GREATER PENSACOLA AQUATIC CLUB

Another remarkably large team of GPAC swimmers traveled to Mobile the second weekend in October to take a third place team finish at the Vance Rose Invitational. Swimmers from all training groups, and all age groups were in attendance to represent the team. “It’s really exciting to see so many swimmers experiencing out-of-town meets, especially the swimmers in the White group,” said Head Age Group coach Greg Johnson. “For many of the swimmers this weekend, this was their first meet away from UWF. They really did well.” GPAC’s Braden Barkley,...

Nine members of the GPAC Junior group were recently named to the Southeastern Swimming All-Star team, many of whom have made consecutive appearances on the All-Star lists over the last three years. The SES All-Star team is made of swimmers who are 14 or under, was a Southeastern champion in an individual event, posted a top-5 time in the event which there is a SES record, or had a top-5 IMX score. SHORT COURSE Six swimmers made the team from the 2012-13 short course season. Renee and William Henderson, as...

Jacquie Kinman has verbally committed to Florida International University (FIU). Jacquie on choosing FIU, “Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions a person can make in life but I saw so many benefits to being an FIU Student that I made my decision early.   FIU has a beautiful campus, the majors that I want to study and apartment style dorms, which I love.  FIU also has a great swimming program of which I am excited to be a part.  I believe the team and coaches will be a...

Bringing one of the largest teams in recent history to an away meet, over 60 GPAC swimmers, and as many dedicated parents, braved a torrential rain storm virtually all day Saturday and part day on Sunday to bring home a fifth place team finish and many, many best times. “I thought the swimmers did a tremendous job considering the circumstances,” said Head Age Group Coach Greg Johnson. “Swimming outdoors is very different for the kids, and swimming in the pouring rain and cold breeze is extremely difficult. I’m proud of...

Senior team member Nate Thomas, 17, has been named to USA Swimming’s Academic All-America team for 2012-2013. This is Nate’s first time receiving this award and he was one of only 35 other swimmers in the LSC to get named to the list. This year, only 1353 swimmers from across the U.S. made the select team. Swimmers must have completed 10th, 11th or 12th grade, made a 3.5 or higher GPA, and achieved one or more the published time standards from USA Swimming—usually equivalent to a short course Junior national...

More than 115 new and returning GPAC swimmers met Saturday at UWF’s aquatic center to begin the 2013-2014 season. The team hosted an all-ages team time trial to give new swimmers experience in a competition setting, and veteran swimmers a chance to post some early season best times. To begin the morning, swimmers arrived to receive their team t-shirts and caps, as well as their new team water bottles.  After the gear was issued, the swimmers gathered to take the annual team photo. It was great to see so many...

GPAC’s Brooke Ferrara, in her third consecutive appearance on the Southeastern Swimming Zone Team, took the medal stand six times, four for relays and twice individually, at the 2013 Southern Zone Age Group Championship held in Greenville, SC July 30-August 3. Ferrara, 15, was the lead-off swimmer for both the 400m freestyle relay and the 200m freestyle relay for Southeastern Swimming that won gold. Her swim in the backstroke leg of the medley relay was just .38 seconds off her best time posted at Southeastern Championships two weeks prior, and...

Brooke Ferrara has been selected to represent Southeastern Swimming at the Southern Zone Championship held in Greenville, SC from July 30th to August 4th.   The Zone Championship Meets feature the top regional swimmers from around the United States divided into the four designated zones: Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western.  Southeastern Swimming Athletes earning a position on this team have achieved the highest level of age group swimming and will experience a highly competitive meet at a world class swimming facility.   The Southeastern All Star team is selected using...

Bringing one of the largest squads in several years, thirty four swimmers traveled to Nashville to represent GPAC at the 2013 Southeastern Swimming Long Course Championships July 18-21. GPAC finished in the top 16 of all teams, led by a tremendous meet by Braden Barkley, with support from several senior-level swimmers, some 11-12 year-old distance swimmers and strong relays. Barkley, 10, cleared nearly 100 points himself with top-eight performances in all seven of his events. Braden swam life-best times in all of his individual events, grabbing the bronze medal in...

In manner similar to the fireworks shows two days earlier, the GPAC swimmers put on a fabulous display of performances over the weekend at the GPAC Season Finale swim meet held at the University of West Florida aquatic center, saving some of the best and brightest for last. GPAC swimmers Braden Barkley, Paige Bridges, and Steffen Mount were the stand-out performers for the team, winning their respective age groups’ high-point award for the meet. Braden, 10, captured his first high-point award this season, winning seven out of his eight individual...