BROOKSVILLE - Central swimmer Rae-Lynn Sheffield knows what teammate Elizabeth McGeehan feels like, coming in as a freshman and claiming first place against juniors and seniors.
It was only a year ago Sheffield was in the same spot. She already misses it a little.
"The first year's not as hard because you don't have a reputation to uphold yet," said Sheffield, a sophomore. "Most of the time, you're first year is the best year."
McGeehan agrees that her first high school season has been a fun one so far, but that's not to say it's been without pressure. The 14-year-old knows most of the other competitors, such as those of rival Springstead, from swimming in club for the past six years.
She knew it was a big deal when, in the recent conference meet, she beat Springstead senior Bobbie Brice by almost 3 seconds in the 100-yard butterfly. McGeehan also knows it's a big deal that the two times she has competed in the 50 free, she has won both.
McGeehan is among the up-and-coming threats on the Central team, and it's only going to get better for the Bears. Combined with Sheffield and freshmen Janelle Kollin and Sara Toftegaard, the Bears have improved their relay performance to become perhaps the strongest squad (boys or girls) in the county.
Central will enter Saturday's Class 2A, District 5 meet as one of the teams to watch, although Mitchell and River Ridge will be tough to beat. Springstead also will be looking for a top placement.
In her first postseason meet, McGeehan realizes some will be watching her performance, but she's more worried about helping her relay team and Central place highly. She hopes to eventually make it to the state meet, as Sheffield did last season. But if McGeehan doesn't, the future doesn't look too bad, either.
McGeehan and her three relay teammates, who won the 200 medley and 200 free at the conference meet, have at least a couple more years together. McGeehan has a little sister, Mary Alice, and coach Julie Withington has a daughter, Emily, who hope to join the Bears in a couple of years.
"I know they'll be on the relays with us," McGeehan said. "They'll help out a lot when Rae-Lynn is not here."
