Top talent in new places to spark swim season

Some of the area's high school swimmers played a big game of musical chairs this summer, with many landing at Sickles and Gaither. North Hillsborough's newest high school, Freedom, even snagged a few.

Katie Snyder, a successful college swimmer at the University of Tampa, is the new girls swim coach at Sickles. She brings knowledge and enthusiasm to an already successful program.

Jean Tinnen, a veteran coach at Gaither has developed winning teams for the Cowboys using depth, even during years when the talent pool was shallow. This year, Tinnen has both.

Wharton, Leto and Alonso have good swimmers, but are still building. The brand new Patriots should win some meets thanks to some good swimmers transferring to the new Freedom High School. Chamberlain, however, is starting over and may not even have enough girls to complete a four-swimmer relay team.

ALONSO: The Ravens enter their second season with some experience and a number of new recruits.

Back from last season are Nikki Rocca, Chandra Beck, Vicky Thornton, Gina Memera and Ashley Hastings.

"Our numbers are increasing, because the girls are recruiting friends to join the team," Alonso coach Heidi Cantona said. "So we are building depth and the girls all have a great attitude. Plus our administration is being supportive. I expect an improved team this year."

CHAMBERLAIN: This could be the season Coach Allison Ferrebee's Chiefs struggle. Candice Fernandez and Katie Hutek are back, but they'll have to recruit at least two more swimmers to make up a relay team.

FREEDOM: Tye Severino is coaching both the girls and boys teams. She says she won't know what to expect until she has worked with the swimmers for a few weeks.

However, she spent time this summer visiting swim club workouts and meets and says there may be a few talented youngsters in the district who could help build a successful Patriots program.

GAITHER: Before school started this month, Cowboys Coach Jean Tinnen was concerned about having the swimmers to fill all the events. In addition to losing several starters to graduation, others shifted into the Freedom school district.

However, Gaither has one of the most talented teams in Hillsborough County and could be a challenger for state-meet honors by November.

Diver Carlye Gilbert is back for her senior season on the springboard and state swimming qualifiers Katie Hart and Jennifer Connor are also back.

Beefing up the Cowboys with top talent and depth are Carly Cavalieri, Meredith Lynch, Valerie Crovo, Natalie Davis, Megan Johnson, Chantall Bernuil, Kaitlin Lockett, Sarah Whitmore and Lindsay MacKay.

"I was really worried when I began to add up all the losses to graduation and the new school," Tinnen said. "Then when school started, I was shocked to see new swimmer after new swimmer moving in. Now it looks very good."

LETO: Back to help coach Jim Lavallee rebuild the Falcons are junior Pamela Cordova and senior Renata Zacarkim. Cordova is a versatile speedster specializing in the individual medley and Zacarkim does best with the backstroke.

"We have more than a dozen girls out to help with the rebuilding process and they all are excited," Lavallee said. "Now we have to work on translating that excitement into skill and speed. I am happy with what we have to work with this year."

SICKLES: Back to help guide their team for their final season are captain Carrie McGunnigle and co-captain Amanda Cook. Also back is captain-elect Tami Mayer, a junior.

Potential state placers include Becky Bird, Katrina Cooke, Cassandra Donovan, Erin Hotchkiss and Tamlin Tromp.

The Gryphons also have depth with younger swimmers capable of scoring points to help win duals and earn high placements all the way to state.

"We are all really excited about this team and this season," first-year coach Katie Snyder said. "These girls could become the new powerhouse team of Hillsborough County. The team is just loaded with both talent and versatility."

WHARTON: State qualifiers who will be back in the pool for the Wildcats include team captain Ellen Heise, plus Deanne Cutler and Audrey Prior. Also back are Jessi White and Rachel Alford.

"We have a tough dual schedule this year, but I am confident our girls will do well," Wildcat coach Jackie Fletcher said. "We are certainly disappointed about the Western Conference meet being dropped. That was always a good meet for us. But our girls are enthusiastic, working hard together and looking forward to a great season."

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