After more than two weeks of delays due to uncooperative weather, the Conchs were finally able to kick off their 2025 season in the pool against Westminster Christian on Sept. 13. Key West won over the Warriors 101-66 in girls competition and 105-52 in boys action.
The Conchs’ relay teams dominated in the pool, shutting out Westminster from any firsts in those events. Mary Seary, Amelia Korzen, Molly Martinez and Christina Rice won the girls 200-yard medley race while Jacob Perez, Hugo Blinckmann, Andres Aguero and Sebastian Camargo were first in the boys race. Aly Camargo teamed up with Korzen, Martinez and Rice for the 200 freestyle team for a first, while Santiago Gonzalez and Jack Reynolds joined forces with Hugo and Max Blinckmann for a boys first-place finish in the same event. In the 400 freestyle relay, Taylor Thomason, Kennedy Morgan, Tessa Hughes and Martinez cruised in for a first and Camargo, Max Blinckmann, Gonzalez and Perez won for the boys.
Christina Rice was the big winner for the Lady Conchs in meet number one. Rice had a pair of individual wins to add to her relay events. She touched the wall well ahead of her competitors in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races.
Santiago Gonzalez added two individual wins to his relay races as well. Gonzalez took first in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle races to make him the most prolific winner for the boys team against Westminster.
Other individual winners were Colbie Turner, who won the girls 100-yard butterfly event. Andres Aguero finished first in the boys event. Hugo Blinckmann finished just ahead of brother Max in the 50 freestyle sprint and Amelia Korzen swam to a first place finish in the girls 100-yard breaststroke event.
Coral Shores has yet to dive into the competitive season this year. Several meets have been postponed or canceled due to inclement weather. With any luck, the Hurricanes will start things off at Founders Park on Tuesday, Sept. 23 against Doral Academy and again on the 25th in a tri-meet with Westminster Christian and Cutler Bay. Key West hosts Archbishop McCarthy on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the College of the Florida Keys pool.
JENNIFER SEARCY/Contributed
