Sophie Griffis targets state swim qualification with sub-60 backstroke

Sophie Griffis spends the early morning hours in the pool at Strawberry Crest High School before the rest of Plant City wakes up. The senior swimmer trains from 5:15 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. three days a week, then returns to the water after school from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This routine supports her goal of breaking the one-minute barrier in the 100 backstroke to qualify for the state championship meet.

Griffis has swum competitively since she was eight years old. She joined the Blue Wave swim team to compete year-round outside of the high school season. Her favorite event is the 200 yard breaststroke, which she says is the perfect distance because it is not as short as a sprint or as long as an endurance race. She only swims that event at club meets because it is not part of the high school schedule.

Her most recent breakthrough came at the Area 3 Championship meet in St. Petersburg this spring. Griffis posted personal best times in seven of her eight races during that weekend. She noted that dropping even one second in swimming represents a major accomplishment. Although she described the competition level as lower than the top tiers, she considered that specific meet her greatest win to date.

Griffis currently trains six or seven days a week. She believes that being in the water more than other competitors is the key to improving. She recently competed at the District-level meet and is now looking to improve her times further at Regionals. Her primary objective for the remainder of the season is to dip below 60 seconds in the 100 backstroke.

Beyond her individual times, Griffis aims to become a stronger leader for her team both in the pool and off it. She plans to continue swimming after high school graduation. Whether she swims competitively for a college team or maintains her fitness through a club team, she intends to keep racing for as long as possible.

When she is not in the water, Griffis serves at Grace City Church and spends time with her family and friends. She also enjoys going to the beach during warm weather and shopping with her mother. Griffis was named the Plant City Observer athlete of the week for October 29.