OAKLEAF - With a strong return from a year-long injury, Oakleaf High senior swimmer Delicia Coleman was the focal point of Knights coach Jack Powers as the Knights took on the state's best in their district and region swim lineups in the past week.

After all the swimming the past two weeks, Oakleaf will be sending their girls 400 free relay to the Class 4A state championships in Ocala with Brylee Wood, Delicia Coleman, Alexis Huxohl and Ellis Strombeck all earning the state ticket.

"Delicia has worked her butt off to get back in the pool and the season ending with her competing here is a testament to her strong work ethic," said Powers, as Oakleaf competed in their district championships at the University of North Florida a week ago. "We have strong young swimmers that will be getting stronger and better in the next few years, but Delicia has been an inspiration."

At Districts, with Creekside, fifth in 4A last year, and Tocoi Creek taking the top two spots, the Oakleaf girls finished third while the boys were fifth with Creekside, 11th in 4A, winning.

At Districts, Powers youth emerged led by freshman Ellie Strombeck with second in the 200 free and fifth in the 500 free with teammate Abigail Votava seventh also in the 500.

Coleman, with a heavily wrapped shoulder, finished seventh in the 200 individual medley with junior Trinity Contee behind her in eighth. In the 50 free, freshman Natalie Kendall was fourth with a strong 25.95 split.

The 100 fly saw Alexis Huxohl seventh in 1;04.69 with junior Brylee Wood taking third in the fly with Coleman fourth. Wood would also get seventh in the 100 back with Huxohl eighth.

Tops for the boys included Lucius Manley and Zephan Leak in the 200 free at ninth and 10th, with Manley third in the 100 free at 50.94. Benjamin Bland finished 10th in 55.19 in the 100 free. Leak was also eighth in the 100 breast.
Oakleaf's girls relays earned seconds in the 200 free and 400 free relays.

At regions, Strombeck finished ninth and 13th in the 200 and 500 frees with Coleman 13th in 100 free and 21st in 200IM. Wood was 17th in 100 free and 20th in 100 back. Kendall, in the 50 free, got 17th with a 25.96. Manley, in the 100 free, dropped to 51.34 for 20th.

(bold and separate then delete).Spartans swimmers battle at regions

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com

JACKSONVILLE - Going up against the nationally ranked Bolles School swim team is daunting enough with their decades-long stronghold of state swimming championships, but St. Johns Country Day School first year swim coach Jacqueline Kroggel and assistant Aubrey Clark have been to that rodeo a few times in their swim careers.

For the region 1-1A swim championships, St. Johns had a handful of swimmers take on the Bolles juggernaut.

RESULTS200 Medley Relay: Girls Isa Johnson, Alexandra Kuczkowski, Addison Kuczkowski, Zoey Maple 14th in 2:18.55 (Bolles wins 1:43.85)

50 Free: Boys Gaige Jackson 13th 22.82 (Bolles wins 20.91)

100 Free: Boys Gaige Jackson 12th 50.35 (Bolles wins 44.16)

200 Free Relay: Boys Asher Hendrix, Lex Larson, Beau Braddock, Gaige Jackson 11th in 1:42.71 (Bolles wins 1:22.47)

100 Breast: Girls Alexandra Kuczkowski 19th in 1:20.48 (Bolles wins 1:03.06)

400 Free Relay: Boys Asher Hendrix, Jacob Horsey, Beau Braddock, Gaige Jackson 11th in 3:52.47 (Bolles wins 3:02.35)