Lambert Sets Record As Winter Haven Rolls

By BLAKE HASENZAHL 

LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

WINTER HAVEN | On a nippy morning at Rowdy Gaines Pool, Winter Haven swimmer David Lambert turned up the heat.

 

The senior broke the 50 freestyle Polk County swim record on Friday at the Polk County Swimming Championships by swimming a 21.01 in the premier event, smashing the old time that stood since 1995.

 

Tim Collis of Lakeland was the previous record holder (21.71).

 

"I'm glad I could do it in the cold," said Lambert, who celebrated post-meet with a double cheeseburger and fries at Five Guys in Lakeland.

 

"The water temperature was at 74 so it wasn't very pleasant. I was surprised I did it in that cold of weather but I had a good mind-set that I wanted to beat it when I woke up this morning."

 

The record breaking didn't stop there.

 

Lambert, who also won the 100 freestyle, anchored Winter Haven's 200 Medley Relay team to a 1:44.53 finish, a county championship swim meet record.

 

I.V. Simons, Jordan Kendall and Luke Kendall were also on that relay.

 

The old time was 1:48.48.

 

The Blue Devils had plenty of top performances behind Lambert & Co. Simons won the 200 individual medley (2:08.62) and the 100 breaststroke (1:04.01) and Jordan Kendall took first in the 500 freestyle (5:15.59). Those wins helped push Winter Haven far ahead of the competition and the Blue Devils ran away with the boys' county title for the fourth straight year.

 

Winter Haven won the event by 31 points (181) over Lakeland and All Saints, which tied for second with 150 points.

 

"This (win) gives us a little bit of confidence going into districts," Winter Haven head coach Danny Wallace said.

 

On the girls' side, George Jenkins dominated the meet again.

 

The Eagles finished with 149 points. Lakeland Christian was second with 102. Jenkins sisters Kyleigh and Ashyln Firman played a big part in that victory.

 

The Firman sisters accounted for six top-three finishes and five gold medals. Kyleigh set a personal best in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of :26.18.

 

Oasis Christian, which finished fifth, started off the event with a lot of success in the girls events. Hannah Howard won the 200 free (2:07.63) and Rebekah Howard won the 200 individual medley (2:25.60). Rebekah also won the 100 breaststroke (1:09.85) and Hannah took home first in the 500 freestyle (5:42.43).

 

Other top finishers included All Saints' Tavis Methot (200 free), Lakeland's Alexander Sparbel (100 fly, 100 back), Santa Fe Catholic's Rachel Ringley (100 free), Tenoroc's Briana Flores (100 back).