Wave Runners swimmers make a splash this summer

Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners Sydney Panzarino, Courtney Chapin and Bea Gelongo attended the Summer Senior Championships last month in Sarasota.

Panzarino dropped nearly a second off of her 200-yard freestyle (2:24.20), matched her best time in the 50 freestyle (30.52) and nearly set a new personal best in the 100 backstroke (1:13.53). She later went on to set a personal best time in the 100 freestyle (1:06.11) and finished the 200 backstroke in 2:41.62.

Chapin dropped nearly five seconds off of her 200 freestyle (2:29.37) and more than a second off of her 100 backstroke (1:14.80). She also dropped time in the 50 freestyle (31.58).

Gelongo swam the 100 butterfly in her first championship meet.

Three Wave Runners also competed in the 2012 Summer FLAGS Championship last month at the University of Florida.

Sebastian Aguirre matched his personal best in the 100 freestyle (1:07.48). Aguirre also dropped time in the 50 backstroke (37.40) and 200 freestyle (2:23.65). 

Sydney Cusick dropped two seconds in the 100 freestyle (1:17.70) and matched her personal best in the 50 backstroke (42.08), 50 freestyle (34.48) and 100 backstroke (1:33.67). She closed out her final FLAGS meet with the 200 freestyle (2:56.61).

Elijah Gelongo matched his personal best in the 50 breaststroke (49.32) and 100 freestyle (1:15.37) while competing in his first FLAGS meet. He then set a personal best in the 100 breaststroke (1:45.80), the 200 individual medley (3:09.00), the 50 freestyle (34.48) and the 200 freestyle (2:41.88).