PCST College Swimmers Compete in Gainesville!

Former Tsunami Swimmers Compete For Three Different Teams at University of Florida Collegiate Invitational!

For many years the Panama City Swim Team has sent swimmers of to compete at the collegiate ranks.  In fact, if you take a look at our "Collegiate Swimming" section of the website listed under the "Swimmers" toolbar at the top, you will see that we have had swimmers move on to swim for some very good programs.  However, times are changing somewhat in Bay County as we continue to send way more swimmers than ever to the NCAA to achieve their athletic dreams.  Over the weekend in Gainesville, FL, four of our current seven Tsunami collegiate swimmers all came together for one large "All Florida Teams" Invitational and I could not have been prouder to witness it.

For three days, the University of Florida hosted the 2nd annual event where nearly all collegiate teams in Florida compete in an early season prelims/finals meet.  In the meet there were four former PCST swimmers representing three different teams.  For the University of North Florida, we saw Allison Troia and Sara Evans.  In addition, Cody Bronnenberg swam for the University of Florida Gators, and Carlee McDonald for the rising "Mocs" of Florida Southern College.  While PCST has seven former swimmers in college right now, it would be impossible for all seven of them to come together for one event since two of them (Lauren Delaney and Elvira Chicarelli) swim for the Air Force Academy in Colorado, and one (Astrid Escobar) swims for Sewanee, The University of the South in Tenneessee.  So as you can imagine, I was simply thrilled to get to watch 4 of them at once.

Sara Evans (University of North Florida Ospreys)
At the University of North Florida, Sara Evans has become somewhat of an icon.  In Panama City she was the swimmer of the year for Bay County and a Junior National qualifier, but if anyone ever asked me, I always said that she will be so much more down the road.  Boy was I right!  Sara has gone on to break multiple school records for the Ospreys in the 200 IM, 400 IM and 200 Breast.  She has become the go to person for their program and is really doing a spectacular job.  It was so neat to get to see her compete in Finals each night for UNF against some of the best swimmers in the country and world!  She has continued to improve each year and should be putting up some exciting times by the end of the season!

To check out Sara's team records, go to the link below:

http://www.unfospreys.com/documents/2011/3/3/Team_Records_-_2010-2011.pdf

Allison Troia (University of North Florida Ospreys)
Joining her this season has been another former Bay County Swimmer of the Year in Allison Troia.  After a few opportunities to speak to her about how the transition is going from club to college, you would have thought her legs were going to fall off from all of the stadiums and weight training.  She even showed me a picture of her laying in the training room with ice on her legs which is apparently a daily routine.  Needless to say, all of the swimmers at the meet over the weekend were completely exhausted from training.  Going best times was not exactly on the agenda for the college coaches because they have bigger meets in mind down the road like conference championships and NCAA Championships.  In spite of it all, Allison surprised maybe even herself a little bit over the weekend with a best time and multiple races that were darn close to best times.  In particular, her 1650 was crazy close to her lifetime best!  Not too shabby for someone as dead tired as she is!  I can't wait to see how great she's going to be by the end of the season in February with their championship meet.

To see Allison's online player bio, go to the link below:

http://www.unfospreys.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6842&path=wswim

Cody Bronnenberg (University of Florida Gators)
If you want to find an intense training program, look no further than the University of Florida where our beloved Cody Bronnenberg now resides.  I have had the pleasure of coaching with the Gators for a few days earlier in the year and can tell you that they do not mess around.  They hit it hard and often with that program, but if you are into it then there are few better places to be and train than Gainesville.  Cody is finding that out first hand now, but is also loving it.  Swimming next to Ryan Lochte, Peter Vanderkaay, Elisabeth Beisel, Theresa Crippen, etc. every single day sounds romantic, but it comes with a price tag labeled "pain", haha.  I did have a great opportunity to speak with Cody's new coach, Gregg Troy, over the weekend; who is now the Head Men's Olympic Coach for 2012.  He said that our boy, who was also a former swimmer of the year for Bay County, has been adjusting well over the past few weeks and "could really help our program".  Those are encouraging words coming from a program that is oozing with National and Olympic Trial qualifiers and even World Champions.  If Gregg has taken an interest in you, and you're willing to work as hard as it takes................then good things are coming my friends!  I can't wait to have Cody back training with us next summer because many of you aren't going to recognize him when he makes his return. 

To read more about the Gator's Swimming Program, go to the link below:

http://www.gatorzone.com/swimmingdiving/men/

Carlee McDonald (Florida Southern Mocassins)
In years past, Central Florida has always been a hot bed for good young club swimmers.  However, it was never known for collegiate swimming as Florida Southern never really had a serious high level program.  Let me tell you now that those days are LONG GONE!  Head Coach (and great buddy of mine), Duncan Sherrard has got that program absolutely rolling and our very own Carlee McDonald is down there enjoying all the benefits.  Since Duncan swam for the Florida Gators under Gregg Troy, you can imagine just how intense the training at FSC has become over the last two years.  Carlee continues to complete training sets that she never imagined being able to do.  Her freshman year brought tremendous best times and she is on the ball for smashing those times come February.  It was a blast getting to watch Carlee compete over the weekend in her individual events as well as some relays.  One thing is for sure............she is getting strong and I could not be any prouder than I am of her success in college.

To check out Carlee's online player bio, go to the link below:

http://www.fscmocs.com/profile.asp?playerID=730

Follow Our Other Tsunami College Swimmer Bios Below!

Elvira Chicarelli (Air Force Academy) http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/chiccarelli_elvira00.html

Lauren Delaney (Air Force Academy) http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/delaney_lauren00.html

Astrid Escobar (Sewanee) http://sewaneetigers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1610&path=wswim

With our own success here with the Tsunamis, it has been nearly impossible in past years to get away and watch our college swimmers compete in person.  The conference championship meets always fall on the same weekends as our very own District and Southeastern Championships in February.  So you can imagine just how much it meant to me to get to watch four of our swimmers at the same time.  We tried our best to get a picture of all four together, but at the end of the meet, the Gators have to do a "cool down" that is about 45 minutes long and the other swimmers had to leave.  But we did get a fantastic picture of our lovely girls as well as a few action shots throughout the weekend.  I am proud of all of you, including our girls in Colorado and Tennessee.  You have made the PCST family proud, represented us well and I can't wait to share your great swims with everyone in February.

CATCH THE WAVE!

Coach Jonathan