Swimming and diving preview: Braddock looking for encore – or one step better
Lodging accommodations.
It doesn’t sound like much, but Braddock swimming coach Katia Garcia said that was the key to her squad’s move from a program-best 33rd place at state in 2021 to a nearly miraculous second-place performance in Class 4A last year.
“At the state finals in 2021, we put four boys in a room,” Garcia said. “But with four boys, at least one guy in on the phone or they are all talking, and nobody gets any sleep.
“I had one boy (in 2021) who was like a zombie the next day and couldn’t perform (well). Last year, we tweaked things – two boys to a room – and it worked.”
Garcia said “everyone at Braddock was in shock” at how well the Bulldogs performed at state last year.
Now for the encore.
Braddock graduated just one senior from that 2022 team that won region and district titles. Better yet, junior George Gonzalez returns after winning an individual state title in the 100 freestyle. He also won silver in the 100 breaststroke.
Sophomore Anthony Pineiro, juniors Dylan Ferguson and Robert Alvarez and senior Marcelo Mansur also return.
Pineiro finished sixth in the 100 fly and seventh in the 100 backstroke. And, in the 500 free, Ferguson finished fifth, and Mansur came in sixth.
The other Braddock gold medal last year came in the 4x100 relay with Gonzalez, Pineiro, Mansur and Ferguson.
Braddock, which trains at Tamiami because it has no on-campus pool, has added four quality swimmers for the 2023 season, according to Garcia.
Indeed, after finishing second to Sarasota High last year, Braddock is primed to take that one last step up the podium.
Said Garcia: “We’re going to win it this year. We’re going to win state.”
Other featured boys’ teams include Pine Crest, which finished first in its district last year while coming in second at regionals and fourth at the state Class 1A meet.
Top Pine Crest swimmers this year include junior Kingsley Bailey (200 free); senior Ronin Jones (100 breaststroke); sophomores Jake Jones (200 IM) and Freddy Rosenthal (500 free).
In addition, junior diver Allen Levitis finished second at state last year. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of seven-time state champion Kevin Mendez, the former Pine Crest star who is now a sophomore on the University of North Carolina roster.
Belen, which won its district last year, finished second in its region and 23rd at state, returns sophomore Chris De Angulo (100 breast). Other top Belen swimmers include sophomore Ben Fanjul (200 IM), eighth-grader Alec De Angulo (100 back), senior Max Fanjul (100 fly) and junior Jose Serratos (200 free).
Ransom Everglades returns its team MVP from last year, Nohan Gomez, a junior who specializes in the 100 fly and backstroke. Junior Ethan Sullivan (200 and 500 free) is another standout and a former triathlete.
Coral Reef faces a rebuilding year after losing more than half its squad to graduation. The top swimmers are junior Mathias Esteves (500 free, 100 back) and sophomore Lucas Fernandez Chung (500 free, 200 IM).
Cypress Bay, with three freshmen among its top-five swimmers, is led by senior Stephen Kim (100 breast). Liam Fothergill (100 free) leads that strong freshman class.
Ferguson is led by seniors Julian Lezcano (100 free, 200 IM) and Isaac Polo-Ferrero (100 butterfly).
St. Brendan’s boys are led by senior Richard Navarro.
Among the featured girls’ teams is Pine Crest, which finished sixth at state last year. This season, the squad will be led by senior Sara Lin (100 breaststroke), sophomore Sara Miller (100 breaststroke) and junior newcomer Jessica Harmer (200 IM).
Ferguson’s Sophia Jorge returns after finishing third at state in the 100 butterfly. Senior Angelina Baucells (100 butterfly and free) is another Ferguson standout.
Cypress Bay is led by Mariana Cote, who holds a bunch of school records. Cote and fellow senior Gabriella Deluna are both BCAA, district and region champs. Sophomores Natalia Ortiz and Sara Mendoza are also talented.
Ransom is led by junior Kiera Rampersad (100 fly and breaststroke). Sophomore Sophia Linfield (200 IM and 500 free) is another standout.
Braddock, seeking its first district swim title since 1997, is led by junior captain Mercedes Pelayes (100 breaststroke) and sophomore Maria Honcharenko (100 fly).
Carrollton features two juniors: Isabelle Wilson, who has college potential in the 200 and 500 free; and reigning district diving champ Nicolette Xydas.
St. Brendan’s girls are led by senior Anacristina Uribe.
KEY DATES
Sept. 20: Palm League Invitational at University School
Sept. 23: Woodson Invitational at Pine Crest
Sept. 30: Ransom Invitational
Oct. 14: BCAA championship
Oct. 16-21: District meets (Classes 2A-1A)
Oct. 23-28: District meets (Classes 4A-3A) and Regionals (2A-1A)
Oct. 30-Nov. 4: Regionals (4A-3A)
Nov. 3-4: State championship meet at FAST in Ocala (2A-1A)
Nov. 10-11: State championship meet at FAST in Ocala (4A-3A)