Talented LOL Boys Near Finish Line

In her nine years as coach, Barbara Hayes has seen plenty of talented swimmers on the Gators' team. But she is hard-pressed to find a class as talented as the Class of 2009.

Tonight at the Land O' Lakes Recreation Center, Dan Gray, Curt Hilgenberg, Kody Kuhl, Sean Lawson, Derrick Mysels, Igor Passioura and Eric Singer will participate in their final home meet for Land O' Lakes.

They will try to extend their dual-meet winning streak to 34 against Pasco and Wesley Chapel. With three dual meets remaining after tonight, this group has the chance to finish 37-0 in their high school career.

"This is a pretty cohesive group," Hayes said. "We've groomed them for a while, so it's been fun to watch them develop. I said before the season started that they were a very talented group and have led this team to several championship seasons."

During their three-plus years, the Gators boys team has won three Sunshine Athletic Conference titles, three district championships and finished second at regionals the last two years.

"There are many talented swimmers in the area and we have been tested many times individually," Hayes said. "But I don't think we've been tested as a team yet. And that's what we're looking forward to in the state series. We're trying to prepare for it. I think it's going to be fun. As a coach, I'm looking forward to watching it."

Most of these seniors have been together for longer than their four years of high school. Hayes, along with girls coach Robin Hilgenberg, has coached all but Passioura on their USA Swimming club team, the Land O' Lakes Lightning.

"We've watched them develop over the years," Hayes said. "They support each other and are friends in and out of the pool - as is most of the team. I don't want to discount the underclassmen, but the numbers are larger in the senior class. It will be a big regrouping - we'll be rebuilding the next couple of years. ... The boys have really risen - the Michael Phelps phenomenon has shown itself in Pasco County. This is the most strength we have graduated.

"There definitely has been a difference this year," Hayes said. "What I've read is there is definitely change in participation in Olympic years. Personally, I have experienced huge growth this fall. We doubled our numbers on our development teams from this time last year."

TIMES STILL DROPPING: The Mitchell boys were victorious in its competition against Gulf last Wednesday with a 109-70 victory. Season personal best times were recorded by David Tomczyk, Weston Johnes, Andrew Wert, Wes Dautzenberg, Tim Green, Chad Croake, Colin Callahan, Gavin Rynard, Gavin Hunt and Sean Peshek.

The Mustangs' girls continue to improve times. The majority of girls posted better times at our meet against Gulf, with many of them posting better times in two individual events. Jillian Green (200 IM, 100 breast), Paige Hammer (200 IM, 100 fly), Jamie Connell (200 IM, 100 breast), Emma Ramsay-Wood (200 free, 500 free) and Mandy Dimke (50 free, 100 free) improved their times in two individual events.

Stephanie Spangler and Shannon Gluck both improved their times in the 100 back and Monet Montgomery and Katryn Macko improved their respective times in the 200 free. Kaitlyn Lilly improved her 500 free time by 35 seconds.

TONIGHT'S MEETS: Besides the Pasco and Wesley Chapel at Land O' Lakes meet, Mitchell hosts Ridgewood (Gills YMCA); Gulf travels to River Ridge (Veterans Memorial Park) and Hudson is at Zephyrhills (Hercules Aquatic Center). On Thursday, Zephyrhills is at Lecanto.