Braddock’s Kokidko, Mater Lakes’ Amores are the Miami-Dade Swimmers of the Year
Braddock’s Nicolas Kokidko continued to uphold his school’s successful standard in the swimming pool this season.
And Mater Lakes’ Jianna Amores did the same with more strong performances to help her school make history.
As such, Kokidko and Amores are the Miami Herald’s Boys’ and Girls’ Swimmers of the Year for Miami-Dade County.
Amores, a sophomore, returned after a stellar freshman season and won the state title in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 52.58, and earned her first gold in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 55.35. She also anchored the team’s first-place-winning 400-yard freestyle relay.
The overall effort spearheaded the Bears’ first ever team state championship on the girls’ side just a year after Mater Lakes’ boys won their first state title.
“I’m so proud of my teammates, especially getting first place in the relay,” Amores said. “We’re all really tight friends and it was kind of surreal being up on that podium together. We accomplished everything and way more.”
At Braddock, Kokidko extended what has been one of the more impressive ascents by a program in swimming in recent memory. The Bulldogs have gone from finishing at the bottom of the standings to a perennial state title contender. This season, they finished fifth at state in Class 4A a year after winning the school’s first team state title.
Kokidko played a big part in keeping Braddock among the state’s best.
Kokidko won the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:22.98 to win his first state title. He also finished state runner-up in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:37.32.
Kokidko also was on the 200 freestyle relay that placed 10th at state and the 400 free relay, which swam the fastest time overall among Dade schools at state.
“It was exciting,” Kokidko said. “We didn’t win the overall state title, but I’m just proud of our team for doing the best they can.”
This story was originally published January 15, 2026 at 6:10 AM.
