Feb. 17, 2004

Last September Shirlee Manoogian underwent surgery for cervical cancer. That was on a Thursday. The following Monday she was back in classes at Stony Brook (N.Y.) University. Three weeks later she was practicing with the Seawolves swimming team.

''The doctor said I wasn't allowed to do anything for three weeks. That Thursday on the third week, I was back in the pool,'' says the sophomore from Holbrook, N.Y.

Manoogian, 19, has been a mainstay of the Stony Brook team this season. She has set school records in 11 events. In the America East Conference, her times rank among the top five in four events.

''They don't come much tougher than her,'' says Stony Brook coach Dave Alexander. ''The second she could get back in the pool, she got back in . . . and just started to push as hard as she could push herself.''

Just as she was getting back in shape, her back began acting up. She was diagnosed with three herniated disks. After about two weeks she was back in the pool.

''Some days are better than others,'' she says of her back problem. ''On really bad days it's like, ugh. I really don't feel like walking over to the pool, never mind swimming.''

Manoogian, a math education major, has grown up overcoming challenges. In third grade she was diagnosed with a visual processing disability. ''Basically, if a teacher writes something down on the board, they have to explain it to me,'' she says.

At Sachem High School she was a three-time state champion in the 100-yard freestyle. She started her collegiate career at Maryland but transferred after one year to Stony Brook.

Now she is focused on the America East championships that start Friday at the University of Maine. She also is awaiting results in the next few weeks from tests related to her cancer surgery. The tests will determine whether she needs follow-up treatment.

''I just kind of deal with the cards I'm dealt,'' she says.