Tallahassee, FL | 21st of November 2008

High School Swimming Season

ATAC High School Season Comes to an End

Ninety-two regional qualifiers, twenty-five state qualifiers, six state championships, seven automatic All-American swims ... Tallahassee High Schools hit the jackpot

Tallahassee has become a high school swimming powerhouse. Our High School Teams finished in the top echelon of the State Championships this year. The city's All-American individuals and relays hit the headlines, but the sheer numbers of swimmers who advanced to the regional and state championships says a great deal about the state of the sport of swimming in the city.

The ATAC programs feeding the high school programs have played an enormous role. The most obvious is ATAC's Pre-Senior and Senior program, where swimmers attend as many as eleven training sessions per week. But other programs have contributed greatly to the rapid growth in the number of swimmers achieving at a high level. The ATAC high school conditioning group, for which swimmers attend as many as five workouts per week, has become immensely popular during the fall, but also during the summer season when swimmers are preparing for the short and intense high school season.

The Serinas synchronized swimming program, which has long had success at the national level - in synchronized swimming - has also had many swimmers over the years not only dual affiliate with ATAC, but make a major impact on the High School swim teams' successes, which was so clearly evident again this year.

Additionally, the high school teams themselves have become a great deal more organized than they were only a few years ago. The high schools' coaching staffs deserve the credit for this. Leon's team routinely attracts sixty swimmers, while Chiles, Florida High, Lincoln and Rickards all have large programs as well. The future seasons will also see many of our up and coming young swimmers competing at more of the various High Schools, which should also make for some great new rivalries.

CONGRATULATIONS to all for an outstanding High School year!!

All-Americans (all automatic)

Scott Ervin, 200 IM
Kelley Wyman, 50 free, 100 free
Joe Ziegler, 200 free, 100 back
Leon boys 200 and 400 freestyle relays

State Champions

Kelley Wyman, 50 free, 100 free
Joe Ziegler, 200 free, 100 back
Leon boys 200 and 400 freestyle relays

State Qualifiers

Chiles: Boys’ 200 medley relay, Girls’ 200 freestyle relay, Boys’ 200 freestyle relay, Girls’ 400 freestyle relay, Boys’ 400 freestyle relay, Allison Cottle (girls’ 200 individual medley, 500 freestyle), Scott Ervin (boys’ 200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke), Gus Morley (boys’ 200 individual medley), Chris Norris (boys’ 500 freestyle), Kelli Rodda (girls’ 500 freestyle), Peter Sprowls (boys’ 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly), Kendall Swartz (girls’ diving)

Florida High: Megan Walker (girls’ 100 butterfly)

Godby: Samantha Vandewark (girls’ diving)

Leon: Girls’ 200 medley relay, Boys’ 200 medley relay, Girls’ 200 freestyle relay, Boys’ 200 freestyle relay, Boys’ 400 freestyle relay, Matt Baker (boys’ diving), Antonio Birk (boys’ 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle), Francisco Birk (boys’ 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly), Patrick Dix (boys’ 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke), Sapphire Hinson (girls’ 50 freestyle), Eva Kohout (girls’ diving), Sierra Spark (girls’ 50 freestyle), Anna Straubinger (girls’ 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke), Cody Strauss (boys’ diving), Jorgi Tome-Munson (girls’ 100 breaststroke), Kelley Wyman (boys’ 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle), Joe Ziegler (boys’ 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke)

Lincoln: Amber Bowman (girls’ 50 freestyle)

Rickards: Boys’ 200 medley relay, Alan Chen (boys’ 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke), Jesse Fields (girls’ 200 individual medley), Nao Nao Wu (boys’ 100 breaststroke)

Regional Qualifiers

Chiles: Emily Antworth, Allison Cottle, Megan Eppes, Scott Ervin, Stewart Fletcher, Hayley King, Phillip Martin, Jeffrey McFarland, Joshua McGuire, Gus Morley, Chris Norris, Sarah Norton, Taylor Ranft, Kelli Rodda, Auriel Rolle-Polk, Mary Rudolph, Nick Rudolph, Allison Schlak, Justin Sickler, Peter Sprowls, Kendall Swartz, Emily Wailes, James Washburn

Florida High: Morgan Glazer, Robbie Goethe, Logan O’Byrne, Megan Walker

Godby: Melinda Cable, Caytie Richardson-Hopkins, Samantha Vandewark, Jessica Reid, Corynn Walker

Leon: Matt Baker, Megan Bartlett, Antonio Birk, Francisco Birk, Anja Buehner, Stacey Crump, Landon Davis, Patrick Dix, Robert Draper, Keven Emmanuel, Scott Griffith, Graham Hawkes, Caitlin Hicks, Sapphire Hinson, Emily Kennedy, Eva Kohout, William Meyer, Alex Muscagni, Josef Rainer, Tyler Rolling, Sierra Spark, Anna Straubinger, Cody Strauss, Melissa Sullivan, Jorgi Tome-Munson, Dawson Troy Taylor, Leslie Washburn, Kelley Wyman, Joe Ziegler

Lincoln: Amber Bowman, Lucy Li, Wes Lind, Keith Munsey, Matt Napier, Maggie Power, Alex Wampler, Whitney Whitehead

Maclay: Colson Barnes, James Caster, Vailjev Dobrosojvic, Kyle Goller, Margaret Lines, Cecilia Smith-Schoenwalder

Rickards: Chase Bissell, Jordan Cason, Alan Chen, Sarah Clow, Jesse Fields, Zaid Hamilton, Brian Leichus, Rosie Maier-Katkin, Nic Manting-Brewer, Carly Mertz, Corey Redig, Michael Shakar, David Taylor, Ritchie Wai, Ryan Welke, Elias Wolfe, Nao Nao Wu

2007 Season Meet Results

Relay carnival
Chiles-Florida High
Godby vs. Leon
Leon vs Lincoln
Godby vs Lincoln
Fsus vs Leon boys
Fsus vs Leon girls
Fsus vs Rickards boys
Fsus vs Rickards girls
Godby vs Rickards

The Tallahassee Top 5 Rankings (updated 10/23/07)

News

2007 High School Swimming State Qualifiers

October 29, 2007

Twenty-five Tallahassee swimmers and divers were selected for the state high school championships in individual events, and eleven relays were selected as well. The championships will be held this week in Orlando. The selected competitors represent six of Tallahassee’s seven high school swimming programs.

The individuals and relays selected are listed below:

Chiles: Boys’ 200 medley relay, Girls’ 200 freestyle relay, Boys’ 200 freestyle relay, Girls’ 400 freestyle relay, Boys’ 400 freestyle relay, Allison Cottle (girls’ 200 individual medley, 500 freestyle), Scott Ervin (boys’ 200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke), Gus Morley (boys’ 200 individual medley), Chris Norris (boys’ 500 freestyle), Kelli Rodda (girls’ 500 freestyle), Peter Sprowls (boys’ 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly), Kendall Swartz (girls’ diving) (7 individuals, 5 relays)

Florida High: Megan Walker (girls’ 100 butterfly) (1 individual)

Godby: Samantha Vandewark (girls’ diving) (1 individual)

Leon: Girls’ 200 medley relay, Boys’ 200 medley relay, Girls’ 200 freestyle relay, Boys’ 200 freestyle relay, Boys’ 400 freestyle relay, Matt Baker (boys’ diving), Antonio Birk (boys’ 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle), Francisco Birk (boys’ 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly), Patrick Dix (boys’ 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke), Sapphire Hinson (girls’ 50 freestyle), Eva Kohout (girls’ diving), Sierra Spark (girls’ 50 freestyle), Anna Straubinger (girls’ 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke), Cody Strauss (boys’ diving), Jorgi Tome-Munson (girls’ 100 breaststroke), Kelley Wyman (boys’ 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle), Joe Ziegler (boys’ 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke) (12 individuals, 5 relays)

Lincoln: Amber Bowman (girls’ 50 freestyle) (1 individual)

Rickards: Boys’ 200 medley relay, Alan Chen (boys’ 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke), Jesse Fields (girls’ 200 individual medley), Nao Nao Wu (boys’ 100 breaststroke) (3 individuals, 1 relay)

2007 High School Swimming Regional Qualifiers

October 22, 2007

Ninety-two Tallahassee swimmers and divers advanced to the regional championships, which will be held in Tallahassee and Panama City Beach this Thursday. The Class 1A Region 1 championship (Florida High, Godby, Maclay, Rickards) will be held at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach, and the Class 2A Region 1 championship (Chiles, Leon, Lincoln) will be at Trousdell Aquatic Center. The advancers are listed below.

