2026 Plantation Spring Sectionals
- February 12-15, 2026
- Plantation, Florida
- Long Course Meters (50 meters), Prelims/Finals
- Meet Site (with Results PDFs)
- Psych Sheets
- Meet Mobile: “2026 SZSS Spring Championships” (or search Plantation)
Courtesy: Elizabeth Spencer Rosenthal
The fourth and final day of the Southern Sectionals in Plantation, Florida, began much as Days 1-3, with a win by Sarasota’s Sydney Hardy.
After dominating the 800 free, 200 IM and 400 IM earlier in the meet, the 15-year-old claimed the 200 butterfly title on Sunday in a lifetime best time of 2:14.20. Gioia Balzano of Eagle Aquatics took second place in a best time of 2:17.56, while Hardy’s teammate Jessica Robie finished .01 behind Balzano, to take third in 2:17.57.
Kaden Kiefer, of Southwest Stars, won a tight battle in the men’s 200 fly, finishing first in 2:07.89, followed by Parker Stever, of FAST Falcons, 2:08.04, and Turner Mitten, of Sarasota Sharks, 2:08.92
The 100 free showcased some versatile young freestyle talent on the women’s side, as Abi Burke, of T2 Aquatics, hit the wall first in 56.31. The 15-year-old was a multi-event winner, having also claimed victory in the 200 and 400 free earlier in the meet. Lucy Velte, 16, of Empire KC Swim Club, finished second in a time of 56.44. Velte also took the 50 free title on Saturday. Third place went to Natalia Lesniewska, 14, of the Sarasota Sharks, who touched the wall in 56.63
On the men’s side, Julian Granison, of Wahoo’s of Wellington, continued to prove his sprinting prowess. Fresh off his Saturday victory in the 50 free, he claimed the 100 free title on Sunday, in a time of 51.74, narrowly out-touching Charles Howard of Jupiter Dragons Swim Team, who hit the wall in 51.75. Merrick Vanscoy, of SwimRise Aquatics, was a close third, finishing in 51.83.
In the battle of the breaststrokers, 16-year-old Kinley Baber, of Empire KC Swim Club, claimed the 200 breast title in 2:37.33, narrowly out-touching Eva Whitehead, of Gator Swim Club, who finished in 2:37.41. Danica Aten, of Sarasota Sharks, followed closely in third, with a time of 2:38.18.
On the men’s side, Trey Chesney, of Jupiter Dragons Swim Team, posted a winning time of 2:21.86 in the 200 breast. Cobi Wu, of Montverde Aquatic Club, took second in 2:24.73, having also finished second in the 100 breast on Friday. 14-year-old Cai Lockett, of Nitro Swimming, claimed third place with more than a six-second time drop, finishing in 2:24.77.
After finishing fifth in the 50 back and third in the 100 back, 15-year-old Stella Belmore, of Montverde Aquatic Club, won the Women’s 200 backstroke in 2:20.68, closely followed by Karsyn Ward, of Empire KC Swim Club, 2:21.01, and Toula Hickmon, T2 Aquatics, 2:22.20.
Vito Sgroi, of the Sarasota Sharks, won the Men’s 200 back in 2:04.54, having also previously prevailed in Friday’s 400 IM. Anthony Pineiro, of the South Florida Stallions, followed narrowly in second place, finishing in 2:04.59. Pineiro won the 100 Back on Saturday. 16-year-old Grady Bell, of Nitro Swimming, took third in 2:08.12.
In the afternoon distance session, Sarasota’s Clare Custer claimed the 1500 freestyle title in 17:04.19, more than 18 seconds ahead of Caroline Macdonald of SwimRise Aquatics, who took second place with a best time of 17:22.68. Gemma Gledhill, also of the Sarasota Sharks, rounded out the top 3, finishing in 17:31.63.
Twenty-four-year-old Lev Cherepanov, of Azura Florida Aquatics, won the men’s 1500 free in 16:07.82, after finishing second in the 400 and 800 freestyle races. Jack Reburn, 15, of South Lake Aquatic Club, took second place in 16:11.33, while
Chase Kendall of SwimRise Aquatics rounded out the top 3 in a time of 16:14.42.
FINAL SCORES
Top 5 Women’s Individual Scores
- Sydney Hardy, Sarasota Sharks – 113
- Abi Burke, T2 Aquatics – 102. 50
- Lucy Velte, Empire KC Swim Club – 99
- Natalia Lesniewska, Sarasota Sharks – 83
- Gioia Balzano, Eagle Aquatics – 79. 50
Top 5 Men’s Individual Scores
- 1. Juan Vallmitjana, South Florida Aquatic Club – 92
- 2. Vito Sgroi, Sarasota Sharks – 77
- (tie) Andreas Da Silva, Wahoo’s of Wellington – 72
- (tie) Anthony Pineiro, South Florida Stallions – 72
- (tie) Julian Granison, Wahoo’s of Wellington – 72
Top 5 Women’s Team Scores
- Sarasota Sharks – 1,047
- Empire KC Swim Club – 365
- South Florida Aquatic Club South – 334. 50
- Gator Swim Club – 312
- Montverde Aquatic Club – 280
Top 5 Men’s Team Scores
- Sarasota Sharks – 601
- Azura Florida Aquatics – 384
- South Florida Aquatic Club – 344
- Montverde Aquatic Club – 253
- SwimRise Aquatics – 239
Top 5 Combined Team Scores
- Sarasota Sharks – 1,648
- South Florida Aquatic Club – 678. 50
- Montverde Aquatic Club – 533
- Saint Andrew’s Aquatics – 506
- SwimRise Aquatics – 426
ABOUT ELIZABETH SPENCER ROSENTHAL
Elizabeth Spencer Rosenthal is a wife and mother of 3 from Miami. She is a passionate swim mom, volunteer and meet official, with a professional background in marketing and public relations. She holds a degree in Public Communication from American University, and loves finding a story to tell.
Congratulations to all the winners and swimmers! Keep it going to all the swimmers who are meeting the challenges of this terrific and important sport!