Can state streak stay alive?

For the first time in many years, Hernando County does not have a swimmer considered an absolute lock to reach the FHSAA Finals.

There is no Dan Barry, or Matt Barry or Sarah Barry for that matter. No Rae-Lynn Sheffield, either.

The county has had at least one swimmer reach states every year this decade, and nine swimmers (plus two relays) will try to keep that streak alive in today's Class 2A, Region II Meet, starting at 9 a.m.

This event will take place in the exact same pool as last week's District 4 Meet: the University of Florida's Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Only first-place finishers will earn an automatic berth into the 2A FHSAA Finals, held a week from today at the Central Florida YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando.

The rest must hope their times earn one of the 20 at-large bids in each individual race and 12 in each relay that are up for grabs across four regional meets.

Central heavy

The local cast that will participate today is heavy on Central swimmers. The Bears have four individuals and two girls relays still alive.

Senior Mary Alice McGeehan is seeded sixth in the 100-fly, following a fourth-place 1:04.15 at districts, and 10th in the 50-free, behind a third-place 26.70 last week.

Junior Emily Withington will also swim two individuals events, the 100-back where she's seeded 15th (fourth, 1:09.40 in districts) and the 200-IM where she's ranked 16th (fifth, 2:31.25).

Those two will team with Shelby Brown and Candice Catalano in the 200-medley relay that finished fifth in 2:10.43 in the district meet to earn the region's 15th seed.

Brown, McGeehan, Withington and Stephanie Parsolano make up the 15th-seeded 200-free relay that placed fourth with a time of 1:54.75 a weak earlier.

Additionally, Brown garnered an at-large berth in the 200-free, where she's ranked 20th. For the Central boys, Derek Buel (16th seed in 500-free) and Grant Eder (17th seed in 100-back) are regional qualifiers.

Brown was fifth last week (2:20.21), Buel third (5:46.04) and Eder sixth (1:07.16).

Nature Coast has three swimmers going today, with Joe MacGregor swimming the 100-free and 50-free, seeded eight in both races.

In districts the junior finished second in the 50 (23.26) and third in the 100 (51.44). He's joined by teammates Evan Monahan (22nd seed in 100-breast) and Victoria Loydgren (21st seed in 50-free).

"My expectations are that they will place for states," Nature Coast Head Coach Mary Jo Artura said. "They didn't come in that far behind from those that should qualify for states.

"They've worked hard. They're strong swimmers. I've kept on them since the beginning and they have a lot of drive. With a great swim and a prayer, we're hoping to make states."

Hernando has one participant, as Nathan Wilson claimed the 24th spot in the 100-breast.

Monahan came in fifth (1:14.67) and Wilson eighth (1:15.79) in the district. Loydgren posted a fifth-place 28.64.

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: 2009 Class 2A, Region II Swim Meet.
WHO: Central, Hernando and Nature Coast.
WHEN: Nov. 5 starting at 9 a.m.
WHERE: University of Florida's O'Connell Center.
FORMAT: Prelims in the morning with top eight advancing to championship finals and next eight advancing to consolation finals.
AT STAKE: Winner of each race earns an automatic berth into Nov. 12 FHSAA Finals; a total of 20 at-large bids in individuals races and 12 in relays are available across four regional meets.
DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 75 north toward Gainesville. Get off on exit 387 (Gainesville/Newberry). Go east on Newberry Road, which will become University Avenue. Turn right on Gale Lemerand Drive.