FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2002


Pinch A Penny All-State Swimming & Diving Team announced

CLEARWATER – There have been three Pinch A Penny All-State Swimming & Diving Teams and with the announcement of the 2002-03 squad today, there are five girl swimmers who have been members of all three. Christina Swindle of Gulliver Prep (Coral Gables), Rhi Jeffrey of Atlantic (Delray Beach), Ashley Carusone of Gainesville, Annie Babicz of Sarasota and Susan Gilliam of Bolles (Jacksonville) are the quintet of three-time honorees. Jeffrey, a junior who set a national record in the 200-yard freestyle during the recent FHSAA Florida Swimming & Diving Finals, will have a chance to become the first four-time honoree next year.

The Pinch A Penny All-State Swimming & Diving Team is composed of a total of 20 swimmers and four divers, equally divided between northern and southern Florida. The team was chosen by a vote of the swimming and diving coaches who are members of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. Pinch A Penny, Pool, Patio and Spa, Inc., the world's largest franchised retail pool, patio and spa company, is in its third season sponsoring FHSAA Swimming & Diving programs.

Eight Pinch A Penny All-Area teams were previously announced, and all 24 members of the All-State team were members of All-Area teams. In addition, the individual statewide Male and Female Swimmers of the Year will be announced in January. Swindle will be seeking to repeat as the Florida Female Swimmer of the Year against a talented group of contenders, including the four other three-time All-State selections.

Of the 20 swimmers, 10 won two events at the FHSAA Florida Finals. Nine of the team members are from Class A, nine from Class 2A and six from Class 3A.

A total of 19 high schools are represented on the team. Bolles (Jacksonville), the Class A champion, has three swimmers on the team - Susan Gilliam, Nicholas Bovell and Blake Dickson - a number matched by Class 2A champion St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Laudedale) with Matt Coan, Bradley Ally and diver Nicole Rose. Pine Crest (Fort Laudedale) has two representatives, Brett Irvin and Vesna Stojanovska.

The girls team is dominated by seniors, as Jeffrey and Rose are the only juniors among the 12 selections. The boys team sports five underclassmen, including Alex Forbes of Lyman (Longwood) - the first freshman to make a Boys Pinch A Penny All-State Team.

Of the 24 team members, eight return from last year's Pinch A Penny All-State team, including six of the 12 girls. Kristin Gilliam of Buchholz, a member of the 2000-01 squad, is back after a one-year absence.

Of the state's eight areas, all are represented as Daniel Penniman of Pensacola provides a member from Area 1 after a one-year absence.


2002-03 Pinch A Penny All-State Swimming & Diving Team (listed by area)

Area 1
Daniel Penniman, Pensacola, Junior
WON 2A 50 freestyle (21.33), WON 2A 100 butterfly (52.03)

Area 2
Ashley Carusone, Gainesville, Senior
WON 2A 200 individual medley (2:01.19, best time in state in any class). WON 2A 500 freestyle (4:51.47). Won both events for second consecutive year. Returns from 2000 and 2001 teams

Kristin Gilliam, Buchholz (Gainesville), Senior
WON 3A 200 freestyle (1:49.89). WON 3A 500 freestyle (4:54.11). Also was selected in 2000.

Bill Mrazek, Leon (Tallahassee), Senior
WON 2A 100 breaststroke (56.55, best time in state in any class) for second year in a row. Finished 2nd in 2A 200 individual medley (1:50.57). Only returnee from boys 2001 team

Area 3
Nicholas Bovell, Bolles (Jacksonville), Junior
WON Class A 200 individual medley (1:50.37). Finished 2nd in Class A 100 backstroke (51.58, also second-best time in state in any class).

Blake Dickson, Bolles (Jacksonville), Senior
Finished 2nd in Class A 500 freestyle (4:32.06). Finished 3rd in Class A 200 freestyle (1:41.09).

