By the end of this school year, Trish Averill figures to have her high school diploma and a couple of associate of arts degrees.

She also hopes to have a state swimming title or two.

The academic accomplishments will come from Green River Community College, where Averill is enrolled full-time in the Running Start program.

The aquatic accomplishments? Averill will set about achieving those at Auburn High School, where she’s ready to make some waves during her senior year after focusing on club swimming – and getting fully healed from back and shoulder injuries.

“I wanted a little more connection with my high school. That was a big thing for me,” said Averill, who comes to morning workouts every day except Wednesdays, when she comes to the after-school practice session. “I just missed the girls.

“Being a senior, I thought it was really appropriate (to swim high school again).”

Averill is genuine in wanting to make the most of this final season. No question what she can add to the Trojans. As a sophomore, she went home with a silver medal in the 100-yard breaststroke and was fifth in the 200 individual medley at the Class 3A state meet. In the 4A meet as a freshman in 2005, Averill bagged a bronze in the IM and was fourth in the breaststroke.

“I love the breaststroke, I really do,” Averill said. “I’m still debating what (else) I’m going to swim at state. I’m not sure about the IM yet.”

But Averill is thinking beyond just individual honors. Whether she’s at morning or afternoon workouts, Averill is taking the time to work with less experienced swimmers.

“In club we focus a lot on technique and we watch each other,” Averill said. “We spend time working one-on-one with another person. I feel like it’d be a shame if I didn’t share that with people. I can see these quick fixes that could help them in a short time.

“We’re a team. And I want us to be the best we can be” she added.

Trojans coach Scott McLaughlin certainly is glad to have her back.

“She came up with this schedule of morning practices and said she could be there on Wednesday afternoons. The team captains read her letter and said, ‘This is great.’ And I was like, ‘This is great.’ I’m there swimming in the morning anyway. And anyone who shows up, she works with them. It’s cool.”

Averill already is thinking about swimming in college. But she has put off signing a letter of intent with anyone until spring.

“I’m speaking to a few schools right now. But nothing is for sure,” said Averill, who is working toward AA degrees in business and art. “I’m trying to keep my options open and be open-minded.”

She’s trying to keep her state meet options open, too, although the breaststroke is a given. And one way to keep those options open is to qualify in as many evens as possible – maybe even all eight of them, which would make her an ironwoman.

“That’s definitely something I’m going to try. But I’m not too focused on it,” Averill said, adding that the 50 free would be the most challenging event for her since sprinting isn’t her forte’. I’ll just swim whatever they need me to swim.”

While Averill missed her teammates during her year away from high school swimming, that time proved beneficial to her in multiple ways.

“I had a great long-course season, and it made me really excited for the short-course season,” she said. “I really needed that time to be able to get back to where I was with training and overcome my shoulder injury. I’ve become a lot stronger and my technique is a lot better.”

It all could add up to quite

a senior year for Averill.

A diploma.

A couple of degrees.

And maybe a state swim title or two.