Middleton, Fla. – The Villages High School swimming and diving program produced another collegiate product on Thursday.

Lara Braganza, the school's individual or shared record holder in all but one event, signed a letter of intent to continue her swimming career at the University of West Florida in Pensacola.

Braganza celebrated her advancement during a signing ceremony before more than 100 of her friends, family, coaches and teammates inside the VHS cafeteria.

"I'd like to thank my parents and brother for always supporting me, and the coaches too for watching me the past six seasons," Braganza said. "I also want to thank (my teammates) for always being there for me."

The senior Buffalo swimmer finished second in the 100 butterfly at the FHSAA State Championships in November – and added a sixth-place finish in the 200 freestyle – to earn state runner-up honors for the second time in her career. Braganza also took home silver in the 100 fly as a junior.

"We are thrilled with the college (Braganza) picked and it's close to home, so I think we might have to take a field trip," VHS head coach Jacqui Mitchell said. "It's such a delight when you coach someone who's also a phenomenal human."


Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment via email at cody.hills@tvcs.org.