Welcome to the first day of the 2026 Fort Lauderdale Open! Last year’s Pro Swim Series meet at this pool saw two World Records from Gretchen Walsh and Katie Ledecky, and both swimmers are back this year along with a few other major swimmers. Katie Ledecky dominated the women’s 1500 freestyle, swimming 15:25.62 to set the 5th fastest performance in history in the event and win by more than a minute over Sydney Hardy from Sarasota. Ledecky’s swim was her 2nd fastest time this season after she swam 15:23.21 in...

Larry Day continued his record-breaking ways at the recent YMCA Masters Nationals (SCY) held in Sarasota, Florida, April 16-19. Day, a member of the Sarasota Sharks Masters, represented the Palmer Ranch YMCA in setting three individual USMS records in the men’s 75-79 age group, doing so in the 50 fly (27.76), 100 fly (1:03.33) and 100 IM (1:07.58). Day, 75, joined Lee Childs, 77, Rick Walker, 75, and Len Smally, 75, in lowering three USMS relay records for Men 75+. Read full article HERE

With the long course season underway, it’s also open season for open water swimming in Florida, one of the strongest open water regions in the country. This past weekend, competitors from across the Sunshine State converged on the sun-drenched shores of Fort Myers Beach for the Florida Swimming Open Water Championships. Representing clubs across the Florida Swimming LSC, swimmers competed in multiple age groups and distances, including a half-mile race for younger athletes, as well as 2K and 5K events. While they were racing, they were also chasing spots on...

The women’s team camp will be led by head coach Mike DeBoor and will consist of 34 women. DeBoor has been the head coach at Lakeside Swim Team since 1994, has been awarded the Kentucky Swimming Senior Coach of the Year 15 times, and has earned the ASCA Age Group Coach of the Year award twice. Additionally, he has produced five U.S. Olympic athletes and placed 17 different swimmers on the USA Swimming National Team. He has served as head coach for two prior National Junior Team Camps as well...

Sydney Hardy stunned at the Florida Spring Senior Championships last month, turning in a series of top swims en route to winning four individual events. The 15-year-old, who trains with the Sarasota Sharks, delivered an eye-catching performance in the 400 IM. Hardy threw down a time of 4:09.73 to claim the victory in the event, knocking almost three full seconds off of her previous lifetime best (4:12.55) from November 2025. Her performance marked the 4th-fastest time in the country this season in the girls’ 15-16 age group, making Hardy one...

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...

The Sarasota Sharks continued to circle the waters on Day 3 of the Southern Zone Spring Sectionals in Plantation on Saturday, maintaining their top spot in the team standings for both women and men. Following her dominant 400 IM victory on Friday, Sarasota’s Sydney Hardy, 15, also took the win in the 200 IM on Saturday, with a time of 2:17.90, holding her position atop the women’s individual standings. 16-year-old Lucy Velte, of Empire KC Swim Club, who swam to a tie with Hardy in prelims, took the second place...

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...

Sarasota Sharks swimmer Taylor Wagner officially commits to St. Thomas University where she will continue her swimming journey as a Bobcat. Wagner posted on her Instagram story and had this to say: I’m excited to share that I will continue both my academic pursuits and swimming career at St. Thomas University in Miami. Firstly, I want to thank my family for their love and support. I also appreciate my coaches and teammates at the Sarasota Sharks for their guidance and encouragement along the way. A special thanks to Coach Asadi...

Two-time Winter Juniors finalist Jessica Robie will head across the country next year after committing to South Carolina’s class of 2030. She confirmed the news on SwimCloud, writing: I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of South Carolina. I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches for their unwavering support throughout this process! As well as Coach Jeff, Coach Kelly, and the rest of the South Carolina staff for this amazing opportunity! GO GAMECOCKS!! The Florida...