Records In His Wake

LAKE PLACID - Watching Lake Placid's Michael Wilkes in a swim meet is like seeing near-perfection in the water: Slicing through the glass-like sheen of liquid with the speed and intensity of a shark, feeding on record after Green Dragon record.

Wilkes, who dedicated himself to the sport completely during his sophomore year, finished his career at Lake Placid as the owner of four Green Dragon records, three of which stood for a decade or more. He was also a three-time Class 1A-District 5 and Class 1A-Region 2 champion during his career.

Those accomplishments have earned Wilkes the 2007 Highlands Today Boys Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The LP senior owns four Green Dragon boys swimming records: The 200 freestyle (1:55.57), the 50 free (21.74), the 100 butterfly (56.52) and the 100 free (49.27).

Wilkes broke the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly records during regionals, shattering the 22-second barrier in the freestyle event for the first time in his career.

"I really wanted to break 22 seconds, and knew I needed a good jump off the blocks to do that," Wilkes said. "I swam my best race ever on that day."

In breaking those records at regionals, Wilkes earned his place at the Class 1A state finals in both events, earning praises from his coaches.

"He is such a dedicated athlete," said LP girls swimming coach Cindy Rivers. "He gave everything he had and was a real leader on this team. The younger swimmers all looked up to him and you would see him so often helping the underclassman on turns or different techniques to help them get better."

Green Dragon boys swimming coach Thomas Creel has watched Wilkes mature through the years in the pool and is amazed every time he watches him in the water.

"Michael seem to have a natural desire to come from behind," Creel said. "His most memorable moments were where a swimmer or swimmers were seeded in an event with a faster time, and looking at difference in the times, it would seem that it would not be possible for him to win the event.

"More than a few times, the faster swimmer would burst out to the lead then you would start to see Michael gaining on the opponent. There would be a photo-type finish to touch the wall at the end a pause for your mind to absorb what just happened. Then that unmistakable feeling of excitement that overcomes your body when you realize that Michael just came from behind and won and shattered his previous time."

With the passion to keep swimming in the back of his mind, Wilkes is narrowing his college choices down, contacting schools like University of Central Florida and Auburn, with the hope of continuing swimming at the next level.

"I love the sport so much," Wilkes said. "I always went into the pool with a goal. It didn't always matter to me if I won, but to beat my best time would always be on my mind. I don't want to quit swimming competitively.

"I've been doing it so long. It's a part of me."

The Team

Shaanan Spiegel, senior, Sebring: An all-around athlete and as hard a worker as there is in the sport, Spiegel made huge improvements in his senior campaign in the pool and on the diving board.

Spiegel, who finished 10th in the 100-yard backstroke at districts last season, took noteworthy second- (1:01.13) and a sixth-place finishes (59.89) at regionals to earn a trip to the state finals.

"[Shaanan] has such diversity and is strong in all the strokes," said Sebring swimming coach Pat Caton. "His versatility was key to our success this season and he made such a leap in the backstroke.

"I was so proud of him and how he finished his career as a Blue Streak swimmer."

Spiegel was also a member of the second place 400-yard freestyle relay team that reached the regional finals.

Zach Lavoy, senior, Lake Placid: This LP senior lived up to the hype this season as the Green Dragons leader and respected upperclassman. Coach Rivers had high praise for Lavoy's accomplishments during his senior campaign.

"He really dedicated himself this year," Rivers said. "Michael [Wilkes] and him would push each other, and I think that really motivated Zach."

Lavoy finished in the top-five in three events at the district meet, earning the bronze in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:11.84) and fourth in the 200-yard individual medley (2:34.89), while also a member of the first place 200-yard freestyle relay team. He also competed at regionals freestyle and breaststroke events.

"Zach was a great teammate and would always cheer us on," Wilkes said. "He made me push myself even harder."

Miguel Ortiz, senior, Avon Park: Not only the diving king, this AP senior was just as adept with the best swimmers in the Heartland.

Ortiz placed fifth in the 50-yard freestyle (25.03) to represent Avon Park in the regionals. He was also a member of the Red Devil 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relay teams.

Bryan Kirsch, junior , Sebring: A silver-medal finish in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:07.61) at districts followed by a fourth-place finish (1:05.66) at the regional finals earned Kirsch's state finals appearance and solidified his status as the swimmer to beat entering next season for the Blue Streaks.

"He's getting better every time he gets in the pool," Caton said. "With Shaanan graduating, I'll need Bryan to step up and be a leader for this team."

Drew Sedlock, sophomore, Avon Park: Brother of former Avon Park pitcher Johnny Sedlock, the younger sibling made a name for himself in the pool this season.

Drew took third place in the 500-yard freestyle (6:45.27) to earn a spot in regionals in that event and as a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that placed third at districts.

"Drew was my marathon runner in the pool," said Avon Park swimming coach Jessica Thayer. "He kept pushing himself to get better and better. I could always count on 100 percent from him."

Robert Greene, sophomore, Lake Placid: This LP sophomore enjoyed a breakout season in '07. Greene punched his ticket for the regional finals in four events with some impressive results at districts.

Greene placed fourth in the 50-yard freestyle (24.80) and sixth in the 100-yard freestyle (58.19) and a member of the first place 200 and 400-yard freestyle relay teams.

"Robert is in the same position Michael [Wilkes] was in," Rivers said. "If he continues to put the time and hard work in, I have no doubt that he'll be taking Michael's spot in the freestyle events and a chance at state."

Marcos Rivera, senior, Avon Park: As the captain of the Red Devil swim team, Rivera could always be looked on for guidance and to cheer on his teammates. His infectious spirit energized his teammates, especially during the post season meets.

Rivera had an eighth-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:16.68) and was a member of the 200-yard medley relay team that placed fourth at districts.

Kevin Smit, freshman , Lake Placid: Another Green Dragon swimming season and another swimming prodigy comes floating to the surface.

In his first year of competitive swimming, Smit earned top-three finishes in two individual events - third in the 200-yard individual medley (2:32.77) and second in the 100-yard butterfly - and was a key member of the Green Dragon 200-yard freestyle relay team. His efforts earned him a spot in the regional finals in all three events, a rarity for a freshman.

"Kevin is just so hungry to improve," Rivers said. "Give him another summer of working in the pool, and he's going to amazing next season. I can't wait to see him develop his talent."

Will Odum, sophomore , Avon Park: Placed seventh in the 100-yard freestyle (58.77) to qualify for regionals, while being a key member of the Red Devil 200-yard medley and freestyle relay squads that placed fourth and third at districts, respectively.

Shane Stayer, junior, Lake Placid: "I'm expecting Shane to be one of my leaders next season," Rivers said after being asked about the Green Dragon junior, who showed great improvement in his third year in the pool.

Stayer, whose signature event was the 100-yard backstroke, qualified for regionals with a second-place finish in the event (1:10.34) and also was impressive in the 200-yard individual medley with a fifth place showing (2:39.47) and a member of the 400-yard freestyle relay team that took the gold at districts. A little fine tuning and Stayer could be making reservations for the state finals next season.