Photo by Anthony V. Masella Jr.  

 

 It was Senior Night at the Land O' Lakes Recreation Center on Wednesday. But it was a freshman that stole the spotlight.

 

Alex Pierovich, swimming the 500 freestyle for the first time for Land O' Lakes girls, broke an 8-year school record in the event to lead the undefeated Gators to a double-dual sweep of Wesley Chapel (70-29) and Pasco (69-33). Pasco downed Wesley Chapel 53-41 in the other girls meet.

 

Pierovich covered the 20 lengths of the pool in 5:27.69, nearly 9 seconds faster than Heather Anderson's time of 5:36.22 turned in during the 2000 Class 2A state prelims in Orlando.

 

"I was a little nervous because I had never done [that event] before," said Pierovich, whose time also is the fastest in the county this season. "I just thought to myself that it's the 500 – 20 laps – and I have to just take it a little easier and to just relax."

 

Because it was Senior Night, Pierovich's swim in the 500 was her only individual event. She did finish first in her two relays (backstroke in the 200 medley relay and anchor in the 400 free relay).

 

"It was the first time she's swam that event but I don't think it's an event she will swim much of in the future," said Land O' Lakes coach Robin Hilgenberg. "We move our swimmers around during the season. No one swimmer claims any one event. We keep changing it around to find out what their strengths are."

 

Pierovich doesn't seem to have any weaknesses. She currently has the fastest times in the county in four individual events (200 IM, 100 free, 500 free and 100 back) and is a member of the fastest 400 free relay.

 

Teams are still in "team mode" when they reach the Sunshine Athletic Conference meet (Oct. 25 at New Port Richey Aquatic Center) so Hilgenberg still has some decisions to make...