SPLASH! See top teams and swimmers to watch for 2023 Northeast Florida high school season
The Florida High School Athletic Association high school swimming season begins this week across Northeast Florida. Here are some of the top teams and swimmers to watch.
BOYS SWIMMING
Teams to watch
Bartram Trail
The Bears bring back three swimmers who qualified for at least the Florida High School Athletic Association B finals last year, and they've got a good chance to climb higher in the overall points list in 2023. Senior Luke VanDeusen shines in the sprints, going 21.55 in the 50 free and 47.38 in the 100 free at the Class 4A meet, while Thomas Matheson (200 free and 100 fly) and Simeon Prosinski (200 IM and 500 free) are also double state qualifiers.
Bishop Kenny
After two championships in a row for the Crusaders, Bishop Kenny is aiming to build its own Jacksonville swimming dynasty in St. Nicholas. They return substantial depth as well. Carter Wright placed second in the 100 back (50.15) as a freshman, while Graham Evans, Evan Gardner, Christian Grden, Owen Kerkezi and Matthew Leitheiser are all among the key returners who helped Bishop Kenny dominate the relays. They have a chance to qualify a swimmer in each Class 2A state event.
Bolles
The 44-time state champions are aiming to make it 45, and after extending a title streak that dates back to 1988, few will be picking against them. Returning state champions include Andy Kravchenko (20.41 in the 50 free), Wisconsin commit Landon Kyser (49.02 in the 100 back) and Cal commit Carter Lancaster (1:45.02 in the 200 IM). Also back are 2022 All-Americans like Wyatt Porch and Seth Tolentino (Texas A&M), along with a slew of quality swimmers for the relays.
Episcopal
Although they're young, the Eagles are deep once again and should gather a healthy point tally in Class 1A competition. Owen Finn qualified for two B finals in his freshman year (100 fly and 200 IM) and Sebastian Guio came in 12th in the 200 IM. Just up from the middle school ranks, meanwhile, are Camp Hartman in the 200 and 500 free and Finn Zubero in the 50 free and 100 breast.
Nease
The Panthers reign as Class 3A boys team champions, and even after losing multiple seniors, they should be right in the running once again in 2023. Nease already brought back two double finalists in Brandon Gear and Walker Lanoue as well as diver Aaron Storlie, who was fourth last year. Then add St. Augustine transfer and double state finalist Jack Mainville, who broke 21 seconds to take third place in the 50 free, and added a fifth in the 100 free (46.61).
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SWIMMERS TO WATCH
Mitchell Chao
Jr., Stanton
A top performer in both the 200 IM and the 100 breast, Chao continues a strong Blue Devils tradition in the pool. The team also returns a three-time diving qualifier in Andy Swiercek, plus Gateway contenders Tim Lee and Patrick Selzer.
Ian Disosway
Jr., Columbia
As a sophomore, Disosway was undoubtedly the top Tiger, qualifying for the state meet and taking down a school record in the process. Watch for him in the breaststroke.
Dylan Ducut
Sr., Fleming Island
One of several promising returners for the Golden Eagles, along with fellow seniors Reed Ely, Kirk Lane, Riley Fetzner and Charley Caudel, Ducut is a double state qualifier in the sprints and reached the Class 3A B final in the 50 free.
Jiontez Everett
Jr., Mandarin
Divers don't always contend in multiple sports, but Everett is an exception. Not only did he compete at last year's Class 4A final from the diving board, but he also lines up for Mustangs football and qualified for track districts in the javelin and pole vault.
T.J. Frost
Sr., Bishop Snyder
Frost earned All-American consideration in his junior year, swimming 4:30.50 for third place in the Class 1A 500 free. He's also coming off a sixth place in the 200 IM, with strong butterfly times as well in the high school offseason.
Peter Manelis
Sr., Beachside
Talk about putting Beachside swimming on the map. A pair of runner-up finishes did the trick in 2022, with Manelis taking second in Class 2A in the 100 fly (50:40) and 100 breast (58:47). He's back in 2023 with a chance to climb to the top step of the podium this time.
Dylan Matthews
Sr., Tocoi Creek
A terrific Toro trio. Matthews placed eighth in the 100 back last season, while reaching the B final in the 200 IM and helping Tocoi Creek to seventh in the 200 medley relay. The Toros also bring back two more state qualifiers in senior Alex Kim, whose summer was very strong, and sophomore Matthew Ritchie.
Brody Singley
Jr., West Nassau
The Warriors' junior is among Northeast Florida's very best in long distance racing. He earned All-American consideration with his second-place finish in the 500 free (4:31.43) and took third in the 200 free at 1:42.31.
Hampton Walker
Sr., Fernandina Beach
At the center of the Pirates' swimming revival for three years now, Walker qualified for a pair of B finals in the sprints for Class 2A but could also compete in other strokes as well.
Cameron Watson
Sr., Paxon
The state runner-up is back in action for the Golden Eagles. Watson placed second in Class 2A in the 200 free (1:41.31) and also added a fourth place in the 100 free at 47.04.
