Stebbins freshman competes at state meet

Swimmer Taylor Garber placed 8th in 100 butterfly
3-16-06

By Mickey Zezzo For the Dayton Daily News

 

RIVERSIDE | Being the first Stebbins High School swimmer to qualify for state in almost 30 years didn't faze Taylor Garber. At least not outwardly. Call it youth or just plain coolness, but Garber, speaking from her coach's car en route to Canton for the big meet, had that matter-of-fact approach for her biggest test yet at C.T. Branin Natatorium. "It's (calmness) in her nature," said first-year Stebbins swim coach Katie Hunter, a former Wright State University swimmer. "She was a little nervous at meet time, but as a freshman, that's natural, too. But she didn't do badly at all."

Garber, who transferred to Stebbins from Xenia Christian shortly after Christmas, managed to finish eighth in the 100 butterfly in 57.5 seconds and 17th in the 200 freestyle in 1:57. She qualified for state with a 1:54.7 in the 200 freestyle and a 58.11 clocking in the 100 fly. Garber won both events in the Mid-Miami League meet, setting a meet record for the 100 free.

The Neighbors Athlete of the Week was also lauded by Hunter for her "determination and being so coachable," but the coach gave most credit to the Dayton Raiders' head coach Kevin Weldon for Garber's progress. "Kevin tied up a good package for me and Stebbins," Hunter said. Garber started swimming at age 8 and has spent four years in the Raiders program. She received ample praise from the veteran Weldon.

"Taylor has been progressively better each year and she's intent on being in my top group this summer," Weldon said. "She's a former state age-group champion, has good strokes, and is strong and very coachable. I'm looking for good things from Taylor. My daughter, Makenzie (also a Raiders freestyler), and Taylor are the best of friends and Makenzie couldn't have a finer friend."

His admiration is mutual. "Coach Weldon has continually improved my technique and has helped me in all areas of swimming, even the little things that are important," Garber said. "When something needs to be fixed, he has been there for me."

Her older brother, Anthony Garber, is a senior soccer player at Valley View High School and her younger brother, Bobby, is a seventh-grade golfer at Xenia Christian. "So far, I'm the only swimmer in the family," Taylor said. The student-athlete, sporting a 3.2 grade-point average, is hoping for an academic or swimming scholarship to college.

Contact Mickey Zezzo with Athlete of the Week at 236-6032 or mickeyz33@msn.com.