Seahawks sweep swim district titles
The Cape Coral boys’ and girls’ swim team underwent what seemed like a nearly complete transformation this season following the graduation of 18 swimmers.
At the District 2A-10 meet Thursday at the Norris Aquatic Center in Naples, that rebuilding looked more like reloading as both squads swept the team championships, thanks to some great work by a number of swimmers.
Santi Rosas and Jonah Martinez were among the big winners for the Seahawks, while Savannah Bowser and Megan Galbreath led the way for the girls.
Seahawks coach Dianne Kimble was thankful a lot of new talent came down the pike this year.
“I think they did great and really pulled together as a team. Savannah is terrific no matter where I put her. She’s a great all-around swimmer, but she excels in the distance freestyle events,” Kimble said. “We have something special. The kids care about each other, act like family and it draws them in.”
Martinez took the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke titles as well as the medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay, making him the big winner of the meet.
“I did okay in the freestyle swim, but the breast is my best event and I did well in that,” Martinez said.
Bowser was a big winner, too, taking the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events while anchoring the 400-yard relay team’s victory. Bowser said she didn’t have to recover much from the 200 to be ready for her favorite event, the 500.
“I went out and did my best for now. I cruised here in districts to make it to regionals,” Bowser said. “I was looking forward to the 500, so I did the 200, drank a lot, listened to pump-up music and did the 500.”
As for Galbreath, it looked like her third consecutive one-meter diving crown was in jeopardy after Port Charlotte protested the event. When it was discovered the protest would be disallowed, she was happy. Not bad for someone who took up diving just three years ago and has been fighting sickness.
“I’m happy with how I did. I was really consistent today, which helped,” Galbreath said. “The protest threw me for a loop. I thought we’d finally get through a meet without any problems.”
In the end, it was the work of young swimmers like Steven Rua, Joe Leon, Stephanie Kraus and others that helped carry the day for the Seahawks, scoring big points.
“It was a rebuild from last year. The freshmen did an amazing job. We stepped it up, did our best, and we came to show we are winners and that we’re the best,” Bowser said.
North Fort Myers did well in the girls’ draw with a fifth-place finish, while sending Rebecca Hays to regionals in the 50-yard freestyle with a second-place finish (and a third in the 100 butterfly). Mariner placed seventh and Island Coast eighth in the 10-team field.
Journi Northorp was second in one-meter diving, earning a trip to regionals for Mariner.
In the boys’ standings, North was seventh, Mariner eighth and Island Coast was last.
Volleyball
District 4A-10: Bishop Verot claimed a straight-set victory Thursday night over LaBelle 25-8, 25-11, 25-8 to win the district championship and as such will host a regional quarterfinal match on Wednesday.
Mindie Mabry delivered 11 kills to go with three blocks to lead the Vikings (23-2). Tea Leonard handed out 14 assists and Jessica Gedra served up nine aces.
Bowling
Thursday’s results:
(Boys) Island Coast 4, Cape Coral 1
Individual scores – Austin Perez 150; Leandro Diaz 95; Daniel Michie 153; Cameron Heaston 136; Nathan Huffman 86. Total Pinfall: 859.
Record: Cape Coral 6-7.
(Girls) Island Coast 5, Cape Coral 0
Individual scores – Courtney Evans 130; Bella Allen 128; Katie Adams 127; Sarah Simone 104; Sara Shuey 142. Total Pinfall: 631.
Record: Cape Coral 6-7.
Sports editor Jim Linette contributed to this report.