Maura Brennan isn't one to back down from a challenge, so when swimming coach Tim O'Connor challenged her to be better, she took it to heart.

Her training regimen became year-round and her mental approach to the sport took on a more positive approach. That extra work, combined with her competitive spirit, is driving her to what could be some very big things in her senior season at Emmaus.

Brennan, who plans on majoring in Graphic Design and Communications in college, was disappointed by her lack of success last season and is striving not just to compete at the state level this season, but to have a strong showing at the PIAA meet at Bucknell University at the end of the season. When asked if she feels she can make it to states, Brennan flashed a competitive spirit that's hard to beat.

"Not to sound conceited, but after what happened last year, that's not going to happen," said Brennan, who missed the state meet last season. "I've been motivated from failing last year, so making it back is really important to me this year."

Last season, O' Connor saw potential, but now he believes Brennan is on the right path to reach that potential and will be surprised if she doesn't play an important part in both districts and states.

"One of the things that I always caution athletes against is to limit yourself," said O'Connor. "Her present goal is to break through a 0:56 in the 100-freestyle, which I know she'll do, it's just a matter of when, but it doesn't have to be a set number. What do you have to do to go faster? That's what she's working on daily in practice and I think for Maura, anything short of the state meet this year would be disappointing."

After the girls team was recently upset by Easton in a tight 94-92 meet, Brennan's competitive spirit grew even more.

"It makes me angry and I hope it makes the other girls angry," Brennan said. "Not angry as in I'm going to give up, but more as a motivation tool."

Brennan is part of a very promising 200-yard medley relay team, where she swims the freestyle anchor leg. The team, which also has senior Taylor Iobst and sophomores Claire Frank and Morgan Weigner, recently finished third at the Wilson Relays.

While the girls were shocked by Easton, the boys picked up an easy 128-42 win.

At the Wilson relays, the boys team finished tied with North Penn who they'll swim against in their last meet of the season for fourth place, while the girls finished in fifth.

On the season, the boys team is now 6-2 overall and 5-0 in the LVC, while the girls are 3-5 and 3-2.

"We're getting a little bit better, but I still want more," said O'Connor. "That's one of my own faults, is that I always want more. Even when the kids think that they're getting it and I should be satisfied, I find that I never am, and that's okay, because we're improving and we're competing, but success never rests."