If they were to win a state crown, this would be the year to do it. Washington High School, led by GPAC seniors Jacquie Kinman and Brianna Mount, had big performances from the upperclassmen, as well as its relays to win the 2A Florida High School Athletic Association State Championship held in Stuart, Fl November 9.

Washington girls started the meet with a win in the 200-yd medley relay, and went on to win all three relays of the meet. The final 400-yd freestyle relay was the clincher. Washington closed the race on second-place Estero High School by over four seconds to win the meet by a scant 17 points. All three of Washington’s relays were included  a combination of GPAC swimmers, including Sophia Diagne, Brooke Ferrara, Jacquie Kinman and Brianna Mount and all relays posted All-American consideration times.

Individually, Washington was dominant in the sprints. Brianna Mount and Brooke Ferrara took 2-3 in the 50-yd freestyle, both setting All-American consideration times.  Brianna also took fifth in the 100-yd free.  Freshman Sophia Diagne made the finals in the 100-yd butterfly and finished fifth to score some big points for Washington. Brooke Ferrara took third in the 100-yd backstroke, posting an All-American consideration time, and Jacquie Kinman grabbed the silver medal in the 100-yd breaststroke, in a personal best, a new GPAC team record and All-American consideration time of one minute 4.77 seconds.

GPAC swimmers Claren Anderson and Bianca Phillips represented Gulf Breeze High School at the meet, contributing to the fifth place 200-yd freestyle relay, helping Gulf Breeze to a 13^th place finish. Claren also swam the 500-yd freestyle at the meet. Peyton Parra and Nick Petruska both made their state championship debut in the 500-yd freestyle while Peyton also competed in the 100 butterfly.

On the boys’ side, Washington finished a respectable sixth place at the meet. GPAC Junior Steffen Mount was the impact player for WHS. He swam on both of Washington’s fourth place medley and free relays, and posted points in his individual swims as well. He placed third in the 200-yd freestyle with a personal best and new All-American consideration time of one minute 40.52 seconds. This was over a three second drop for him since the beginning of the season, and is a new GPAC team record. He also placed third in the 100-yd freestyle, breaking the 46 second barrier for the first time ever with a  :45.85.

Three other members of GPAC contributed individual points to the Wildcats.  Junior Cameron Walton made the consolation finals in the 50-yd freestyle, finishing twelfth and posting a lifetime-best. Junior Grant Bridges also made the consolation finals in the 100-yd backstroke, finishing thirteenth.  Senior William Rosasco finished 16^th out of the consolation heat in the 100 Breaststroke.  These three swimmers as well as Senior Richard Trawick and Mount factored into the relays for the boys adding valuable points.

GPAC had 13 swimmers representing at the 2A state finals. We are very proud of and excited by your accomplishments!