Sydney Hardy Wins 800 Free, 400 IM to Head Sarasota’s Leading Effort at Plantation Sectionals

15-year-old Sydney Hardy led a classic Sarasota Sharks opening to the 2026 Plantation Sectionals, heading a dominant distance group to take a big team lead.

Hardy started her meet with an 8:49.96 in the 800 free on Thursday. She used a big last 50 split of 31.21 to pull past, and eventually away from, her teammate Clare Custer. Custer finished 2nd in 8:51.17.

Then on Friday, Hardy won the girls’ 400 IM in 4:49.29, more than six seconds ahead of the field. That led a 1-2-3 finish for Sarasota, which had five finishers in the eight swimmer A-Final.

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