Tampa Bay Aquatics

By PAT McKEE, Tribune correspondent
Published: November 7, 2008

FORT MYERS - Sickles High School senior Conor Swanson won two events Thursday evening, but teammate and defending state champion Gregg Cooke was upset at the Class 3A-Region 2 swimming meet.

Swanson, state runner-up last season in the boys 200-yard individual medley, won that event and the 100 breaststroke to pace the boys individual highlights in the competition at the Florida Gulf Coast University Aquatic Center.

"I was a little surprised to win the 200 IM as I kind of died at the end," said Swanson, who captured that race in 1 minute, 49.68 seconds and the 100 breast in 57.61. "Then I was a little disappointed in the breaststroke because I know I can do better. But at the same time, I'm not shaved and I've only tapered one day, so I'm really looking forward to states."

Cooke, the defending champion in the 50 free, posted a time of 21.02 to finish second to Fort Myers junior Jon Nunez, who prevailed in 20.83. Nunez later won the 100 free in 45.75. Defending state champ Eric Moore of Lakeland was second in that event, followed by Palm Harbor University's Tyler Reed, Wharton's Jordan Rees and Cooke.

"It's exciting, but it's only Round 1," Nunez said. "I can get pumped, but I can't let it go to my head. These guys are really fast, and I know they've got a lot more in them."

On the girls side, senior Rachel Burns and junior Melanie Margalis each were double winners for the Countryside girls. Burns won the 200 free (1:50.18) and 100 free (51.43), while Margalis claimed the 200 IM (2:01.76) and the 100 breast (1:04.91).

"I was so excited," Burns said of her performance. "We're just starting to go fast, and I feel like I'm ready for states. This meet is so fast. It's crazy what you have to do to even be in the top eight."

Margalis also was happy with her effort.

"I kind of expected to win, but this was more of a challenge than I thought it would be," she said. "But if you can do well here, you should be good for states."

Palm Harbor University used good depth to claim the boys team title with 322 points. Countryside was second with 257 followed by Sarasota Riverview 240, Sickles with 215 and Fort Myers with 183.

Sarasota Riverview won the girls team event with 368 points with Countryside second (264), Palm Harbor third (222) and St. Petersburg fourth (195).