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Sports - High Schools - All Bee Teams section

2008 Girls Swimming All-Star Team

Samanth Goates, senior, Exeter High

Published online on Friday, Jun. 27, 2008

The Fresno Bee
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Section finals events: 50 free, 100 back, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay

She's qualified because: Posted the fifth and sixth All-America times of her four-year career while winning the 50 free and 100 back. Her time of 23.58 in the 50 free was just off the Central Section record of 23.55 set by Monache's Kristie Begin in 1998. Goates went on to break her own record in the 100 back with a 56.37, becoming the first girl in section history to break the 57-second barrier. She also helped Exeter place sixth in the 200 medley relay (1:57.07) and 11th in the 400 free relay (3:54.49). Goates set records in the 50 free and 100 back at the Division II meet and won both of those races at the Central Section finals. She has accepted a scholarship to swim next season at Southeastern Conference power Louisiana State.

Career highlights: Burst onto the scene as a freshman with victories in the 50 free and 100 back at the Central Section Championships. Finished her career with eight individual first-place medals, owning her signature events all four years. Goates first broke the section's 100 back record as a sophomore in 2006 with a 57.06. She was also a four-time 50 free and 100 back champion in league and at the Division II championships.

The word: "Anyone who hits those All-American time standards, they are the real deal. No. 1, she is physically talented. And No. 2, she has put in a lot of hours. She's the top of the line and fiercely competitive. She's one of those athletes who doesn't like to lose. And when it comes to a big race, she's always risen to the occasion." -- Exeter coach Bruce Montgomery

A champion speaks: "There were many times you don't feel like going to practice, but having these kind of results really makes it worth it. I actually hadn't planned on swimming high school my senior year. I was going to focus on doing club with Rick [Klatt] and I decided at the last minute to support my school and my team. I am very thankful that I did." -- Goates


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