The Pine Crest Swim Team is known for its continuous success, and last year did not disappoint.  The boys’ team was 7-0 in dual meets, won Districts, won Regionals, and placed 2nd at States. Gotti Eisenberger set a school record in the 200 free, and  also set a record in the in the 400 free relay, along with Marcel Betschart, Niklas Friederici, and Delaney Brock. The coach, Jay Fitzgerald, earned the title of Sun Sentinel Coach of the Year.

Swimming and training year-round, the swimmers have a great deal of dedication to the sport.  “Whether it’s intensifying my weight training regimen, putting in more yards in the pool, or improving my nutrition,” says USA Swimming Junior National Qualifier Kent Haeffner, “I have been constantly focused on getting myself better for this upcoming season.”  The boys’ swim team lost some key seniors from last year, including eight to ten who scored at States last year.  Coach Fitzgerald describes the team as “younger and weaker,” yet he still expects swimmers to get to States.  Haeffner believes Coach Fitzgerald will work the team harder this year since the team is smaller.  Despite the losses to the team, the swimmers do not doubt their chances this season.  “The good news is that we are in much better shape at this point than we were at the same point last year,” says Haeffner.

The girls’ team also went undefeated in dual meets, along with winning Districts and Regionals as well as placing 4th at States.  The local press and many high school coaches expected that the team would not not even get past Districts or Regionals, and they also predicted they would not place any  better than 6th at States!  Clearly, these predictions were inaccurate. One swimmer, Carolyn Chaney, was a State champion for diving.  With eight returning High School All American swimmers, Coach Fitzgerald has higher expectations this season.  The swimmers believe in their coaches.  “They know how to train us hard and work us to our best potential,” says High School All American Casey Francis, “and they are always there to help guide us if we are ever having a problem with our mental state of mind.”  Many girl swimmers and a few of the boys took a two-week trip to Russia this summer to train.  Francis described it as a “lifetime experience,” being able to go to a new country, meet new friends, and learn a new culture.  Overall, both swim teams look to continue and build on their past success.