Coming to the University of Florida was always a dream for Corinne Showalter.
Not only did the freshman get her dream, but she has taken advantage of her opportunity early this season.
Growing up in Sarasota, Showalter said she never considered any other schools out West, because she knew exactly where she wanted to go.
"I wanted to stay close to home so Florida was the perfect package with academics and athletics," she said.
Since her arrival in Gainesville, the freshman has shown her capabilities in the pool.
She will be looking to build on her early season success when Florida hosts Stanford and Michigan - a team UF has never lost to (8-0).The meet begins Friday night at 7 and resumes Saturday morning at 8:30.
In UF's first meet this season against Virginia, Showalter made her presence known, by winning the 1,000-yard freestyle.
She continued to swim well in UF's second meet, a double dual against Arkansas and Kansas, finishing third in the mile freestyle and fourth in the 200 backstroke. In last week's loss against Georgia, she also finished fourth in the 1,000 free.
"The training is much tougher than high school, but it's what I need to be doing," Showalter said. "I really owe everything to the coaches and what they've been doing for us."
Coach Gregg Troy praised the freshman's consistency.
"She really wanted to be a Gator and she's got good versatility, so she fits what we do," Troy said. "She and Jamie Bohunicky have caught all the tough events. Every time they've raced, they've been racing world-class people so for young folks to step up and have to do that right away has been really good for us."
Showalter's performance so far this season has caught the eyes of her teammates, who admire her attitude and work ethic.
"She's done an amazing job so far, she's training really well," senior Gemma Spofforth said. "Her whole attitude to everything is really good, so she's definitely gonna be a key player, not just this weekend but the whole year."
After battling flu-like symptoms during the past two weeks, Showalter said she feels better, and she is ready for this week's home competition.
