The boys swim season is over, and it’s time to recognize the top performers in the county. Standout athletes and coaches pushed their teams to new levels, racking up wins, setting records, and showing consistent excellence in and out of the pool. Here’s a look at the swimmers and coaches who made the biggest impact this year.
Boys Swimmer of the Year: Cullen Descalzo, Arnold
Arnold High School senior Cullen Descalzo was named the boys Swimmer of the Year after a dominant season highlighted by championship performances at every level. Descalzo stepped into a leadership role following graduation losses and delivered when it mattered most. “It’s my first year being All-County since a lot of other guys graduated, so I guess it was kind of time to step up,” Descalzo said.
He did exactly that, winning district titles in both the 100 backstroke and the 200 individual medley. At the regional meet, Descalzo followed with a second-place finish in the 200 IM and third in the 100 backstroke, before capping his season at the state meet with fifth-place finishes in both events.
“I treated the normal dual meets like preparation for the big meets,” Descalzo said. “I was really just trying to go fast in practice, get used to competition, and swim events I don’t normally swim.”
A swimmer since age 12, Descalzo said his favorite events are the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke. His favorite moment of the season came at the state meet. “Competing at state and obviously proving myself that I’m able to swim in college,” he said.
Descalzo is committed to Rollins College, where he chose the program for its strong academics, proximity to home, and high-level athletic facilities.
Coach of the Year: Tina Brewer, North Bay Haven
North Bay Haven’s swim program made history, capturing its first-ever boys Class 1-1A district championship. The team went on to regionals where they achieved third place and had four swimmers qualify for the state meet.
All-County boys swim and dive
1st Team All County: Cullen Descalzo (Sr., Arnold), Owen Freisthler (So., Arnold), Levi Merritt (So., Arnold), Hayden Stewart (Jr., Arnold), Samuel Merritt (Sr., Arnold HS), Jackson Matthews (So., Arnold), Roman Belev (Jr., Mosley), Orrin Scarborough (Sr., Mosley), Brendan Stahl (So., North Bay Haven), Clark Wilt (So., North Bay Haven), Peanut Rademacher (Jr., North Bay Haven), Pohaku Rademacher (8th, North Bay Haven)
2nd Team All County: Ethan Clark (Jr., Arnold), Cole Winterman (So., Bay), Beau Carter (Sr., Bay), Jimmy Ruthven (Jr., Bay), Treysen Villegas (Sr., Bay), Oliver Checketts (Jr., North Bay Haven), Declan McIntire (8th, North Bay Haven), Mark Tout (Jr., North Bay Haven)
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: State qualifiers feature in all county boys swim and dive teams
Reporting by Banji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
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