Breaking the mold

Senior Tammi Beach wanted to step out on her own, not hide behind Megan Wolfe's shadow. She wanted to break five school records, not just three. And she wanted to compete for a state berth, not be stricken with illness at the worst possible time.

Still, can a former team manager really complain?

"I've always been behind Megan," Beach of Wolfe, a friend, former competitor at Sebring and one of the most accomplished swimmers in the area. "And this year, it's like I'm finally at the top. It feels good."

The pinnacle, indeed: Beach is the 2009 Highlands Today All-Heartland Girls Swimmer of the Year.

"It was a good season," Beach said. "It's sad because it's over, my senior season. But it was a really good season. It was one of the best seasons I've had."

School records in the 500-yard freestyle, 100 free and 200 free - not a bad high school career, either.

"That was exciting for her, too," Lake Placid swim coach Tom Creel said. "Megan Wolfe sort of dominated everything, and Tammi had her spot this year. For the school, she took down some records that have been here for a long time."

Still, Beach says: "I wanted more."

"I was going for four this season," she added, missing out on the 50 free and 100-yard backstroke.

Her optimism was tempered a bit by a disappointing end to the season, too. She came down with a sinus infection the week of regionals, all but ending her chances to move onto states in her final attempt.

Beach has been a prominent figure for the Lake Placid swim team since middle school, when she used to come around the school and swim practice. Creel named her a team manager.

"Our managers don't bring water, either," Creel said, breaking into a smile. "They swim. They just can't compete in team meets."

Beach was just one of those kids, Creel said, who loved swimming. Couldn't get enough of it, really.

She idolized some of the best swimmers in school history.

And then she toppled their records.

"I just had a better attitude this year," Beach said. "In the beginning of the season, I was sort of down because it was my senior season, but I really wanted these records and I worked my hardest and went for them. I had a lot of fun this year."

THE TEAM

Rachel Cope, junior,

Lake Placid

Cope was a versatile swimmer for the Green Dragons this season, qualifying for the regional meet in four events - 200-yard individual medley, 100-yard breaststroke, and 200 free and 400 free relay teams. Although she failed to advance to the state meet, Cope was one of the most consistent swimmers during another successful season for Lake Placid.

Kara Burger, senior, Sebring

Burger, in her first year with the Blue Streaks, placed first in the 100-yard butterfly - her best event - second in the 200-yard individual medley and third as part of Sebring's 200-yard relay team at the district meet, with Katelyn Bryan, Marissa Parsons and Julie Kirsch.

Shannon Viox, junior,

Lake Placid

Much like Cope, Viox qualified for regionals in the 200-yard IM, 200 free relay, 100 back and 400 free relay. No Green Dragon advanced to the state meet, although the girls swam well in the 200 free relay.

Julie Kirsch, sophomore,

Sebring

Kirsch, a versatile swimmer for rebuilding Sebring, had a strong season for the Blue Streaks. She improved her chances of landing an at-large bid to the regional meet by posting times of 27.83 seconds and 1:01.29 in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, respectively. Sebring had as many as 13 new swimmers this season, quite a departure from years' past when it would be stacked with talented, experienced swimmers. Kirsch, however, was a steadying force on a largely unproven team.

Shannon Cummings,

sophomore, Lake Placid

Already the Highlands Today's Girls Diver of the Year, Cummings is also a superb swimmer. The sophomore will look to improve upon her times in the 100 butterfly, 200 free relay and 400 free relay, all of which were not fast enough to advance to the state meet.

HONORABLE MENTION

Amanda McElroy, senior, Lake Placid

McElroy advanced to regionals in two events - the 200-yard IM and 100 free. Although she failed to advance to states, McElroy possesses a lot of potential and will need to fill the void left by Beach's departure.

Katelyn Bryan, junior,

Sebring

After losing 13 seniors from last year's team, Sebring was in need of a knowledgeable, experienced swimmer to step up. The Blue Streaks found that person in Bryan, who combined with Marissa Parsons, Julie Kirsch and Kara Burger to finish third in the 200-yard medley relay at the district meet. No Blue Streak advanced to the state finals.

COACH OF THE YEAR

A few girls got sick during the week of regionals - which resulted in a 17th-place finish out of 25 teams - but there's no discounting what Lake Placid coach Tom Creel was able to accomplish. Strong swimmers like Tammi Beach, Shannon Viox and Rachel Cope certainly made Creel's job easier, as he continued to produce the most consistent group of swimmers in each meet. And for the first time in school history, Lake Placid won all three of its big meets this year.