Saint Petersburg Aquatics
| Saint Petersburg Aquatics | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Club information | |
| Short name | SPA |
| City | Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States |
| Home pool(s) | Northshore Aquatic Complex |
| Swimming | |
| Head coach | Fred Lewis |
Saint Petersburg Aquatics (SPA) is a year-round competitive swim team located at Northshore Aquatic Complex in Saint Petersburg, Florida. The club has been awarded the Bronze Medal status by USA Swimming, designating St. Petersburg Aquatics as one of the top 200 clubs in the country.[1] SPA has produced four olympic gold medalists and numerous collegiate level swimmers, Olympic Trial Swimmers, and Team USA swimmers.
Locations
[edit]Saint Petersburg Aquatics' main pool is located within the Northshore Aquatic Complex. During summer, Saint Petersburg Aquatics offers practices at other various area pools.[citation needed]
Notable swimmers
[edit]Bobby Finke is a previous swimmer for Saint Petersburg Aquatics.[2][3] He won gold medals in the 800m and 1500m freestyle at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[4][5] Finke won the gold medal in the 1500m freestyle in world record time at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, as well as the silver medal in the 800m freestyle.[6]
Melanie Margalis swam for Saint Petersburg Aquatics while she was in high school. She won a gold medal in the 4×200 m freestyle at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She is also the sister of Robert Margalis.[7]
Nicole Haislett grew up swimming for Saint Petersburg Aquatics from age 6 through high school. She won three gold medals in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona in the 200m freestyle, 400m medley relay, and 400m free relay.
Megan Romano is an American competition swimmer who specializes in backstroke and freestyle events. She swam for Fred Lewis on Saint Petersburg Aquatics before becoming a Georgia Bulldog.[8][9]
Robert Margalis swam for Saint Petersburg Aquatics and is also the brother of Melanie Margalis.[10]
Joshua McQueen swam for Saint Petersburg Aquatics. In 2017, McQueen broke the nearly 20 year old Saint Petersburg city record for the 200 yard freestyle. The same day, McQueen also broke the record for the 500 yard freestyle.[11][12]
Coaches
[edit]Saint Petersburg Aquatics' head coach is Fred Lewis, joining the program in 1988. Lewis was previously the head men's coach at the University of Pittsburgh..[13][14]
References
[edit]- ^ "2023-2024 Club Excellence Results". USA Swimming. October 29, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ^ San Felice, Selene (July 5, 2024). "Bobby Finke's best day ever in Tampa Bay". Axios.
- ^ Burger, Kyle (July 29, 2021). "'It's still a dream': Proud dad reacts to Clearwater's Bobby Finke winning gold medal". WFTS-TV.
- ^ "U.S. Olympic Team Trials: Day 8 Finals". stream.nbcolympics.com. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
- ^ Giordano, Katie (June 23, 2021). "Meet the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team for Tokyo". NBC Olympics. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ "U.S swimmer Bobby Finke, 4x100 women's relay set world records". ESPN. August 4, 2024.
- ^ Hopkins, Sara (September 9, 2016). "St. Petersburg Swimming in Olympic Gold". Northeast Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Olympic Hopeful Megan Romano". South Florida Aquatic Club (Blog). Retrieved 3 June 2021.
- ^ "U.S. national team swimmer Megan Romano returns home to St. Petersburg, holds clinic for kids". Tampa Bay Times. August 17, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ Shimberg, Reed (July 30, 2010). "Checking In With Robert Margalis". Swimming World. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ Putnam, Bob (October 16, 2017). "HomeTeam Hot Shot winners: Chloe Grimme and Joshua McQueen". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ "Joshua McQueen swims". Josh McQueen Swims. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
- ^ "SPA Coaches". gomotionapp.com. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ^ "Fred Lewis Sets the Gold Standard for Local Swimmers". Patch. Retrieved 5 June 2021.