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Berkeley's Jordan ready for her last shot

Staff photo by CHRIS URSO

Berkeley Prep's Laura Jordan is preparing to make the most of her senior season.

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By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: September 30, 2009

TAMPA - Laura Jordan's Berkeley Prep swimming career has been six years in the making.

It's this year, though, that Jordan hopes to make her biggest impact. Simply because as a senior, it's her last chance.

"I've been looking forward to the year since I started on the team in sixth grade," Jordan said. "The first time I went to state, it was on a relay team in the sixth grade, and I've just been progressing since then. Right now, I'm trying to decide which events I'll be swimming."

Last year, Jordan placed 14th in the 50 free and 15th in the 100 fly at state. She has the top 200 individual medley time in Hillsborough County. With districts four weeks away, she has a little time to make up her mind on the events she will swim.

Coming off a competitive weekend in Orlando where the Berkeley boys and girls split against Lake Highland Prep and Trinity Prep, the Buccaneers have a tough week with meets against Plant on Thursday and the Tampa Bay Swim Classic in St. Petersburg on Saturday.

While she figures out her postseason events, Jordan also is narrowing down her college choices. She has a lot of interest, but her top three are Vanderbilt, Tulane and Georgia Southern. She will be taking official visits at a later date.

"I'm really excited to swim in college," Jordan said. "That's one of the main things I want to do."

It didn't take long for Jordan, who has been swimming since she was 8, to leave her mark at Berkeley. There are a lot of Jordans on the wall of honor at Berkeley Prep's swimming facility.

It's worth noting that Laura's was the first one up there. Long before her brother Jonathan, a member of the University of Florida swim team, dominated with the Bucs, Laura's name was painted on the wall.

"I got my name up there before he did," Jordan said. "I got the top 100 back mark in the eighth grade. And one of my goals is to get more on there."

A good cause

The Academy of the Holy Names is conducting its third annual Play For The Cure/Swim For The Cure Breast Cancer Awareness Night fundraiser event for the Susan G. Komen Foundation on Oct. 9. The fundraiser includes a varsity volleyball match against Tampa Catholic and a swim meet against the Crusaders, both at 6 p.m.

The Jaguars volleyball team began the event two years ago and the swim and dive team has joined in. To date, the efforts have raised more than $3,100. The school will present a check to the foundation at another Academy event.

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

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