Florida High: Morgan Glazer, Robbie Goethe, Logan O’Byrne, Megan Walker

Godby: Melinda Cable, Caytie Richardson-Hopkins, Samantha Vandewark, Jessica Reid, Corynn Walker

Leon: Matt Baker, Megan Bartlett, Antonio Birk, Francisco Birk, Anja Buehner, Stacey Crump, Landon Davis, Patrick Dix, Robert Draper, Keven Emmanuel, Scott Griffith, Graham Hawkes, Caitlin Hicks, Sapphire Hinson, Emily Kennedy, Eva Kohout, William Meyer, Alex Muscagni, Josef Rainer, Tyler Rolling, Sierra Spark, Anna Straubinger, Cody Strauss, Melissa Sullivan, Jorgi Tome-Munson, Dawson Troy Taylor, Leslie Washburn, Kelley Wyman, Joe Ziegler

Lincoln: Amber Bowman, Lucy Li, Wes Lind, Keith Munsey, Matt Napier, Maggie Power, Alex Wampler, Whitney Whitehead

Maclay: Colson Barnes, James Caster, Vailjev Dobrosojvic, Kyle Goller, Margaret Lines, Cecilia Smith-Schoenwalder

Rickards: Chase Bissell, Jordan Cason, Alan Chen, Sarah Clow, Jesse Fields, Zaid Hamilton, Brian Leichus, Rosie Maier-Katkin, Nic Manting-Brewer, Carly Mertz, Corey Redig, Michael Shakar, David Taylor, Ritchie Wai, Ryan Welke, Elias Wolfe, Nao Nao Wu

Chiles, Leon girls swimmers fall to Tennessee powerhouse

September 22, 2007

Chattanooga, Tennessee swimming powerhouse Girls’ Preparatory School visited Trousdell Aquatic Center on Saturday morning, coming away with victories against both Chiles and Leon High Schools. Leon High captured three event victories, while Chiles set a school record in another.

Anja Buehner captured the 500 yard freestyle in the city’s best time this year, and Anna Straubinger won the 100 yard backstroke. Leon’s 200 yard freestyle relay, the defending Class 2A state champions, edged Chiles, which set a school record in the event.

In addition to Buehner’s performance in the 500 yard freestyle, two other Tallahassee swimmers set city bests - Sapphire Hinson in the 200 yard freestyle and Allison Cottle in the 200 yard individual medley. Leon’s 200 yard medley and 200 yard freestyle relays and Chiles’ 400 yard freestyle relays also set city bests.

By prior agreement, only the Girls’ Prep-Chiles and Girls’ Prep-Leon scores were compiled. Chiles and Leon will officially renew their rivalry in a dual meet on October 13.

Team scores.

Rickards’ Wu tops Lincoln breaststroke powerhouse; Girls’ Prep brings out the best in Chiles and Leon

September 23, 2007

Rickards’ Cheran Wu posted the fastest 100 yard breaststroke of the season in defeating Lincoln’s Alex Wampler and Le Yan – ranked second and fourth in the city prior to the meet – in their dual meet on Wednesday. Rickards also posted the fastest 200 yard medley relay of the season.

12-year-old Megan Walker posted the city’s fastest 100 yard butterfly in Florida High’s dual meet with Leon on Wednesday.

Bowman, Power, Wright, Burnett, Lind post two wins; Tallahassee’s Division I college prospects

September 16, 2007

Lincoln’s Amber Bowman, Maggie Power, Amanda Wright, B. Burnett, and Wes Lind each posted two wins in the dual meet against Godby on Wednesday. Power’s 100 back broke into the Tally Top 5, as did Wes Lind’s 200 IM. Bowman (100 breast) and Lind (200 free, 500 free, 100 breast) were already listed in the Tally Top 5. Lincoln’s Keith Munsey (100 fly) also posted a Tally Top 5 time in the meet.

The weather won the other dual meet scheduled Wednesday – the Rickards vs. Florida High meet was postponed until Saturday morning. Maclay avoided the Wednesday weather by swimming Tuesday, against Sewannee County High School in Sewannee County.

The Tallahassee swimming community is awaiting college decisions from the city’s two Division I prospects – Anja Buehner and Joe Ziegler. Buehner is a distance specialist who is being courted by mid-major programs. Ziegler is a middle distance freestyler and backstroker who is looking at several programs in major conferences.

