Middleton, Fla. — The Villages High School swimming and diving teams cruised to a pair of sweeps in their respective season openers Thursday in Middleton.

The VHS boys defeated Belleview (141-32) and Leesburg (150-8), while the Buffalo girls ran away from Belleview (126-42) and Leesburg (140-19) to allow both teams to get off to 2-0 starts at the VHS Aquatics Center.

"It was honestly unbelievable," said VHS 20th-year head coach Jacqui Mitchell. "Our kids have shown up, they're here and they're on fire. It's really been a PR-palooza."

On both sides, VHS flashed a strong mix of youth and experience. Seniors Lara Braganza and Zion Lumpay led the way contributing to multiple victories each, while juniors Molly Boardman and Aaron Nacaxe both also found the top of the podium. Up-and-comers such as sophomore Bella McDowell and eighth-grader Adrian Rivero also captured individual wins.

The Buffalo were especially strong in relay races, as VHS finished first in five of the six team-based events.

"These kids just work really hard for us," Mitchell said. "They conditioned really well over the summer. A lot of them joined the Buffalo Stampeders (offseason) program and worked technique, and it's showing. They look beautiful in the water and their strokes are stunning."

The Villages also racked up points in the diving portion, as expected, with McDowell, Ella Dariano, Sebastian Price and Austin Bellah leading the way in Year 2 of the VHS diving program.

"It's awesome and the growth is incredible," Mitchell said. "We've got this gorgeous facility and our dive team is out there working everyday, too. They bring a different dynamic and I love that it gives (our swimmers) a little bit of a break."

The season opener also served as a bit of additional history for Mitchell and the VHS swim program, which had Thursday's double-dual meet livestreamed on the school's TVCS Live network. The season opener also kicked off the second season at the state-of-the-art VHS Aquatics Center.

"This facility has totally renewed all of us," Mitchell said. "When you've been around something for a long time, it can kind of get stale a little bit — but not here. We've got a new fire under all of us."


TEAM RESULTS
BOYS
The Villages 141, Belleview 31
The Villages 141, Leesburg 3
GIRLS
The Villages 119, Belleview 38
The Villages 119, Leesburg 17



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