Jefferson swimmer known as a hard worker

Her teammates have honored it. Her coach has witnessed it. Most important, her performance has reflected it.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson senior Abbey Wharton's hard work has paid dividends, placing her near the top of all Metro swimmers.

Wharton will try to parlay her efforts into a state meet berth and a possible state medal when she hits the pool at Cedar Rapids Washington Saturday for a girls swimming regional. Competition begins at noon for Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Rapids Prairie/Williamsburg, Fairfield, Linn-Mar, Tipton, Vinton-Shellsburg and Waterloo East.

Wharton has made tremendous strides the last couple of seasons.

“She's one of the first kids to push off the wall every day,” Jefferson Coach Ryan York said. “She'll lead every set. She's going to lead by example every event she races in. She doesn't ever have a race where she just gives up. She's a ‘Go till I die' type of kid.”

Her teammates have voted her the J-Hawks' “hardest worker” two straight years.

“I always try to work hard and do my best on everything,” Wharton said. “It means a lot to me because I know that I work hard (and) it's just a lot knowing everybody else sees that I'm working hard.”

That hard work has put her in position to qualify for state in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke.

She scored team points by placing 15th in the breaststroke at last year's state meet. She ranks 12th this season with a time of 1:09.18.

“I like the kick the best,” Wharton said. “My kick is really good and I can just feel the water the best doing that. I like the fact that you get to breathe every stroke.”

Wharton's goal is to trim her best time by three seconds, hitting 1:06.00. That would set the stage for her ultimate focus.

“My goal for Marshalltown (state) is to get on the podium,” said Wharton, who wants to swim in college but is undecided where. “I think I'm capable of doing that.”

Kennedy, Linn-Mar and Washington were among the team favorites.