The Strawberry Crest Chargers Swimming and Diving girls and boys teams took their Western Conference Championships this year, besting seven other teams. They moved on to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) District Championships to face nine teams. The team is coached by Cassandra Mattison, and Courtney Donhaiser.
“In a redistricting, we had Bloomingdale and Newsome join us, and they are fierce, fast competitors—two of the fastest schools in our district and in our region,” Coach Cassandra Mattison said. “So, we definitely had an uphill battle to hold our own with them, and the kids did.” The boys scored 380 points as runner-up to Newsome High School. With 297 points, the girls placed third behind Newsome and Bloomingdale Senior High School. “I think that Districts was a particularly challenging meet for our team, not only because of the problems the hurricanes caused, but also the redistricting of the meet,” said Co-Captain Noah Jones. “However, our team rose to the occasion with the boys placing second overall, and the girls finishing third overall. Furthermore, we were able to push past the struggles of this season, and set a lot of personal bests, show great teamwork, and 14 of our swimmers got the opportunity to compete at regionals.”
For the boys individual and relay races, here are the top Charger places:
| Name | Event | Round | Place | Time | NISCA | ||
| JOSIAH TAN | 100 Y Breast | Timed Finals | 1st | 1:00.94 | 102 | ||
| JOSIAH TAN | 100 Y Fly | Timed Finals | 2nd | 53.52 | 100 | ||
| Zealand Ploch | 100 Y Breast | Timed Finals | 2nd | 1:01.77 | 96 | ||
| Noah Jones | 200 Y IM | Timed Finals | 2nd | 2:04.90 | 86 | ||
| Noah Jones | 100 Y Back | Timed Finals | 2nd | 56.49 | 84 | ||
| Zealand Ploch | 200 Y IM | Timed Finals | 3rd | 2:06.23 | 82 | ||
| Asher Stoltzfus | 50 Y Free | Timed Finals | 2nd | 23.59 | 81 | ||
The swimmers on the 200 Y freestyle relay team were Noah Jones, Asher Stoltzfus, Nick Pfister, and Josiah Tan. Their 1:33.08 set a new school record.
Josiah Tan, Noah Jones, Kristian Walker, Zealand Ploch, Asher Stoltzfus, Kristian Walker, and Nick Pfister moved on in the Region individually and/or on relay teams. “So, the boys were just stacked going into Regionals,” Coach Mattison said. “It was great.”
Top finishers for the girls can be seen below.
| Name | Event | Round | Place | Time | NISCA | |
| Strawberry Crest | 200 Y Free Relay | Timed Finals | 1st | 1:33.08 | 303 | |
| Strawberry Crest | 200 Y Medley Relay | Timed Finals | 1st | 1:43.23 | 291 | |
| Strawberry Crest | 400 Y Free Relay | Timed Finals | 4th | 3:40.88 | 210 | |
Race results compiled from Swimcloud.
All three of the girls relay teams made it to regionals. The swimmers for the relays were Jillian Starford, Sophie Griffis, Shelby Bray, Elise Mattison, Amber Matches, and Brooklynn Waller. Elise Mattison also qualified for regionals in both the 100 Y freestyle, and the 200 Y freestyle.
The 2024 FHSAA 4A Region 3 Championship hosts 25 teams, and over 300 swimmers. All of the Charger relay teams got personal best times at the event. The boys 200 Y free relay broke the school record a second time with 132.28, and qualified for the state championship. The 200 Y medley relay also qualified for the state championship with Noah Jones, Zealand Ploch, Josiah Tan, and Nick Pfister in the water. Individually, Josiah Tan qualified for the state championship in the 100 Y butterfly and the 100 Y breaststroke races. One girl diver, freshman Addeyson Lugo, qualified for the state in one-meter diving.
“Our region is the fastest in the state,” Coach Mattison said. “I don’t know what we placed, once we get past Districts, we don’t even look at it. We are swimming against Olympians there. It is cool, but it is crazy.”
“It is a lot of fun taking a relay to state,” Coach Mattison said. “It is a lot of good team bonding. They had a blast, and they said it is one of their favorite memories from high school. They were so grateful to be there, and be together and have that experience. They didn’t make it to finals. But regardless….For me it was great to see them have fun.”