Owensboro High School senior Samantha Phillips has been named the 2020 Owensboro Times Girls’ Swimmer of the Year.
Phillips set lofty goals this season, and she accomplished them all.
“I wanted to break records and place high at state,” she said. “I broke my own city-county record in the 100 butterfly this season, and our 200 freestyle relay team placed fourth at state. I would say my expectations were definitely met.”
Phillips claimed region titles in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events individually, and she was part of the 200 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay that also took home first place. With her strong showing, Phillips was named the Region 2 swimmer of the year.
“At regionals, Samantha was sick but still managed two dominating swims to capture first in her individuals and also pulled off an amazing 50 fly in the medley relay that moved us from fourth to first place,” said OHS swim coach Brad Schmied.
“Samantha is talented enough to win many events at regionals,” Schmied added. “So the goal was to have her pick events where she could showcase her strengths individually that would also align with the overall team strategy around the relays.”
Phillips said placing fourth at state in the 200 freestyle relay was the highlight of the season, in part because the team had grown closer together.
“I really tried to bring the team together this year,” she said. “This year we definitely worked more as a family than ever and we were always there for each other.”
Though she was already a strong swimmer, Phillips had room to improve and worked hard in the offseason to better her time in the water.
“I definitely improved most on my underwaters and my flip turns this year,” she said. “I’ve always struggled with those things so coming into the season I knew I needed to work on them.”
Schmied said Phillips’ dedication to always getting better allowed her to be a strong leader on a team full of underclassmen.
“Samantha is one of the most driven athletes I have ever coached,” he said. “She leads by example and is the perfect role model for all our younger athletes.”
Schmied said he’s proud of everything Phillips achieved, but doesn’t think she’s done yet.
“I am as much of a fan of Samantha’s as I am her coach,” he said. “I look forward to seeing what she will accomplish at the next level.”
That type of support was one of the things Phillips enjoyed most about competing for Owensboro.
“It was such an amazing experience,” she said. “At OHS everyone is family and everyone supports each other. The support I had from all the faculty, teachers and students was unbelievable. At every meet (principal John) DeLacey and (athletic director Todd) Harper were always there along with a few students. That doesn’t usually happen at swim meets and it really meant a lot.”
Phillips wasn’t quite sure what the future had in store for her, but she did know she’s not giving up on the sport she loves.
“I’m still undecided about what school I’ll be attending next year,” she said, “but I definitely plan on swimming.”
