NP: Swimmers stand by for next big splash

Written by annabelle tometich
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Last year it was five-time state champion Molly DuBrasky. The year before that distance swimmer Stephanie Peacock and sprinter Jon Nunez grabbed headlines, and the year before that it was Fort Myers High's Amy Modglin and Cypress Lake's Chelsea Franklin.

For the past four years, in fact, Lee County has been home to some of the best swimmers in the state.

A flood of Division I athletes, including Madison Wagner (Kansas), Robby Kennedy and Tayler DuBrasky (both Florida), has been pouring out of Lee high schools since 2007.

But this year, the tap seems to have slowed.

"This is kind of a lull we're seeing right now," said Gulf Coast Swim Team coach Don Henshaw.

"It'll be interesting to see who's going to step up and rise to the forefront."

For the first time since 2005 there is not a reigning state champion returning to a Lee high school. But Henshaw and Swim Florida coach Mac Kennedy said that does not mean there's not talent out there.

"We've got a lot of younger kids coming up right now," Kennedy said. "And we have some really talented juniors and seniors too."

Whereas past seasons have been dominated by distance swimmers (DuBrasky, Peacock and Franklin specialized in the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle events), two of this season's top swimmers are backstrokers.

Bishop Verot senior Kristen Goodson and Estero sophomore Courtney DeVeny specialize in the 100 back.

Goodson finished 12th in the event at the Class A state meet last year posting a time of 59.78 seconds, while DeVeny swam a 58.75 in the event to place seventh at last year's 2A state meet.

The two, who are again swimming in different classifications, have never competed head to head.

"This year it's like up in the air," Goodson said. "It's just whoever is training harder at this point."

Last year DeVeny had Gator-recruit Molly DuBrasky pushing her. Two years ago Goodson competed alongside Peacock, who is now at North Carolina.

Both admitted to missing the pressure, but they realize this is their time to get their names out there and make a lasting impression.

"I want to win a state title and be the swimmer of the year. Those are my goals," DeVeny said.

"I think it's almost harder this year. The field's wide open. Anyone can be that next big thing, so you have to bring your A-game."

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Estero's Courtney DeVeny won the 200 individual medley at last year's Region 2A-4 meet as a freshman. / news-press.com file photo