In a couple of months, Lawrence resident Katie Swank will have a tough decision — picking a pool.

To swim for a high school or club team, that will be the question.

But that decision seemed light years away Friday when the 14-year-old Swank flashed a smile and gave Aquahawks coach Mike Soderling a high five before competing in the 200-meters at the Roger Hill Swim Meet.

“I just love swimming, competitively or by myself,” said Swank, who took third in the 200 and won the 50 freestyle Friday on the first day of the three-day meet at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center.

Some 675 swimmers from all over the Midwest are invading Lawrence this weekend to participate in the annual event.

“I think it’s going great so far,” meet co-director Ann Reaney said of the first day, which included three sessions. “I’m tired, but all the parents — and I’m talking more than just the Aquahawks’ parents — have been great in helping out. I’m excited to see how it continues.”

So is Swank, who is off to her best start at a meet this busy summer.

The ninth-grader-to-be at West Junior High has swam at several summer meets, but Swank said she had really improved the last few weekends.

After she swam in a California meet that featured Olympians and national-record holders, Swank was determined to display what she had learned from the distinguished swimmers. That she practices five hours a day doesn’t hurt, either.

Lawrence Aquahawks, from left, Kara Mishler, 10, Reese Grabill, 9, Adriane Black, 11 and Madeleine Neet, 12, chat with teammates before a practice session Friday at the Roger Hill Swim Meet. The meet continues today and Sunday at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center.

At her last meet in Wichita, Swank set a personal best in the 50 and won a handful of other races.

“She’s definitely got unlimited potential,” Soderling said. “Obviously I’m biased, but all the other coaches and people that I talk to that have seen her swim think that she’ll really be something special in the future.”

Soderling also raves about another 14-year-old Aquahawk, Chase Torgerson.

Torgerson, who will swim at Free State High this year, also set a PR Friday in the 200 IM.

“It’s pretty motivational to swim at this meet,” said Torgerson, who took second in both the 200 individual medley and the 50 free. “With my family and friends all here, I want to go out there and do something special.”

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For Torgerson, the special reward is worth all the hard work, even though many of his friends are goofing off during summer vacation.

“I can’t really explain why I love swimming so much,” he said. “Except that I succeed in it and I have a lot of fun.”

Special things could come for both again today as they swim in a handful of events.

Complete results of Friday’s action were not available because of computer problems.

During the meet, the lap pool at LIAC will be closed to the public. However, the family side at the facility will remain open during regular hours.

9-year-old Amber Hicks, left, asks Lawrence Aquahawks assistant coach Justin Clossen if it is time for her to warm up. Hicks took part in the Roger Hill Swim Meet Friday at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center.