Prep Report: Bulldogs making a splash
Each season since the program began, the Ida Baker Bulldogs have achieved more success in swimming and diving. The trend has continued this year.
At Thursday’s Region 4-2A Meet at Florida Gulf Coast University, Baker freshman Sean O’Connor secured the first state berth in school history by finishing second in boys’ diving.
The Bulldogs may have another qualifier for Thursday’s state meet at Central Florida YMCA Aquatic Center. Senior Chris Conrad finished seventh in the 100 freestyle, putting him in contention. The top 20 times statewide receive state berths once all regionals are concluded.
Senior Ryan Williams, junior Logan Bradley and sophomore Eddie Plyaka joined Conrad at Thursday’s regional, competing in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
“We’ve had a lot of firsts this season,” Baker fourth-year coach Sue Postma said. “We beat Riverdale. We beat South (Fort Myers). We beat a lot of teams we haven’t beaten before.
“To have five boys move on to regionals and potentially two move on to state, that’s exciting,” she added.
Though the Bulldogs have made constant strides in swimming the past few years, their diving program has taken off this season with O’Connor leading the charge.
O’Connor won LCAC and district titles before adding the regional runner-up finish. The top two received automatic berths.
Cross Country
Ida Baker seniors Darlene Hanlon and Zach Stackhouse placed third in the District 3A-6 cross country meet Friday at Veteran’s Park in Lehigh.
They led the Bulldogs, who finished second in the girls’ standings and third in the boys’ standings. Both teams advance to the Region 3-3A Meet in Punta Gorda.
Cape Coral also advanced in the boys’ district finishing among the top eight teams.
The top six girls’ teams moved on. Baker was second behind Fort Myers.
Along with Hanlon’s third-place time, freshman Jessica Polendo and sophomore Leandra Munson finished in the top 15 for the Bulldogs.
Stackhouse posted a personal-best time of 16:50. Senior Jessie Betts gave the Bulldogs a second top-15 finisher.
“Both (boys and girls) teams trained hard from the very beginning,” Baker coach Janet Davis said. “That’s why we did so well.”