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Hillsborough boys take surprise title

Staff photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

The Terriers were two points better than Wharton, winning the National Division title.

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By KATHERINE SMITH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 18, 2009

TAMPA - Hillsborough's boys swim team pulled off a mild upset at Saturday's Western Conference Championship Meet at the Bobby Hicks Pool.

The Terriers were two points better than Wharton, winning the National Division title. Jamie Perez was the lone individual winner for Hillsborough, while the Wildcats won five individual events and the 200 and 400 free relays.

Hillsborough went into the final event with a 42-point advantage, so even though their 400 free relay team was disqualified and Wharton won the event, it wasn't enough for the overall title.

"We're so ecstatic. We're just real happy," Hillsborough coach Tom Paloumpis said. "We've worked really hard this year, so it's nice to be able to come here and come out winners. This was a very good test for us."

Hillsborough won the 200 free relay and got points in the diving, which was held Wednesday. Wharton got multiple victories from Patrick Gilbreath (200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke) and Jordan Rees (50 and 100 free).

It was the reverse order in the girls competition. Wharton edged Hillsborough by 15 points. The Wildcats were helped by multiple winners Blair Kuethe (50 and 100 free) and Megan Smith (200 individual medley and 100 breast). Erica Lavoy was a double winner for the Terriers in the 500 free and 100 backstroke.

"We had an unfortunate DQ in our (girls) 200 medley relay which, I think, hurt us," Wharton coach Julia Lamb said. "I realize there are a couple of things we need to work on, so I think this helps us as a practice run for district.

"The kids who were unfamiliar with championship meets now see what we're talking about and know what they need to do at district in a couple of weeks."

Plant, the host school, and Newsome's swim teams easily won their divisions. Plant's boys finished ahead of Sickles in the American Division 515-268. Plant's girls (516) also finished ahead of Sickles (339).

In the Federal Division, Newsome's boys (489) were first and Bloomingdale (380) was second. The Wolves girls (504) finished first followed by Bloomingdale (312).

Plant's John Deedrick (200 and 500 free) and Elin Slaatmo (200 and 500 free) were double winners. Trey Went III (50 and 100 free) was a two-time winner for Sickles.

Newsome's boys were aided by multiple victories from Jacob Bukaweski (100 butterfly and 500 free). Kati Kyle (200 individual medley and 100 back) and Kylie Piche (50 and 100 free) were two-time winners for the Wolves.

"I think the cooler weather helped because it has been so hot," Newsome coach Chau Clark said. "The kids were just so strong. We had some of our best times today.

"This just motivates them and gets them going into district."

Other multiple winners Saturday were Spoto's Giorgie Graves (100 butterfly and 500 free) in the Federal Division and Tampa Bay Tech's Teo Boscaino (200 and 500 free) in the National.

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

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