Several students Pine View students are part of the local competitive swim team, the Sarasota YMCA Sharks. Varying in program intensity across all age levels, this program has taken several athletes to levels past smaller swimming competition.
Beginning at age six, swimmers have the opportunity to train and improve with the Sharks coaching staff, and high school swimmers get the opportunity to compete for their high school against other athletes in annual meets. This year, the regular 2016-17 season began on Aug. 15 and continued until Oct. 8.
The four fastest swimmers had the opportunity to continue on to district meets. Districts include schools within the same rank, with larger schools grouped together and smaller schools grouped together, providing for more equal competition.
The top 24 swimmers at the district meet moved on to regionals, a more competitive district meet with similar standards apply to the school eligibility. Once meeting the states standards of placing in the top 16 at the regional swim meet, swimmers move on to the state championship in Stuart, Fla.
Congrats to the following Pine View students who competed and placed in the top 8 in their respective events:
500 yard Freestyle
Second place: Brendan Firlie, RHS, eleventh grade
200 yard Freestyle
Second place: Brendan Firlie, River View High School (RHS), eleventh grade
200 yard Individual Medley
Fourth place: Keanan Dols, RHS, twelfth grade
100 yard Backstroke
Second place: Keanan Dols, RHS, twelfth grade
500 yard Freestyle
Seventh place: Grade Patrice, VHS, grade 12
200 yard Individual Medley
Third place: Grace Patrice, VHS, grade 12
200 yard Individual Medley
Second place: Isabella Penkwitz, BHS, grade 12
100 yard Butterfly:
Fourth place: Kristen Nutter, VHS, grade 10
100 yard Butterfly
Fourth place: Isabella Penkwitz, BHS, grade 12