Susan Gilliam, Bolles (Jacksonville), Senior
Finished 2nd in 1A 200 freestyle (1:50.00). Finished 2nd in 500 freestyle (4:49.41). Returns from 2000 and 2001 teams.

Area 4
Alex Forbes, Lyman (Longwood), Freshman
WON 3A 100 butterfly (50.26). Finished 3rd in 3A 200 freestyle (1:42.19).

Brittney Lerew, Lake Highland Prep (Orlando), Senior
WON Class A state diving title for second consecutive year. Returns from 2001 team.

Colby Mack, Satellite (Satellite Beach), Senior
WON 2A 200 freestyle (1:40.18, best time in state in all classifications). WON 2A 500 freestyle (4:33.41).

Kerry McFadden, Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs), Senior
Finished 2nd in girls 3A 200 individual medley (2:07.27). Finished 3nd in 3A 100 backstroke (58.53). Returns from 2001 team.

Area 5
Chris Colwill, Tampa Prep, Senior
WON Class A state diving for second straight year. Returns from 2001 team.

Area 6
Annie Babicz, Sarasota, Senior
WON 3A 100 breaststroke (1:02.37, best time in state in all classes) for fourth straight year, WON 100 butterfly (55.56) for third straight year. Returns from 2001 and 2000 teams.

Area 7
Rhi Jeffrey, Atlantic (Delray Beach), Junior
WON 2A 200 freestyle (1:45.49, new national record). WON 2A 100 freestyle (48.73, new state record) for second straight year. Now has won six individual state championships in career (two 50, three 100, one 200). Returns from 2001 and 2000 teams.

Area 8
Bradley Ally, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), Sophomore
WON 2A 200 individual medley (1:49.37, best time in state in all classifications). Finished 9th in 2A 500 freestyle (4:36.06).

Matt Coan, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), Senior
WON 2A 100 freestyle (45.96, best time in state in all classifications). Finished 2nd in 2A 200 freestyle (1:40.22).

Bryce Clough, American Heritage (Plantation), Senior
WON Class A 100 butterfly (49.57). WON Class A 100 backstroke (50.36) - both times best in state all classifications.

Brett Irvin, Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale), Senior
WON Class A 100 freestyle (46.56). Finished 2nd in Class A 200 freestyle (1:40.96).

Evan Linnette, Fort Lauderdale, Sophomore
WON 2A state diving title.

Natalie Pike, Boca Raton, Junior
WON 3A 100 freestyle (51.03) for second straight year. WON 3A 200 individual medley (2:06.92).

Nicole Rose, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), Junior
WON 2A state diving title for second straight year. Returns from 2001 team.

Vesna Stojanovska, Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale), Senior
WON Class A 200 freestyle (1:48.32). Finished 3rd in Class A 500 freestyle (4:56.20).

Christina Swindle, Gulliver Prep (Coral Gables), Senior
WON Class A 50 freestyle (22.30, best time in state in all classifications) for fourth straight year. WON Class A 100 freestyle (48.90, lowering her national record, subsequently eclipsed by two swimmers) for third straight year. Returns from 2001 and 2000 teams.

Leila Vaziri, Coral Springs, Senior
WON 3A 100 backstroke (55.51, best time in state in all classifications) for second straight year. WON 3A 50 freestyle (23.31).


2002-03 Pinch A Penny All-State Swimming & Diving Team (alpha)

Boys

Bradley Ally, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), Sophomore
WON 2A 200 individual medley (1:49.37, best time in state in all classifications). Finished 9th in 2A 500 freestyle (4:36.06).

Nicholas Bovell, Bolles (Jacksonville), Junior
WON Class A 200 individual medley (1:50.37). Finished 2nd in Class A 100 backstroke (51.58, also second-best time in state in any class).

Matt Coan, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), Senior
WON 2A 100 freestyle (45.96, best time in state in all classifications). Finished 2nd in 2A 200 freestyle (1:40.22).

Chris Colwill, Tampa Prep, Senior
WON Class A state diving for second straight year. Returns from 2001 team.

