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Highlands Today

A Positively Peak Performer

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN Highlands Today

Published: December 29, 2008

SEBRING - Megan Wolfe has made the water her second home since she was barely able to walk, and now at the end of her senior season, she's reached to the near pinnacle of her sport.

But she wants more.

"I think I swam my best during the biggest meets of the year," Wolfe said. "I finally broke 24 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle and yet I really wanted to be sitting with the gold medal around my neck.

"I don't think as an athlete you can be satisfied unless you're being pushed to your ultimate limit."

Wolfe swam the race of her life to earn a third-place finish in the 50 free with a time of 23.98 at the Class 2A state finals to break the 24 second barrier, but the Blue Streak senior had another gear in her that came to the surface at a meet just a week later, when she swam a 23.86 to qualify for the Junior Nationals in 2009.

Her dedication and strive for perfection has made her one of the top swimmers in the state and the 2008 Highlands Today All-Heartland Girls Swimmer of the Year for the second straight year.

"It's a really great honor to receive this award for the past two years," Wolfe said. "To me, it validates all the hard work, while showing the younger swimmers what is possible."

This past season, Wolfe showed what dedication can do for an athlete.

In 2007, Wolfe placed seventh in the 50-free on one leg, as she injured a knee earlier in the season, but toughed it out to finish the season strong.

This season, she came back in great shape to shatter her school record in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:22.59 - besting her record by nearly 13 seconds.

She also placed 10th at state in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 59.31 and was also a member of the 200-yard medley relay team that qualified for regionals.

"This was my first year coaching swimming in the area, but Megan is by far one of the best high school swimmers I've seen in a long time," Avon Park head coach Michael Scofield said. "She is nearly perfect with her form and you can tell she has put in the time to get better every time she hits the pool."

There weren't many things in the pool she couldn't do and do at a high level - a feat that Michael Phelps taught her just by her viewing his gold medal performance at the Beijing Olympics.

"Michael showed that a distance flyer can do well in any stroke," Wolfe said. "The breaststroke is his weakest but you wouldn't know it because he's still world class in that event."

Through the years, Wolfe's biggest rival has been Seminole's Kaitlyn Frehling, who has won the state title in the 50 free the last two seasons. Wolfe is hoping the friendly rivalry that she and Frehling have had since they were junior swimmers doesn't end with her graduation.

"Kaitlyn and I have been swimming against each other ever since we were 11 years old," Wolfe said. "She's an amazing swimmer who has continued to get better every season. I would've liked to have won the state title, but if I had to lose to someone, I'm glad it was her.

"I know we both have talked about competing in college and maybe one day we'll be in the same pool at the Olympic Trials."

Wolfe's injury last season prevented her from making the cut to swim at the Olympic Trials, but she was at the event when her Highlands Hurricane teammate Sean Spiegel took his shot at making the Olympic squad.

"It was an amazing experience just to be at the event," Wolfe said. "I had a chance to see how the event is run and it only strengthened my resolve to make it four years from now.

"All my goals from here on out will all lead to giving it my all in making the Olympic team and hopefully a trip to London. It would be really nice if Kaitlyn was in the lane next to me."

If Wolfe remains healthy and maintains that desire and dedication, there are no doubts that she'll get her chance at Olympic glory.

The Team:

Tammi Beach, junior, Lake Placid - The expectations were never higher for the Green Dragon junior and Beach didn't disappoint.

The LP distance swimmer became the school record holder in the 200-yard freestyle (2:12.29) besting the record that stood since 1997. She also reached the holy grail of junior swimming by breaking the one-minute barrier (59.69) in the 100-yard freestyle event that began a wonderful district meet for the junior.

Beach was crowned the district champion in the 200-yard freestyle (2:15.52) and placed second in the 100 free (1:01.24), while earning second place finishes as a member of the 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay for the Green Dragons.

"Expectations for Tammi are going to be high her senior year," LP coach Tom Creel said. "The way she's been progressing, I wouldn't be surprised if four records fall next season.

"She's been working with Marvin Wolfe and the Highlands Hurricanes and that has made all the difference in her improvement this season. Marvin really fine tuned her stroke and she's primed to be a regional champion and we've got our sites also set on a great showing at state."

Ashley Cooper, senior, Avon Park - A Red Devil co-captain was a true leader for Avon Park, which set a shining example for a very young squad.

"Ashley was really consistent this year and one of the swimmers I could depend on from meet to meet," Avon Park swim coach Michael Scofield said. "As a first-year coach, you always want the seniors to be leaders that the younger swimmers can emulate and Ashley was always there to help and encourage her teammates."

Cooper improved her 200-yard freestyle time by nearly 18 seconds, as she went from 3:15 to 2:57.43 at districts.

Paige Giller, senior, Sebring - One of the top Blue Streak swimmers since she hit the pool as a freshman, Giller went out with a bang as she broke the school record in the 100-breaststroke and won the consolation final with a 1:15.19, just .04 of a second faster than the previous mark held.

"Paige doesn't get the same publicity as Megan Wolfe but she's as a consistant swimmer as you'll find," Creel said. "She's always someone you want to keep your eye on when you're competing against her."

Giller found district gold by winning the 100-yard breaststroke (1:16.28) and earning a second place finish as a member of the 200-yard medley relay and third place on the 400-yard freestyle relay team at districts.

Marbelly Creel, senior, Lake Placid - The senior leader for a young Green Dragons swim team. Creel ended her career at Lake Placid with a solid showing at the district finals.

"How can you be a Creel and not be a swimmer," Rivers said. "She's one of the most consistent swimmers on the team this year and she showed what it takes to be a leader. She led by example in and out of the pool."

The LP senior earned a pair of third place finishes in the 100-yard butterfly (1:13.20) and the 200-yard individual medley (2:41.82), while placing second as a member of the 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay for the Green Dragons.

"Marbelly doesn't get her due that I feel she deserves," said Coach Creel. "She has been one of the fastest swimmers on the team since she was a sophomore, but she's been saddled with competing in some of the more difficult events. Marbelly is as dependable a swimmer as we had on the team and a true leader."

Autumn Roberts, senior, Avon Park - Roberts was a solid force as co-captain for the Red Devils, as she was a member of the 200-yard medley relay team as well joining Cooper as a one-two punch in the 200-yard freestyle.

The AP senior lowered her time in the 200 from 3:14 to 2:56.75 this season at districts.

Katie Bullard, senior, Sebring - Bullard continued to improve during her years in the pool for Sebring.

During her senior campaign, Bullard became an anchor for the 200 medley and freestyle relay teams, finishing in second at districts in both events.

Rachel Cope, sophomore, Lake Placid - A future star for the Green Dragons that showed just a glimpse of what has yet to come from this sophomore distance flyer.

"Rachel is the one to watch," said Coach Creel. "She came back this season with a determination that I hadn't predicted from her. Her improvement was by far the most by any of the returning swimmers. I mean, we know what to expect out of Tammi, but Rachel has potential she hasn't even tapped yet."

Cope placed fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:22.71) and fifth place in the 200 individual medley (2:46.77) and shined as a member of the 200 medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay teams.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com

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