Colmenares, McCranie win individual state titles, St. Thomas Aquinas shines in Class 3A state swim meet

Everglades’ senior Javier Colmenares knows firsthand what it is like to go from worst to first.

In 2021, he was disqualified in the 100-yard breaststroke at the state meet, his signature event, and finished third at last year’s state championships.

This year, Colmenares captured his first state title in the 100 breast (55.37) at the FHSAA Class 3A swimming and diving championships at the Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST) facility in Ocala on Saturday night.

He also placed was third in the 200 IM (1:49.58), both personal-best times. He is the school-record holder in both events.

“It felt awesome,” Colmenares said. “I dropped times in both events, and it felt like a big weight and pressure was lifted off my shoulders. I knew I had the ability to win a state championship, and I am glad I did. After getting DQ’d (in 2021) and winning this year, it was really emotional.

“I was really happy with my time in the 200 IM,” he continued. “I dropped two seconds in it, and not that I was expecting it, but I am happy it come true. It was really rewarding to win the state championship. It took a lot of hard work.”

St. Thomas Aquinas senior Julianne McCranie won the 100 fly (54.68) and placed second in the 100 back ( 56.54). The Naval Academy commit improved on her third-place finish in the fly by knocking two seconds off her time. It also was her first state championship.

“It was more just about having fun and not worrying about the times or anything,” McCranie said. “Winning the 100 fly and getting second in the back was definitely fun.

“I wasn’t sure about the 100 back too much, because I always feel like I focus more on the fly in general,” she continued. “I couldn’t have asked for more, it was the best. It was kind of bittersweet, because it was sad to be the last meet with everyone and we were able to keep the legacy going.”

St. Thomas Aquinas sophomore Lena Lajko was fourth in the girls 100 fly with a time of 56.92, while Raiders’ teammate and fellow sophomore Carolyn-Levy Powell was eighth in the 100 fly (59.99).

St. Thomas Aquinas junior Gabriel Tortola was second in the 200 free (1:38.92) and fifth in the 100 free (46.02). He dropped times both of his events at the meet.

“I was really happy with my performance because it was kind of a short season for me,” said Tortola, who competed in the Junior South American Games in September where he finished fourth in the 200 free and helped his team place second in one relay and third in another. “I am happy the way I trained, and I think it showed today.. I had a lot of fun and had some good races.”

St. Thomas Aquinas freshman Juan Valimijana-Behrendt took fourth in the 500 free (4:37.92) and Plantation’s Neika Gayle was seventh in the girls 100 breast (1:06.41).

The St. Thomas Aquinas girls took fourth in the 3A competition with 169 points, while the boys finished fifth with 128 points.

In the girls relays, St. Thomas Aquinas was second in the 200 medley relay (1:46.03); fifth in the 200 free (1:40.44) and eighth in the 400 free relay (3:40.27).

St. Thomas Aquinas took third in the boys 200 free relay (1:27.35) and sixth in the 400 free relay (3:13.51).

Boardman repeats as state diving champion at Class 4A meet

Fort Lauderdale junior James Boardman led a dominant finish for South Florida divers at the FHSAA Class 4A swimming and diving championships at the Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST) facility in Ocala.

Boardman successfully defending his Class 4A state championship in 1-meter diving with 581.50 points.

“It felt good to defend my title,” said Boardman, who had a season-high dive of 616.40 points in winning prestigious Woodson Invitational earlier in September. The score broke the pool and Woodson record. “There was lots of pressure from several divers in the Orlando area. The Orlando divers are really good and next year will be just as challenging.

“It means leaving a legacy of who James Boardman is and leaving my mark on the Fort Lauderdale High School’s record books,” Boardman added. “Fort Lauderdale High has had great divers, and I am honored to be recognized as one now.”

Three other Fort Lauderdale divers finished in the top eight in the girls 1-meter diving competition with sophomores Hayden Ferenc placing third (442.60), Sophia Cavaretta taking sixth (417.10) and Ginger Boardman finishing seventh (400.70).

Dwyer senior Evelyn Hall was runner-up in the girls 1-meter diving with 465.55 points.

Taravella senior Tawannah McLemore was second in the girls 50 free (23.12), and fifth in 100 breaststroke (1:03.29).

“States was a great experience,” McLemore said. “It was my last states, so I knew I had to push for my spot and that’s exactly what I did. I was very happy to drop time because progress is very important to me. I will keep pushing myself for college swim and I’m so excited to go into my next season of swimming.”

Taravella junior Miles Green was second in the boys 50 free (20.96), while Wellington freshman Julian Granison placed fourth (21.13). Boca Raton senior Marcus Johnson  finished sixth in the boys 50 free 21.20.

“I went into my race with only one goal in mind which was a certain time, and I was just happy to accomplish it,” said Green of breaking 21 seconds in the race. “I only focused on the specifics and when it came down to it I successfully got the results I wanted.”

Palm Beach Central sophomore Katya Malyshev was second in the girls 100 fly (54.10). She also led the 200 free relay, and her split was a 23.78 and also placed ninth in the 100 breast with a 1.05.37.

“Coming into States I was fully locked in,” Malyshev said. “I had high expectations for all of my races including relays. Keeping calm and enjoying the moment was key for me. I am very grateful for this experience and ready to dominate next year.”

Fort Lauderdale senior Makar Goncharov was fourth in the boys 100 free (46.19).

Fort Lauderdale sophomore Da’Jah German was seventh in the 50 free (23.85) and eighth in the girls 500 free (5:02.83). Wellington Andreas DaSilva sophomore Boys 100 back was seventh (51.48). Jupiter freshman Tessa Broedell also recorded an eight place finish with a clocking of 1:04.87 in the 100 breast, while Cooper City senior Keegan Stack was seventh in the boys 100 breast (57.73).

In the Class 4A relays, Wellington took second in the boys 200 free relay with an automatic All-American time (1:23.60). Jupiter was sixth in the girls 200 medley (1:48.78). Cypress Bay placed seventh (1:39.17) in the girls 200 free relay and eighth in the 400 free relay (3:37.00). Wellington’s boys 400 free relay was fifth (3:06.92).

Wellington’s boys finished seventh (117 points), while Boca Raton (57) and Fort Lauderdale (54) finished 14th and 15th respectively. Fort Lauderdale’s girls finished eighth (83), Jupiter ninth (72) and Cypress Bay was 16th (52).