McKeel sweeps Polk County boys and girls swim titles

LAKELAND, FLORIDA – A dynasty is well underway.

The McKeel Academy boys won their fourth consecutive Polk County swimming and diving team championship on Saturday at Gandy Pool, racking up 250 points to easily best second-place George Jenkins with 163.

“Four in a row is very fortunate,” said McKeel Academy coach Roy Wilshire, who took over the program in 2015. “I have been very blessed to have a group of nice competitive athletes who compete and support each other. They want to do well and they know they can do well. I talk to them and tell them to never take anything for granted.”

McKeel was led by Alex Holland winning the 200 free (2:09.36) while the team won the 400-free relay at 3:35.086.

“Our 200-freestyle relay broke the team record today and knocked several seconds off it,” Wilshire said.

To top it off, the McKeel girls won their second consecutive county championship with 258 points, beating second-pace Winter Haven with 136. Last year, McKeel edged out Lakeland for its first girls team title by two points.

“The girls almost broke the team record in the 200 medley relay today, just a quarter of a second off,” Wilshire said.

Winning titles for the McKeel girls were Bryce Palmer in the 100 breaststroke at 1:12.62 and Lily Jonsson in the 100 butterfly at 1:08.01.

Even more amazing, earlier in the day, Jonsson finished 11th at the Polk County cross country meet. Her sister Elin finished third in the100 freestyle for McKeel and seventh at the cross county meet.

The McKeel girls also won the 400-free relay (4:00.11) and the 200 medley relay (2:00.33).

Lake Wales three-time state champion Mary Leigh Hardman won the 100 free with a 53.24 and the 200 free at 1:56.53.

“I think we are starting to get back into the swing of things since the hurricane,” said Hardman, who will switch to the 50- and 100-free races when the postseason rolls around in two weeks.

Hardman also nearly broke the county record for the 50 free with her split in the 200 freestyle relay. By USA Swimming rules, the leadoff-leg time of the 200 free can be counted toward a 50-freestyle record. Hannah Kendall from Winter Haven set the 50 record in 2013 with 24.32. Hardman’s split came up just shy at 24.60.

“It would have been nice but there is always next year to get that,” she said. “I think it is a good goal. The way I see it, I tried my best. I am happy with my two wins.”

Lakeland senior Alex Vasquez won the boys 50 and 100 freestyles, posting a 22.38 in the 50 and a sizzling 49.70 in the 100.

“I am happy with the results, though they are not the best times for me. But they are reasonable considering how long we have been off because of Hurricane Ian.”

The Jenkins boys won the 200-free relay (1:33.67) and the 200-medley relay (1:48.28). Also for Jenkins, Sean Cardosi won the 100 backstroke (1:02.75).

George Jenkins sophomore Dylan Cardosi won the 200 IM with a 2:04.92 and the 100 butterfly at 52.60.

“The 200 IM was a good swim but I wasn’t racing completely well,” Cardosi said. “I have done better in the past. We had that five minute break before the 100 fly and so I felt really good in the water.”

More boys winners included Lake Wales’ Ethan Behr taking the 500 free (6:13.70) and Auburndale’s Keegan Long taking the 100 breaststroke (1:06.98). Kathleen sophomore Ethan Ketchum won boys diving with 190.40 points.

On the girls side, Santa Fe Catholic sophomore Marissa Hengesbach won the 500 free (5:28.06) and the 200 IM (2:17.19).

“I just really happy with my times and where I am at right now,” Hengesbach said.

Winter Haven senior Danielle Farmer won the girls 50 free with a 26.67. It was the first time she ever competed in the 50 in a championship meet. Her teammate Layla Henson won girls diving after racking up 198.60 points. It was her second straight county diving title.

“I just went out and stayed calm, I just basically did what I did in practice,” Henson said. “I just went out there and had fun with it.”

More girls champions included Lakeland senior Bobbie Rosenkranz in the 100 backstroke at 59.58.