H.S. swimming beat: Hetzer, Connetquot could top WM

SWIMMINGHetzer making a splash

It's hard to imagine a time when Nicole Hetzer was nervous about being in the pool. After all, the standout sophomore swam the anchor leg on the winning 200-yard freestyle relay (1:37.99) and was part of the third place 200-medley relay (1:50.16) at the state Federation championship.

But after finally joining a swim team in second grade - Hetzer's foray into swimming was delayed several years as her family welcomed a baby into the household - she found herself uneasy in the water.

"When I first started I was a little nervous 'cause I didn't know anyone and I didn't know the strokes," she said. "But then you get to a point where you're dropping so much time and it's like, 'Oh my God, I love this. This is great.' "

Hetzer is now part of a dynamic duo with Mikaila Gaffey, trying to lead Connetquot past 18-time champion Ward Melville at the Suffolk finals this year. Hetzer qualified for states in the 200 IM (2:13.06) on Oct. 4, an event she won at last year's Suffolk title meet. She's less than a second off qualifying times for the 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 50 free.

Hetzer said she asked a thousand times to be on a swim team when she was young. Now, with her as a leader, she might be on the team.