TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Durant swimmer sticks it out, sees results

ADVERTISEMENT

By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: September 23, 2009

PLANT CITY - There was something about swimming that kept bringing Erin Hofrichter back to the pool.

Just when she thought she was out, something kept pulling her back in.

The Durant senior gave up on the sport several times, only to find herself lured back into the water.

"I've quit and gone back and quit and gone back," said Hofrichter, who began swimming at age 4. "I just love that it's an individual sport because I like to do things my way.

"It's all on me, and I like that a lot."

Since January, Hofrichter rededicated herself to swimming and it has paid off. She had a successful summer swimming for Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center's Blue Wave Team.

So far this high school season, Hofrichter has noticed a difference.

In one of the early meets of the season, against Academy of the Holy Names, one of Hillsborough County's top teams, Hofrichter won the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events, the only events where Durant's girls took first place.

"Erin's made a lot of progress this year," Durant coach Julie Jerue said. "She has definitely taken it to the next level. She's training harder and trying to make something out of it for college.

"She is our strongest female swimmer."

Home-schooled for most of her life, Hofrichter is dual-enrolled this year. She takes half her classes at Durant and the other at Hillsborough Community College. When she graduates next year, she'll have 36 college credits.

Hofrichter has her sights set on college swimming, but first she'd like to accomplish some things in high school. Last season, Hofrichter placed second in the 200 individual medley and third in the 100 backstroke at districts.

She also swam legs of Durant's third-place 200 individual medley and 200 free relay teams.

"Making it to state is a realistic goal," Hofrichter said. "I'd like to make finals at state and that's my goal."

As a team, Hofrichter likes the Cougars' chances this season.

"I think we have a lot of good, solid swimmers that can bring us somewhere," Hofrichter said.

"We'll see where it goes, but if we keep up the training, I think we'll definitely be a big threat to some people."

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT