Sun Coast Swim Team Shines with Big Drops at Fall Invitational

ST. PETERSBURG — The Sun Coast Swim Team (SCST) turned in a strong performance this past weekend at the 2025 SPA Kiefer/Speedo Fall Invitational at the North Shore Aquatics Center, with swimmers of all ages delivering gutsy races, lifetime bests, and eye-catching time drops. Under the guidance of Coach Renee Alford, the Crystal River-based team left its mark on one of the biggest early-season meets in the region.

Alford Leads the Way in Distance and Sprint

No swimmer embodied SCST’s spirit more than Cullen Alford (14). He opened the meet with a big swim in the 500 freestyle, chopping 6.44 seconds off his best to finish 4th overall in 5:22.60. He followed that with a strong 200 free at 2:00.22, another drop of nearly two seconds, and later posted 11:00.91 in the grueling 1000 free.

Cullen also showed his range in the sprints, blasting a 26.00 in the 50 free and a 55.80 in the 100 free, both top-10 finishes. In breaststroke, he placed 5th in the 100 breast (1:14.49) and 6th in the 200 breast (2:39.16), scoring key points for SCST.

Younger Swimmers Step Up

The team’s 11–12 age group had plenty to cheer about.

• Chase Alford (11) scored points in the 100 IM, cutting 0.30 seconds for a 9th-place finish in 1:18.04. He also dropped over two seconds in the 50 back (37.24) and swam a consistent 1:16.07 in the 100 back, placing 9th. His 200 IM (2:51.69, -2.54) showed his all-around growth.
• Cypress Collins (12) made steady gains, highlighted by a 7.70-second drop in the 200 IM (2:54.79) and a sharp 35.81 in the 50 back. He also trimmed time in the 100 free (1:07.22, -1.90).
• Halle Filipic (11) provided some of the weekend’s best swims on the girls’ side. She cut 2.73 seconds in the 200 free (2:25.82) and 3.42 in the 100 free (1:08.61). Her versatility showed in the 50 fly (35.46) and 100 back (1:23.09, -2.44), proving she can compete across strokes.

Breakthroughs in the 8-and-Under Races

While the youngest age group is often about learning the ropes, SCST’s 8-and-unders proved they were ready to race.

• Wayke Lecouris (8) had one of the weekend’s most exciting swims, blasting a lightning-fast 18.00 in the 25 free to place 2nd overall, scoring 9 points. He also dropped in the 25 breast (25.13, -0.33) and 25 fly (22.39, -0.08).
• Banyan Collins (8) turned heads with big drops across multiple events. His 100 IM (1:52.77) featured a massive 9.92-second improvement, and he dropped 7.09 seconds in the 100 breast (1:55.47). He also went 18.74 in the 25 free for 4th place and added a 40.88 in the 50 free (-2.07).
• Evie Filipic (8) showed steady progress, cutting 1.38 seconds in the 25 breast (28.17), nearly a second in the 25 back (29.08), and placing 16th in the 25 free at 22.11 with a half-second improvement.

More Highlights Across the Team

• Anthony Powell (15) showed determination in his breaststroke events, dropping 4.24 seconds in the 100 breast (1:33.54) and an impressive 6.08 in the 200 breast (3:18.70). He also chipped away at his freestyle times, with a 1:20.82 in the 100 free (-0.66).
• Caleb Gruman (10) had a breakout meet, highlighted by a 20.59-second drop in the 100 back (1:56.56). He also cut 5.41 seconds in the 25 breast, 4.13 in the 100 free (1:40.34), and nearly six seconds in the 50 fly (52.07).

Team Spirit on Full Display

While the stopwatch told plenty of good news, the atmosphere on deck may have been the team’s biggest victory. With Coach Renee Alford cheering them on, SCST athletes rallied for each other, filling the North Shore Aquatics Center with chants, cheers, and encouragement. Relays and individual events alike became showcases of a tight-knit team culture where every swim — big drop or small — mattered.

A Strong Start to the Season

For Coach Alford and her swimmers, this meet was about laying a foundation. The significant time drops across nearly every age group show that training is on track and that swimmers are responding to the challenges ahead.

With standout swims from veterans like Cullen Alford and rising stars like Lecouris, Gruman, and the Filipic siblings, the Sun Coast Swim Team proved they belong on deck with the region’s best. As the season builds, this weekend’s performance was not just encouraging — it was a statement.