Splash! Northeast Florida's top teams, high school swimmers to watch

The Florida High School Athletic Association kicks off swimming and diving season across the Jacksonville area this week. After Northeast Florida claimed five team titles last year, see top teams and swimmers to watch for 2026.

BOYS

6 teams to watch

Bishop Kenny

A state champion in four of the last five years, Bishop Kenny still looks strong despite graduating quality swimmers including Alabama signee Carter Wright. Seniors Miguel Aguilar, Riley Brownell and Nik Morrell and junior Lukas Morrell all qualified for Class 2A B finals and should score again in 2026. Eddy Naspolini and Jacob Voorhees may be the next Crusaders in line.

Bolles

The graduation departures are many, but the aim remains the same at Bolles, shooting for its 39th consecutive state team championship.

Even in a year of relative transition, this lineup looks formidable, including two returning state champions: Virginia Tech-committed senior Tommy Lussier won the 50 free last year, and Cal commit Thi Rai won the 100 breaststroke. Versatile senior Camp Hartman, headed for Navy, and several rising Bulldogs further supplement the overall depth.

Creekside

The Knights, once again, bring depth and relay strength to the pool, including several swimmers who were part of relay squads that earned All-American consideration last year. Ian Foulk, seventh in the 100 back (50.33) and a B finalist in the 200 IM, is a senior leader with juniors Bailey Koo and Ben Poynton also coming off state meet appearances. Austin Tomas in the distance freestyle events and Gage Wright in the 100 fly and 100 back are sophomores on the rise.

Fleming Island

There may not be many stronger 1-2 combinations in boys swimming in the state, particularly at public schools. Senior William Shoesmith, committed to Virginia, won the Class 3A 500 free last year in automatic All-American time and qualified for USA Swimming nationals. Then there's Clay transfer Noah Stotler, the reigning 200 free state champion with five qualified events for July's national meet. Factor in Jake Hall and Jackson Strickland, and Fleming Island should place high.

Fletcher

The Senators produced their biggest splash for several years in 2025, and there's every reason to expect another competitive season at the Beaches. Merrick Vanscoy placed second in the 50 free as a junior and helped Fletcher to three top-five relay results, while Mason Baldwin, Michael Murdono and Bennett Rotramel are likely impact performers. And not to be forgotten is the Fletcher diving squad, which is deep, led by Jasper Jackson, Mason Levine and Mason Putnal.

Nease

Will the streak continue? Nease has finished on top of the state podium for the last four years, most recently in a tie with Tampa Jesuit, although they'll move up to Class 4A this year. Florida commit Luke Zardavets won the 100 breast, Lincoln Driesse earned automatic All-American recognition as 500 free runner-up in 2025 along with a third place in the 200 free, while junior Owen Anderson and sophomores Matthew Shi and Kayden Sloatman are also among the returning Panthers who scored at the state meet.

8 swimmers to watch

Dakota Blake, Sr., Orange Park

A team captain for the Raiders, Blake is closing in on a state qualifying spot in the backstroke and sprints. He teams up with Isaac Gutierrez, Zephan Leak, Princeton Williams and Abe Yeykal for Orange Park.

Dylan Graham, Jr., Bartram Trail

Graham raced the 100 and 200 last year in districts and helped the Bears qualify for the A final with an eighth-place finish in the 200 free relay.

Chase Kendall, Sr., Ponte Vedra

He placed fifth last year in the 500 free and also qualified for the 200 IM, and now he's on course for college at Cincinnati. The Sharks' boys program should score well, including returning scorers from last year with Beau Barry (50 free) and Aaron Yang (100 back and 200 IM).

Sam Lee, Jr., Stanton

Look for Lee to carry on the Blue Devils' long-established state swimming tradition in the distance events. He qualified for the 500 free at last year's 2A meet.

Kegan Rapin, Sr., University Christian

The speediest sprinter for the Fighting Christians both inside (23.30 in the 50 free, 52 flat in the 100) and outside the pool (an award-winner for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Ocean Rescue in the summer). Younger sister Keely is also on the rise for the UC girls.

Anthony Reznitchenko, Sr., Tocoi Creek

A Toro who brings championship experience. Reznitchenko was a double qualifier for the Class 4A meet last year in two very different events, racing the 50 free and the 100 breast.

Michael Tarzia, So., Fernandina Beach

On a younger Pirates team this year, Tarzia is a relative veteran, and enters the season coming off a district championship in the 100 free. He also participated as a relay swimmer at the state meet.

Finn Zubero, Sr., Episcopal

Get ready for speedy times at Episcopal. Among the city's leading sprinters, Zubero owns a 20.8 in the 50 free and a 45.3 in the 100 free, qualifying for A finals in both in 2025. Evan Finn (100 fly and 100 back) and Luke Taylor (500 free) further supplement a strong lineup.

GIRLS

6 teams to watch

Bolles

The Bolles girls swimming dynasty has captured the last 35 state titles and looks like a solid candidate to add another trophy to the cabinet. Two individual champions are coming back at opposite ends of the distance spectrum, Florida State commit Leah Chin in the 50 free and Miami commit Heidi Stoute in the 500 free. Plus, Bolles 200 free record holder Allison Kelly placed second in two FHSAA finals as a sophomore, and junior Gianna Vasto ranks among the top divers in the Southeast.

