Pine Crest Swimmers and Divers Shine at FHSAA 1A State Championships
Pine Crest Swimmers and Divers Shine at FHSAA 1A State Championships
November 8, 2025 — Ocala, FL
The Pine Crest Swimming and Diving team made a strong statement at the 2025 FHSAA Class 1A State Championships, held at the Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training Center in Ocala. The Panthers turned in powerful performances across the board—earning top finishes in relays, individual events, and diving—to once again affirm Pine Crest’s place among Florida’s elite aquatic programs.
Leading the way for the Pine Crest girls, senior Parker Jacobson-Bertanzetti sprinted to a 5th-place finish in the 50 Freestyle (24.01), while her twin sister, Emory Jacobson-Bertanzetti, was a key contributor in both individual events—100 Freestyle and 200 Individual Medley—as well as relays. Senior Sara Miller added valuable points in the 200 Individual Medley (2:08.87) and 100 Breaststroke (1:04.88), and contributed to both the 200 Medley Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay, showcasing her versatility and leadership.
Freshman standout McKenzie Baur delivered a breakout performance, finishing 11th in the 200 Freestyle (1:55.33) and 12th in the 100 Backstroke (58.87). She also led off the 200 Medley Relay, joining Juliette Driscoll, Miller, and Jayden Paterson to secure a 7th-place finish (1:49.35). Baur’s poise and speed set the tone for Pine Crest’s success in both prelims and finals, marking her as one of the program’s rising young talents.
Eighth-grader Mishka Machado turned in one of the team’s most inspiring swims of the meet, placing 10th in the 500 Freestyle with a lifetime best. Machado’s performance demonstrated grit, endurance, and composure over the grueling distance, earning crucial points for Pine Crest and reinforcing the program’s depth across all disciplines.
The Lady Panthers also shined in the 200 Freestyle Relay, where Parker and Emory Jacobson-Bertanzetti, Paterson, and Machado raced to an impressive 4th-place finish (1:38.38). To close out the meet, the 400 Freestyle Relay of Parker, McKenzie, Sara, and Emory earned a 3rd-place finish (3:29.86) and achieved an All-American Consideration time. Overall, the Pine Crest girls finished 4th in the state, behind powerhouse programs Bolles, Montverde, and Saint Andrew’s.
On the boys’ side, Pine Crest delivered a string of powerful performances marked by consistency, speed, and teamwork. Senior Christopher Lin placed 13th in the 200 Freestyle (1:43.91) and 100 Butterfly (51.34) and anchored multiple relays with veteran poise. Junior Brady Baur was one of the team’s top performers, claiming 7th in the 100 Butterfly (50.62) and 16th in the 200 Freestyle (1:46.90), showing impressive range and resilience across his events.
Seniors Jake Jones and Frederick Rosenthal both advanced to finals in the 200 Individual Medley, with Jones finishing 9th (1:52.57) and Rosenthal placing 16th (1:57.69), combining strong front-end speed with disciplined finishing. Jones also placed 10th in the 100 Breaststroke (58.03), while Rosenthal showcased his versatility by scoring in the 500 Freestyle (4:43.69).
The Panthers’ relay squads were a true highlight of the weekend, demonstrating power, chemistry, and composure under pressure. The 200 Medley Relay of Arsenii Aleshin, Danil Sachenko, Baur, and Lin posted a strong 8th-place finish (1:39.22) after smooth exchanges and fast middle splits.
In the 200 Freestyle Relay, Pine Crest’s team of Hauser, Jones, Baur, and Lin came out firing, delivering one of the most exciting races of the meet. With quick takeovers and determined racing, the group finished 6th overall (1:27.30)—just tenths away from the top three—showcasing the team’s depth and sprint strength against Florida’s fastest field.
The 400 Freestyle Relay of Lin, Hauser, Baur, and Jones then closed the meet with a thrilling finish, charging through the final exchange to take 4th place (3:10.78). The boys’ relay performances reflected Pine Crest’s relentless drive, technical precision, and commitment to racing for each other.
In the diving well, Pine Crest athletes continued their tradition of excellence. Ashton Jacobi led the boys with a 5th-place finish on the 1-meter board (403.75 points), while teammates Davin Girardin, Blake Van Tassel, and Levi Girardin also contributed strong efforts. On the girls’ side, Anabella Johnson and Monica Voltz represented the program proudly, delivering solid scores in a deep and talented field.
The Panthers’ outstanding showing at the state level capped off another season defined by growth, grit, and excellence—continuing Pine Crest’s proud legacy of success in the pool and on the boards.
