On Nov. 7 the Girls Varsity Swim team won the Class 2A State Championship Title for the second consecutive year. The meet was held at the Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Center in Stuart, FL.
“Being back-to-back state champs is amazing. We were really confident going into the season and it was great to see how much we improved as a team. In the end it pumped us up knowing that the team supported us like family. We hope to be the beginning of a long victorious legacy,” said senior co-captain Natalie Aulicino.
The girls’ success was led by top finishers, seniors Nicole Urquidi and Kelly Fertel, who won a total of eight gold medals, both individually and in relays. Urquidi took first in both the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle races, while Fertel conquered the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard individual medley. On Nov. 13 the pair signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Florida next fall.
The team earned nine All-American time standards in a variety of individual and relay races, including the 4×50-yard medley relay (freshman Emily Cordovi, senior Kelly Fertel, junior Brooke Ellis, and freshman Sarah Abril) and the 4×50-yard freestyle relay (freshman Emily Cordovi, senior Nicole Urquidi, freshman Sarah Abril, and 8th grader Andrea Santander).
The girls also took a total of seven state championship titles — four of which were earned in individual races and the rest in all of three relays. The team broke five school records, including the 4×100-yard freestyle relay (freshman Andrea Santander, seniors Nicole Urquidi, Namilla Sanchez and Kelly Fertel).
The team secured a total of 377 points in finals, doubling the 166 points scored by State Runner-Up, Arnold High School of Panama City Beach.
The Boys’ team also performed well, finishing third place overall and earning a total score of 185 points. The team was led by sophomore Miguel Cancel, a two-time runner-up in both the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle races. The boys finished their season with multiple new school records, including the 4×100 yard freestyle relay (junior Pablo Luchau, sophomore Trahern Gribble, senior Cole Moreno, and sophomore Miguel Cancel).
“My experience as captain was amazing. I loved being able to set a good example for the younger guys and help lead the team to the highest place that we have ever finished at states,” said senior co-captain Cole Moreno.
Both the girls and boys have returned to training in order to prepare for next season.
