Cape girls dominate in pool at district championships
The Cape Coral High School’s swim team had a lot to be proud of at the District 3A-8 swimming championships at Centennial Park in Port Charlotte. That was especially true for the girls team.
The Seahawks lapped the field, not only winning the team championship but also setting no less than three pool records in the process.
The Seahawks scored 551 points, which was 141 points more than runner-up Charlotte. Sebring was a distant third.
And it was a freshman who helped lead the way. In fact, it was a lot of underclassmen who led the way.
Makayla Hill set pool records in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 breaststroke — where she broke her own record early in the season — but also in the 200 medley relay. She was also part of the 400 free relay team that won the district.
Dianne Kimble, Cape Coral’s girls coach, said she was proud of all the kids, especially Hill, who has been a great addition to an already stacked lineup.
“She’s not just a great swimmer, she can swim anything in any pool. You put her anywhere and she’s successful,” Kimble said. “She gives 100% all the time. She sets a great example and is a great teammate.”
Aside from sweeping the relay events, which brought them an automatic qualification at regionals next week — also at Centennial Park — many others overcame a flu bug to punch their tickets as well.
Sophomore Taylor Tedhams won the 200 freestyle as well as the 100 backstroke, while sophomore Isabella Figueroa placed behind Hill in the 200 individual medley — while also winning the 100 butterfly — to earn automatic qualification.
In the 50 freestyle, Daynna Franklyn and Allisa Varlam were one-two to earn regional bids, while another freshman, Guapacha Hernandez, and sophomore Eva Scribner took the top two in the 500.
Aalyah McKinley, another freshman, was a runner-up in the 100 backstroke for a pass to regionals.
Hill said she was excited by how well she did and her first year and she’s not done yet.
“My coaches have helped me a lot,” Hill said. “My goal is to go to states with the top seed from regionals.”
The boys team finished third with 336 points in a closer race between eventual winner Charlotte (464) and Sebring (414). And they did have some automatic qualifiers.
Evan Chaney was second in the 200 freestyle and third in the 500 freestyle, which should be enough to advance as the remaining 16 at-large spaces go to those with the fastest times. Chaney missed out on second by 0.02 seconds.
Xavier Walton was an automatic qualifier in the 100 breaststroke. Other swimmers were able to score points and earn themselves at large berths at regionals.
Elsewhere, Ida S. Baker High School had a great performance from Vincent Bridges, who placed second in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke for an automatic regional bid.
All told 27 swimmers will advance to regionals from Cape High who qualified in individual or relay. Only St. Petersburg and Osceola had more.
North Fort Myers High School will have 14 swimmers, Ida S. Baker will have 11 and Mariner High School will have two swimmers.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com