Swimming Celebrates 5 Seniors – Thomas University Athletics

THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University swim workforce honored 5 seniors on their final dwelling meet season on Saturday. Lucia Roca, Jonah Hendricks, Jacob Bliancione, Francisco Pereira, and Cole Haire had been the seniors acknowledged earlier than the meet.
The girls’s swimming workforce scored 81 factors, whereas the boys’s swimming workforce scored 61 factors.

Casey Fair positioned first within the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:11.11, whereas Alexis Horn positioned second with a detailed time of 1:12.36. Karlie Autry 1:07.58 completed second within the 100-yard Backstroke occasion. The girls’s 800-yard freestyle relay workforce of Lucia Roca, Alexis Horn, Karlie Autry, Anna VanDeKeere completed second with a time of 8:43.59. Alejandra Sopena completed first within the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1:03.59. Van DeKeere completed first within the 200-yard IM 2:22.38. Roca completed second within the 200-yard freestyle with a time of two:07.38. Van DeKeere completed first within the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 18:52.81. In the ladies’s 200-yard medley relay workforce of Autry, Fair, Sopena, and Van DeKeere completed second with a time of 1:56.62.

The males’s medley relay workforce of Jofre Mataro, Emil Schildhauer, Luca Tona, Pelayo Gafo positioned second within the 200-yard with a time of 1:37.56 and third within the 800-yard freestyle relay with a time of seven:33.29. Mataro completed first within the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:48.91 and in addition completed first within the 100-yard backstroke with time of 54.29. Tona completed first within the 100-yard Butterfly with a time of 54.08, whereas additionally inserting second within the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:22.15. Schildhauer positioned first within the within the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 59.27

Lucía Roca has been a devoted and passionate member of the Thomas swim workforce all through her faculty profession. Her favourite occasions embrace the 100 breaststroke and the 200-freestyle relay, which she particularly enjoys swimming together with her teammates. Lucía has proudly served as workforce captain whereas sustaining a GPA above 3.5 yearly. Lucía says it is the individuals on this workforce who’ve made her time at TU so particular they’re the explanation she’s stayed and liked each second of it.

Fran has made a long-lasting influence on the Thomas swim workforce by his dedication, drive, and workforce spirit. Specializing within the 200 freestyle, he has been a key contributor within the pool and a robust presence amongst his teammates. One of his favourite recollections is qualifying for nationals throughout his freshman 12 months and ending twelfth within the mile. He takes satisfaction in being a part of such an unimaginable program and representing the Night Hawks of Thomas University with ardour and satisfaction. Fran carries with him a forward-looking mindset captured in his personal phrases: “Build the society of tomorrow starting right here and right now.”

Jonah is incomes his bachelor’s diploma in Literature and Media and plans to develop into a center faculty English instructor. In the pool, he enjoys competing within the relays most of all, the place teamwork and vitality come collectively to create his favourite racing moments. Some of Jonah’s finest recollections from his time with the workforce embrace the shared laughter and tales throughout workforce dinners on journeys and the van rides dwelling after meets. Guided by his favourite verse, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31), Jonah approaches every little thing he does with gratitude and coronary heart. His teammates and coaches will keep in mind him for his kindness, humor, and regular spirit that lifted everybody round him.

Cole will graduate this spring with a Bachelor’s diploma in Exercise and Sport Science earlier than pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy diploma. His purpose is to work with athletes and kids, combining his love for sports activities along with his ardour for serving to others. Cole’s favourite occasion is the five hundred freestyle, a race that showcases his endurance and willpower. Some of his favourite workforce recollections embrace the 24-hour relay and the unimaginable vitality of everybody cheering on the relays at mid-season — moments that remind him why he loves being a part of TU Swimming. Before becoming a member of TU, Cole earned his Associate of Arts diploma with Highest Honors from Florida State College at Jacksonville whereas nonetheless in highschool. He has since continued his educational excellence at TU, sustaining a 4.0 GPA and incomes a spot on the President’s List all through the 2024–2025 faculty 12 months. In highschool, Cole certified for the Florida Class 1A State Championship within the 500-freestyle changing into solely the third swimmer ever from his faculty to take action, and the primary in 11 years. Beyond the pool, he has proven sturdy management and compassion, volunteering with youngsters and adults with totally different skills and serving as President of the Student Leadership Board for the Jacksonville Homeschool Community. Guided by his favourite quote from Michael Phelps — “If you want to be the best, you have to be willing to do things other people aren’t willing to do” — Cole brings dedication, coronary heart, and humility to every little thing he does, leaving a long-lasting mark on the workforce and everybody who is aware of him.

Jacob is incomes his diploma in Exercise and Sport Science with a minor in Criminal Justice. In the pool, he shines within the 100-yard butterfly a race that displays his willpower and aggressive spirit. Some of Jacob’s favourite recollections from his time at TU come from the seaside journeys throughout his sophomore and senior years, when the workforce got here collectively exterior of competitors to calm down, snort, and rejoice their laborious work. While his faculty journey hasn’t been about chasing awards, Jacob has made a real influence by his regular effort, constructive perspective, and loyalty to his teammates. Inspired by his teammate Fran’s phrases, “Build the society of tomorrow, today,” Jacob carries ahead the identical mindset of development and teamwork that defines TU Swimming.

Swimming may have their subsequent meet on November eighth at 10am in Biloxi, Miss. as they face William Carey.