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Swanson Swims For 1st State Title

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By KATHERINE SMITH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2008

Updated: 11/11/2008 12:22 am

TAMPA - Sickles swimmer Conor Swanson lifted the sleeve of his shirt to show off - not muscles, but the hair on his arm.

"See, I didn't shave," Swanson said.

Swanson, a double qualifier for this week's State Swimming & Diving Championships in Orlando, held back on the razor at last week's Class 3A-Region 2 meet and hopes it gives him an advantage in his quest for his first state title. Swanson has the top qualifying times in the 200 individual medley (1:49.68) and 100 breaststroke (57.61). Both times are automatic All-America times.

Plant's Meg Anderson, a three-time state champion, is also a double qualifier. Anderson has the third-best qualifying times in the 50 freestyle (24.00) and 100 free (52.12), both good enough for All-America consideration. Anderson, a Clemson University commit, also will swim a leg of the 200- and 400-free relays for Plant.

"It would be really, really great to get another title," Anderson said. "I'm really just swimming to better my times. I've worked all summer and I'm just ready to have improvement."

Another state champion, Newsome's Jason Taylor, could add more medals. The University of Florida commit won the 2A butterfly title last year but is focused on the distance events this year. Taylor has the second-best qualifying time in the 500 free (4:37.00) and the third-best in the 200 free (1:42.18), fast enough for All-America consideration.

"I'd really like to get another title and I think I have a really good chance to get it," Taylor said. "I feel pretty confident."

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 731-8025.

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