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Big Rivals Square Off Oct. 7

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By KATHERINE SMITH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 10, 2008

TAMPA - Mark Oct. 7 on your calendar. That's when Newsome and Sickles meet for the first time since their battle at the City Relays.

"In the swimming world, it's going to be like Plant versus Armwood in football," Sickles coach Scott Parlett said. "It's really setting up to be a great meet."

Last Saturday at the Bobby Hicks Pool, both the boys and girls swim teams from Sickles topped Newsome, which had won the boys and girls overall titles the previous year.

"I think it's a rivalry that was created last year," Parlett said.

The Sickles girls team finished four points ahead of Newsome in the overall standings, taking first in the 400-yard freestyle relay, 400 medley mixed relay and 200 freestyle mixed relay.

"After what happened last year and at City Relays, it's going to be huge when we meet again," Newsome coach Chau Clark said.

Parlett said he will be tinkering with his relay teams the rest of the season, but he caught a glimpse of a possible state 400 free relay team. Andrew Howard, Trey Went, Conor Swanson and Gregg Cooke finished first with a time of 3:19.89. That's close to the area's best time of 3:14.61 Sickles posted last year.

"We didn't reach some of the times we reached at City Relays until regionals last year," Parlett said. "They were actually pretty impressive."

HONORABLE MENTION: Jesuit swimmers are donning special suits this season. Each one bears an emblem with a cross and the initials J.P. on them.

It's a small way for each swimmer to honor former freshman team member James Parker, who was killed in a watercraft accident on May 31 after he had participated in a swim meet.

"Everything I do this season is for him," senior Vinny Donnelly said. "He swam all of the events that I did, and he was a great swimmer. He was really smart, too."

The Tigers opened their season last week with a "missing-man formation," Coach Bill Shaffer said. The team left Lane 4 open in all of the events Parker would have been competing in, and his cap was placed on the blocks.

"It was a great way to honor him," Shaffer said.

ROAD TRIPS: A couple of area swimmers will be taking official visits this weekend. Donnelly, who has interest from Clemson, Indiana and LSU, will take a trip to FSU. He said he is looking for a strong distance school.

Newsome senior Jason Taylor plans to visit Florida this weekend. He also has visits scheduled for Georgia at the end of the month and Virginia on Oct. 18.

Three-time state champion Meg Anderson of Plant will be visiting Clemson this weekend. Anderson also is planning visits to Virginia, Ohio State and Louisville.

To report any swimming news, contact reporter Katherine

To report any swimming news, contact reporter Katherine Smith at (813) 731-8025 or ksmith@tampatrib.com.

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