It's not often that a freshman athlete has an enormous impact for a high-level college sports program. However, Heidi Halfhill, a 2007 Connellsville graduate wasted no time in making a big contribution for the Drury University swim team during the NCAA Division II National Swimming Championships in Columbia, Mo. Halfhill was a part of the Drury University Lady Panthers 200 freestyle relay team that claimed a national championship with a first-place time of 1 minute, 34.41 seconds. "It was very close, but we kept the lead and it made it even more special because it was so close," Halfhill said, noting that the margin of difference between the first-place team and the fourth-place team was a scant 0.4 seconds. It was great to win it because it meant that all of our hard work paid off." Halfhill came to Drury University, located in Springfield, Mo., in the fall of 2007 after a successful career as a swimmer at Connellsville and at the Laurel Highlands Regional Family YMCA. Halfhill qualified for the PIAA finals in the 100 during her senior season and she was also a regular member of the Laurel Highlands Regional Family YMCA team for 10 years. She credits YMCA coach Laurel Highlands for much of her success as a swimmer. Highlands had no doubt that Halfhill would be a strong competitor at the collegiate level. "I'm extremely happy that Heidi made the decision to go to that school," Highlands said. "Her first year was a big adjustment because she was so far away from home, but she handled it very well. I think she'll have a lot of success in the future." Halfhill received academic and athletic scholarship money to attend Drury University, a school known for its highly competitive swim program. While at Drury University, Halfhill is working on a double major in physical education and sports physiology. Despite her demanding academic schedule, Halfhill persevered in the pool. She worked hard to earn her spot on the relay team which included Eunate Garro, Li Tao and fellow freshman Kelsey Ward. "I knew since December that I had a chance to be on that relay team," Halfhill said. She noted that her relay team wasn't the favorite to win the national championship, but their dreams came true. "We were seeded eighth going in, so we were kind of the underdogs," Halfhill said. "But our coach (Brian Reynolds) had confidence in us that we could win it. Me and Kelsey were scared to death because it was so close." Despite the relay team's remarkable surge to the championship, it wasn't enough to help the Drury University swimmers claim the team championship. That's a goal that will be chased next season. "Hopefully I can keep my spot on the relay team and help out the entire team," Halfhill said. "Next year, the whole team's goal is to win the national title." Halfhill also qualified for nationals in the 100, but did not place. She is hoping to qualify in the 100 next season, as well as the 50 freestyle and the 200 freestyle. A swimmer can compete in four events at nationals. The 2009 NCAA Division II National Swimming Championships will be held in Houston.

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