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GIRLS SWIMMING
Teams to watch
Bishop Kenny
The Crusaders came in third in the Class 2A standings and could make a similar run, or even better, in 2023. Sprinter Talley Gettemy and all-around swimmer Rachel Howard lead the senior class, while Addison Evans (200/500 free), Pearson Wedel (100 back/50 free) and Victoria Weldon represent Bishop Kenny's next wave. They'll also bring back one of Class 2A's highest-scoring divers in Brianna McMillan.
Bolles
Until somebody demonstrates otherwise — which hasn't happened for more than 30 years — the Bulldogs are the team to beat in Class 1A. While no individual state champions return, the roster is loaded with high finishers across the events. Lila Higgo, Simany Lee (committed to Georgia), Kate Meyers-Labenz (committed to Brown) and Julia Murphy all finished in the top five of A finals in 2022, and the Bulldogs' relay depth cements their status as state favorites. Diver Alexiya Downer also placed third at the state meet.
Fleming Island
There's a repeat champion for Fleming Island. Back in the water for her senior year is Maryn McDade, a state sprint contender who won the 50 free in her junior year in 23.07 seconds, while Elle Loehr, Brooke Reynolds, and Katelyn Moore represent a promising sophomore class. The Golden Eagles can also score points from the diving board, where Ava Brinkman enters her junior year as the defending Class 3A champion.
Nease
Could 2023 turn into another year on the podium for the Panthers? There's no shortage of speed: Charlotte Driesse is back after winning the 200 IM for Class 3A and helping Nease to a 400 free relay championship. Olivia Moore qualified for individual finals in the 200 and 500 free and also swam on that winning relay squad. And the Panthers also bring back state qualifiers including Jolie Nguyen, Alexis Petrosevich and Addison Schroeder.
Ponte Vedra
While the Sharks must replace a few of their top contributors, notably All-First Coast swimmer of the year Annie Wohlgemuth, there's more than enough talent remaining for another championship challenge. Penny Zarczynski won the Class 3A title in the 100 free and took second in the 50 free, while six other returners advanced at least to B finals: Lily Doyle, Valentina Fraga, Sophia Fox, Annabelle MacAdams, Kate Pelot and Sydney Player.
Swimmers to watch
Savannah Branon
Jr., Episcopal
The Eagles have fielded abundant talent for years, and Branon is the leader of the next wave with strong times in the 200 IM (2:05) and 100 breast (1:03). Episcopal should also fare well on the diving board, where Laurel Coppedge placed fifth in Class 1A.
Jayla Covington
Jr., Atlantic Coast
Likely the top sprinter this year for the Gateway Conference schools. She swam 23.60 to place sixth in the 50 free last season, and she's adept at several other strokes as well.
Rylie Darkatsh
Sr., Stanton
Target: four in a row. A three-time FHSAA diving champion, Darkatsh could achieve a rare four-year sweep in the event, only accomplished four times before. Stanton should fare well in the pool, too, with Nicole Avila, Gabrielle Marim and Audrey Sturm all returning.
Kylie Elrod
So., Clay
Elrod showed promising speed last year over multiple events, ranging from the 50 free to the 100 breast to the 200 IM. She's the next swimmer to watch on a Blue Devils program that's produced plenty of champions over the past decade.
Elle Fox
Sr., Bartram Trail
The Bears never lack contenders to reach the state meet, and this season should be no exception. Fox qualified for the 4A competition in the 200 IM and leads a young Bartram Trail roster.
Neriah Giedrys
Jr., Fernandina Beach
The Pirates' aquatic program has been gathering strength for years, and Giedrys led the charge last season. She placed fourth in the 100 breast for Class 2A at 1:05 and also advanced to a B final in the 50 free.
Haylee Hite
Jr., Beachside
Year one for Beachside was also a strong opening for Hite, who emerged as a fast-improving swimmer for the Barracudas. In the Class 2A finals, she placed fifth in the 100 back (1:00.04) and sixth in the 200 IM (2:12.21).
Brianna O'Neill
Sr., Tocoi Creek
The senior leads a Toros team that's quickly working its way into contention. O'Neill is expected to race the 100 and 200 free this year, placing 12th in the latter event a year ago. Tocoi Creek can also get points from experienced multi-event swimmers Olivia Strickland and Caitlyn Zelinski.
Kylie White
Sr., Creekside
She qualified for the Class 4A tournament in two events last fall, placing eighth in the 50 free (23.70) and second in the B final of the 100 free (52.85). Leslie Dame and Dani O'Dwyer are also among the leading Knights on course to return from 2022.
Ryland Zuniga
Sr., Fletcher
Always keep an eye on the Senators. Zuniga was a double state finalist last year for Fletcher in Class 3A, qualifying in the 50 free (24.19) and the 100 breast (1:08.97).
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school swimming preview 2023: Top Jacksonville teams, swimmers
