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SWIMMING: Hudson Girls Upset Wiregrass Ranch

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By RICK HARMON

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 11, 2008

HUDSON – You could tell by the reaction of Hudson swim coach Juliann Heise she had no idea.

When the public address announcer at Veterans Memorial Park said "Hudson 54, Wiregrass Ranch 47," the screams said it all. The Cobras' girls team had upset one of Pasco's elite programs.

"I had no idea," Heise said following the completion of a triple-dual meet between Hudson, Wiregrass Ranch and Ridgewood on Wednesday. "It's unbelievable. But all I care about is the fact the kids are dropping times each week."

In other girls results, Hudson defeated Ridgewood 80-22 and Wiregrass Ranch topped Ridgewood 77-25. On the boys side, Hudson downed Wiregrass Ranch 58-39 and Ridgewood 66-29 while Wiregrass Ranch outscored Ridgewood 56-25.

"These are practically all new swimmers – the first year," Heise said. "I was very proud of my swimmers. I couldn't be happier."

The Hudson-Wiregrass girls meet came down to the final event. With the score tied at 44 heading into the 400 freestyle relay, the Cobras team of Joanie Heise, Megan Klebbe, Tianna Perry and Celeste Degan finished first with a time of 4:23.01 to clinch the win.

Hudson's 400 free relay is defending Sunshine Athletic Conference district champs with all but Klebbe returning from last year's relay.

In other meets Wednesday, Gulf's Mike Centanni set a school record with a 22.68 in the 50 freestyle in a triple-dual meet at the New Port Richey Aquatic Center. In the boys meets, Sunlake def. Gulf 53-48 and Zephyrhills 53-52 and Zephyrhills def. Gulf 52-50. In the girls meets, Sunlake downed Gulf 60-35 and Zephyrhills 60-54 while Gulf def. Zephyrhills 60-54.

In a dual meet at the Land O' Lakes Recreation Center, Land O' Lakes boys defeated Mitchell 125-63 while the Gator girls downed the Mustangs 132-52. On Thursday, River Ridge travels to Saint Leo University to face Pasco High.

RECORD BOARD UPDATE: On Tuesday, Zephyrhills swimmers updated its record board in the lobby of the school's gym. Lindsay Gorgen led the way with five records eclipsed last season. She holds the Bulldogs mark in the 200 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 100 free and 100 back. Alexi Weeks is the current record holder in the 100 breast and on the boys side, Devin Stewart added his name to the board in the 1900 back.
But the board is already outdated. Gorgen broke her 200 IM record in the first meet of this season, as did Weeks in the 100 breast.

STILL AROUND: Zephyrhills coach Shannon Mathews had high hopes for incoming freshman Jordan Moss. He was expecting him to compete in the 50 free and diving. But Moss slipped on steps while playing miniature golf in Orlando and broke his leg.
Moss, currently confined to a wheelchair with a cast up to his hip, arrived at the Bulldogs meet last week at Hercules Aquatic Center to a large ovation when he rolled onto the pool deck.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETS: Zephyrhills vs. River Ridge at Veterans Memorial
Park; Sunlake vs. Land O Lakes at Land O' Lakes Recreation Center; Hudson vs. Mitchell at Gills YMCA; Pasco vs. Wiregrass Ranch at New Tampa YMCA and Gulf vs. Wesley Chapel at East Pasco YMCA.

Coaches are reminded to phone results to (813) 259-7655 immediately following the meet. Notes for this notebook should be emailed to Rick Harmon at tampabaystringer@gmail.com.

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