2021 SUN Preps All-Area Athletes & Teams
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www.yoursun.com Page 25 Girls First Team Meghan Brown (Lemon Bay Senior) Lemon Bay's girls swim team finished 14th at the Class 2A state meet … which is to say "Team Brown" finished 14th at the state meet. The Mantas' team leader finished 10th in the 100 free and 15th in the 100 back to close out her stellar career. "She is such a hard worker and great teammate," Hall said. "She has been to States all of her high school career in her individual events and has done very well." Sarah Koenig (Venice Junior) Koenig was a bit of a utility player for Venice at the state meet, helping the squad out on the 200 medley and 200 free relay teams as well as competing individ- ually in the 100 breast and 200 individual medley. She finished 16th in the breast and now stands a very good chance to reach the state meet in all four of her high school years. Karys Nelson (Charlotte Senior) Nelson reached the state meet in the 100 free, finishing 16th but made her biggest splash in the Class 3A District 8 meet by finishing second in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 free while helping to bump the 200 medley and 200 free relay teams to regionals Emma Theis (Venice Junior) Theis finished 15th in the state 500 free and led Venice's 400 free relay, which finished 13th. She also competed in the 200 free Lara Oktay (Venice Junior) Oktay was a member of Venice's 10th-place 200 medley and 13th-place 400 free relay teams at state and also competed in the 100 breast. Halle Moore (Venice Senior) Joined Oktay and Sensenbrenner at state on the 11th place 200 medley team as well as doing her part as the second leg of the ninth-place 200 free relay. Girls Scond Team Bryanna Robinson (Port Charlotte junior) Finished 13th at regionals in the 100 fly and 12th in the 100 back as well as being part of the Pirates' 200 medley relay team which finished 10th at state. Melody Stelmaszek (Port Charlotte junior) Was 19th in the regional 100 breast event as well as being part of the 200 medley relay team which finished 10th at state. Evelyn Negrette (Port Charlotte junior) Finished 11th in the regional 200 individual medley and 18th in the 500 free as well as being part of the 200 medley relay team which finished 10th at state. Lucabella Romero (Port Charlotte) Was 19th at regionals in the 50 free and 24th in the 100 free as well as being part of the 200 medley relay team which finished 10th at state. Grace Eaton (Charlotte senior) Finished 13th at regionals in the 50 free after winning the event at district and was 18th in the regional 100 free. Jessica Muniz (North Port senior) Reached regionals where she finished 17th in the 100 breast. She holds school records in the 500 free and 200 individual medley. Sage Yenari (Venice senior) Played key roles in Venice's 200 free, 200 medley and 400 free relay teams, which finished ninth, 10th and 13th, respectively. Coach of the Year Jana Minorini What else can be said other than Minorini is a fixture in this position. Venice once again swept district and region titles on their way to strong state showings (7th in boys, 13th in girls). She did it this season while juggling her roster at times but always seemed to find the right swimmer for each event. Player of the year Sarah Sensenbrenner (Venice junior) Sensenbrenner was the area's top finisher at the state level, earning a second-place finish in the 100 backstroke, an event she had reached state in a year ago. She added an eighth-place finish in the 200 free and was part of Venice's 200 medley and 400 free relay teams. Minorini said Sensenbrenner's versatility and selflessness was vital to Venice's top-15 team performance at state. "She is flexible on what she can swim, talented in all strokes, especially free and back," Minorini said. "She also is so willing to help the team, swimming on our medley right before her 200 free." She will return as a favorite to win the 100 backstroke. "In addition to being a great swimmer, Sarah's positive attitude and 100-percent effort combined with her ability makes her extraordinary," Minorini said. SENSENBRENNER SUN PHOTO BY PATRICK OBLEY Charlotte swimmer Karys Nelson competes in the 200 yard medley against North Port at South County pool. Nelson won the event with a time of 2:24.10. SWIMMING FROM PAGE 25