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Young stars should go far
By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Linda Cassidy knew Gulf's freshmen would have an immediate impact. In preseason, she said that group made the Buccaneers a contender for the Sunshine Athletic Conference title. The Gulf coach has another prediction for India Surlis and Kimmi Murphy: "They're the two that I'm expecting to make states," Cassidy said. To do so, they'll have to finish among the top three in their respective events in the Class 2A, District 5 meet Saturday at Clearwater's Long Center. They could also advance if their times are among the next 10 best overall region times if they finish in fourth through sixth place. Either way, Cassidy anticipates taking that duo, as well as a few other Bucs, to Fort Lauderdale for the Nov. 21-23 state meet. Surlis excels in the freestyle races and 100-yard breaststroke while Murphy's best events are freestyle and 100 backstroke. Both swim relays and teamed with senior Emily Vlahakis and junior Jessica Lampkin to set a 400 free relay record of 3 minutes, 56.19 seconds at the SAC meet. Surlis, 14, also swam a county-best 1:09.74 in the 100 breast. "I knew what she could do," said Cassidy, who also is Surlis' coach on the New Port Richey Tidal Wave club team. "She's one of the fastest breaststrokers in the state for her age." That was apparent in the conference's 200 medley relay. In the first leg, the 50 back, Land O'Lakes' Jackie Van Brokehoven took a body-length lead on Gulf's Mattie Reich. The breaststroke came next with Surlis diving in late and coming out ahead of the Gators' Mindy Kimpland. Vlahakis (butterfly) and Michelle Mendonca (freestyle) maintained the lead for the win. "(Surlis) winds up a body-length ahead," Cassidy said. "That's how I planned it." Another freshman, Brianna Sawyer, placed fifth in the 100 breast and is expected to contribute. Cassidy describes her team as a close-knit bunch. The Bucs became even closer after an Oct. 1 auto accident involving six teammates. Five escaped with minor injuries, but sophomore Brittany Meutzel suffered head and eye injuries and was lost for the season. Released from All Children's Hospital in late October, Meutzel showed up at the New Port Richey pool at Gulf's last dual meet -- an Oct. 30 win over Pasco -- and for the SAC meet Nov. 2. "They never really counted Brittany out, even though she can't swim," Cassidy said.
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From today's Pasco Times Editorial Letters |
