County champs

BRADENTON — Ryan Walker is fueled by one goal.

The Braden River High junior has his sights set on returning to the Class 3A state championships next month in Stuart.

After becoming Braden River’s first multiple event district champion and winning a regional title in the 50-yard freestyle, Walker finished 11th in the same event at the state championships.

Now with three weeks remaining before the state championships, Walker is focused on defending his district and regional tittles and improving his performance from a season ago.

Walker moved one step closer to reaching his goal after winning the 50 freestyle at the Manatee County Swimming and Diving Championships Oct. 1, at G.T. Bray Park. He later teamed up with Michael Troubeev, Luke Morris and Giancarlo Dibenedetto to power the Pirates to victory in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Walker’s first-place finishes helped power the Braden River boys swim team to a second-place overall finish.

“It feels great to be representing Manatee County and Braden River High School swimming in a positive light,” Walker says.

Braden River scored 275 points to finish behind Lakewood Ranch (317). Lakewood also captured the girls team title, scoring 363 points to finish ahead of St. Stephen’s (251).

Lakewood Ranch’s Luke Hanner won a pair of individual events, including the 100 butterfly and the 200 freestyle. Daniel Erlenmeyer (200 individual medley, 500 freestyle), Madison Jean (50 freestyle, 100 butterfly) and Courtney Chapin (100 backstroke, 200 individual medley) also were double winners for Lakewood.

“Being a Manatee County champ is a big deal because all of the local rival schools take pride if they win county champ,” Jean says.

Troubeev (100 breaststroke) and Morris (100 backstroke) also won individual county titles.

Lakewood and Braden River returned to action in the Tri-County Swim Meet Oct. 11, at the Selby Aquatic Center in Sarasota. The meet featured teams from Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties.

The Lady Mustangs finished second behind champion Riverview, while the Braden River boys team finished fourth.

Walker was Manatee County’s lone double winner, capturing the 50 freestyle (22.18) and the 100 freestyle (49.49).

“Competing at these bigger meets brings more competition from different areas,” Walker says. “It better prepares me for what is coming in the state series, which is my main focus right now.”

Chapin won the 50 freestyle (25.58 seconds) and finished second in the 100 backstroke (59.84). She then teamed up with Jean, Haille Bogumil and Malorie Schuerman for second-place finishes in the 200 medley relay (1:55.14) and 400 freestyle relay. Jean also won a tri-county title for Lakewood in the 100 butterfly (56.44).

Erlenmeyer finished third in both the 200 freestyle (1:44.26) and 500 freestyle (4:40.80) to lead the way for the boys team, which finished sixth.

Lakewood and Braden River will return to the pool in the Class 3A-District 8 meet Oct. 23, at North Shore Pool in St. Petersburg.