Antonetti wins 100 Free at National Age Group Showcase

That Valparaiso Swim Club couldn’t be prouder of their first National Level participant in over a decade. Andrew Antonetti proudly represented the Green and White in 9 events. Expanding on his lineup from the Indiana Age Group State Championship a fully shaved and tapered Antonetti was able to display the results of all of his hard work.

Day one of the five day competition saw Antonetti pace his way to a 4th place finish in the 1650 freestyle. In his first event on the national scene Antonetti found a home on the medal podium from the beginning of the meet. Day 2 saw Antonetti swim the 200 Back and 200free in prelims. In both cases he qualified for finals. After coasting to another 4th place finish in the 200 backstroke Antonetti began sizing up his competition in the 200 free. Swimming his heart out to a second place finish, Antonetti stopped the clock at 1:48.76, good enough to break a VSC record from 1984.

Day 3 of the competition found Antonetti swimming one of his signature events, the 500 freestyle, and the 200 IM. Again, Antonetti qualified both events for the championship finals. Taking another 2nd place finish in the 500 freestyle Antonetti lowered his own team record. Moments later he was on record setting pace in the 200IM, when the waves settled Antonetti had taken 5th place in the event and broke the VSC record for the 200IM

With 5 events swum, and 5 medals hung around his neck any athlete would be proud and ready to head home. Antonetti still had more to do on day 4. Dropping 5 seconds in his 100 backstroke Antonetti was able to muscle out a 4th place finish. With so many highlights it was hard to believe that the best was still to come. 30 minutes after the 100back Antonetti swam the 100free. In a tight race down to the finish Antonetti finally found gold. Finishing .05 seconds ahead of the competition Andrew Antonetti was the National Age Group Shocase champion in the 100freestyle.

During the final night of competition Antonetti picked up medals in the 400 IM and the 50 Freestyle. At the end of the entire meet he was 3rd place for high point for his age group, and brought home 9 medals.