Five Coral Shores athletes competed at the highest level in prep swimming last week.
Four swimmers and one diver made the trip to Ocala s FAST complex Nov. 16 for the FHSAA 1A swimming and diving championships. Though none of the qualifying team members captured a medal, their season was nothing short of a success. Only the top athletes in the state earn a lane at the championships, and Coral Shores has been prolific in qualifying swimmers the past few seasons.
The trip was not new for Layne Smith, Abbie Sargent, Allegra Fucaraccio and Sofia Figueredo, all of whom qualified for the meet last season. The foursome made the cut this season in the 200 yard medley and 200 freestyle relays. They placed 15th and 16th, respectively.
Smith also qualified for the individual 200 and 500 freestyle events. She placed 16th in the 200 free and 15th in the 500 free. Sargent, the lone senior of the group, qualified for the individual 200 yard IM and 100 yard breaststroke events to end her high school swimming career as one of the school s most accomplished athletes in the sport.
Diver Aaron Lykins made the trip to states for the first time in his short career, placing 13th in the diving event. Lykins was able to put together a program and earn four points for the Hurricanes men s team, which consisted of just Lykins.
Though Ocala was the end of the lane for the season, many of Coral Shores swimmers will take little time off from their training as they participate year-round in club teams and local swimming events. Perhaps most notably, Smith and Sargent have found success in the eight-mile open-water Swim for Alligator Lighthouse, an event considered grueling by any standard.
The Coral Shores High School team is coached by four-time Olympic gold medalist Jon Olsen and head diving coach and collegiate diver Kelly Owens. Competitive club swimming is available for those ages 6-18 through the Florida Keys Swim Club with Olsen, and springboard diving lessons are available year round for those age 6 and up with Owens at Ron Levy Aquatic Center.
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