Prep Report: Seahawk girls win swim title
Though the total number of regional swimming and diving qualifiers is still to be determined, the Cape Coral Seahawks have several in contention after an impressive showing at the District 2A-10 Championships Monday at the YMCA Norris Pool in Naples.
The Seahawks captured the district title in the girls’ competition by one point over Barron Collier. They finished with 365 points.
The victory continues a strong postseason run for the girls, who won the LCAC title last week.
The boys’ team delivered an outstanding performance Monday, finishing third behind district champion Fort Myers and Barron Collier.
“This was a really strong showing to be third out of 16 teams,” Cape coach Dianne Kimble said. “These boys came in and worked really hard and did a great job.”
The top eight in each event are in contention for regionals, but the times are compared to other districts around the state. The results won’t be determined until Sunday.
The Seahawks placed several individuals and relays in the top eight.
On the boys’ side, Tyler Thresher had an all-around strong meet, placing fourth in the 100 breast and sixth in the 100 fly. Graham Murza took fourth in the 100 back and added another top eight in the 200 IM. Ryan Cichielo and Nick Keating placed in the top eight in the 100 breast and 100 back, respectively.
All three of the boys’ relays figure to advance to regionals next Thursday at FGCU. The 200 free relay team of Keating, Cichielo, Murza and Antonio Alvarez placed second.
The girls’ competition ultimately came down to the final event, the 400 free relay. The Seahawks sent their top four in seniors Lauren Smith, Christina Todd, Meghan Cotugno and sophomore Olivia Langford.
The lead changed several times until Cotugno, the Seahawks anchor, separated from the rest of contenders. Cotugno finished second in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. Todd took second in the 200 IM and third in the 100 fly, and Smith placed fifth in the 50 and 100 freestyle events.
Tara Murza, Michaela Steakley and Shirley Langford are among the Seahawks who posted top eight times.
Golf
Region 5-2A: Ida Baker junior Michael Faulkner and Cape Coral freshman Anthony Myers represented their respective schools at the Region 5-2A Tournament Monday at Heron Creek in Venice.
Baker senior Miko Dougherty competed in the girls’ regional at Vinyards in Naples.
All three were unable to advance to state, after posting scores in the 80s.
Myers came the closest with an 80. Faulkner fired an 85, and Dougherty carded an 86.
Faulkner made his first regional appearance after shooting a 3-over-par 75 at the district tourney last Monday.
Over the past several weeks, he consistently had posted rounds in the 70s when playing 18 holes. He shot 76 in a practice round at Heron Creek, leading up to Monday’s regional.
“He had an off day,” Baker coach Scott Conforte said. “He struggled off the tee and on the greens. It was just one of those days.”
Myers also had a strong finish to the season, highlighted by last Monday’s district tournament when he shot 76, and edged Baker’s Dylan Fine in a playoff to earn the final regional berth.
Dougherty had an impressive turnaround at the district meet last Tuesday, firing a 74 – 17 strokes better than her score at the LCAC Championship.
She needed a similar score in the mid-70s Monday to be in contention for a state berth.
Barron Collier edged Fort Myers by two strokes to take the team title. Barron Collier finished with 305 and Fort Myers 307. Both teams advance to next Tuesday’s Class 2A state finals at Silver Springs Shores Country Club in Ocala.
Region 6-1A: Bishop Verot senior Chase Marinell used his experience to an advantage, firing a 3-under-par 69 to take medalist honors at the Region 6-1A Tournament.
Marinell played The Hideout Course this summer when he qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur.
Marinell led the Vikings to a score of 298, seven stokes better than second-place Bradenton St. Stephen’s. The Vikings advance to the state tournament.
Verot junior Jack Hernandez shot 73 to finish in sixth.
Girls Soccer
Riverdale 1, North Fort Myers 0: Riverdale struck for the only goal in the 77th minute to defeat North Fort Myers in a preseason jamboree at the Kelly Road Complex.
North junior goalkeeper Brianna Abatisti made seven saves and the Knights registered 16 shots.
North plays Mariner Tuesday in the second jamboree game.
Mariner 1, Fort Myers 0: Emily Diroma scored the game’s only goal in the first 20 minutes, assisted by Alex Muro-Solis as the Tritons clipped Fort Myers in a preseason tuneup.
The Tritons face North Fort Myers in another preseason game Tuesday.