 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Dofka wins over the Leopards
By BRANT JAMES BROOKSVILLE -- Even in the most individual of sports, individuals do better with a team behind them. Hernando junior Carli Dofka knows all about that. Though she's from Hernando County, Dofka had attended River Ridge in Pasco as a freshman while her family's home was being built in Brooksville. With middle school friends now scattered mostly at Springstead and Central and her high school buddies back at River Ridge, Dofka was the new, talented athlete on a Leopards team somewhat unwilling to accept the incoming standout. Dofka still performed well, winning a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference title in the 100-yard butterfly, but said she often felt alone. "It was really hard for her being brand new," Hernando coach Debi Raab said. "It was hard for her to say, "I do well,' harder for her to be accepted." Dofka said she tried not to let it affect her but knew there was a problem. "When I first came, people hated me because I was faster than anyone else," Dofka said. "You have girls that want to be the best. When someone else comes in, they don't like it," she said. "The girls thought I was snobby." This year, things were different. "Everybody is friends with everybody," Dofka said. The teammates who mistook her shyness for arrogance became her closest friends, and came to appreciate how her presence helped the Leopards rival traditional power Crystal River. Dofka's performances improved. She won a conference championship in the 200-yard individual medley and 100 butterfly and as part of the 400-yard freestyle relay. Plus, she qualified for the Florida Finals in the butterfly. "Her season went very well," Raab said of Dofka, who won all but one regular-season race. "I think she really added on to last year. "She's talking about getting more swim time this year," the coach said, "and I can't wait to see what she can do next year." Dofka was among nine North Suncoast swimmers to earn an automatic berth in the Florida Finals, finishing 23rd in the Class 2A 100-yard breaststroke in 1 minute, 14.70 seconds and 36th in the 100 butterfly in 1:05.51. Dofka's breakout season was made more impressive in that she had discontinued year-round training before it began. She's glad she took the break to alleviate typical swimmer burnout, but Dofka has regained her focus. "I had too much, and I was sick of it," she said of constant training. "Now the season's over, I miss it. "Sometimes I regret taking the time off, because I would have been a little bit faster." About two seconds faster, Raab said, should be enough to place Dofka among the elite 16 in the Florida Finals for the first time in four tries -- if she qualifies again next season. "She needs that little extra boost to put her up there," Raab said. "Career-wise, I'd like to see her get in that top 16." With a lot of support behind her now, she might just get there. "It was a lot better with a happy team," Dofka said. -- Staff writer Brant James can be reached at (800) 333-7505, Ext. 1407.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From today's Hernando Times |
