All-Area: Michael Christian, Quinn Cassidy, boys swimmers of the year

Saturday, December 18, 2010
by Matt Porter

This season, Michael Christian wanted to medal at state in the 100 backstroke, set the Jupiter High record, and set a personal best.

He did all that and more, winning bronze in the boys 100 backstroke and setting a Palm Beach County record in the process. "I had to take it off the board," Christian said of breaking the record.

He swam the lead leg on the Warriors' fourth-place 400 free relay, and the lead leg on the fifth-place 200 medley relay. He finished 10th in the 200 IM.

"Michael is a hard worker. He's very diligent, very serious in his work and the desire to achieve the dream," Jupiter coach Kiril Zahariev said.

Christian, who has drawn interest from Virginia and Virginia Tech, recently competed at Junior Nationals with St. Andrew's sophomore Quinn Cassidy.

Cassidy witnessed the most remarkable performance in swimming history - the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when Michael Phelps won eight gold medals.

"It was amazing," Cassidy said. "The 100 fly, especially, when he came from behind. I didn't think that was possible."

Cassidy had an amazing showing of his own this year. He placed fifth at the Class 1A state meet in the 200 IM, seventh in the 100 breast, swam the lead leg of the Scots' fifth-place 200 free relay team, and anchored the fourth-place 400 free relay. His 1:53 in the IM earned him All-America consideration.

"I swam at a pretty good level in college (NC State), and that's what I was doing in freestyle at age 15. That's a heck of a swim," said his coach and father, Sid. "He prepares as well as any 15-year-old boy I've ever coached."

~matt_porter@pbpost.com

BOYS FIRST TEAM

Diogo Adrados, Dreyfoos, Senior

Silver in 100 free at 2A meet and fourth in 100 backstroke.

Richard Andrews, John I. Leonard, Senior

Placed 11th at state in 200 free, eighth in 500 free.

Henry Kimball, Boca Raton, Senior

Ninth in 500 free at Class 2A meet, 10th in 200 free.

Connor Knight, Dwyer, Senior

Double medalist at 2A state meet (bronze in 200 IM, silver in 100 fly).

Jason McCormick, Boca Raton, Sophomore

Seventh at state in 50 free, sixth in 100 free, part of eighth-place 400 free relay.

Wali Toulson, St. Andrew's, Junior

Sixth in boys 50 free, eighth in 100 free, anchored 200 free relay that finished fifth.

Sean Grady, Boca Raton, Senior

Part of sixth-place 200 medley relay, 12th in 200 IM, 12th in 100 fly.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Gordon Andrews

John I. Leonard

Consistently produces quality swimmers at the high school level and with his club, Lake Lytal Lightning.

BOYS SECOND TEAM

Sam Corona, Boca Raton, Sophomore

Kevin Matheus, Boca Raton, Sophomore

Trevor Mierke, Atlantic, Freshman

Kenny Montgomery, Jupiter, Senior

Kameron Sipowski, Jupiter, Senior

Justin Ortiz, Jupiter, Junior

Demetriu Demet, Lincoln Park, Freshman

HONORABLE MENTION

David Arcia, Jupiter, Sr.

Steven Vergona, Boca Raton, Soph.

Chad Harrington, Boca Raton, Sr.

Nicholas Van Zee, Boca Raton, Soph.

Rick Ostrofsky, Spanish River, Sr.

Tyler McGrew, John I. Leonard, Sr.

John Goedmakers, Jupiter, Sr.

Parker Blake, Jupiter, Jr.

Daniel Stutterfield, Jupiter, Sr.

Gianpaolo Barelli, Grandview, Sr.

Rasi Valerio, Grandview, Sr.

Breck Dorsey, Cardinal Newman, Sr.

James Pompei, Atlantic, Sr.

Colin McArthur, St. Andrew's, Sr.