Lakeville 7th-grader Regan Smith makes waves at state swim meet

Regan Smith is a 12-year-old seventh-grader at Century Middle School in Lakeville who also happens to already be one of the elite girls' swimmers in the state.

Smith recently finished second to Chanhassen senior and Gophers recruit Zoe Avestruz in both the 100-yard backstroke and butterfly in the Class 2A meet at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.

"Regan is a very special young lady and swimmer," Panthers coach Dan Schneider said. "She is talented, dedicated, hardworking, goal-oriented and quietly competitive. She is not afraid of competition."

Smith posted a time of 54.21 seconds in the finals of the backstroke and 54.73 in the butterfly. Both set the national age group records for 11- and 12-year-olds kept by USA Swimming.

"Talking with Regan you would never know how talented a swimmer she is," Schneider said. "I have never heard Regan talk about her accomplishments. She is very genuine and mature for 12 years old."

Smith also swam a leg on the Panthers' 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams. Both finished seventh. Her older sister, senior Brenna Smith, was also a member of the 400 freestyle relay team.

First it was a new conference. Then it was district scheduling. Now, Shakopee's football program is seeking a coach.

Jody Stone has stepped down after nine seasons at the helm, accumulating a 36-46 record. He resigned to pursue his administrative license in education. Stone has an administrative degree from Virginia, where he used to coach and teach, but wants to get an administrative license in Minnesota.

"There's never a perfect time to walk away, but I didn't want to continue if I wasn't able to make a 100 percent commitment to Saber football," Stone said. Shakopee recently completed its only season in the South Suburban Conference, finishing with an overall record of 2-7.

"Nine years is not a lot when you look at the big scheme, but it becomes your life and that's just what it's been," Stone said. "It's been my family's life and my kid's life and your season is never over."

When the state goes to district scheduling for football in 2015, Shakopee will be in the 16-school West Metro district.

• Lakeville South junior Brianna Alexander took second place in the 200-yard individual medley at the Class 2A girls' swimming meet. She also finished seventh in the 100 breaststroke and swam a leg on both of the Panthers' 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams that finished sixth.

• Lakeville North senior fullback Luke Branson ran for 172 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns in a 37-21 loss to Totino-Grace in the semifinals of the Class 6A football tournament. He finished with 946 rushing yards this season.