ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: MARY BETH OWEN

Mary Beth Owen

School: Cape Central

Sport: Swimming

Coach: Dayna Powell

Week Report: Owen broke a school record in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:07 in a triangular meet with Incarnate Word and Lutheran South last Friday. The Lady Tigers, on their way up to St. Louis, were stranded in a storm and arrived late to the meet. But Owen swam her best despite not having enough time to warm up. At that same meet, Owen also took first in the 200 free in 1:58. Earlier in the week, Owen took first in the 100 and second in the 200 at MICDS.

Season Report: Owen has since bettered her 500 school record this Tuesday when she posted a 5:03. Owen has posted state qualifying times in the 200 free, the 200 individual medley, the 100 butterfly, the 100 free, the 500 free and the 100 backstroke. She is also part of the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams which have posted state cuts. Owen, in her first two years, was an all-state performer in seven events.

Coach's Comments: "When you think of some of the girls who have been on this team in the past, it's not easy to break school records here anymore," said Powell. "We've had some pretty good girls in this program. For her to do this as a junior says a lot about her ability. With not much of a warmup, we were surprised she went so fast."