Bucs swim with teammate in mind and hearts

Photo at left: Brittany Meutzel (right), with teammates at a meet on Sept. 25.

This article appeared in the Tampa Tribune on Oct. 3, 2002.

By ANDY STAPLES

NEW PORT RICHEY - Mattie Reich wanted to visit her best friend in the hospital Wednesday. She couldn't, so she swam. Reich, a Gulf High sophomore, wanted to cancel Wednesday's dual meet against Wesley Chapel and visit Brittany Meutzel. Meutzel, 15, remains at St. Petersburg's Bayfront Medical Center, being treated for the eye injury she sustained Tuesday, when the truck she rode in smashed into a bridge support on Madison Street.

Doctors would not allow Meutzel visitors other than family, so Meutzel's mother told Reich and other well-wishers to go ahead with the meet and think about Meutzel, who typically swims the breast stroke and freestyle. Reich made sure her teammates did not forget.

``This meet is for Brittany,'' Reich said before her first event. ``It's Brittany's meet. We all decided that every stroke we take, we're going to do it for her.''

Reich hoped the thought would inspire her to swim faster. It worked, as Reich's butterfly leg helped the Buccaneers open the meet with a win in the 200-meter medley relay.

Gulf girls swim coach Linda Cassidy said the accident shook the girls and boys teams. The 1996 Dodge Ram was driven by junior swimmer Bryan Ryder, and all five passengers were swimmers.

Junior Michelle Medonca was the only other passenger to require hospitalization. She was treated for a bruised forehead and released Tuesday. Medonca, still wearing her orange bracelet from the Community Hospital of New Port Richey emergency room, shrugged off a headache to cheer teammates at the meet.

``I'm on some medication, and I'm really stiff,'' Medonca said. ``But I can dive starting tomorrow, so I'm happy.''

Like the others, Medonca worried about Meutzel, who hit her head against the truck's dashboard. After the accident, a helicopter transported her to Bayfront.

Reich and fellow sophomore Taylor Mountain watched and cried as Meutzel was loaded into the helicopter. Their coach said the swimmers share a unique bond.

``I have a very close-knit team,'' Cassidy said. ``When something happens to one of them, they all get upset.''

Reich said Meutzel typically is the one to calm everyone's nerves with a laugh or a smile. Reich said a few words from Meutzel can change her outlook on any situation.

``She's always happy,'' Reich said. ``If anything is wrong with anybody, she's making them feel better or making them laugh.''

That is why Reich and her teammates dedicated each stroke to Meutzel on Wednesday. Reich considered the act a fitting tribute to her most faithful friend.

``She's going to be there for you no matter what,'' Reich said.