One last chance

LECANTO -- Senior David Bowman knows this is his last chance to be a member of a state-qualifying relay team.

As a freshman, it might have seemed easier. He was part of the last Lecanto relay team to qualify, but was bumped in favor of a senior. There were a handful on that team.

"It's all for the seniors, I understand," he said.

Fast-forward three years and now Bowman is the only one.

The number of boys going out for swimming at the school has dropped since his first year, making qualifying for state a difficult dream.

"We had like four or five guys the year afterwards and last year we had six or seven, but a couple of them didn't show up all the time," Bowman said.

The Panthers had 12 swimmers go out this season, and Bowman hopes to get one last shot at qualifying with another relay.

Against top competition at the Suncoast Relays recently the Panthers quartet of Bowman, Andrew Norton, Dan Parker and Scott Jackson set a meet record in the 100 freestyle relay, although it is not an event at state.

How the relays fare in district competition depends upon the year and the make-up of the relays, said Lecanto coach Paul Brundage. The top three go on to the Class 2A state meet, as do the top 10 fourth-place times across the state.

"I think (going to state) is a possibility providing the motivation stays where they're dedicated enough to practice, and a number of practices per week required," Brundage said.

"Last year, their medley was in the top six at the district meet and they might have had a chance to place in the top three," he said.

The Panthers' 200 medley relay -- comprised of Bowman, Norton, Jackson and Blake Hallowell -- placed sixth in 2:14.57.

But the feeling is that the Panthers' best relay this season will be the 200 freestyle rather than the medley.

Brundage said the 200 free has been timed at 1:54 off the wall this year and has captured several first-place finishes.

In 2001 district competition, the 200 freestyle relay was in the top five in the district preliminaries with a 1:51.83, but was later disqualified for an early start.

The first-place time was as fast as 1:35 and third place was 1:42.08, so Brundage said the Panthers might have a shot this November if times fall.

"I would expect they'd potentially drop into the 1:40-plus range in the 200 freestyle or at least under the 1:50 mark I would think," Brundage said. In individual competition at districts last season, Bowman placed eighth in the 100 breaststroke in 1:17 after swimming a 1:13 in preliminaries. Bowman also finished 11th in the 100 freestyle in 59.03 seconds.

"Really for our team he's been one of the better swimmers, and I would say he's stuck with it because he's enjoyed it," Brundage said.

"Many times in the dual meet season he's among the top three so he's consistently competitive."

Bowman said many of the younger swimmers also look to him for guidance.

Although his grandfather died over the weekend, Bowman swam against Crystal River on Tuesday.

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