Crystal River boys should set pace

By CAREY FREEMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 7, 2000

CRYSTAL RIVER -- Maybe it's just the nature of a 10-team district that there will be at least a little mystery entering the championships.

As it is, no team could possibly schedule and swim against all 10 members, giving rise to much speculation as to who is and who isn't a contender.

Yet, for all the questions entering today's Class A, District 3 Championships at the University of Florida's O'Connell Center, one thing remains constant: Crystal River.

The Pirates have won a total of seven district titles over the last five seasons, including five straight from the Crystal River boys. That said, we know who one of the contenders will be.

The questions revolve around just which of the other nine programs will be Crystal River's biggest challenger.

"That's the mystery," Pirates coach Tim Holme said. "We've gone against most of the teams, but not all.

"We don't swim against Umatilla, Tavares or Mt. Dora, and the Eustis girls are the only girls' team to beat our girls. We know they have good swimmers over there (in Lake County), but they're not all at the same school."

So Holme and his Pirates will have to wait and see which challenger emerges.

For the Crystal River boys, it may not matter. As usual, Holme is stocked. That should carry the Pirates to their sixth consecutive crown.

They are undefeated this season and boast a lineup that includes no less than six boys Holme fully expects to qualify for next week's state championships.

The real fight should come on the girls' side, where Crystal River and Citrus will do their best to unseat Eustis, which has beaten both teams this season.

One thing the Hurricanes and Pirates have in common is that neither has a large stock of dominating individuals.

Citrus will rest its hopes on the efforts of two-sport star Lauren Gaffney. She will swim in the 200 individual medley, the 100 backstroke and two relays, then head to Titusville to compete with the Hurricanes' cross country team in this Saturdays regional meet.

In addition to Gaffney, Citrus will be looking for strong performances from sophomore freestyler Megan St. Clair and junior diver Stephanie Bird.

Crystal River counters with Cherokee Boose, who's expected to swim in the same events as Gaffney, Liz Garrick (50, 100 freestyle), Lindsay Wood (100 back, 200 free) and Rachel Carnahan (100 fly, 200 free).

One good sign for Patton is that his girls, otherwise struggling, have come up with their best performances in their biggest meets, including a two-point loss to Crystal River after falling to Central, Wesley Chapel and Springstead.

"This is our worst season ever with the girls, but they've still risen to the occasion in big meets," Patton said. We lost to teams we've never lost to before, then we give CR everything and lose by two points."

The real question, though, is whether either team has enough to stop Eustis from winning the title.

"They are strong -- real strong -- and I don't see Crystal River or us being able to stay in the same pool with them," Patton said.

"Their girls are strong from top to bottom, and they could probably win any relay they choose and win the majority of the individual events," Patton said. "I think the biggest battle will be us and Crystal River for second."

Meanwhile, for the first time in several seasons, Lecanto finds itself in a separate district from that of its local rivals.

The Panthers will be competing in the 2A-3 meet, Thursday at the Long Center in Clearwater (Diving held at New Port Richey Pool).

Short on numbers, Lecanto's Robert Chambers is focusing on individuals rather than the team championship.

The first-year coach has plenty to watch in Allison Brundage, who will swim in the 50 and 100 free -- events in which she owns district records.

Beyond Brundage, much of Lecanto's hopes rest with divers Tara Gayheart and Michelle Townsend. Gayheart, the sister of two-time district champ Chris Gayheart, recently won the GCAC title.

Class A, district 3 swimming & diving

WHO: Citrus, Crystal River, Dunnellon, Eustis, Hernando, Mitchell, Mount Dora, Pasco, Tavares, Umatilla, Wesley Chapel.

WHEN: Today. Prelims begin at 9 a.m. Diving starts one hour after end of prelims. Finals scheduled for 5 p.m.

WHERE: O'Connell Center, University of Florida.

LOCAL CONTENDERS: CITRUS -- Jimmy Baker, Jr. (100 back, 50 free), Kyle Williams, So. (100 back), Jimmy Beville, Jr. (100 breast), Matt Frankel, So. (100 fly), Adam Branson, Sr. (Diving), Evan Branson, Fr. (Diving), Lauren Gaffney, Sr. (200 free, 100 breast), Megan St. Clair, So. (500 free, 200 free), Stephanie Bird, Jr. (Diving), Callie Taylor, So. (100 fly). CRYSTAL RIVER -- Duncan Mackie, Sr. (100 and 50 free), Chris Grillo, Jr. (200 and 100 free), Ash Preston, So. (200 IM, 100 breast), Andrew Preston, Sr. (500 free, 100 back), Keith Martin, So. (500 free), Andy Lanier, So. (100 fly, 200 IM), Mason Cummings, Jr. (200 free, 100 breast), Sean Daugherty, So. (Diving), Aaron Washington, Fr. (Diving), Cherokee Boose, Jr. (200 IM, 100 breast), Liz Garrick (50 and 100 free), Lindsay Wood, Sr. (100 back, 200 free), Rachel Carnahan, Jr. (100 fly, 200 free), Kari Sparkman, Sr. (Diving), Katie Connolly, Fr. (Diving).

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