Creekside: They’re deep and they’re fast. Most of last year’s squad, eighth in the state, returns for the Knights. That includes sprinter Ian Cooper, Michael Morton in the freestyle, Nick Spillers in the butterfly and individual medley and Nick Talyanker in the breaststroke. Sophomore Aidan Henry has been coming on strong of late in the distance events, and transfer Dominic Miller strengthens the Knights in the backstroke and IM.
Creekside: How do the Knights follow up their Class 3A state title from 2017? By returning many of the same swimmers and going for another one. Versatility, always a plus, gives Creekside plenty of options for swimmers like Brooke Arnold and Shannon Campbell, while double-event finalist Jennifer Bird returns in the butterfly and backstroke. Young swimmers Madison Koutavas and Taylor Thomson add particular strength in the breaststroke.
Source: High school girls swimming: 5 to watch around the First Coast
Creekside 146, Bartram Trail 147
Creekside narrowly defeated Bartram Trail in its first dual match of the 2018 varsity golf season Tuesday afternoon at the Julington Creek Golf Club.Creekside’s Cooper Jordan and Bartram Trail’s Jacob Saarela were the co-medalists with a 1-under 35. Creekside’s Patrick Farson, Andrew Riley and Todd Roy each shot a 1-over 37. Bartram’s Jon Lumley and Antonio Rios Cimental also shot a 1-over 37. Both schools will have dual matches on Thursday. Creekside will face Bolles at Cimarrone Golf Club at 4 p.m. Bartram Trail will face Fletcher at Atlantic Beach Golf Club.
Source: St. Johns County roundup: St. Joseph wins volleyball opener
Creekside: The Claire Openshaw effect — the junior placed third in last year’s 3A final, won a state track title in spring and holds a top 5K time of 18:09 — automatically makes the Knights a team to watch. But add the depth of the four fleet-footed freshmen from the 2017 squad (Lauren Bolnick, Ashlyn Iliff, Hannah Jacobbe and Blake Petrick), now with another year of preparation, and the result is a team that could challenge Tallahassee Chiles for the top in Class 3A.
Source: High school girls cross country: 5 to watch around the First Coast
Creekside: Already carrying a pair of state titles from 2015 and 2016, the Knights return a possible Class 3A challenger in senior Matt Ortiz. A veteran of the Knights’ state championship squad from two years ago, Ortiz brings the right combination of experience and speed, and he lowered his personal best to 16:18.30 at the District 4-3A meet. He’s backed up by Ian Smith, Preston Rose and a host of younger runners on the way up.
Creekside will integrate a handful of fresh faces on the offensive side of the football. Quarterback, and Navy commitment, Tai Lavatai is not one of them.
Source: Creekside is confident it can continue to build a program in St. Johns
The Creekside Knights are a program on the rise. After going winless in 2016 they bounced back and went 5-6 in 2017. On Saturday the school held their fall sports media day.
Source: Creekside Sr. class focused on leaving winning legacy
Anna Gapinski is a Senior on Creekside’s Swim and Dive team. She has been swimming competitively for the past 12 years and has been on the Swim and Dive Team at Creekside since she was a freshman. Over the last 3 years, Anna has contributed significantly to Creekside’s success in the pool. She is a 4 time individual state qualifier, in the 50, 100, 200 freestyle & 100 backstroke. As a Junior in 2017-2018, Anna was on the state championship winning 200 medley relay team which catapulted the Creekside Knights to win the overall FHSAA Team State Championship. That 200 medley relay team currently holds the school record in that particular event.
Winning the 200 medley relay at states last year is a special memory for Anna because that was something her team was working towards throughout the entire season. “It was just an awesome feeling being the final leg of the relay and out-touching Gainesville by 2 tenths. This upcoming season we hope to defend our state title and win overall for the second year in a row. We have a really strong group of girls and I am confident that Coach Tracy will lead us to another title,” says Anna.
When she’s not in the pool, Anna is involved in the National Social Studies Honor Society, International Thespian Society, National English Honors Society, Psychology Club, Junior Ladies (Senior Women this year), and Best Buddies. Anna does not plan to swim in college so she hopes this season will be her most memorable and go out with a bang! Upon graduation from Creekside, she hopes to attend a high achieving, four year university and study psychology or social work.
“It was just an awesome feeling being the final leg of the relay and out-touching Gainesville by 2 tenths.”
– Anna Gapinski
