HOLY NAMES SWIMMING & DIVING TEAM CAPTURES STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WIN

Academy’s swimming & diving team made serious waves — and record-breaking history — during the 2022-2023 season. After three state runner-up trophies (2016-2018), our Jaguars claimed their first state title on Nov. 19 in the FHSAA Class 2A State Championships in Stuart, Florida. The Jaguars’ dominating performance included winning two relays and five individual events, ultimately outpacing the 2nd place team by 98 points. It was clear that this team was hungry for the win and worked hard to finish what it started and bring home the trophy.

“Leading up to states, our team felt a lot of underlying pressure to win, but with that, came a certain excitement we had never felt before then. At the meet, our group of 15 girls came together and used our cohesive and spirited bond to accomplish something we

Team Accolades

Assistant had dreamed about for years,” says senior Kate Petitt.

In the 102-year history of the meet, the Jaguars are the first girls swimming and diving team in Hillsborough County to claim a state championship title. The impressive state victory included seven school records and three All-American consideration swims.

AHN Athletic Director Kevin Vargas shares, “We could not be more proud of these athletes and coaches. They were dominant in each event and made history along the way. Being a part of the first state championship in the sport for AHN and being the first girls program in the history of Hillsborough County to win is something that this group will be bonded by forever.”

In addition to the state title, Head coach Bill Shaffer and junior Brooke Beede were named Florida Dairy Farmers 2A Coach and Swimmer of the Year. To celebrate the student-athletes and coaching staff, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor honored the team in a ceremony downtown.

When asked about the team’s success this season, Coach Bill Shaffer credits the team’s bond in and out of the pool. “They were hungry for the win and always have each other’s backs through the good and bad, and that’s what it really takes — a strong bond and team effort. The electricity that we’ve built here is second to none.”

Congratulations to the Jaguars for their hard work, dedication and success!

Athletics

MEDAL WINNERS & NOTABLE PLACEMENT

1st Place Finish, 200 Freestyle Brooke Beede ’24*

1st Place Finish, 100 Backstroke Brooke Beede ’24*

1st Place Finish, 200 Individual Medley Isabel Sayag ’24**

1st Place Finish, 50 Freestyle Isabella Dieffenthaller ’25**

1st Place Finish, 100 Freestyle Isabella Dieffenthaller ’25*

1st Place Finish, 200 Freestyle Relay Kate Petitt ’23, Lily Rittenhouse ’24, Megan Hyer ’24, Isabella Dieffenthaller ’25

1st Place Finish, 400 Freestyle Relay Isabella Dieffenthaller ’25, Kate Petitt ’23, Isabel Sayag ’24, Brooke Beede ’24**

2nd Place Finish, 200 Medley Relay Brooke Beede ’24, Lily Rittenhouse ’24, Isabel Sayag ’24, Megan Hyer ’24*

3rd Place Finish, 100 Butterfly Isabel Sayag ’24

4th Place Finish, 200 Individual Medley Kate Petitt ’23

5th Place Finish, 100 Butterfly Kate Petitt ’23

6th Place Finish, 100 Backstroke Grace Callahan ’25

4th Place Finish, Diving Kinsley Link ’23

6th Place Finish, Diving Matea Leone ’24

*School Record **School Record & All-American Consideration