Braddock honors boys’ swim team after bringing home school’s first team state title
Former United States Olympic swimmer Jon Olsen once had a chance to win a medal torn away from him on a technicality.
He didn’t quit though.
He came back the following day, swam his next event and won his first Olympic gold.
On Friday morning, Olsen told that story to Braddock’s boys’ swimming team, which showed its own level of perseverance this past season to make school history.
The Bulldogs’ swimmers were denied a state team title last year after having a relay disqualified only to return this season and finish the job.
In recognition of their accomplishment, Braddock High honored its 2024 boys’ swim team on Friday during a ceremony at the school’s auditorium.
The Bulldogs’ championship was the first ever team state title in any sport for their school.
OIsen, a University of Alabama alum who won 27 medals overall in international competitions and swam at both the 1992 and 1996 Summer Games, was the guest speaker at the event.
Five of the team’s top swimmers - George Gonzalez (SMU), Dylan Ferguson (Air Force), Robert Alvarez (Tampa University), Peyton Selts (Southern Mississippi) and Anthony Pineiro (Florida State) have signed with colleges. They were recognized along with teammates Andy Serrano-Pena, Nathan Angel and Nicolas Kokidko, and their head coach Katia Garcia.
The group progressed from a 33rd-place finish at state in 2022 to what they accomplished this past fall.
They were each honored with ceremonial state title trophies and commemorative rings.
Before the group of seniors began swimming for Braddock, the school had amassed a total of 14 individual state titles in multiple sports. They have since doubled that total.
