Staff Writer
For the first time in Presque Isle High School’s history, four students competed in the State swimming competition on Monday and Tuesday. Karrie Brawn and Erica Hemphill represented the girls Monday night and Kyle Gilson and Matt Dunn swam for the boys last night. Hemphill, the youngest but most experienced swimmer, has been in the water for seven years and though she qualified for the 50-yard freestyle, chose to swim the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle, while teammate Brawn swam in three different relays and also qualified for the 50 free. A versatile swimmer, Hemphill appreciates the diversity of the relays and individual races and had one simple goal for States. “Everytime I get in the water I want to do better,” said Hemphill.
Dunn also competed in three relays and Gilson swam in the 200 medley, and the 200 and 400 freestyle. As the athletes prepared for their meet last week, they spent every day from 3-4:30 p.m. at the indoor pool. “We’re not really nervous,” explained Brawn after last Thursday’s practice. “No, mostly just excited,” agreed Dunn, who went on to explain his role in the upcoming relays. “Relays can be pretty tense. I’m the first one in the water,” he said, which allows him to encourage his three other comrades once he’s finished his leg of the race.
Gilson, who is finishing his second year in the water, will finish off each relay in the fourth and final position. The pressure of compensating for his teammates’ times could account for Gilson’s nervousness. “There’s a lot of pressure for the fourth person. If [your team] is behind, it’s up to you to catch them up,” explained Gilson, who already had an idea of what he needs to work on. “I’ll be working on a faster start and a more shallow dive,” he said, and will be taking much of his instruction from assistant coach John Leber.
All four athletes agreed that Leber has been one of the most influential people in their journey to States this year. Leber, a volunteer coach, recently moved to the County from Maryland and has been a verbal encouragement and instructional guide, helping the swimmers with personal techniques and shaving off precious seconds from each one’s personal time. “He made me a better all-around swimmer, and helped me on my turns and starts,” said Gilson, who also revealed his one personal goal for states. “I just don’t want to come in last,” he said, smiling.
As the countdown to States neared, Brawn, Hemphill, Dunn and Gilson admitted they’d be spending their free time in bed or at the table. “We’ll be sleeping and resting as much as possible,” said Brawn, “Oh, and the occasional carbohydrate meal,” which includes any and all kinds of pasta. But however these four decided to best prepare for States, they’ve already made their high school proud.
Monday and Tuesday’s indivdual and relay results will be posted in next week’s paper.
