The University of Florida Gators extended their leads for both the women and men on day two of the All-Florida Invitational in Ft. Lauderdale. Mark Szaranek was the top performer of the day as he won the men’s 200 free and played a big role on his team’s relays.
Many of Florida’s biggest names were out of the lineup once again Saturday as they continue their return to training after the Olympic Games. That includes reigning 50 and 100 free NCAA champion Caeleb Dressel, who won two gold medals for the U.S. in Rio, along with Mitch D’Arrigo and Jan Switkowski.
The Gators opened the second day with a win in the 200 medley relay. Emma Ball, Danielle Keymont, Alysa Yambor-Maul and Sherridon Dressel took the win in 1:43.36, just ahead of Florida Gulf Coast’s Fanny Teijonsalo, Evita Leter, Yee Ching Wong and Katie Latham, who came in at 1:43.75.
Nova Southeastern touched out Florida to win the men’s 200 medley relay, 1:32.36 to 1:32.41. Till Barthel, Anton Lobanov, Thiago Sickert and Malique Elder competed for FGCU, while Florida had Szaranek, Chandler Bray, Benjamin Kennedy and Maxime Rooney.
Florida freshman Savanna Faulconer got her first collegiate victory when she posted a 4:19.73 for a comfortable win in the women’s 400 IM. Teammate Andrew Bailey touched out Nova Southeastern’s Marco Aldabe for the win in the men’s 400 IM, 4:01.19 to 4:01.26, with Florida’s Taylor Delk finishing a close third in 4:01.67.
Yambor-Maul won the women’s 100 fly in 56.26, edging Florida Gulf Coast teammates Christina Kaas Elmgreen (56.39) and Wong (56.47). Sickert won the men’s 100 fly in 49.21, and Kennedy was second in 49.96.
Florida’s Amelia Maughan led a tight top four in the women’s 200 free. Maughan touched in 1:53.04, just ahead of Florida Gulf Coast’s Hannah Burdge (1:53.08), Miami’s Ianire Casarin (1:53.25) and FGCU’s Linda Shaw (1:53.27). Szaranek then overtook Rooney on the last to win the men’s 200 free, 1:39.90 to 1:40.07.
Florida Gulf Coast picked up their first win of the day when Evita Leter grabbed first place in the women’s 100 breast, clocking 1:05.16. Lobanov then won the men’s 100 breast in 56.23, well ahead of Bray (57.37).
Ball took first in the women’s 100 back in 56.65, and then Tyler Silver led a 1-2-3 finish for the Gators in the men’s event. Silver touched in 51.19, ahead of Szarenek (51.39) and Rooney (51.50).
Florida added wins in both 800 free relays. Niki Urquidi, Autumn Finke, Georgia Darwent and Yambor-Maul took first in the women’s event in 7:36.68 before the men’s relay won in 6:44.52. Drew Clark, Andrew Brady and Grady Heath set up Szaranek, who came home in a quick 1:37.91 to secure the win.
Florida extended its lead in the women’s team race, leading Florida Gulf Coast 765 to 669. The Gator men lead Nova Southeastern 779 to 623 for the top spot on the men’s side.
Full results can be found on Meet Mobile and will be posted when available online.
Go Gators!