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Sickles boys swim with winning strokes

Gryphon girls are always competitive, but now the school has good club swimmers - and the Swanson brothers.

By TERRY JONES
Published October 14, 2005

CITRUS PARK - For nearly a decade, Sickles High School has put a highly competitive girls swim team in the pool each year.

However, the boys team ... well, the Sickles Gryphons have always had one. Some of the individual swimmers have gone to the state meet. That has been about it for the boys.

This year is different.

This year, the Sickles boys swimmers have a shot at going all the way to the top five in the state and could contend for the gold.

"Several things are different this year," Sickles coach Eric Sandler said. "We have several outstanding young club swimmers, and they are convinced they have the skill and depth to be a contender, so they are improving almost daily. But we also have the Swanson brothers."

That would be senior Corey Swanson and freshman Conor Swanson.

The Swanson family moved here from Massachusetts, and these two brothers are making an impact on Sickles' team. They're ready to help the Gryphons challenge for some individual and team medals at the state meet.

"We feel very comfortable with our classmates and teammates at Sickles," Corey said. "They get excited about winning meets and relays."

Corey has a time of 21.3 seconds for the 50-yard freestyle, a 1:53.3 for the 200 individual medley and a 59.9 for the 100 breaststroke. As a sprinter, he also swims the 100 butterfly and the 100 freestyle fast.

His younger brother also sprints fast with the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly, but he is more of a distance swimmer, competing with the 500 and 200 freestyle events.

Both brothers also swim on the Tampa Bay Aquatics club team.

High school swimming is a new experience for the younger Swanson. He's more accustomed to the club atmosphere and competing with the clock to cut times.

"I like the atmosphere and excitement that's part of high school swimming," Conor said.

Brad Bernstein is captain of the Gryphons. He swims the 100 butterfly, encourages his teammates and helps on some of the relays. He's one of two starting seniors, along with the older Swanson.

"The other club swimmers are young, but very competitive," said Sandler, the coach. "With the winning attitude brought in by the Swansons, the guys are beginning to believe in themselves and are working hard to cut times and win races. They are developing a winning attitude."

Sean Davis, Kevin Fry and Chris Findley are three juniors who are continuing to get faster. All three help with the relays. Findley and Fry swim the breaststroke, and Davis competes in both the 50 and 100 freestyle.

Augie Bartlett, a freshman, and A.J. Bartlett, a sophomore, are another set of brothers on the team. Both are sprinters who contribute to the relays.

Steven Fry, Kevin's brother, is another freshman. He also swims the freestyle sprints and the breaststroke.

"These guys are finally believing in themselves and know they can win meets," Sandler said.

[Last modified October 13, 2005, 08:21:03]