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CLEARWATER - With a plethora of swimmers setting personal bests Saturday at the Rotary Club of Clearwater's meet, it made nothing easier on the coaches, who will have to decide on Monday who tapers and when.
No one will have a tougher time than Seminole coach Tom Haight.
His girls team won outright and the boys tied East Lake for first, with 737 total points beating Riverview (577), the next closest of the 14-team meet.
"It's been a pleasant team surprise," Haight said. "This was kind of the last chance to get yourself ready for the district haul. Everyone is in the same boat, and it's good to see our scores stepping up."
For instance, with Ally Smith leading the way, winning in 1:09, the Warhawks went 1-2-3-5 in the girls 100-yard breaststroke. Danelle Jones and Sabrina Dow were first and second in girls diving and Tierney Moses won the 100 butterfly.
The East Lake boys made the most of the meet; they didn't win an event but stood firm next to Class 2A, District 9 counterpart Seminole.
"This is different for us," East Lake coach Cybil Lotz said. "Having best times come today is welcomed but unexpected."
Headlining the night was Corinne Showalter from Riverview who, in the girls 200 freestyle, set a meet record at 1:49.70, shattering the old record set in 1979 by two seconds. Showalter also won the 500 free to help give Riverview the runnerup spot with 360 points.
Jose Crescembeni of Calvary Christian won double gold in the 200 free and 100 fly. Clearwater's Adam Corbin also won twice, in the 100 backstroke and 100 free.