By Taylor Covington, Swimming World College Intern.
The second day of the 2019 Italian Swimming Championships yielded even more fast swimming, as the athletes took to showcasing their talents in stroke events. With an array of sprint and mid-distance races, Italy put their elite competitors to the test, and they refused to disappoint.
Silvia Scalia set the tone with a monstrous 27.91 in the 50 back, setting up Piero Codia (23.58) for an equally impressive sprint game in the 50 fly. The two swept their events with ease, gaining speed down the center of the pool and putting distance between themselves and the rest of the pack despite the short race.
The one-lappers were just the beginning, however, as Nicolo Martinenghi shattered the 1:00 mark in the men’s 100 breast, picking up tempo at the finish to post the fastest time of the morning. Federica Pellegrini made it look easy in the 200 free, cruising to 1:58.83 finish to round out the morning schedule on a high note.
Women’s 50 Back
The meet began with a quick backstroke lap, as Silvia Scalia sent smoke down the center lane, posting a 27.91 and winning the event by well over a second. Costanza Cocconcelli surged down the pool to out-touch Erika Frencesca Gaetani (29.15) with a time of 29.10, as Giulia D’Innocenzo made her presence known further down the pool. Crashing the pad with a time of 29.25, D’Innocenzo edged out Tania Quaglieri (29.28) by just 0.03. Beatrice Siboni stayed in the mix by posting a 29.33, as Karen Asprissi (29.35) and Francesca Pasquino (29.40) rounded out the top eight for the morning.
Men’s 50 Fly
The men had a one-lapper of their own, as Piero Codia swam to a 23.58 winning finish ahead of Daniele D’Angelo (23.82). Matteo Rivolta shared his top-three time with Andrea Vergani, as both men ended with a 24.12, bumping Lorenzo Gargani (24.14) to fourth. Leonardo Vimercati finished to the wall with a time of 24.17, imperceptibly ahead of Santo Yukio Condorelli (24.18). Devid Zorzetto rounded out the top eight with a 24.26.
Women’s 100 Fly
The women continued the sprint schedule, as Elena Di Liddo took the 100 fly with ease, posting a 57.61 to cinch the win. Ilaria Bianchi cruised into second, gaining a healthy advantage over third-place Federica Greco (59.89). The third wave of swimmers was tightly packed, as Aurora Petronio had to battle her way into the top four, dropping a 1:00.16 to beat Claudia Tarzia (1:00.33) and Helena Biasibetti (1:00.61). Alice Loffredo barely conceded sixth, finishing with a 1:00.63, while Angela D’Afiero claimed the final spot in the top eight.
Men’s 100 Back
Matteo Milli resumed his impressive individual schedule, sprinting to the finish with a 54.87. He was not alone, however, as Ceccon Thomas pushed him the entire race, dropping a 54.99 to concede the win. The race for third came down to the reaction time, as Emanuel Turks posted a 55.09, just 0.02 faster than Matteo Restivo (55.11), who trailed Turks by 0.02 off the blocks. Luca Mencarini impressed with a 55.19, as he and Christopher Ciccarese (55.37) exchanged leads until the finish. Niccolo Bonacchi (55.55) and Michele Lamberti (55.60) managed to break into the final eight and top off a loaded field.
Women’s 200 Breast
The women kicked off the mid-distance stroke slate with a bang. Francesca Fangio was in a field all her own, as she dropped a 2:26.70 to earn first. Anna Pirovano (2:26.70) had more to worry about with Martina Carraro (2:29.21), as the two went stroke for stroke at the finish. Letizia Memo was not to be ignored, as she crashed the pad with a time of 2:29.24 to make for a photo finish with Carraro.
The next wave was headed by Natalia Foffi, whose 2:30.40 earned her a spot in the top five. Lisa Aniolini out-swam Alessia Ferraguti (2:33.70) and Marta Verzi (2:35.06) to earn sixth with a time of 2:32.92.
Men’s 100 Breast
Nicolo Martinenghi broke the minute mark in the men’s 100 breast, as he stroked his way to a 59.65 finish. The rest of the field was tightly packed, as Federico Poggio surged home to out-touch Fabio Scozzoli (1:00.68) with a time of 1:00.56. Alessandro Pinzuti made his mark with a 1:00.92, rounding out the sub-1:01’s.
Zaccaria Casna brought in the next wave, dropping a 1:01.42 to tie Andrea Castello. Alessandro Fusco just missed the two of them, as he settled for seventh with a time of 1:01.44 ahead of Andrea Toniato (1:01.62).
Women’s 200 Free
The women rounded out the morning with an impressive showing in the 200 free, as Federica Pellegrini brought it home in a 1:58.83, the only woman to break the 2:00 mark. Simona Quadarella continued to showcase her talents, seizing second with a time of 2:00.16 to edge out Stefania Pirozzi (2:00.82). Pirozzi found herself in a stroke race with Linda Caponi, who touched just after her with a time of 2:00.89.
Giorgia Romei stayed with the pack, dropping a 2:00.94 of her own to get a fingernail lead on Erica Musso, who ended with a 2:00.84. Paola Biagioli put up an impressive time of her own, churning the last 50 to post a 2:01.54 ahead of Alice Mizzau (2:02.10).
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