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Anderson Fills Void Left By Nauta

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By MATTHEW POSTINS

Tribune correspondent

Published: May 20, 2008

TAMPA - Plant's Meg Anderson watched her friend, Chelsea Nauta, dominate the Hillsborough County swim scene for the past few years. This year, Anderson stepped in to fill the void left by the Tampa Prep star's graduation.

For a body of work that included a state title in the Class 2A 100-yard freestyle and second in the 50 at the FHSAA state meet, the Plant junior is The Tribune's 2008 Hillsborough County Girls Swimming Athlete of the Year.

The award puts her in the same company with Nauta, who won the award while at Tampa Prep.

"She's Nauta a friend of mind and I guess you could say she's a mentor, too," Anderson said. "I watched how she handled things during meets and practice and I always admired that. I've tried to handle those things the way she did."

Anderson won the 100 at state with a time of 51.83, earning her All-America consideration. She swam a 24.31 in the 50, finishing behind Seminole's Kaitlin Frehling. But the time made her an automatic All-American.

Anderson is used to success at the state meet. As a sophomore, Anderson won the 50, beating Frehling, and finished second in the 100. As a freshman she won the 50.

Her high school coach, Gil Gonzalez, believes Anderson is only getting better.

"She's a more well-rounded swimmer now," Gonzalez said. "The 100 butterfly is probably going to be one of her events next year."

Up until now Anderson has been strictly a sprinter. But last year Anderson changed personal coaches and worked with Peter Banks, who had Anderson do more distance work in practice.

The result? Anderson found herself with more stamina.

"I was able to swim longer and I finished better," Anderson said.

That's one reason Anderson is considering swimming more individual events next fall. Along with the 100 fly, the 200 freestyle is now on her radar.

She also knows that college coaches look for swimmers that can swim more than specialties, but her hard work the last three seasons is already paying off. She could be one of Hillsborough County's most sought-after swimmers next fall. She's already visited Tennessee and North Carolina, and has a visit set for Clemson this summer. And, of course, there's the University of Florida.

Choosing Tennessee, UNC or UF would put her in the competitive Southeastern Conference and pit her against Nauta, who goes to Georgia.

One thing's for certain. Anderson won't stray far.

"I want to stay in the South," Anderson said. "It's too cold up North."

GIRLS SWIMMING FIRST TEAM

50 freestyle: Meg Anderson, Plant

100 freestyle: Meg Anderson, Plant

100 butterfly: Stephanie Barker, Plant City

100 breaststroke: Laura Jordan, Berkeley Prep

100 backstroke: Kelli Kyle, Newsome

200 freestyle: Sharla Milne, Newsome

200 individual medley: Grace Fredlake, Tampa Prep

500 freestyle: Grace Fredlake, Tampa Prep

200 medley relay: Academy of the Holy Names (Rebecca Werdine, Kerry Russell, Paige Russell, Molly Sheridan)

200 freestyle relay: Sickles (Katie Cook, Carrie Foster, Katie Westbrook, Veronica Case)

400 freestyle relay: Sickles (Katie Cook, Carrie Foster, Katie Westbrook, Veronica Case)

Diving: Kaylee Doback, Durant

Coach of the Year: Gil Gonzalez, Plant

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