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'Phelps Factor' Inspires Area's Top Prep Swimmers

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By KATHERINE SMITH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 3, 2008

TAMPA - During the recent Olympics, Sickles swim coach Scott Parlett paid a visit to an area sports bar and heard conversations like he'd never heard before.

Swimming dominated the talk. Not the Rays, not the NFL, but swimming.

"People were talking about Michael Phelps like they were talking about the Bucs," Parlett said. "I'm used to it in my family. We talk about swimming like it's football, but I wasn't used to it in a sports bar."

Following his dominating Olympic performance, Phelps' face has been on magazine covers, in countless commercials and on cereal boxes.

Phelps did more than win an amazing eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. He redefined a sport and has promoted it in a way to make it more mainstream with the likes of football, baseball and basketball.

At Parlett's Swim Tampa Aquatics Club, Phelps' impact was felt immediately. There were 10 new swimmers that showed up and more than 20 phone calls from inquisitive parents.

"By the end of September, I could have 20 new swimmers because of the Olympics," Parlett said.

Parlett has been swimming in the Tampa Bay area since he was 6 and coaching for the past eight years. There are usually big boosts in participation numbers following the summer Olympics. But this summer has been different.

"I've never seen anything like this," he said. "Michael Phelps has changed the sport."

The Tampa Bay area has long been a hotbed for talented swimmers. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Brooke Bennett mastered the sport while training at the Brandon Sports & Aquatics Center. Recent Olympic diver Chris Colwill, who competed for Tampa Prep, also honed his skills at the club.

Last year, Hillsborough County boasted three state champions - Plant's Meg Anderson, Sickles' Greg Cooke and Newsome's Jason Taylor - all of whom are returning this year.

While those swimmers already had a great appreciation for their sport, Phelps inspired them in a different way.

"There are very few sports like swimming because you've got to put in a lot of time and dedication before you start seeing results," Parlett said. "I've noticed the stronger swimmers have gotten more serious about swimming.

"They're thinking if Michael Phelps can do it, I can do it, too."

10 SWIMMERS AND DIVERS TO WATCH

Meg Anderson, Plant (Sr.): Won a state title in the 100 free; second in the 50 free

Greg Cooke, Sickles (Sr.): Won the Class 3A state title in 50 free (20.85) last season.

Kyle Dent, Berkeley Prep (Sr.): Eighth in diving at state last year

Vince Donnelly, Jesuit (Sr.): On 400 free relay that was fifth at state; also strong in fly

Grace Fredlake, Tampa Prep (Sr.): Second at state last year in the 200 IM (2:06.87)

Laura Jordan, Berkeley Prep (Jr.): Owns the area's best time in the 100 breast (1:09.96)

Sharla Milne, Newsome (Jr.): Posted area's best time in the 200 free with a 1:54.12

Conor Swanson, Sickles (Sr.): All-American times in the 200 IM at regionals, state in '07

Jason Taylor, Newsome (Sr.): Won Class 2A state title in the 100 fly with a time of 51.16

Alexa Wollach, Newsome (Sr.): Fifth in diving at state last year

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860 or ksmith@tampatrib.com.

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