“Penny Zarczynski: PV’s Rising Star Soars to Victory!”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The adage of saving the finest for last applied only somewhat to Penny Zarczynski.

Zarczynski, a senior from Ponte Vedra and the All-News4JAX female swimmer of the year, has consistently displayed excellence throughout her competitive journey. However, during a season brimming with both team and individual achievements, Zarczynski reached her zenith in 2024.

She clinched victories in the 50 free and 100 fly events, both achieving automatic All-American times. Additionally, Zarczynski was a key swimmer in the third leg of the victorious 200 medley relay team and kickstarted the championship 200 free relay team.

Four events. Four championships.

The Sharks also secured their fourth consecutive team state title in Class 3A, an accomplishment that Zarczynski stated was incredibly meaningful to her.

“Just my senior year … I had probably the ideal season, more than I ever thought I could achieve,” remarked the Yale commit. “Winning four titles and also taking the relays in my individual events, I felt immense pride in everything I was able to achieve alongside my team, and I was just incredibly happy with everyone I stood beside on the podium. It was such a wonderful way to conclude my season.”

Zarczynski has been a vital component of the region’s emerging public school dynasty since her freshman year. She was part of championship relay teams in 2021, ‘22, and ‘23, and claimed the 50 free title in 2022, marking her initial individual championship.

“For all of us as a collective team, it is all about the training — keeping focused and putting in the effort,” shared Zarczynski. “Moreover, we truly function as a team like we are one large family. Our Shark family is very tight-knit. We are all great friends, and I believe fostering such a team environment … high school swimming is gratifying because it’s about competing for your school and not merely for oneself. I think having that type of environment and familial atmosphere has played a significant role in our consistent success over the years.”

Recent swimmers of the year

2024: Penny Zarczynski, Ponte Vedra

2023: Lila Higgo, Bolles

2022: Annie Wohlgemuth, Ponte Vedra

2021: Manita Sathianchokwisan, Bolles

2020: Micayla Cronk, Flagler Palm Coast

2019: Micayla Cronk, Flagler Palm Coast

All-News4JAX Varsity 4 girls swimming first team

Athlete, school, class, notable

Lily Doyle, Ponte Vedra, Jr.

Fourth in 500 free with automatic All-American time (4:52). Fifth in 200 free with All-American consideration time (1:50.43). Anchor leg of state runner-up 400 free relay team.

Charlotte Driesse, Nease, Sr.

Three-time All-News4JAX selection. Captured individual titles in the 200 IM in 2022 and ‘23 and also this year (2:02.34). Additionally, was the lead swimmer on the 400-free relay team in 2022. Finished as state runner-up in the 100 free (50.97).

Victoria Edgar, Bolles, Jr.

Second leg of state champion 200 medley relay team for the second consecutive year. State champion in 100 breast in automatic All-American time of 1:02.48.

Jenna Frost, Bartram Trail, So.

State runner-up (1:47.88) in 200 free. Secured third in 500 free (4:51.04). Both times are automatic All-American records. Lead swimmer in the third-place 200 free relay team and 400-free relay team.

Neriah Giedrys, Fernandina Beach, Sr.

State champion in the 100 breast (1:02.73) with All-American consideration time. The first swimming state champion in the school’s history.

Blakely Hammel, Episcopal, So.

State champion in the 100 free although her automatic All-American time (50.11) was achieved in the preliminaries. Lead swimmer in the sixth-place 400 free relay team.

Lila Higgo, Bolles, Sr.

Three-time All-News4JAX selection. State champion in 100 back (52.74) in automatic All-American time. Achieved a title in the 200 IM last year. Member of the state champion 200 free relay team for the third consecutive season and swam the anchor leg of the state champion 200 medley relay team (1:40.84).

Allison Kelly, Bolles, Fr.

State champion in the 200 free (1:48.06) earning automatic All-American honors. Finished as runner-up in the 100 free. Second leg of the state champion 400 free relay team (3:22.44) in automatic All-American time.

Gianna Vasto, Bolles, Fr.

State champion in diving with a score of 469.80, which is the second-highest score in the state.

Eva Whitehead, Union County, Jr.

