The Sarasota Sharks are famous for their performances in distance races, and Sydney Hardy has carried that torch well so far this week at Sectionals. Stock photo via Jack Spitser/Spitser Photography
2026 Plantation Spring Sectionals
- February 12-15, 2026
- Plantation, Florida
- Long Course Meters (50 meters), Prelims/Finals
- Meet Site (with Results PDFs)
- Meet Mobile: “2026 SZSS Spring Championships” (or search Plantation)
15-year-old Sydney Hardy led a classic Sarasota Sharks opening to the 2026 Plantation Sectionals, heading a dominant distance group to take a big team lead.
Hardy started her meet with an 8:49.96 in the 800 free on Thursday. She used a big last 50 split of 31.21 to pull past, and eventually away from, her teammate Clare Custer. Custer finished 2nd in 8:51.17.
Then on Friday, Hardy won the girls’ 400 IM in 4:49.29, more than six seconds ahead of the field. That led a 1-2-3 finish for Sarasota, which had five finishers in the eight swimmer A-Final…