Senior swimmer seeks sub-60 backstroke

Sophie Griffis, a senior at Strawberry Crest High School, is targeting a time of 60 seconds or less in the 100-yard backstroke. Achieving that mark would qualify her for the state championships. She competes for both the school team and the Blue Wave club team year-round.

Griffis recorded personal best times in seven of her eight events during the Area 3 Championship meet in St. Petersburg this spring. She described the weekend as a turning point because she was able to lower her times across multiple events. She noted that dropping a single second in swimming represents a major achievement, even if the competition level was not the highest she has faced.

Her training schedule during the high school season is intensive. She swims six or seven days a week. On three of those days, she completes double sessions. Her morning practice runs from 5:15 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. before school starts. Her afternoon session takes place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. She believes that spending more time in the water than other athletes is necessary for improvement.

Griffis has competed in swimming since she was eight years old. She tried various sports as a child but found swimming to be her favorite. Her preferred event is the 200-yard breaststroke. Because that distance is not offered in high school competitions, she races it exclusively at club meets. She considers the 200-yard distance ideal because it avoids the extremes of sprinting or long-distance endurance.

The swimmer recently competed at the district level. She hopes to improve her times further at the upcoming regional meet. Her primary goal for the remainder of the season is to break the one-minute barrier in the 100-yard backstroke. She also aims to develop stronger leadership skills both on the pool deck and in daily life.

Griffis plans to continue swimming after high school. She intends to either compete for a college team or maintain her fitness by swimming for a club team while attending college. She stated that she cannot imagine her life without swimming and intends to continue the sport for as long as possible.

Outside of the pool, Griffis spends time with family and friends. She also serves at Grace City Church. When the weather is warm, she visits the beach. She also enjoys shopping trips with her mother. These activities help her balance the physical and mental demands of her training schedule.