Florida High School 4A State: Meet Preview and Top Races to Watch

FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Florida High School Athletic Association 4A state meet is slated to take place on Saturday in Stuart, Florida at the Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center. The top 24 swimmers in each event across all Florida 4A teams will gather to determine who will walk away as the 2016 state champions. The reigning champions from the 2015 meet are the Riverview boys and the Buchholz girls.

Plant’s Morgan Tankersley is chasing a pair of state titles this season after her impressive performances at her regional meet. She’s the top seed heading into states with her 1:46.26 in the 200 free and 4:43.18 in the 500 free.

FW Buchholz’s Talia Bates is the one to watch in the women’s 50 free, as she’s already cracked the 23 second barrier this season. Bates leads the psych sheet with her 22.82 from her regional meet, and will look to defend her state title from last season. Bates’ teammate, Caitlin Brooks, is also looking for back-to-back titles. Brooks heads to the state meet as the top seed in the 100 back with her speedy 54.25.

On the boys’ side, Countryside’s Robert Finke established himself as one of the top swimmers to watch after breaking 4:30 in the 500 free at regionals. Finke’s 4:29.52 sets him up as the top seed with a 5 second lead over anyone else. He’s also the top seed in the 200 IM with his region-winning time of 1:52.78.

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bobo gigi
7 years ago

Finke has already swum much faster earlier in the season. It was in September around 4.22. But it was not in high school competitions so it must be why his seed time is 4.29.52. His best events are, for the moment, the 800 free and 1500 free, not enough speed yet, but it will be interesting to see him take power and improve her speed in the next few months. Star in the making. No doubt about that. Famous Bobo Gigi feeling. 😉

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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