The South Lake Aquatics Club (SLAC) made waves recently at the Destination Athlete National Invitational. Held from March 22nd to 24th, this prestigious event drew competitors from across the nation, creating a vibrant mosaic of talent, determination, and camaraderie. SLAC had an impressive showing and would go on to take home the Team Title for the 3rd time in the event’s 3 year history!

SLAC, a name now synonymous with excellence in the water, embarked on this journey not just as participants, but as reigning champions with a legacy to uphold. The team, comprising 36 swimmers across various age groups, arrived with a blend of nervous anticipation and steely resolve. Among them were eight remarkable athletes: Sawyer Cruz, Zoe Lavergne, Lyla Conte, Ryan Karopostoles, Blake Agamez, Caleb Stromber, Jack Reburn, and Rory Connelly, each carrying the hopes of making history once more.

(Photo Credit – Julia Flohr)

As the competition unfolded, it became evident that the South Lake Aquatics Club was in a league of its own. From the initial dive to the final stroke, SLAC swimmers showcased a masterclass in precision, speed, and unwavering focus.

The highlight of the meet came when eight of SLAC’s finest shattered expectations, setting an 25 new meet records. Sawyer Cruz glided through water with unparalleled grace, while Zoe Lavergne’s strokes painted strokes of power and poise. Lyla Conte, with her fierce determination, carved new benchmarks, as did Ryan Karopostoles, whose technique was nothing short of mesmerizing. Blake Agamez, Caleb Stromber, Jack Reburn, and Rory Connelly equally all rose to the occasion, as SLAC dominated The Destination Athlete National Invitational.

The culmination of this spectacular weekend was the moment SLAC was crowned the overall team champion, a title they secured for the third consecutive year, a testament to their dominance, teamwork, and the indomitable spirit that ran through every member. This victory was not just about the medals and records; it was a celebration of hard work, sacrifice, and the joy of swimming.

The South Lake Aquatics Club’s achievement at the Destination Athlete National Invitational was a vivid illustration of how far SLAC has come. Each swimmer, coach, and supporter played a pivotal role in this historic triumph. As the team left Port Charlotte, they took with them not just trophies and accolades, but memories of a weekend where they swam fast, aimed high, and most importantly, had a lot of fun doing it!

Congratulations to each and every member of the SLAC team. This was a great performance and they earned the win as a team!