BSAC Announces Addition Of New Team Head Coach

By Tamas Mondovics

The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC) recently announced an addition to its Blue Wave Swim staff: Justin Correia is taking the title of head age group coach. Blue Wave swim team Head Coach Mio Vasic is proud to have Correia on board ensuring the center’s continued success. As a Florida native, Correia, a Burns Middle and Bloomingdale High School graduate, is by no means new to the area or to the BSAC swimming program. He brings a total of 13 years of head coaching experience, including four years as head swim coach and program director of the Swim Macon Aquatic Center and nine years at the Aquatic Club of Temple Terrace.  “I am looking forward to utilizing all of my training and experience here at BSAC, “Correia said while emphasizing his focus on implementing a better progression routine for all athletes. “I am working hard on helping our young swimmers be able to make the necessary transition as they get older and swim against stronger opponents,” he said, but added, “I also want them to have fun in the water.”Correia, who has produced multiple Junior National, Southern Sectional, senior champions, junior Olympians, and state high school champions, specifically mentioned the positive outlook and atmosphere amidst BSAC’s diverse program choice.“There is something for everyone here, at every level,” he said.Some of the Blue Wave swim team’s recent success is owed to athletes such as 9-year-old Celi Guzman and 14-year-old Barbara Caraballo, both of whom swam well at the Nationals Championship in Puerto Rico. Guzman earned four gold and two silver medals, while Caraballo earned 11 gold medals, breaking 10 Puerto Rican records and six Blue Wave swim team records.Also on Saturday, May 8, the St. Petersburg Masters Club, along with St. Petersburg Aquatics, hosted the Hurricane Man 2.4 Mile and the Pass-A-Grill 1K Challenge Open Water Swims. BSAC’s Blue Wave swim team sent 11 participants, resulting in Bailey Bowden, Matt Colvin and Jack Deedrick all winning their respective age groups, while in the 1K challenge race, Van Cates, Mary Margaret Deedrick and Brett Yonkee all won their respective age groups.  While BSAC offers its high-level programs, it continues to rely upon the generous support of the community.For more information about the Blue Wave swim team, please call the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center at 689-0908 or visit www.mybsac.org.