FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2003


Pinch A Penny Swimmers of the Year to be announced in early February, six finalists named

CLEARWATER – Six finalists, three boys and three girls, have been announced for the Pinch A Penny Florida Male and Female Swimmer of the Year Awards. The winner of each award, the third annual pair of Swimmers of the Year sponsored by Pinch A Penny Pool, Patio and Spa, will be announced in early February.

Boys nominees are Bill Mrazek of Leon (Tallahassee), Colby Mack of Satellite (Satellite Beach) and Chris Colwill, the only diver among the finalists, from Tampa Prep.

Christina Swindle of Gulliver Prep (Coral Gables), the 2001-02 Female Swimmer of the Year will be looking to repeat, but faces a strong challenge from Rhi Jeffrey of Atlantic(Delray Beach) and Annie Babicz (Sarasota). Jeffrey, a junior, is the only non-senior among the six.

All six are members of the Pinch A Penny All-State Swimming & Diving Team, 20 swimmers and four divers, announced last December. The team members, and the Swimmers of the Year, are chosen by a vote of the swimming & 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.

2002-03 Pinch A Penny Florida Swimmer of the Year Finalists

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

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).

Chris Colwill, Tampa Prep, Senior
WON Class A state diving for second straight year. Also won state diving title when in seventh grade. Returns from 2001 team.

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.

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.

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.

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

Virginia McGrath
Pinch A Penny
(727) 531-8913