Boys Swimming Preview

By Bob Putnam
Published August 21, 2007

You get the feeling every time Palm Harbor University coach Lisa Bitting heads to the pool, she trips over a boys swimmer with All-America potential longing to be a Hurricane.

With an impressive list of underclassmen added to a squad already overflowing with talent, it's little wonder Palm Harbor University is the popular pick to dominate county competition.

Last year, the Hurricanes won conference, district and region titles and placed second at state. To keep that going, PHU will have to replace four seniors who were point scorers.

But there is plenty left.

Alex Glover, Wes Stearns, Tyler Reed, Chris Mertens, Blake Freeman and Justin Chambers are all back. Throw in a healthy Graham Steele, who has recovered from stress fractures in his shin, and the Hurricanes should still be a force.

"Last year was special," Bitting said. "It was our highest finish at state. I don't want to put too much pressure on these guys because it's tough to place that high at state. But we have the potential to do well."

Others to watch

Cameron Chambers, Northeast The junior specializes in distance events, as evidenced with his fifth-place finish in the 500 meters at state last year.

Jose Crescimbeni, Calvary Christian The senior, who is on the Peruvian national team, has qualified for the 2008 Olympics in the 200 fly. He is aiming for his first state titles in the 100 free and 100 back.

Alex Glover, Palm Harbor University The senior helped the Hurricanes finish second overall at state with a strong performance. He was the runnerup in the 100 fly and swam legs on the 200 free and 400 free relay teams that also finished second.

Cam Martin, Clearwater Central Catholic The junior went through a meteoric rise last year, finishing fifth in 200 individual medley and sixth in 100 fly at state.

James Taddeo, Countryside The senior has been solid. State runnerup in 200 free and seventh in the 100 back last year.

For the fans

Admission: Dual meets and invitationals are $3. District meets are $5, region meets $6 per session and state meets $7 per session.

Regular season: Schools can compete in a maximum of 13 meets from Monday-Oct. 14.

Postseason: District meets are Oct. 15-20, region meets Oct. 25-27 and state meets Nov. 1-3 in Orlando.

Format: For individual events, the 12 district winners and 12 best times among others advance to regions. The four region winners and 20 best times among others advance to state.

For relays, the 12 district winners and four best times among others advance to regions. The four region winners and 12 best times among others advance to state.

In diving, the top two at districts advance to regions provided they score 280 points. Any open berths go to the top finishers among others who scored 280. The top two at regions and 16 best scores among others, provided they score 280, advance to state.

Classifications: Schools are divided by enrollment into three, ranging from the largest Class 3A to the smallest (Class A).

Key dates: Sept. 7-8 - Total team challenge, at Northeast; Sept. 14-15 - PCAC meet, at Southwest Complex; Sept. 28-29 - City meet, at Northeast; Sept. 29 - Rotary Invitational, at Southwest Complex; Oct. 5-6 - FSPA Invitational, at Orlando; Oct. 10-11 - North County Invitational.

Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@sptimes.com or ( 727) 445-4169.

[Last modified August 20, 2007, 23:33:27]