the 200 Freestyle relay the following day.  The 11-12 Girls followed suit as the same set of swimmers snagged the silver.  The final day’s 400 medley relays were highlighted by a Silver medal from the 10 and under Girls team of Abigail, April, Brooke, and Briana, and another Gold from the team of Tyler, Justen, Hans, and Ryan.
 
If there’s one way to get a team going it’s relays – but LIAC also raked in the medals in individual events. 
 
LIAC swimmers won 7 gold medals.  Isabela A. was a middle distance machine taking home gold in the 200 and 500 freestyles.  Tyler Walters swam 5 seconds faster than ever before to take the win in the 200 backstroke.  Matty B. finished off the meet on Friday night swimming 7 seconds faster than his prelims time to win the 200 backstroke and break the team record in the process.  In addition to taking gold in the 50 fly Joanie Cash Money set a new team record with her win in the 50 yard freestyle. Bridget’s gold medal 400 IM was a new team record and a 1000 point swim.  That swim has her currently ranked 1st in the country for 11 year old girls! 
 
There were some stellar swims that resulted in eight silver medals. Billy the Kid led the way with 3 silver medals in the 200 free, 500 free, and the 1650 where he dropped more than 25 seconds!  Isabela A. continued the freestyle frenzy finishing with a silver medal in the 1650.  Min dropped two seconds to score silver in the 200 breaststroke.  Briana G. busted through the 5 minute barrier in the 500 dropping 4 seconds and securing silver.  Cavan cruised to silver in her 100 fly as did Justen in the 50 Breaststroke.
 
8 athletes earned bronze medals.  Ryan in the 500 free, Cavan in the 50 fly, and Brianna R. dropping 3 seconds to take third in the 500 free.  Briana and Bridget each brought home double bronze - Briana in the 200 free and 400 IM and Bridget in the 200 Breast and 100 IM.  Eduardo, aka Spice, had an incredible 200 fly taking off 4 seconds, grabbing the bronze, and swimming to what will be a top 5 ranked time for 11 year olds this season!
 
Aside from finishes in the top 3 LIAC had 52 unique individuals contribute to the team total by scoring points with their finals swims.  Inspiration came from everywhere as each best time encouraged another.
 
As always, LIAC was impressive in the freestyle events.  At every distance from the 50 to the mile, LIAC swimmers showed hard work and attention to detail during training pays off.  Brooke H sprinted her way to a best by over a second in the 50. Emma improved by a second in the 100.  Elias had an excellent 200 free taking off 5 seconds from his best.  The 500 and the 1650 were where LIAC really shined.  In the 500 free Ava dropped 7 seconds, Alex broke 5:20 for the first time, and April finished 3 seconds ahead of her best in 8th place.  In the 1650 Dimitry dropped 8 seconds , Michael swam a 700 point swim, Sophia dropped 5 and Victoria dropped 14 seconds.  Not to be out done, Ilan swam an astonishing 59 seconds faster than his previous best time!  Wowza!
 
At LIAC we pride ourselves not just on fantastic freestyle but on having well rounded swimmers – so it was no surprise when our swimmers excelled in the IM events in Orlando.  In the 100 IM Matt Z dropped 4 seconds.  In the 200 IM Abigail and Brian each swam 6 seconds faster and Brooke B. and Regan each dropped 3 seconds.  In the 400 IM Cavan took off 9 seconds and Riley and Alvin each dropped 6.   
 
LIAC swimmers continued to feed off the energy of the meet, focusing and fighting to be their best.   Hans was on fire, finishing with 6 best times in finals. Kailey had an impressive 200 breaststroke swimming 5 seconds faster than ever before. Inspired by their 11 year old teammate Elias and Emma dropped time in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke events.  AJ, JC, and Alvin attacked their 200 breaststrokes achieving amazing swims as well.
 
Nick and Isabella were enjoying the finals environment and it showed in their 200 backstrokes as they finished 4 and 2 seconds ahead of their bests respectively.  Aidan represented the 10 and unders well with his awesome 2 second drop in the 100 backstroke. 
 
When it came to the butterfly events our swimmers were flying! Olivia won her heat in both the 100 and 200 fly.   In the 200 Sam stepped up and swam 8 seconds faster earning an 800 point swim in the process!   Also in that event Victoria dropped 7 seconds, Tyquann dropped 4, Jack and Emma dropped 3, Margo and Ari dropped 2, and Colin took off 1 second.  In the 100 fly Ethan subtracted a stunning 5 seconds from his best, Sean dropped 4, William dropped 2, and Sophia dropped 1 second earning 4th in the event!  In the 50 fly Praise dropped under 30 for the first time, and Eva and Madison both swam personal bests in the event as well. 
 
At the end of the weekend LIAC swimmers with 2851 points in total earning the second place combined team award, and first place team award for the ladies.  It was a fantastic meet made even more memorable by the camaraderie and team spirit demonstrated by all.  We are so proud of all you have achieved this season and we look forward to a bright future of fast swimming!   

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