Girls swimming: LC’s Muszalski ready for finals challenge

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Lake Central's Tracilyn Muszalski, right, finishes the 200 Yard Freestyle just ahead of Munster's Jillian Homans during the girls swim sectionals on Saturday, February 4, 2012, in Crown Point. | Scott R. Brandush~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 8, 2012 8:16AM

ST. JOHN — The self-made description of Traci Muszalski’s nine-year swimming career was shy and yet straightforward at the same time.

Since entering club level at seven, nonetheless, it’s remained the sport for her.

“For some reason, the more I keep swimming, the more I like it and want to improve,” the Lake Central sophomore said. “I can’t get enough, I guess.”

But luckily for the standout on a strong Indians squad, Muszalski has been able to rack up her share of achievements.

After a promising freshman season in 2011 — going to state with No. 13 400 free relay team — she is now heading back down to the state finals with an additional two races this weekend.

To go along with another shot at the 400 free relay, her sectional titles in both the 200 and 500 free relays opened up even more chances.

However, wins in last Saturday’s competitive Crown Point Sectional finals were anything but expected.

“Definitely not something I expected, I guess,” she said, again smiling. “I kind of surprised myself.”

And truth be told, it would be rather hard for anyone to have such lofty expectations. Not only was her particular sectional one of Indiana’s hardest, but there were also the memories from the tournament’s opponents that had previously contained her.

Rival Holly Schuster (Crown Point) defeated her in both the 200 IM and the 500 free at last year’s sectional and recently beat her again in the 500 free in a dual meet. And after a midseason lineup move that shifted her from the IM to the 200 free, she lost another key dual race to Munster’s Jillian Homans.

Something that Muszalski’s team can pretty much expect with each new test, though, is a positive approach. Feeding off of LC’s motto “positive attitudes yields positive results,” she just dusts off old shortcomings.

“You just have to put it behind you,” said Muszalski, who beat both Homans and Schuster with a new Crown Point pool record of 5:05.94 in the 500 free. And right before that career best occurred, she also defeated Homans with another top time of 1:54.62 in the 200 Free. “It’s not going to be the last time you swim it.”

Moving Muszalkski into all freestyle events did take some deliberation from LC coach Todd Smolinski, but given her attitude and techniques (featuring a smooth stroke), the move continues to pay off.

“Traci was one of my athletes that was bound to break out this year,” he said. “Her work ethic is something that is rare, at least in high school.”

Heading to state with teammates likes senior teammate Shelby Carroll — one of the area’s top backstroke swimmers — Muszalkski also feels rewarded in a team-wide improvement in 2012.

“I think we’re improving as a team and coming together and acting as a team and I think that’s one of the main keys to our success this year,” she said.