This article was written by guest writer, junior Isabella Perry.

The American Heritage varsity swim team made waves at the 2025 FHSAA 2A Regional Championship last weekend, earning a record number of state qualifiers and multiple event wins. 

Standout performances included juniors Liliana Novak and Stepan Vandysh and senior Rafael Landron taking spots in the top three for their respective events, helping secure Heritage’s strongest regional showing yet. 

The Patriots excelled, with the boys securing a fifth-place overall finish with the girls’ team earning fourth. 

Novak took first in both the 50-yard freestyle and free and 100-yard freestyle, dominating the sprint events and setting the pace for the rest of the team.

Vandysh captured gold in the 200-yard individual medley, with his versatility in all four strokes demonstrating the depth of Heritage’s talent and contributing significantly to the team’s success. 

Additionally, Landron finished in the top three for the 50-yard freestyle, with his performance setting up a dominant sprint lineup for the Patriots.

Coach Nobutaka Tan praised the team’s performances, recognizing their progress. 

“I am very proud of our swimmers’ performance at regionals,” Coach Tan said. “Each swimmer stepped up their efforts and made great improvements from last year. ” 

At the beginning of the meet, a ceremony was held to honor the team’s seniors, whose names were announced as they walked across to cheers and applause from teammates and spectators.

“I felt excited because I have trained for this, but was also sad because it’s my very last regionals,” senior Katlyn Rhett said.  “It’s my last season, and I get to be with all my friends and put my best effort into my races.”

Other swimmers who qualified and competed at the regionals championship are: 

BOYS

Rafael Landron, Noah Abel, Liam Garcia Sierra, Colin Lehn, Joel Cardenas, Stepan Vandysh, Rodion Znaishev

GIRLS

Isabella Perry, Francesca Perry, Madison Aguero, Yechang Liu, Makayla Montenegro, Liliana Novak, Arisa Porter, Katlyn Rhett

The Patriots are hoping to finish strong with a successful State Championship this weekend in Ocala.

“All swimmers are excited and ready to do their best at the State meet and I am looking forward to being a part of this great team,” Coach Tan said. 

_{Junior Stepan Vandysh, senior Rafael Landron and junior Liliana Novak achieve gold. (Photo/Isabella Perry)}

_{The team smiles as they advance towards states. (Photo/Isabella Perry)}