Powerful Harmony continues county swim dominance

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
Harmony’s boys swimming team was expected to be very good this season, but it might be even better than expected.
The Longhorns are 6-0 after coasting by Osceola, 128-42, at the Osceola County YMCA Tuesday, and the team has yet to be seriously challenged.
“It’s a good group of kids,” Coach Terry Brown said. “I don’t think we’ve reached our potential yet, though.”
The Longhorns have won five straight Orange Belt Conference championships and three district titles in four years. Indications are that both of those could happen again.
Luke Roberts, who won the 50 freestyle at Osceola in 27.33 seconds, set a new school record at 100 meters (48.90) recently, and Brandon Graber set a new county record in the 100 breast stroke (1:02.86). Graber won the event in 1:03 at OHS Tuesday.
The Longhorns also have set new relay records, although Brown said he mixed up his relay teams Tuesday.
Diver Larry McVicker broke the school and county six-dive record (316.80) recently, but there was no diving competition Tuesday.
“We’re on target for where we want to be. Our goal is to have a special month of October, and I think we can do that,” he said.
The Kowboys slipped to 1-3 for the season.
The Harmony girls extended their record to 5-1 Tuesday with a 95-75 win at OHS.
Katy Davis recently broke school records in the 500 free (5:36.51), an event she won Tuesday, and the 100 free (56.78).
Horns girls coach Lori O’Rourke said her team is developing into a contender for the OBC title, a crown it held for five years before losing to Osceola last season.
“I feel good about where we are, especially with so many new and inexperienced swimmers,” she said. “We won the 1-on-1 (with OHS) last year but then they won the conference, but I think we have a good chance this year.”
The Osceola girls are 1-3. Kendall Castillow won the 200 IM (2:26.80) and Sarah Lambert (1:13.25) took the butterfly Tuesday.
“I’m happy with what we did today, it was a good meet,” OHS Coach Krystle Singleton said.
Singleton is concerned about the status of her divers. She said four are injured and may not be ready for the conference meet in three weeks.
Gateway split a meet against Apopka Tuesday. The boys improved to 4-1 with a 151-125 win, while the girls slipped to 1-4 after a 171-73 setback.
St. Cloud, 1-2, has struggled to get meets in because of weather delays, girls coach Lou Abbott said. The boys are 1-1. St. Cloud rescheduled a meet against Gateway that was postponed Sept. 22.
Celebration’s girls are 2-2 after wins over Gateway and St. Cloud. The boys are winless in four meets.
Poinciana, fielding a small team, also is winless.