Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Stephanie and Scott Iannaccone
CONCORD, CA (May 24, 2023) — In July 2012, the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight featured three Iannaccone sibling swimmers on the Dana Hills Swim Team from Concord. This month we are featuring twins who just made their final mark in high school swimming for their North Coast Section championship teams from Carondelet and De La Salle.
Seven-year-old Stephanie Iannaccone was featured 11 years ago with older brothers Erick and Ryan while her twin Scott (then known as Scotty) was mentioned in the story. This month, Stephanie and Scott made their final prep meets memorable ones before heading off this fall to different colleges, Stephanie to Harvard and Scott to Cal Poly SLO. Away from high school the twins swim for Walnut Creek Aquabears in USA Swimming.
Stephanie was named 2022 Pacific Swimming Long Course Outstanding swimmer. She also recently swam for the National Swimming Federation of Guatemala and set national records in the 200 individual medley and 100 and 200 breaststroke. It is likely she will qualify for the 2024 Guatemalan Paris Olympic team. At NCS for Carondelet she earned seconds in the 200 IM and 100 breast. She also anchored the Cougars winning 400 freestyle relay.
Last weekend the twins swam at the CIF State Meet to close out their high school careers. Stephanie placed in the top six in two relays and two individual events.
Not to be outdone by his sister, Scott is a multiple year NISCA All America, integral part of the past two NCS championship Spartan swim teams and NCS finalist past two years and Section relay champion. He’s a DLS school record holder in the 200 medley relay and top five all-time in multiple events as well as being an NCS Scholar Athlete. He finished his final meet at State last weekend winning the B final in 100 backstroke and part of two top six Spartan relays.
The Pioneer congratulates Stephanie and Scott and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry. laceyandruzicka.com
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@PioneerPublishers.com
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.