Driscoll Named Best Swimmer

Brendan Driscoll '19 wasn't exactly sure why he was heading to downtown Tampa with his mother, Patrice Driscoll, and Jesuit's swimming head coach, Bill Shaffer, on the morning of Jan. 18.

Soon enough, it became apparent, and the secret was up: During Hillsborough County's fall sports awards ceremony, Driscoll was presented with the 2017 Hicks Award as the county's outstanding swimmer.

"I really wasn't sure, but I knew something was up," said Driscoll. "It's an incredible honor."

As the winner of 500 freestyle 2A State championship this fall - by a whopping 5+ seconds over the runner-up - in addition to helping Jesuit finish in second place in two relays, Driscoll had an extraordinary season.

His individual excellence helped propel Jesuit to the ultimate triumph, the school's first swimming State title. The Tigers became the first Hillsborough County school in 71 years, since Hillsborough High in 1946, to win a team State crown.

Driscoll joins Tommy Wyher '07 (2005), two-time winner Chris Swanson '12 (2010-11), and Tommy Shaffer '16 (2015) as Jesuit swimmers to capture the Hicks Award as the county's best.