Sebring Swimmers Set For State

SEBRING - The pool was more quiet than usual this week as the state-qualifying members of the Sebring swim team got their last laps in before the Class 2A state finals, which begin this morning at 9 a.m.

Three individuals - junior Megan Wolfe in the 50 free, junior Bryan Kirsch in the 100-breaststroke and senior Shanaan Spiegel in the 100-backstroke - join the Wolfe-anchored 200-free relay team at the Central Florida YMCA Aquatic center in Orlando.

That's a total of six Streaks representing Sebring at state, two more than coach Pat Caton had hoped for heading into regionals.
"It's very exciting to have as many kids as we do," Caton said. "We've doubled our team over the past few years, so I guess that means next year we'll need to qualify 12."

The state squad practiced for the last time this season on Friday, working mainly on turns and starts. Boys head coach Cheryl Parsons said the final sessions are a good time to build that last bit of speed and get the team mentally ready for leaving everything in the pool.

"We did some sprints to get some speed going and worked on the walls a lot for the turns," Parsons said. "We want the relay to have its best chance at an efficient start and make sure they're going right at the touch."

Parsons said she was proud of both boys qualifiers, and though each were among the final qualifiers for each event, she said the state meet will be special for both of them.

"Once you make state, it makes the next time that much easier," she said. "Bryan's very capable and very determined - he's one athlete I've never had to ask to work harder."
Of Spiegel: "He's as talented in swimming as he is in diving," Parsons said. "For him to miss out on the diving and still make state as a swimmer means a lot."

Wolfe, whose regional time qualified her fifth among 50-free swimmers, figures to have the best shot at reaching the state finals. She tied for third in the event last year.

The 200-free relay, made up of Wolfe, senior Leeza Freeland, junior Katie Bullard and senior Katie Havery, took second in regionals but qualified 14th in state overall and will have their work cut out for them if they hope to swim with the state's top eight.

"We've all been to this pool and know the surroundings," Caton said. "The girls who haven't been to state will be nervous, but they just need to swim the way they always have."
The meet gets under way at 9 this morning. For preliminary results, see Saturday's Highlands Today.