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Went splits his focus for Sickles

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By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: October 7, 2009

TAMPA - Trey Went III is a bit of an anomaly in the swimming world.

While most swimmers concentrate on either the distance or the sprint events, the Sickles senior is almost split down the middle.

Went does both, and he does them well.

This season, Went's posted some of the top times in the 50, 100 and 500 freestyle events.

"Mentally, they're both so different," Went said. "Sprints, you basically want to give it all you've got, but then in the 500, you've got to make sure you take it easy at first and then pick it up.

"Sometimes I'll dive in for the 500 at a really fast pace and then I'll realize I need to pace myself."

The nearly 6-foot-4 Went has grown more than two inches since last season, and that has resulted in better times and a different approach to the events he's swimming.

"I used to strictly practice distance, but I think just because of my height I'm basically almost across the pool when I dive in, so that's why I'm good at sprints too," Went said. "I'm working more on my sprints this year."

Went finished fourth in the district, eighth at regionals and 17th in the 500 free at state last season. Went also swam legs of the second-place 200 free relay and third-place 400 free relay teams at state.

This year, he is leaning toward competing in the 50 and 100 free events. Those are the events he is expected to participate in at the Western Conference meet on Oct. 17.

"I didn't think I had a chance at the 100, but after swimming it some, my times have dropped," Went said. "The deciding factor will be how I do at Western Conference.

"I could change my mind if I see my times are better in the 500."

Record-breaking weekend for Bucs

Berkeley Prep's Laura Jordan and Will Miller broke some records at this past weekend's Tampa Bay Classic in St. Petersburg. Jordan set a school record in the 100 backstroke in 1:01.93 and won the 50 free to help the Bucs' girls team finish fourth overall.

Miller set a meet record in the 200 free with a 1:52.00 and won the 100 free to pace the Bucs boys to a first place finish.

Berkeley hosts Academy of the Holy Names and Jesuit in a dual meet Thursday night.

State prelude

The Florida Swimming Pool Association's annual invitational and diving meet normally draws some of the top swimmers in the state, providing a good gauge of where athletes are at before district competition begins.

This year's meet will be Friday and Saturday at the YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando. The first day of competition will be qualifying for the invitational.

While some of the county's top public-school swimmers are planning to skip the event to prepare for next week's Western Conference meet, several of the area's top prep programs, including Tampa Prep, will be competing.

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860.

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