Delaware transplant Jessica Lampkin has found success in the pool and friends out of it

This article appeared in the St. Petersburg Times on Oct. 31, 2002.

By STEVE LEE
Times Staff Writer

NEW PORT RICHEY -- In most cases involving athletics, P.B. stands for a personal-best time. Not so for the Gulf swim team, which has given those initials a whole new meaning.

The Personal Buddy system, recommended by newcomer Jessica Lampkin and implemented by coach Linda Cassidy, has fostered camaraderie on a team expected to challenge for the girls title in this weekend's Sunshine Athletic Conference meet.

"It's opened things up," Cassidy said. "Instead of a clique of four kids, they're getting to know each other.

"There's a lot of cohesiveness. The kids treat each other as family this year."

Lampkin, a junior transfer from Newark, Del., said having a P.B., who changes weekly, "was a tradition at (Newark High). At the beginning of the season, not many people knew each other, so I figured maybe we could do some bonding."

Seniors Michelle Mendonca and Emily Vlahakis, as well as freshmen standouts India Surlis and Kimmi Murphy, are among the team leaders who welcomed Lampkin and her innovative proposal.

"She's really dedicated and super cheery," Mendonca said. "She's never in a bad mood."

Lampkin's impact, however, is not limited to social circles.

The talented swimmer holds the county's best times in four events: the 200-yard individual medley, 50 freestyle, 100 free and 100 backstroke. And her time of 1 minute, 55.01 seconds in the 100 butterfly is .09 behind Land O'Lakes' Margie Chamberlain. Lampkin also swims on Gulf's county-leading 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relay teams with Murphy, Surlis and Vlahakis.

"There may have been some jealousy at first with someone new coming in and doing so good," Cassidy said, "but I think the kids have overcome that."

"I've never seen anybody get mad at her," Mendonca said.

Lampkin, 15, felt she had to do something to get over the frustration of moving. She was an integral part of her school team, swam for Team Delaware, a competitive club team, and left behind a boyfriend when her father, Joe, took a job in St. Petersburg and relocated the family.

"My whole life falls apart," Lampkin said upon learning of her family's decision to move to New Port Richey. "It was a big, big, big change. I lived in Delaware for 13 years. You basically have to change your whole life."

One thing that hasn't changed is her drive. She hopes to qualify for the state meet as a junior and senior, and earn a scholarship. An honor roll student who plans to become a veterinarian, Lampkin's college choices include Florida, Florida State, Penn State and Colorado State.

For now, she is focusing on her studies and swimming "whatever (events) Linda puts me in.

"Anything but the breaststroke. That's too slow. It's nothing compared to the rest of the (events)."

She needn't worry. Cassidy is not likely to enter Lampkin in the breaststroke. Surlis owns the county's top time of 1:09.92.