(Most of) Leon’s girls’ sprint relay returns; the Brothers Birk duel

September 9, 2007

Leon High School threw a strong lineup at Lincoln in their dual meet on Wednesday, and the results are reflected all over this week’s Tally Top 5. Three-quarters of Leon’s state championship girls’ 200 free relay returned this year (Jenny Lieb graduated), and the returners put on a 25-second show in the 50 free, with Sierra Spark, Anna Straubinger and Sapphire Hinson posting the three fastest times in the city so far. Spark prevailed in 25.30 seconds and is ranked first in the event. Other swimmers holding top spots in the Tally Top 5 are Chiles’ Kelli Rodda (200 free), Chiles’ Allison Cottle (200 IM, 100 fly), Straubinger (100 free), Leon’s Anja Buehner (500 free), Florida High’s Megan Walker (100 back), and Leon’s Jorgi Tome-Munson (100 breast).

Brothers Francisco and Antonio Birk dueled in the 200 IM in the same meet, posting the two fastest city times so far this year. State finalist Francisco (the older brother) prevailed, but only narrowly. There is no doubt that the race transcended brotherly love. Aside from Francisco, the top ranked swimmers include Chiles’ Scott Ervin (200 free), Leon’s Kelley Wyman, who transferred from Godby for his senior year (50 free, 100 free), Chiles’ Peter Sprowls (100 fly), Leon’s Joe Ziegler (500 free, 100 back), and Lincoln’s Alex Wampler (100 breast).

Chiles-Florida High girls’ IM race, Lincoln boys’ breaststroke power highlight ranking

September 2, 2007

The Chiles-Florida High girls’ 200 yard individual medley race on Saturday morning produced the five fastest times of the week in that event – this week’s Tallahassee Top 5 for the event this week. The race featured a contest between Florida High seventh grader Megan Walker and Chiles junior state consolation finalist Allison Cottle. Walker led at the halfway mark, but Cottle pulled away in the breaststroke leg to secure the win. Chiles sophomore Mary Rudolph followed in third place, with Chiles teammates Emily Antworth and Taylor Ranft following. Cottle is joined at the top of the girls’ rankings by Chiles junior Kelli Rodda (200 free), Chiles junior Allison Schlak (50 free, 500 free), Leon junior Anna Straubinger (100 free), Lincoln senior Amber Bowman (100 breast) and Walker (100 back). Cottle also holds the top rank in the 100 fly.

The Lincoln boys breaststrokers provided fireworks in their meet with Maclay on Wednesday, capturing the top three places in the race and three of the top five places in the weekly rankings. Lincoln sophomore Wesley Lind won the race and the top spot in the 100 yard breaststroke ranking. He was joined by teammates Alex Wampler (third) and Le Yang (fifth) in the Tallahassee Top 5. Along with Lind, the top rankings this week are held by Chiles junior Scott Ervin (200 free), Chiles junior Gus Morley (200 IM), Peter Sprowls (50 free, 100 fly), Lincoln’s Anthony Perez (100 free), Leon’s Joe Ziegler (500 free), and Leon’s Patrick Dix (100 back).

Leon dominates ATAC relay meet – dual meet season opens this week

August 25, 2007

Leon High School dominated the ATAC relay meet today, setting itself up for another run at district and regional championships this fall. But it wasn’t all serious – Chiles won the award for the best cheer while dressed in combat fatigues, while Leon and its 60 swimmers took the Spirit Award.

The dual meet season opens Wednesday, with Leon swimming Godby at the FAMU pool, and Maclay facing Lincoln at Jack McLean Park. Chiles and Florida High face each other on Saturday morning at Trousdell Aquatic Center. Rickards drew a bye this week, and opens their dual meet season against Maclay on Wednesday, September 5.

Tallahassee High School Season to Open with ATAC Relays

August 18, 2007

Tallahassee high schools will open the 2007 swimming campaign with the traditional ATAC Relays next Saturday at Jack McLean Park. The opening relay will start at 9:00 am.

The meet’s events range from the serious – relays contested in dual meets and the state championship series – to the much less serious, like the balloon relay. The meet also features a spirit event, which was won last year by Florida High.

Last year, nine relays from Tallahassee’s high schools scored at the state championship meets, including Leon’s girls’ 200 free relay (Class 2A state champions), Leon’s boys’ 200 and 400 free relays (2nd in Class 2A in both events), the Chiles boys 200 free relay (4th in Class 2A), the Leon girls’ 200 medley relay (4th in Class 2A), the Rickards boys’ 200 medley relay (7th in Class 1A), the Leon girls’ 400 free relay (10th in Class 2A), the Rickards boys’ 400 free relay (11th in Class 1A) and the Chiles girls’ 200 free relay (15th in Class 2A). Nearly all the swimmers from these relays are returning this year.

ATAC swimmers prepare for high school season

Chiles High School Swimming Records

High school meet schedule and results
Weekly top 5 ranking
School records

Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club