Clements’ Achievement Highlights Busy Weekend of Pensacola Area Postseason Sports
West Florida senior Taylor Clements made history this past weekend, becoming the school’s first-ever swimming state champion by claiming titles in two events. The weekend was packed with impressive performances from Pensacola area athletes across multiple postseason sports, including swimming, diving, and cross country.
**FHSAA 2A Swimming & Diving Championship**
*November 7 – Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training, Ocala*
Taylor Clements etched her name in Jaguars history on Friday night by winning both the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke. She finished the 50 freestyle in 23.03 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:02.47. Clements’ times met the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association automatic All-American standards in both events.
In addition to her individual wins, Clements helped West Florida’s 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams advance to the finals. Her breaststroke split in the 200 medley relay was an impressive 28.02 seconds—the fastest time in either finals heat.
West Florida also saw success on the diving board, with Hayden Huntsinger earning silver with 398.10 points and Isaiah Simpson placing fourth with 365.65 points in the boys 1-meter diving. Escambia’s Tanner Turpin finished eighth with 270.20 points.
The West Florida girls’ team placed 16th with 64 points, while Maters Lakes Academy clinched its first state title with 240.5 points. On the boys’ side, West Florida finished 18th with 32 points, behind Bishop Kenny, which secured its fifth state title and fourth in the last five years, amassing 244.5 points.
Here are key results for Pensacola area swimmers:
– Girls 200 Medley Relay (West Florida: Jaysa Ciccone, Taylor Clements, Avery Witte, Callie Coleman) – 10th place, 1:54.20
– 50 Freestyle: Taylor Clements (West Florida) – 1st place, 23.03 seconds
– 100 Butterfly: Avery Witte (West Florida) – 12th place, 1:00.55 (Prelims: 1:00.48)
– 100 Breaststroke: Taylor Clements (West Florida) – 1st place, 1:02.47 (Prelims: 1:02.38)
– 400 Freestyle Relay (West Florida: Avery Witte, Callie Coleman, Sophia Bridges, Taylor Clements) – 14th place, 3:48.13 (Prelims: 3:47.13)
– Boys 1-Meter Diving: Hayden Huntsinger (West Florida) – 2nd, 398.10 points; Isaiah Simpson (West Florida) – 4th, 365.65; Tanner Turpin (Escambia) – 8th, 270.20
– 500 Freestyle: Justin Washburn (West Florida) – 22nd place, 5:03.71
**FHSAA 1A Swimming & Diving Championship**
*November 8 – Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training, Ocala*
The Pensacola Catholic boys’ team broke two school records in one swim during morning prelims. The relay team, consisting of Nick Shashaty, Landon Garcia, Eli Lawrence, and Ben Stewart, shattered their 200 freestyle relay record by more than two seconds, clocking a time of 1:30.61. Shashaty opened the relay with a blistering 21.95-second split, breaking his own individual school record.
The team finished 15th in the finals with a time of 1:30.76. Landon Garcia also competed individually, placing 17th in the 200 individual medley (1:58.71) and 12th in the 100 breaststroke (58.69).
Pensacola Catholic totaled seven points, finishing tied for 25th place. Bolles School continued their dominance, winning their 38th consecutive boys state title and 35th straight girls state title.
**FHSAA Region 1-3A Swimming and Diving Championship**
*November 5 – Morcom Aquatic Center, Tallahassee*
Pace junior Donovan Lawrence captured the regional championship on the 1-meter diving board with a score of 458.25. Booker T. Washington senior Ian Malone secured an automatic state championship berth by finishing second in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:40.87.
The Booker T. Washington boys team was the highest finishing area team in the region, placing seventh with 117 points. Fletcher won the overall regional title with 284 points. On the girls side, Tate finished 12th with 69 points, while Ponte Vedra dominated with 529 points.
Notable performances from area athletes and relays include:
– Girls 200 Medley Relay: Gulf Breeze (Rigby Whiteley, Caroline Smith, Grace Walen, Amelie Kortman) – 21st, 2:00.92
– 200 Freestyle: Lauren Armstrong (Tate) – 12th, 1:58.39
– 1 Meter Diving: Jada Jones (Pace) – 24th, 291.95
– Boys 200 Medley Relay: Booker T. Washington (Aidan Hall, Ian Malone, Kouper Kraus, Elam Shively) – 9th, 1:40.17
– 50 Freestyle: Ian Malone (Booker T. Washington) – 3rd, 21.04; Aidan Hall – 8th, 21.61
– 1 Meter Diving: Donovan Lawrence (Pace) – 3rd, 458.25
The FHSAA 3A Swimming and Diving Championships are scheduled for November 15 at FAST in Ocala.
**FHSAA District 1-2A Cross Country Championships**
*Friday – Apalachee Regional Park, Tallahassee*
The West Florida boys team captured their second consecutive district title, accumulating 31 points—30 points ahead of runner-up Pensacola Catholic. Bowen Spear from Pensacola Catholic won the boys individual title with a time of 16:49.40, outpacing runner-up Erick Garcia of Godby by 21 seconds.
Top runners for West Florida included Jude Theriault (3rd, 17:14.70), Ray Doung (4th, 17:23.70), John McAuley (8th, 17:40.30), and Quinn Doung (10th, 18:00.50). Pensacola Catholic’s Frederick Gunther (6th, 17:34.50), Chris Hill (11th, 18:05.40), Mason Pohovey (21st, 18:56.10), and Patrick Frey (29th, 19:45.90) also scored.
Both West Florida and Pensacola Catholic boys teams qualified for the Region 1-2A championships, taking place November 14 at Cecil Field Golf Course in Jacksonville.
The Pensacola Tigers boys team also advanced to regionals, with top finishers including Peter Ruiz (22nd), William Sidden (34th), and Matthew Ryan (45th).
On the girls’ side, Elizabeth Garrett of Pensacola Catholic claimed the individual title with a 5K time of 20:31.70, narrowly defeating Rutherford’s Lorelai Williams by just over 13 seconds.
West Florida’s girls came in second place by four points, finishing behind Florida High, which won the district with 49 points. Key Jaguars contributors were Annabelle Johnson (3rd), Saige Pharr (8th), Story Novotny (9th), Charlotte Nesmith (15th), and Rose Schneider (20th).
Pensacola Catholic placed third, led by Garrett, alongside Callie Howard (6th), Hailey Morris (17th), Natalie Jackson (30th), and Emmalyn Gibson (33rd).
—
It was another stellar weekend showcasing the talent and determination of Pensacola area student-athletes across swimming, diving, and cross country. Their successes highlight the strength and depth of local sports programs as the postseason progresses.
https://www.pnj.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/11/09/taylor-clements-swimming-state-title-fhsaa/87125739007/
