The best and brightest of South Florida's high school swimming and diving talent will be on display when the "FHSAA Swimming and Diving District Championships" come to the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex (501 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) on Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25.
The complex hosts the Class 3A District 7 competitions on Friday and the Class 1A District 9 competitions on Saturday. Friday, you'll see squads from Boyd Anderson, Deerfield Beach, Dillard, Douglas, Northeast, and Stranahan, among others. Saturday's teams include American Heritage, Cardinal Gibbons, Pine Crest, Westminster, and Monsignor Pace.
More than 600 athletes compete this weekend, and more than a few are extremely good. Keep an eye on Katherine Noland, Barbara Thomas, and Claudia Ruby of St. Thomas. Pine Crest's Christie Raleigh and Brooke Atkinson are top-notch swimmers, and Cooper City's Kara Jayne Salamone is the cream of the divers. As for the boys, Chaminade-Madonna's Mohammed Madwa, Pine Crest's Stefan Mianowski, and Evan Linette of Fort Lauderdale are a few bright stars.
So this weekend, head over to the beach, soak up some rays, and check out a bunch of high schoolers competing in butterflies, backstrokes, and swan dives. Just don't plan on seeing any cannonballs.
Tickets are $4 per session. Prelims start at 9 a.m. each day, with finals at 6 p.m. Call 954-828-4581. -- Russ Evans
Slam It
And make a difference
SAT 10/25
Lest you think tennis is just for snooty Las Olas types, bored rich housewives, or people who think wearing all white is cool, Brian Piccolo Park (9501 Sheridan St., Cooper City) has put together something a little different. The "Make-a-Difference Day Adult Tennis Tournament" is a round-robin charity game for those with intermediate to professional skills. So if tennis is more than just an occasional pastime, you could compete and potentially help out a good local cause while getting some exercise. Racquets and balls are provided, or bring your own. The game is also open to spectators. The fee is $10 per person, and profits go directly to the United Way Community Solutions Fund of Broward County. Games start at 9 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. Call 954-437-2661 to register. -- Audra Schroeder