Trailblazing state champion with an automatic All-American mark of 2:00.01 in the 200 IM. Placed fourth in 100 breast (1:03.25), achieving All-American consideration. First-ever swimming champion from Union County.

Penny Zarczynski, Ponte Vedra, Sr.

All-News4JAX swimmer of the year. State champion in the 50 free (22.78) and 100 fly (53.74), both achieving automatic All-American times. Contributed to the 200-free relay state championship for four consecutive years. Member of state title relay teams in 200 medley (2021 and 2024) and 400 free relay in 2023.

Second team

Athlete, school, class, notable

Ava Brinkman, Fleming Island, Sr.

State champion in diving following a narrow miss in 2023. Three-time All-News4JAX selection. Achieved a score of 453.85 to clinch victory this year, surpassing her score of 448.85 from 2022.

Leah Chin, Bolles, So.

State runner-up in the 50 free (23.31) with All-American consideration time. Served as the second leg for the state champion 200 free relay team.

Anna Driesse, Nease, So.

Claimed the state title in 100 breast (1:04.91). Second leg of the state runner-up 200 medley relay team and on the third-place 400 relay team. Finished fourth in the 200 IM.

Sophie Fox, Ponte Vedra, Jr.

State runner-up in the 100 fly (55.10) earning All-American consideration. Secured third place in the 50 free (23.55). Competed as the anchor leg for the state champion 200 free relay team (1:34.98) and the lead leg of the 400 free relay team (3:30.65).

Ella Gotham, Bolles, Jr.

Finished as the state runner-up in the 200 IM (2:02.36) with an All-American consideration time. Placed sixth in the 500 free.

Haylee Hite, Beachside, Sr.

State champion in the 100 back (56.14). Secured third place in the 200 IM (2:05.44). Competed as the lead leg of the fourth-place 200 medley relay team.

Gracyn Lanning, Bolles, Jr.

Achieved third place in the 100 breast (1:02.81) and the 200 IM (2:02.39), with both times earning All-American consideration.

Lucero Mejia Arce, Bolles, So.

Competed as the lead leg of the state champion 200 medley relay team. Finished fourth in the 200 IM with an All-American consideration time (2:03.41). Secured the runner-up position in the 100 back, though her best time (54.72) was achieved in preliminaries. Anchored the state champion 400 free relay team.

Riley Miller, Bolles, Jr.

Placed third in the 50 free (23.53) and fourth in the 100 free (51.52). Competed as the third leg of the state champion 200 free relay team.

Olivia Moore, Nease, Sr.

State runner-up in the 50 free (23.48) and finished third in 100 free (51.01). Served as the lead leg of the fourth-place 200 free relay team and the anchor for the third-place 400 free relay team.

Ainsley Stephan, Bolles, Jr.

Finished as the state runner-up in the 500 free (4:51.91) with an automatic All-American time. Contributed as the third leg of the state champion 400 free relay team.

Honorable mention

Athlete, school, class

Haley Aschenbrenner, Providence, Jr.

Savannah Branon, Bolles, Sr.

Grace Campbell, Bishop Kenny, Jr.

Jayla Covington, Atlantic Coast,

Monica DiGaetani, Wolfson, Jr.

Alexiya Downer, Bolles, Sr.

Kylie Elrod, Clay, Jr.

Core Foxwell-Jones, Fernandina Beach, Jr.

Carson Grass, Bartram Trail, Sr.

Marleigh Howes, Bolles, Jr.

Neala Klein, Bolles, Sr.

Gabriella Marim, Stanton, Jr.

Phoebe Mayo, Bolles, Sr.

Sophia Oldham, Creekside, So.

Lucy Page, Stanton, Fr.

Kate Pelot, Ponte Vedra, Jr.

Alexis Petrosevich, Nease, Sr.

Sydney Player, Ponte Vedra, Jr.

Rileigh Revere, Fernandina Beach, So.

MaryAgnes Smith, Bolles, Sr.

Heidi Stoute, Bolles, So.

Kailah Thompson, Yulee, Fr.

Madelyn Tulloch, Ponte Vedra, So.

Elisabeth Stewart, Bolles, Jr.