Every sports fan loves a dynasty. There is something about seeing a group of individuals rise above and show just how good of a team they can be.
Think of the 1991-98 Chicago Bulls. The team lead by Michael Jordan, Scotty Pippen and coached by the legendary Phil Jackson. The team that won six championships including two three-peats. The 2002-08 USC Trojans, led by Pete Carrol, went 82-9 winning two national titles and producing three Heisman Trophy winners.
Could the Bolles School’s swimming and diving team be considered among these elite? While they may still be in grade school, what they have accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary.
The boys team has won an astounding 29 consecutive championships, second only to the Carmel, Ind., girls swimming team who holds the longest ever active winning streak at 30 years. The girls team is at their heels with 27.
A team like this must have a formidable leader at the helm. They seem to have that in head coach, Jon Sakovich. He brings with him a tradition of excellence the value of respect and accountability. With 35 boys and 30 girls on each team respectively, those values are all the more important.
Sakovich began his coaching career at Gainesville with the Florida Aquatic Swim Team. However, his career, family and the opportunity to be a part of something special brought him to The Bolles School.
Although the comparison can be made between The Bolles School and some of the elite programs around the country, what makes them stay consistent? How do they continue to bring in the level of talent they have come to expect to a high school level program? “We swim well and continue with our success, they want to be a part of the team. If we don’t do well they will go elsewhere. We also develop most of the talent that comes through Bolles. Many of our swimmers are from Jacksonville,” Sakovich said.
With multiple productive Olympic alumni, including Ryan Murphy and Caleb Dressel, The Bolles School certainly has the level of notoriety needed to attract some of the best talent the city has to offer.
The only question that remains is, how long can Bolles continue this juggernaut pace? “We don’t focus on the winning. We focus on the details that it takes to be a winner,” Sakovich said.
The Bolles School has been a powerhouse in swimming for decades. Only time will tell how far this program can go. We may be looking back in just a few short years on the longest active high school championship streak in history.
The Bolles School: The Dynasty
By: Dylan Hutchinson
