Swimming World Magazine

JUNIOR SWIMMER
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Megan Romano
Age 12, St. Petersburg Aquatics, St. Petersburg, Florida
Although 12-year-old Megan Romano has been
swimming competitively for seven years, 2003 was
the year she left her mark in the Florida state
record books. She began her hunt for the 11-12
age group state records at the 2003 Gator Fall
Classic in Gainesville, Fla. There she successfully
captured state marks in the 50 yard back (27.84),
100 back (58.87) and 200 back (2:06.93). All three
of these swims landed Megan among the top three
spots in the nation for 2003.
Megan dominated her age group at the Florida Summer
Junior Olympic Championships in Orlando, Fla. as well. She
took home a first-place finish in both the 50 meter free (28.62)
and 50 back (32.58), a second-place finish in the 100 back
(1:09.35), a fifth-place finish in the 200 free (2:14.65) and a sixthplace
finish in the 100 free (1:02.61).
Based on her outstanding performances, Megan was picked
to represent Florida at the Southern Zone meet in Fort
Lauderdale. There she continued her impressive swimming by
placing second in the 50 meter back (32.52) and by qualifying for
finals in five of her six events.
Megan’s St. Petersburg Aquatics coach, Fred Lewis, attributes
much of her success to her ability to work hard in practice. It
seems that Megan’s work has paid off, as she ended her 2003
season with six of her times ranking in USA Swimming’s
National Age Group Top 16 list.
14 SWIMMING WORLD AND JUNIOR SWIMMER FEBRUARY 2004
Successful swimmers are widely recognized for their good
work habits, personal discipline and mental toughness.
Swimmers who battle physical handicaps must make these
habits a lifestyle.
Nine-year-old Nicholas Crane of the Lake Erie Silver
Dolphins has done just that.
With only two short years of competitive swimming under
his belt, Nicholas has accomplished a remarkable amount of
success. His 2003 season was highlighted by representing
Ohio in the annual Quad meet held at the IUPUI Natatorium
in Indianapolis as well as meeting his idol, Michael Phelps, at
the Eastern Classic in Atlanta.
Nicholas went on to win the 200 yard free (2:14.53), 500
free (5:54.50) and 200 IM (2:30.41) at the Lake Erie Short
Course District Championship meet, earning the 9-10-yearold
high-point award along the way. However, Nicholas’ success
did not stop there. During the 2003 summer season, he
established six Lake Erie 9-10 records in the 400 meter free
(5:04.77), 800 free (10:27.31), 1500 free (19:35.15), 200 back
(2:45.12), 200 breast (3:15.46) and 400 IM
(5:58.10). In addition to his 400 free time,
Nicholas swam two other NAG Top 16 times
in the 200 free (2:25.62) and 200 IM (2:45.61).
As Nicholas approaches his 10th birthday,
his goals are to have fun in swim practice with
his teammates, to continue his improvement in
all four
strokes
with a
dream of
matching
the versatility
of his
idol,
Michael
Phelps.
Nicholas Crane
RULE
THE
POOL
Candidates for “Age Group Swimmers of the Month” must compete
within a nationally recognized age group. Please send a personality
sketch and a color photograph or slide (a face shot, such as a school
picture) of each nominee. Be sure to include name, address and phone
number of person submitting the candidate. You can request a
Swimming World Age Group Swimmer of the Month Profile form, which
can be used as a guide to writing the nomination.The more information
we receive, the more complete the story can be.
Age 9, Lake Erie Silver Dolphins, Cleveland, Ohio
Send all information to Swimming World,Age Group Swimmers of the
Month, P.O. Box 20337, Sedona, AZ 86341. If you want the picture
returned, please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
TYR Sport sends each Age Group Swimmer of the Month a package
containing swimsuit, goggles and a T-shirt for the swimmer’s coach.