Hunter Swartsel, who will graduate this year, is a son of Mark Swartsel, who graduated from Gulf in 1969. Mark’s father, Everett “Eddie” Swartsel, graduated from Gulf in 1946.
Hunter is one of the top swimmers in Gulf High School history, and his brother Forrest made it to the state wrestling tournament this year, even though he is a junior. Hunter’s other brother Fischer is in the seventh grade. He participates in a wrestling club.
Mark Swartsel (GHS ’69) played football and baseball at Gulf and he played rugby at the University of Florida.
Eddie Swartsel (GHS ’46) played football for several years, including 1944-45, when the outstanding team defeated Zephyrhills 61-0 and Pasco 47-0. The Zephyrhills game is thought to be the game with Gulf’s largest ever margin of victory. A picture of Eddie with his brother is here.
Eddie’s father, Noah M. Swartsel (1883-1961), completed school before moving here.
The Swartsel family were among the earliest settlers in the Elfers area. Noah’s father, Joseph F. Swartsel, who is Hunter’s great-great-grandfather, came to Florida in 1912. The last leg of their trip was from Tarpon Springs to Elfers by mule and wagon. They lived in a tent while their house was being built. They operated a large citrus business and a wonderful photo of the personnel at Swartsel Groves in Elfers, probably from the 1950s, is here. Right-click on the photo and choose ORIGINAL to see the photo with its great detail.
In the photo below are Hunter, signing his letter of intent to attend FAU with a swimming scholarship, with his parents Mark and Donna, Gulf Athletic Director Travis DeWalt, and Gulf swimming coach Casey Claflin.
