There’s no denying the fact it is difficult for any freshman to make an impact on the varsity level when it comes to high school athletics.
It really doesn’t matter the sport. To go from middle school to high school is tough enough as it is, but even more so in the world of athletics.
Winder-Barrow High School freshman Brittany Litke is making the transition, however, and making it look somewhat easy in the process. The freshman swimmer for coach Jennifer Blevins, in just two meets as a varsity competitor, is bound for the state meet at the conclusion of the regular season.
“Brittany is an amazing swimmer,” Blevins said. “She practices and competes with WBHS and still practices and competes with SwimAtlanta. The day of our first meet, she competed for WBHS in Gainesville at the High School Invitational then swam at Emory for SwimAtlanta that afternoon and on Sunday.”
Just two meets into her varsity career, Litke has qualified for the state meet in the 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 200 freestyle.
“Our goal for Brittany is to have her meet state qualifying times in every individual event and then let her choose what she wants to swim at the actual meet in February,” Blevins said. “I definitely feel she is capable of meeting that goal. If she is off a state time in one meet, I know she will work hard and focus on swimming faster in the next meet.”
Litke has already made a strong impression on her high school coach. In fact, Blevins admit that at times she assumes her freshman standout will dominate the competition.
“I hate to say I was disappointed, but she was eight seconds off a state qualifying time in the 500 freestyle during our last meet at Clayton County,” the coach said. “I guess I just expect Brittany to swim a state qualifying time in every event she competes in during the first attempt. She managed to swim an awesome time. Having no pace clock to glance at or anyone to push her during the race definitely contributed to missing the mark. How can we expect her to meet the time if she has no clue what her clock time is throughout the race? The next competitor to finish was 3:19 seconds behind her.”
With a long varsity career in front of her, the sky — or perhaps the pool — is truly the limit for the freshman.
“I am certainly glad she is a freshman and we have her for four years,” Blevins said. “We hope to put a relay team of girls together this year to take to state and then continue the tradition each year. With the talent we already have, combined with Brittany’s strong talent, I am hoping we can pull it off.”
It should be fun watching all the accomplishments and records from Litke during the next four swimming seasons. When all is said and done, the record book will likely have her name prominently displayed in it.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
