CHS SWIM TEAM RETURNS 4 ALL-STATERS

Cape Girardeau Central High swimming coach Dayna Powell is always an optimistic sort anyway.

But Powell has perhaps even more than the normal reasons to be excited about Central's 1999 girls team, which opens the season today with a meet at Parkway Central.

The Lady Tigers equaled their best-ever state finish last year, placing sixth. Central claimed five all-state awards -- and the four swimmers who accounted for those accomplishments are back.

No wonder Powell is so fired up about the new season.

"Barring injuries or other problems, we should definitely be on track for the most points we've ever scored at state and hopefully our highest place ever," said Powell. "We've got the four girls back who did all our scoring at state, and most of our other girls who helped out with our scoring during the season are also back.

"We look a lot stronger now than we did a year ago with our depth. I'm really excited about the season."

Central figures to be led by two individual all-staters from last season, including senior Grace Freeman, who has earned nine all-state honors during her brilliant career. Last season, Freeman was second in the 50 freestyle and fifth in the 100 freestyle at the state meet.

"Grace has had a very good three years for us," said Powell. "She'll be going to the Naval Academy to swim next year and I know she's looking for a big senior season."

Sophomore Mary Beth Owen had a standout freshman season, placing sixth in the 100 backstroke and eighth in the 200 freestyle.

"Mary Beth is very versatile," Powell said. "She had a very good freshman season and we're looking for even better things this year."

Freeman and Owen joined senior Jennifer Freeze and junior Jean Maguire on two state-placing relay teams last year, the 400 freestyle finishing fourth and the 200 freestyle medley placing fifth.

Maguire also qualified in two individual events at state last year but failed to place.

"That four is a very strong group and we'll be counting on them a lot," said Powell.

Among other returning performers are seniors Suzun Tansil, Julie Lufcy and Michelle Hopen; juniors Kelly Green, Laura Canupp, Janet Smith and Jennifer Taylor; and sophomores Marci Kester, Casey Brennan and Sara Sprigg.