By Cameron Valdez
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
The Land O’ Lakes boys and girls swim teams successfully defended their district championships by sweeping the Class 2A-District 5 meet Oct. 25.
The Gators boys also sent off 13-year coach Barbara Hayes with another district crown, beating second place Lecanto by a 380-309 margin.
“They are all great,” said Hayes, who recently announced she is stepping down as coach after this season. “It has just been an incredible run for me. I can’t tell you how much I’ll miss this. Coaching (this team) has meant a lot to me.”
Hayes has led Land O’ Lakes to 12 Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) championships, seven district titles and a regional crown while completing 13 straight perfect regular seasons in dual meets.
“It was truly a blessing to coach so many amazing athletes over the years,” said Hayes as she fought back tears. “I’m sure they have enriched my life much more than I have enriched theirs. I hope I have left them with some wonderful memories as they have left for me.”
Cam Hilgenberg, who set the school record at districts in the 50-yard freestyle (22.2 seconds), said what Hayes has done for the program won’t be forgotten.
“(Hayes) has been great,” Cam said. “She has done a lot of work here.”
The Gators were led to victory in large part by Cam’s district title in the 50 freestyle and Jordan Wheeler’s first-place performance in the 200 individual medley.
“Winning this for (Hayes) is a big deal and a great way to send her off,” Wheeler said. “She has done a lot for us.”
The girls won by an even more comfortable margin, dominating second place Mitchell 506-346.
“These girls are the strongest girls I have ever coached,” said 11-year Land O’ Lakes coach Robin Hilgenberg, Cam’s mother. “I have high hopes for them. This was our year to do well here and we did.”
The Gators were paced by dominate performances by Jocelyn Williams, who took gold in the 100 breaststroke, and Kristen Dempsher, who claimed individual titles in the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle and as a member of the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams.
“It means a lot (to win districts), Dempsher said. “I’ve worked really hard this year to get where I am today.”
Advancing Land O’ Lakes swimmers compete at regionals Nov. 1 at the Orlando Aquatic Family Center starting at 10 a.m.
