Hernando, NCT Face District Meet

Swimmers from Hernando High and Nature Coast Technical will take part in the Class 1A, District 3 Meet today at Laurel Manor Recreation Center in Lady Lake.

The champion from each event will advance to the Class 1A, Region I Meet Nov. 7 at Jacksonville-Bolles School, as well as the remaining swimmers with the top 24 (top 16 for relays) times in each event throughout the region.

"There's only two teams (in the district) we've swam against, Hernando and Crystal River," Nature Coast Head Coach Paul Wigoda said. "Everyone else, we're going in not knowing much about them.

"They're going to do the best they can. Most of them are veteran swimmers. They've been there before. They know what to expect. They usually pick it up a notch at districts."

Nature Coast has just one 2007 individual regional qualifier on its roster. Senior James Foster made it in 100-yard butterfly.

Buoyed by a large increase in numbers, the Nature Coast boys are enjoying their finest season and hope to advance other swimmers such as Joe MacGregor, Alex Wigoda and Sebastian Mouteguino, either on their own or on relays.

On the girls' side, Victoria Loydgren, Natalie Bogicevic, Veronica Bichouti, Kahla Voyles and Domenique Ritchie could be candidates to move on in some capacity.

"I'd like the kids to go out there and do their best," Coach Wigoda said. "They proved themselves this year to be a much stronger team than in the past. I want the seniors to know they gave it their all in their last year and everyone else to be excited about next year."

For Hernando, seniors Corey Hartsock and Jesse Lane will attempt to return to regionals in individual events, most likely the breast and backstroke respectively, and relays.

Their relay teammates, Paul Wernicke, Roger Williams and Jordin Williams, could join them, as well as the girls' relay team of Victoria Ketchum, Michelle Martin and sisters Emily and Nicole Antonini.

"Last year we had five people go to regionals," said Hernando Head Coach Anne Elsea. "This year I'd like to see that number the same or even higher.

"I really am expecting Corey Hartsock to move on to regionals and maybe states. I'm excited about the two relays. They should do well at districts. They should do really well and drop a whole lot of time. I'm confident the relays can go pretty far."

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Class 1A, District 3 Swim Meet
WHO: Hernando, Nature Coast.
WHEN: Oct. 27
WHERE: Laurel Manor Recreation Center, Lady Lake.
FORMAT: First-place finishers earn an automatic berth to Nov. 7 1A- I Meet at Jacksonville-Bolles School. The remaining top 24 times in individual events and top 16 in relays in the region also advance.
DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 75 north to exit 329 for Wildwood and turn right on State Road 44. Turn left on South Main Street (U.S Highway 301). Turn right on Highway 466. Turn right on Buena Vista Boulevard. Turn left on Laurel Manor Drive. The facility is located at 1985 Laurel Manor Dr.