Senior Swimmer Sets Seven Best Times

Sophie Griffis recorded personal best times in seven of her eight swims at the Area 3 Championship meet in St. Petersburg in the spring of 2026. The senior at Strawberry Crest High School called that weekend her proudest career moment, noting that dropping a single second is a major achievement in competitive swimming.

Griffis has competed in the sport since age eight. She trains with the Blue Wave swim team year-round and swims for her high school during the season. Her training schedule is intense. She practices six or seven days a week. Three days a week, she attends double sessions. The morning practice runs from 5:15 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. The afternoon session runs from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The swimmer favors the 200 yard breaststroke. She stated that this is not a high school event, so she only competes in it at club meets. She described the distance as ideal because it is not a sprint and not too long.

Her current season goal is to swim the 100 backstroke in one minute or under. A time of one minute or faster would advance her to the state level. She recently competed in the District-level meet and hopes to improve her results at the Regionals meet. She also aims to become a stronger leader both in and out of the water.

Griffis plans to continue swimming after high school. She intends to compete for a college team or maintain her fitness on a club team at her university. She said she could not imagine her life without swimming and plans to continue for as long as possible.

Growing up as an only child, she tried every sport her parents could sign her up for. Swimming was the one she loved the most and the one in which she succeeded. She said she learned to push through hard seasons when results did not meet her high expectations. She reminded herself that not every race would be a personal best and that every opportunity is a new lesson.

Before a big meet, Griffis does not have a specific ritual. She likes to lock in without distractions. She may go to a quiet spot on the pool deck or listen to her favorite worship songs to settle her nerves.

When she is not at the pool, Griffis spends time with her family and friends. She serves at Grace City Church, goes to the beach when the weather is warm, and goes shopping with her mother.