Lake Brantley swim invite adjusts in order to reduce COVID-19 concerns

Saturday’s Lake Brantley Invitational is a major highlight for high school swimmers in a season that has been shortened due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It is now one of only four regular season meets for the Patriots, and some other area teams have even less pool time with access to many area aquatic centers being limited following the pandemic.

“The Lake Brantley Invitational is always the big one on our calendar,” Seminole High coach Tony Ackerson said. “Especially now with all of the COVID changes and lack of dual meets. It’s prelims and finals, a crazy-fast pool, and a lot of fast early season swims, historically.”

Brantley coach Clay Parnell said the size of the meet and the format have been adjusted to reduce coronavirus concerns.

The major change is that no spectators will be allowed to enter the on-campus Lake Brantley Aquatic Center. Parents and fans can peer through the fence to watch the competition, but even that may be limited if a big crowd shows up.

The first prelim session, starting at 8 a.m., will be only girls. Boys will take to the pool at about 11:45 for their prelims, followed by a break for all. The finals for the top 16 qualifiers in each race are set for 5:30 p.m. “Our capacity is close to 600 normally, but we’re going to keep it to 250 to 300 on the pool deck. That’s coaches, athletes and timers,” Parnell said.

He allowed 22 teams for a total of about 550 athletes. Typically the meet draws 30 or so teams and about 700 swimmers.

Most of the area’s premier programs are entered, including Oviedo, Seminole, Winter Park and Boone. The out of town entries include Tampa Plant and Neptune Beach Fletcher.

Swimmers to watch include two elite junior boys, Sage Sungail of Lake Brantley and Dawson Joyce, the Seminole High junior who swept titles in all four of his state meet races as a freshman and sophomore.

Volleyball milestones

First-year Lake Brantley girls volleyball coach Allan Knight notched his 400th career girls volleyball victory when the Patriots won at Winter Park on Wednesday night. Knight was at Bishop Moore for the past six seasons and previously coached at Cypress Creek, Oviedo, Timber Creek and Father Lopez. He has over 200 boys volleyball wins.

Jordan Schultz of The Master’s Academy collected her 1,000th career dig in a 25-16, 25-15, 25-18 girls volleyball win against Lake Mary Prep last week.

Perfect 300 in bowling

Leesburg senior Billy Rivera aspires to bowl professionally and he might be on the right track. He rolled a perfect 300 in a Sept. 17 victory for the Yellow Jackets against Tavares. His second game was 249 for a stellar 549 series.

Rivera has bowled five 300s previously in practice rounds but this was his first perfect game with 12 consecutive strikes in competition.

Orlando University 2,700 team score at Boardwalk Bowl on Wednesday was just enough to outscore Celebration (2,670), Winter Park (2,645) and East River (2,639). Nicholas Martucci, a junior, led University with a 671 series. Ashton Angel rolled a 669 for Winter Park and Bryce Reel posted a 656 for Celebration.

Winter Park’s girls ran their record to 4-0 with wins against East River, Colonial and University on Wednesday.

Oviedo’s Brendan Carey rolled a 276 game in a Wednesday boys win against Lake Mary.

Boone senior Lacy Reid bowled a 246 in a season-opening match. She added a personal best 684 series in her team’s 2467 to 2,366 loss to Winter Park.

Accomplished East River senior Isabela Pohl posted a 690 series for East River on Wednesday.

Dr. Phillips senior Brendan Carney opened the season with 236 and 232 games against Jones.

Trinity Prep ninth grader Amanda Lang began her high school career with a solid performance. She carded games of 194, 185 and 200 for a 579 series.