Parsons, Spock are Daily News' Swimmers of the Year

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

Niceville’s Ross Spock and Navarre’s Chrissy Parsons burst onto the high school swimming scene last year as freshmen with successful seasons.

With higher hopes for themselves and high expectations from others, neither suffered from a sophomore slump this fall.

The pair advanced to their respective state meets in two individual events each and showed throughout the season their names should be mentioned with the best in the state.

“Last year (Ross) tested the waters to see where he fit in, and this year he made the decision to be No. 1,” Niceville coach Dan Kaster said. “He seemed much more focused than last year, and he showed constant improvement.”

Spock and Parsons are this year’s All Sports Association/Daily News Swimmers of the Year. Spock topped Choctawhatchee’s Alex Strom for the honor, while Parsons edged Fort Walton Beach’s Elvira Chiccarelli.

“I think I did as much as I could,” said Spock, who made the consolation finals at the Class 3A state meet in the 100 freestyle. “I’m pretty happy with it.”

So was Parsons, who took fifth in the 100 breaststroke and ninth in the 200 individual medley at the Class 2A state meet. Her time in the consolation finals of the 200 IM was the fifth-best of the evening session, but ninth was as high a finish as she was able to place.

“It was really fun,” she said. “I like being with my team and we’re all friends, so it’s easy to work hard and they help me push myself.”

As a freshman, Spock advanced to regionals in his two signature events — the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle. But a year older and with a season of high school meets under his belt, he had a different approach this fall.

“I felt less nervous this year,” he said. “I matured a lot in handling my nerves. It paid off. I knew what I had to do. I wanted to do better.”

Kaster saw it as well, and said another turning point for his young standout was a loss at the Gulf Breeze Invitational. It was the only setback for him against Panhandle competition in his best events before the championship season.

“That focused him in and he knew he needed to get going,” Kaster said. “It pleased me to see him improve his times as he went through the meets after that.”

At the District 1-3A meet, Spock took second in both of his individual events. He then placed in the top five in both at the Region 1 meet before his two top-20 finishes at state.

Just as Kaster saw a new level of commitment in Spock, Navarre coach Michele Inkel saw the same thing in Parsons.

“She always could do it, but this year she gave it her all,” Inkel said. “She wasn’t going to cut anything short this year. She was not going to be denied.”

And she wasn’t. Parsons was second in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in the 200 IM at districts, along with leading two relays into regionals with top-five finishes. At regionals, she was third in the 100 breaststroke and sixth in the 200 IM.

Parsons said the expectations never bothered her.

“As long as I am trying my hardest, it’s good,” she said. “Swimming year-round really helped me out, and I just got better with everything.”

Inkel said despite her success, Parsons still has room for improvement.

“She’s got two years to do what she wants to do, and she can set those goals and go for it,” Inkel said. “She got a piece last year and another piece this year. She will only go up. There is no other place for her.”

Boys

First team

Alex Strom, Choctaw

Ross Spock, Niceville

Travis Thornton, Niceville

James Simmons, FWB

Ross Roberts, Niceville

Eric Dziokonski, Choctaw

Matt Schade, FWB

Josh Simmons, FWB

Patrick Whitehurst, Choctaw

Dallas Montgomery, Niceville

Cody Conant, FWB

David Stevens, FWB

Honorable mention:

Choctawhatchee: Nick Hunt, Michael Whitehurst, Josh Fenton

Fort Walton Beach: Blake Gladstone, Josh Williams, Brian Robinson, Michael Braseth, Ian Mackenzie, Levi Tippets, Peter Braseth, Craig Wilson, Matt Bevil, Cameron Cain, Daniel Craig, Ari Paljian

Navarre: Lucas Crawford, Stephen Chrisco, Tanner Getzug, Jesse Ton

Niceville: JJ Ott, Ryan DeCarlis, Jordan Carhuff, Matt Abbot

Girls

First team

Elvira Chiccarelli, FWB

Logan Griffith, FWB

Chrissy Parsons, Navarre

Jillian Mankoff, Navarre

Cheryl Corvo, Choctaw

Devon Caulkins, Niceville

Lindy Peek, Niceville

Savannah Tyree, FWB

Courtney Kieffer, Navarre

Megan Whitehurst, Choctaw

Shelby Baumgartner, Niceville

Emily Voigt, Niceville

Honorable mention:

Choctawhatchee: Chelsea Arsenault, Leigha Costello, Jacque Schlagetter, Alyssa Sheffield

Fort Walton Beach: Jill Jacobson, Jessica Gladstone, Linsi Versteeg, Paige Regelman, Jamie Gantert, Erin Hunt, Jami Morgan, Morgan McLaughlin

Navarre: Jearim Craig, Jennifer Barbee, Taylor Moorer

Niceville: Jessie Barth, Lindsay LeBeau, Erica Pranke, Catie Carden