Creekside

Nobody should count out Creekside in the St. Johns County chase, especially with multiple state qualifiers coming back. Blake Beaver (200 IM and 500 free), Emmie Lewis (50 free and 100 free) and and Sophie Oldham (50 free and 100 fly) were double state finalists in 2025. The relays also have an impressive track record. Last year, Knights state qualifiers also included Makenna Bowen, Makayla Davies, Mikayla LaPointe and Makayla Taggart, just to name a few.

Episcopal

Eyes will be focusing on senior Blakely Hammel, already among the most successful high school competitors in Northeast Florida girls swimming history. The Florida commit already owns four FHSAA individual championships and qualified for the USA Swimming nationals in California in July, and she's ranked among the state's top recruits. Lily Hansen and Whitney Morgan further strengthen an Eagles roster that should place high.

Fernandina Beach

It begins with a family combination that's fueled the Pirates' rise in the state standings. Senior Rileigh Revere, the runner-up in the 200 IM a year ago, is a top contender on a Pirates team aiming for a third consecutive top-10 state finish. Also keep an eye on younger sister Skylar Revere, last year's runner-up in the 500 free and also a 200 free contender.

Nease

Now that the Panthers are in Class 4A, they won't collide with Ponte Vedra in the state finals, which could boost their chances for a high overall finish. This roster looks strong, as usual. Anna Driesse is a returning champion in the 100 breast, swimming 1:05.18, and placed third in the 200 IM. There should be high-scoring depth as well, including Kyra Horn and Elizabeth Parker in swimming events and Savannah Petrosevich in diving.

Ponte Vedra

The goal is six in a row for the Sharks, and it's a real possibility. Ava Pell, runner-up in the 100 breast, provides a top-of-the-podium contender for one of the deepest teams in the pool in Northeast Florida. Ponte Vedra can get points from all over the schedule, and returners Makenna Biernacki, Grace Costello, Lily Ewer, Priscilla Hocking, Marianna Myers and Leighton Walters all scored at the Class 3A meet last November in Ocala.

8 swimmers to watch

Sabrina Avila, So., Stanton

She enters the year as a school record-holder with a pair of top-10 state finishes in the 200 IM and the 100 free. With sophomore Lucy Page (200 free/100 back) and diver Julia Richardson also back in the water, Stanton ranks among the Gateway Conference's best.

Moriah Ayres, Jr., Wolfson

The Wolfpack girls squad has steadily picked up the pace in the last few seasons. Ayres made a pair of state B finals in the 500 free and 100 breast in 2025, and teammate Taylor Finklehoffe also qualified in a pair of events.

Leah Cox, Sr., Fletcher

Tenth last year in state diving with 315.85 points, she's a top returner for Senators diving, where Miyah Grey is also in the hunt for a high finish. Also watch for Johanna Timmerman in the distance races.

Jenna Frost, Sr., Bartram Trail

Frost placed second last year in the 500 free in 4:52.31, an automatic All-American time, and placed third in the 200 free. Rated among Northeast Florida's best in the distance events, she's on her way to college swimming at Ohio State.

Shelby Malandrucco, So., Palatka

The Panthers' top swimmer in numerous events, she qualified for the regionals last year in the 100 breast and 50 free but could also race this year in the 100 back or the 200 IM.

Gabby Wagner, Sr., Bishop Kenny

She's a three-time regional qualifier who should further improve on last year's 100 and 200 free times now that she's back from a shoulder injury. As usual, the Crusaders should score nicely in relays because of depth, including Jailyn Da Costa, Avery Duncan, Sofia Gacharna, Maya Terry and Michaela Tutwiler.

Kinsey Yarbrough, Sr., Fleming Island

Last year, she reached a B final in the 200 free and helped the Golden Eagles to two top-five state relay results. She's part of a deep Fleming Island roster with Audrey Hall, Caroline Kuhl, Klara Shoesmith, Ellie Strombeck and Summer Vanwagenen among the leaders.

Kaleea Zielinski, Sr., Tocoi Creek

She qualified for the B final and placed ninth in the Class 4A 500 free, and also qualified for state in the 200 free for a Toros program entering its sixth year.

What are the FHSAA high school swimming classifications for 2026?

District 1-4A: Atlantic Coast, Beachside, Creekside, Mandarin, Nease, Oakleaf, Sandalwood, Tocoi Creek

District 2-3A: Columbia, First Coast, Fletcher, Middleburg, Orange Park, Ridgeview, Tallahassee Chiles, Tallahassee Leon, Tallahassee Lincoln, Tallahassee Rickards, White

District 3-3A: Bartram Trail, Clay, Fleming Island, Gainesville, Lake Weir, Lecanto, Leesburg, Matanzas, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala Vanguard, Ponte Vedra, South Marion, St. Augustine

District 2-2A: Baker County, Fernandina Beach, Paxon, Raines, Ribault, Stanton, Suwannee, West Nassau, Yulee

District 3-2A: Alachua Santa Fe, Bishop Kenny, Gainesville Eastside, Menendez, Palatka, Parker, Riverside, Westside, Wolfson

District 2-1A: Baldwin, Bishop Snyder, Bolles, Cornerstone Classical, Episcopal, Florida Deaf, Harvest Community, Hilliard, Jackson, Providence, St. Johns Country Day, St. Joseph, University Christian

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Splash! Northeast Florida's top teams, high school swimmers to watch