Farmington Hills Mercy High School swimmer-- Maria Bargardi. Bargardi is a junior. Photo taken on Thursday, August 27, 2009, at Mercy HS in Farmington Hills, Mich. (The Oakland Press/Jose Juarez)

High school swimmers are sometimes known for being picky and selective about the events they’d like to race in.

That’s not the case with Maria Bargardi.

The junior swimming standout and state record holder, who is helping churn the engines on Farmington Hills Mercy’s quest for a third straight Division 2 title, couldn’t be more willing to fill in wherever she’s needed.

“She’s an extremely team-oriented individual,” Mercy coach Shannon Dunworth said. “She can swim nearly any event.”

It was her versatility that propelled Bargardi to a state record-setting performance in the 200 individual medley at last year’s Division 2 finals meet with a time of 2:05.78. She also placed in the top five in two other events, and will continue to perfect all of her strokes to become even better this year.

Bargardi often gets penciled in for whatever event she’s most needed for at a particular race, and will swim different races every week.

“I’m open to doing anything,” Bargardi said. “I like doing the fly, but I think one of my bigger strengths is IM. I would like to definitely focus on fly and improve this year.”

Bargardi placed fourth in the 100 butterfly at the state meet and said that is probably her strongest stroke, but that her freestyle could probably use some improvement.

Nevertheless, Bargardi’s relay team placed second in the state 400 freestyle relay.

“Maria’s really good at everything,” Dunworth said. “She’s a really determined girl … she’s diligent and strong.”

Bargardi should be one of the top returning butterfly swimmers in the state and since she’s only a junior, should have a bright career ahead of her.

She’s won state titles in each of her two years at Mercy, and will lead a strong Marlins squad that’s ranked the best in Oakland County.

During the offseason, Bargardi swam an average of twice a day for several hours to work on each stroke to prepare for the season.

A swimmer since she was very young, Bargardi began racing when she was 8 and developed some of her versatility while competing in middle school.

“I’ve always loved the competitiveness of it — I love to race,” Bargardi said.

The racing aspect of the sport is exactly what Dunworth hopes Bargardi will work on and hone this year.

He said she works about as hard as anyone can during practice, but like track athletes who bring out their best when challenged during a tight race, Dunworth hopes Bargardi and the rest of his swimmers can put all of their energy and focus into the race.

“We’re trying to prepare her to really get into the race, which is her next hill to climb,” Dunworth said.

Outside of the pool, Bargardi is a person her teammates can turn to when they’re feeling down, Dunworth said.

“She’s got a great wit about her,” Dunworth said. “When you’re training real hard, someone has to have a quick wit.”

Bargardi has a 3.9 GPA and is still undecided about what she’d like to pursue in college, but said she would like to swim.

Despite her state finals success in butterfly, IM and freestyle, Bargardi might be asked to race breaststroke this year to make up for the graduations of some of Mercy’s top swimmers in that event.

The goal for Bargardi and the rest of her teammates is to concentrate on each match and keep improving throughout the season to put forth their best times at the state finals meet, like Bargardi did last year in breaking the state record for the IM.

“The key was just focusing, and the team was really behind me all the way,” Bargardi said. “It’s a feeling you can’t really explain when you finish.”

Dunworth knew right away after working with Bargardi that she would become a great swimmer. It wasn’t because of her size or her demeanor or her body build, but something else.

“I always look for fire in their eyes,” Dunworth said. “She has it.”