GREATER PENSACOLA AQUATIC CLUB

In the second meet in as many weeks, 15 GPAC swimmers attended the Mac Crutchfield Invitational hosted by ATAC Swimming at FSU January 25-27. Renee and William Henderson, 10, lead the way for GPAC, winning for individual events each.  Both Renee and William extend their breaststroke winning streak, remaining virtually unbeaten in the 50 and 100-yd breaststrokes this season.  William posted best times in five of his events.  Older brother James Henderson, 12, was the only other event winner for GPAC, taking top honors in the 100-yd back.  James also...

Winter Invite Proves Most Productive for GPAC Swimmers A blizzard storm of best times was the result of 94 GPAC swimmers converging with a balmy Florida winter’s weekend at GPAC’s Winter Invitational held at UWF’s aquatic center January 18-20.  The dominant home team, GPAC handedly won the meet with over 2,000 points.  Coulson Barfield, 12, Brooke Ferrara, 15, Renee Henderson and brother William Henderson, 10 were named the high point winners in their age groups. “This was an impressive meet for our team,” said Head Coach Phil Kraus.  “We had...

  With some of the team competing in Baton Rouge, twelve other GPAC swimmers took advantage of a meet closer to home at the PNY Holiday Invitational held in Gulf Shores, AL December 1 and 2. Lexi DeJesus, 11, led the way for GPAC, placing first in nine out her ten individual events.  She posted a new ‘BB’ time in the 50-yard freestyle, and ‘B’ times in almost all other events.  Right behind her was Abigail Barr, 14, who won four individual events and placed second in three others.  Her...

  Only two weeks after their impressive performances at the Gravy Bowl, a squad of 31 of GPAC’s top swimmers traveled to Louisiana State University and once again flexed it’s might across all age groups, and all strokes and distances.   GPAC boasted eight different individual champions, including a 1-2-3 sweep of both the 13-14 girls’ 100 and 200-yard breaststrokes, and two victorious 11-12 boys’ relays. “We really have fun coming to this meet,” said Head Age Group Coach Greg Johnson.  “Some of the kids have been preparing since last year...

With the Thanksgiving holiday rapidly approaching, GPAC swimmers wasted no time in feasting on the competition at the 2012 Gravy Bowl Invitational held at UWF November 16-18.  GPAC won the meet with 88 swimmers posting 74% overall best times! Brooke Ferrara, 15, and James Henderson, 12, once again emerged as the high-point winners for their age group.  Brooke won seven of her individual events, setting personal best times in five of them.  She also posted two new Southeastern cuts (200, 400 IM), and two new ‘AAAA’ times! James won five...

  Teams determined by the Pensacola News Journal Over all GPAC had 20 swimmers (9 boys & 11 girls) named to the all area teams.  These swimmers represented selections in 26 of the possible 44 swimming event spots which is almost 60%. Only 2 swimmers, either boy or girl, from Class 1A were recognize on the teams and they were GPAC swimmers Brooke Ferrara and Heidi Schellin.  Nathaniel Thomas got the top honor for the boys earning swimmer of the year.  Congratulations to all GPAC Swimmers! Boys Swimming First Team...

Caroline verbally committed to Florida State University in October but made it official on Wednesday, Novmeber 14, 2012 (National signing day) at a ceremony held at Pace High School. Caroline is a long time GPAC swimmer and has had tremendous success over her careeer.  She has also battled back from 2 shoulder surgerys over the last 2 years to continue her career in fine fashion. She has been a SES All-Star, and individual event Champion at the the SES championships.  She has been a point scorer at the FHSAA championships each of...

Thirty GPAC swimmers drove the short distance to compete in the Vance Rose Invitational hosted October 19-21 in Mobile.  Led by a strong 12 and under group, GPAC placed fifth overall.  Leading the way for GPAC was Renee and William Henderson, 10, who each placed 3rd overall in the points race.  William captured three individual wins (100 Br, 50 Br, 100 IM) and took second in three others.   Renee won the 500 freestyle, dropping 7.38 seconds, and was runner-up in four other events. Not to be outdone, James Henderson, 12,...

Pictured are Coach Greg and Coach Kevin with All-Star performers Renee Henderson, William Henderson, Cameron Jones, Braden Barkley and Walker Parra at the All-Starr reception in Gulf Shores.  Not pictures is Brooke Ferrara. The Southeastern All-Star Team is selected each season on the following criteria: Team selected during time period of September 1, 2011 - August 31, 2012 from Long Course Meters results only. Swimmers are selected to the team in the following manner:   1) Selections limited to the following age groups: 8&Under; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14.   2) Automatic...

Sunny weather and fast swimming were the highlights of the weekend for 16 GPAC swimmers who attended the PCST Paradise Short Course Invitational held in Panama City Beach, FL.  The Henderson trifecta of James, 12, William, 10 and sister Renee, 10 along with Noah Scoggins, 8, won high point awards for their age group. “It was a really fun meet,” said Head Age Group Coach Greg Johnson.  “Swimming outdoors in nice weather was a change of pace for the swimmers, and they really had a good time.” James Hendersonplaced fifth...