Records set, names made at FHSAA Class 1A state swimming, diving finals

Jessica Nava knows what to do at state championship time — win, even if that means beating herself.

The Westminster Academy senior set a new state record in the 100 butterfly, barreling through the Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Center pool at the FHSAA Class 1A state finals on Saturday.

Nava finished at 53.39, which gave her automatic All-American status. But the state record she broke was her own from last year’s finals when she went 53.46. She also won the 100 backstroke with a 55.10, which was good for All-American consideration.

“I was pretty nervous for the fly just because the other girls in the field are superfast,” Nava said. “But I just knew if I focused on what I had done in training, I would have a good race. It’s cool beating your own record, it’s cool.”

Pine Crest sophomore Andrea Santander picked up the team’s first win of the night and automatic All-American status when she won the 200 freestyle in a sizzling 1:47.02. It was her first individual state finals medal. She also finished second in the 100 free at 49.99 — which was also automatic All-American status.

“Well, I just started out really quick to get ahead of everyone, then I kept my pace, and on the last 50, I just gave it all I had,” Santadar said.

Pine Crest boys picked up their first win when eighth-grader Kevin Mendez repeated as 1A state champion on the 1-meter boards, rolling up 537 points.

“It was a lot harder to win this year. The competition was a lot harder,” Mendez said. “It was very vigorous.”

Also, University School sophomore Maia Goldstein won the girls’ diving championship with a 486.50 outing. Ishmani Stambo from Pine Crest was third with 445.45.

University School senior Patrick Groters won the boys’ 100 backstroke with an All-American consideration time of 50.23. Elvis Kotilkovski from Pine Crest was fifth at 51.30.

The Pine Crest girls topped off their night winning the grand-finale 400-freestyle relay with an automatic All-American time of 3:27.85. The medalists are Santander, Annabella Lyn, Marissa Brannan and Alexandra Meszaros.

Jacksonville Bolles won the girls’ state championship for a record 27th consecutive time with 333.50 points. It was Bolles’ 31st state title overall. Pine Crest was second with 288.

Last year, Bolles won the girls’ meet with 270 points, edging out second-place Pine Crest by just 10 points.

Bolles won the boys’ state title with 350 points — its 30th consecutive title and 30th overall. Boca Raton Saint Andrew’s was second with 202 points. Pine Crest was fourth with 187.

This story was originally published November 4, 2017 at 9:43 PM with the headline "Records set, names made at FHSAA Class 1A state swimming, diving finals."