By Taylor Covington, Swimming World College Intern.
The 2019 Italian Swimming Championships entered its last day of competition on Saturday, and its athletes gave spectators quite the finale.
The country has shown depth in all events, with new stars surfacing each day. A dark horse in international competition, Italy has established its presence through marquee swimmers such as Simona Quadarella and Federica Pelligrini. The country is prepared to rise with the escalating level of competition around the globe, and appears intent on turning heads in the process. Swimming fans should be prepared when the international lights come on, as this week’s national championship was merely a precursor to what is to come.
Women’s 50 Breast
Martina Carraro flexed her sprint breaststroke muscle by dropping a 30.45, gaining a healthy lead over Benedetta Pilato (30.74). Arianna Catiglioni remained in the race, dropping a 31.09 to break her way into the top three. Sara Morotti headed the second wave with a 31.84, as she edged out Natalia Foffi (31.87) and Ilaria Scarcella (31.87). Sofia Tedeschi and Matilde Bincoletto claimed the outside lanes with times of 32.28 and 32.45, respectively.
Men’s 50 Breast
Nicolo Martinenghi went stroke for stroke with Fabio Scozzoli (27.08), but managed to get his hand on the wall first with a time of 27.03. The two left the field, as Alessandro Pinzuti brought it home in a 27.57 to out-touch Andrea Toniato (29.67). Zaccaria Casna was close on their heels, finishing with a 27.86, just ahead of Federico Poggio (27.92). Simone Cerasuolo and Marco Zanca rounded out the top eight with times of 28.23 and 28.34, respectively,
Women’s 400 Free
Simona Quadarella defended her reputation as one of Italy’s top female athletes, as she manhandled the competition in the 400 free. Finishing with a time of 4:11.53, Quadarella was over two seconds ahead of her closest competitor in Stefania Pirozzi (4:13.66). Giorgia Romei stayed within striking distance the entire race, posting a 4:13.83 to edge out Martina Rita Caramignoli (4:14.02). Diletta Carli made her presence known with a 4:14.56, as she solidified her spot over Linda Caponi (4:14.56). Giulia Salin and Ilaria Cusinato brought it home in 4:14.88 and 4:16.10, respectively.
Men’s 400 IM
Pier Andrea Matteazzi ran away from the field, posting a 4:22.86. The rest of the race was more tightly packed, as Mattia Bondavalli and Federico Turrini exchanged leads throughout, dropping times of 4:24.18 and 4:24.97, respectively. Pietro Paolo Sarpe followed close behind, finishing with a 4:25.03, over half a second faster than Lorenzo Tarocchi (4:25.63). Davide Galimberti delivered an impressive performance of his own, turning in a 4:25.68 to beat Massimiliano Matteazzi (4:25.91). Andrea Velluti will round out the heat with a time of 4:26.04.
Women’s 200 Back
Margherita Panziera took the cake in the women’s 200 back, seizing a decisive victory over Erika Francesca Gaetani (2:14.48) with a time of 2:09.51. Giulia D’Innocenzo barely conceded second with her time of 2:14.62, but managed to fend off Letizia Paruscio (2:14.85) and Giulia Ramatelli (2:14.88). Chiara Fontana fought for an inside lane, posting a tie of 2:15.36 to out-swim Martina Censi (2:15.81) and Elisa Maloni (2:16.15).
Men’s 1500 Free
Gregorio Paltrinieri was relentless in the men’s 1500, as he swam in a field all his own to post a 14:38.34. Domenico Acerenza focused on holding off Alessio Occhipinti, and succeeded with his 15:12.96 in comparison to Occhipinti’s 15:15.49. Marcello Guidi was the middle man in the race, as he dropped an impressive 15:20.50. Matteo Lamberti brought in the last wave nearly eight seconds later, as he sprinted to a 15:28.03 finish ahead of Andrea Manzi (15:29.18). Mario Sanzullo and Christian Bartoloni rounded out the top eight with times of 15:33.24 and 15:38.49, respectively.
Women’s 50 Fly
The women closed out the morning with a quick lap, as Silvia Di Pietro added to an already decorated individual schedule with another win. Surging home in 26.42, Di Pietro overtook Elena Di Liddo’s 26.53. Giorgia Biondani held her own by posting a 27.31, imperceptibly out-touching Rita Maria Pignatiello (27.32) and Helena Biasibetti (27.37). Costanza Cocconcelli showed no signs of losing steam, as she sprinted to an identical 27.37 finish to edge our Karen Asprissi (27.41) and Ilaria Bianchi (27.42).
