Celebrating Success of Two Young Swimmers Heading to Swim In College

This week marked a special celebration I was honored to participate in for two exceptional young men of the Sun Coast Swim Team (SCST) at the Bicentennial Pool in Crystal River: Justin Rieck and Danny Pontrelli. Their dedication and talent have led them to remarkable achievements in competitive swimming and now college.

Justin Rieck, a standout athlete from Crystal River High School, has made a commitment to furthering his athletic career by joining the Barry University NCAA Division II Buccaneers Swim Team. This decision not only signifies Justin’s prowess in the pool but also his academic ambitions, as he will be pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at Barry University. Justin’s achievements are further underscored by the fact that he has been awarded the esteemed Barry University Presidential Academic Scholarship worth a total of $80,000, a testament to his outstanding academic abilities and potential. His journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable, and his dedication to both his sport and academics is truly commendable.

We also celebrated Daniel “Danny” Pontrelli II, a phenomenal senior from Nature Coast Tech High School in Brooksville. Danny has committed to swimming for the St. Thomas University (STU) Bobcats Men’s swim team in Miami Gardens, Florida. The STU Bobcats Men’s swim team recently secured their first Swimming National Championship at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Swimming & Diving Championship, showcasing the caliber of talent and dedication within their ranks. Danny’s decision to join such a successful program speaks volumes about his own abilities and potential to excel at the collegiate level.

Justin is the twenty-seventh SCST student-athlete to go on to swim collegiately, and Danny is the twenty-eighth. What makes Justin and Danny’s achievements even more special is the support and camaraderie they have for one another and the support they received from their teammates, coaches, and families. At Justin’s signing ceremony, Danny, his club teammate from Hernando County Schools, drove up to show his support—a gesture that highlights the strong bonds formed within the SCST community. Likewise, Justin returned the favor by attending Danny’s signing the day before, demonstrating the mutual respect and encouragement shared among SCST members.

The impact of Justin and Danny’s success extends beyond the pool. They are not just exceptional athletes but also role models and leaders within their high school teams and the SCST club team. Their dedication, hard work, and sportsmanship have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the overwhelming pride and support shown by their swim families and coaches. Among those present at the celebration were SCST Head Coach Michelle Dickemann, Coach Beth Penn, Coach Cliff Dyer, and Coach Chuck Gatton, School and District Leaders & Administrators, Citrus County School Athletic Director Robert Verlato, all who have contributed to Justin and Danny’s development as athletes and individuals.

I often emphasize the value of high school extracurricular activities such as athletics, music, arts, JROTC, and more. These opportunities give young people a chance to learn teamwork, fair play, camaraderie, and how to navigate both successes and failures, providing them with lifelong learning opportunities. These activities are instrumental in shaping great young individuals, and if we can occasionally help a young person continue these activities in college or after high school, that is a bonus.

As a volunteer administrative coach for SCST, I am immensely proud of Justin and Danny’s achievements and the positive impact they have had on our team and community. Their success serves as a testament to the values of dedication, perseverance, and teamwork that we strive to instill in all our athletes. Congratulations to Justin Rieck and Danny Pontrelli II on their remarkable accomplishments, and here’s to a bright future filled with continued success both in and out of the pool.

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