Bryce Clough, American Heritage (Plantation), Senior
WON Class A 100 butterfly (49.57). WON Class A 100 backstroke (50.36) - both times best in state all classifications.

Blake Dickson, Bolles (Jacksonville), Senior
Finished 2nd in Class A 500 freestyle (4:32.06). Finished 3rd in Class A 200 freestyle (1:41.09).

Alex Forbes, Lyman (Longwood), Freshman
WON 3A 100 butterfly (50.26). Finished 3rd in 3A 200 freestyle (1:42.19).

Brett Irvin, Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale), Senior
WON 1A 100 freestyle (46.56). Finished 2nd in Class A 200 freestyle (1:40.96).

Evan Linnette, Fort Lauderdale, Sophomore
WON 2A state diving title.

Colby Mack, Satellite (Satellite Beach), Senior
WON 2A 200 freestyle (1:40.18, best time in state in all classifications). WON 2A 500 freestyle (4:33.41).

Bill Mrazek, Leon (Tallahassee), Senior
WON 2A 100 breaststroke (56.55, best time in state in any class) for second year in a row. Finished 2nd in 2A 200 individual medley (1:50.57). Only returnee from boys 2001 team

Daniel Penniman, Pensacola, Junior
WON 2A 50 freestyle (21.33). WON 2A 100 butterfly (52.03)


Girls

Annie Babicz, Sarasota, Senior
WON 3A 100 breaststroke (1:02.37, best time in state in all classes) for fourth straight year. WON 100 butterfly (55.56) for third straight year. Returns from 2001 and 2000 teams.

Ashley Carusone, Gainesville, Senior
WON 2A 200 individual medley (2:01.19, best time in state in any class). WON 2A 500 freestyle (4:51.47). Won both events for second consecutive year. Returns from 2000 and 2001 teams

Kristin Gilliam, Buchholz (Gainesville), Senior
WON 3A 200 freestyle (1:49.89). WON 3A 500 freestyle (4:54.11). Also was selected in 2000.

Susan Gilliam, Bolles (Jacksonville), Senior
Finished 2nd in Class A 200 freestyle (1:50.00). Finished 2nd in 500 freestyle (4:49.41). Returns from 2000 and 2001 teams.

Brittney Lerew, Lake Highland Prep (Orlando), Senior
WON 1A state diving title for second consecutive year. Returns from 2001 team.

Rhi Jeffrey, Atlantic (Delray Beach), Junior
WON 2A 200 freestyle (1:45.49, new national record). WON 2A 100 freestyle (48.73, new state record) for second straight year. Now has won six individual state championships in career (two 50, three 100, one 200). Returns from 2001 and 2000 teams.

Kerry McFadden, Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs), Senior
Finished 2nd girls 3A 200 individual medley (2:07.27). Finished 3nd in 3A 100 backstroke (58.53). Returns from 2001 team.

Natalie Pike, Boca Raton, Junior
WON 3A 100 freestyle (51.03) for second straight year. WON 3A 200 individual medley (2:06.92).

Nicole Rose, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), Junior
WON 2A state diving title for second straight year. Returns from 2001 team.

Vesna Stojanovska, Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale), Senior
WON Class A 200 freestyle (1:48.32). Finished 3rd in Class A 500 freestyle (4:56.20).

Christina Swindle, Gulliver Prep (Coral Gables), Senior
WON Class A 50 freestyle (22.30, best time in state in all classifications) for fourth straight year. WON Class A 100 freestyle (48.90, lowering her national record, subsequently eclipsed by two swimmers) for third straight year. Returns from 2001 and 2000 teams.

Leila Vaziri, Coral Springs, Senior
WON 3A 100 backstroke (55.51, best time in state in all classifications) for second straight year. WON 3A 50 freestyle (23.31).


Contacts:
Rick Odioso
Knox Sports
(813) 962-1559

Virginia McGrath
Pinch A Penny
(727) 531-8913