THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University swim team honored five seniors on their last home meet season on Saturday. Lucia Roca, Jonah Hendricks, Jacob Bliancione, Francisco Pereira, and Cole Haire were the seniors recognized before the meet.
The women's swimming team scored 81 points, while the men's swimming team scored 61 points.

Casey Fair placed first in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:11.11, while Alexis Horn placed second with a close time of 1:12.36. Karlie Autry 1:07.58 finished second in the 100-yard Backstroke event. The women's 800-yard freestyle relay team of Lucia Roca, Alexis Horn, Karlie Autry, Anna VanDeKeere finished second with a time of 8:43.59. Alejandra Sopena finished first in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1:03.59. Van DeKeere finished first in the 200-yard IM 2:22.38. Roca finished second in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:07.38. Van DeKeere finished first in the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 18:52.81. In the women's 200-yard medley relay team of Autry, Fair, Sopena, and Van DeKeere finished second with a time of 1:56.62.

The men's medley relay team of Jofre Mataro, Emil Schildhauer, Luca Tona, Pelayo Gafo placed second in the 200-yard with a time of 1:37.56 and third in the 800-yard freestyle relay with a time of 7:33.29. Mataro finished first in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:48.91 and also finished first in the 100-yard backstroke with time of 54.29. Tona finished first in the 100-yard Butterfly with a time of 54.08, while also placing second in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:22.15. Schildhauer placed first in the in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 59.27

Lucía Roca has been a dedicated and passionate member of the Thomas swim team throughout her college career. Her favorite events include the 100 breaststroke and the 200-freestyle relay, which she especially enjoys swimming with her teammates. Lucía has proudly served as team captain while maintaining a GPA above 3.5 every year. Lucía says it's the people on this team who have made her time at TU so special they're the reason she's stayed and loved every moment of it.

Fran has made a lasting impact on the Thomas swim team through his dedication, drive, and team spirit. Specializing in the 200 freestyle, he has been a key contributor in the pool and a strong presence among his teammates. One of his favorite memories is qualifying for nationals during his freshman year and finishing 12th in the mile. He takes pride in being part of such an incredible program and representing the Night Hawks of Thomas University with passion and pride. Fran carries with him a forward-looking mindset captured in his own words: "Build the society of tomorrow starting right here and right now."

Jonah is earning his bachelor's degree in Literature and Media and plans to become a middle school English teacher. In the pool, he enjoys competing in the relays most of all, where teamwork and energy come together to create his favorite racing moments. Some of Jonah's best memories from his time with the team include the shared laughter and stories during team dinners on trips and the van rides home after meets. Guided by his favorite verse, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31), Jonah approaches everything he does with gratitude and heart. His teammates and coaches will remember him for his kindness, humor, and steady spirit that lifted everyone around him.

Cole will graduate this spring with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sport Science before pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. His goal is to work with athletes and children, combining his love for sports with his passion for helping others. Cole's favorite event is the 500 freestyle, a race that showcases his endurance and determination. Some of his favorite team memories include the 24-hour relay and the incredible energy of everyone cheering on the relays at mid-season — moments that remind him why he loves being part of TU Swimming. Before joining TU, Cole earned his Associate of Arts degree with Highest Honors from Florida State College at Jacksonville while still in high school. He has since continued his academic excellence at TU, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and earning a place on the President's List throughout the 2024–2025 school year. In high school, Cole qualified for the Florida Class 1A State Championship in the 500-freestyle becoming only the third swimmer ever from his school to do so, and the first in 11 years. Beyond the pool, he has shown strong leadership and compassion, volunteering with children and adults with different abilities and serving as President of the Student Leadership Board for the Jacksonville Homeschool Community. Guided by his favorite quote from Michael Phelps — "If you want to be the best, you have to be willing to do things other people aren't willing to do" — Cole brings dedication, heart, and humility to everything he does, leaving a lasting mark on the team and everyone who knows him.

Jacob is earning his degree in Exercise and Sport Science with a minor in Criminal Justice. In the pool, he shines in the 100-yard butterfly a race that reflects his determination and competitive spirit. Some of Jacob's favorite memories from his time at TU come from the beach trips during his sophomore and senior years, when the team came together outside of competition to relax, laugh, and celebrate their hard work. While his college journey hasn't been about chasing awards, Jacob has made a true impact through his steady effort, positive attitude, and loyalty to his teammates. Inspired by his teammate Fran's words, "Build the society of tomorrow, today," Jacob carries forward the same mindset of growth and teamwork that defines TU Swimming.

Swimming will have their next meet on November 8th at 10am in Biloxi, Miss. as they face William Carey.