The Winder-Barrow High School swim teams had a chance to compete in the pool where legends of the sport have performed.
“Heading back into the water at the University of Georgia brought bittersweet feelings for many of the swimmers,” WBHS coach Jennifer Blevins said. “The returning swimmers practiced in the very same waters last year and remembered that familiar feeling of swimming where the likes of Michael Phelps and several other world record holders have swum. For the new swimmers, the legend of the pool caused many to be awestruck. For all swimmers, the excitement and nerves created a positive correlation for fast times. A total of 12 girls teams and 13 boys teams were in attendance.”
Overall, both WBHS teams finished seventh as several additional standout times and efforts were displayed.
To start the meet, the 200 IM relay team of Brittany Litke, Megan Greene, Clara Moody and Elizabeth Mattison took 15 seconds from their time.
Following that, Leo Diaz swam the 200 free for the first time, which allowed him to earn a personal record and Clara Moody swam a great race in the girls 200 free. The fast 50 free was next with 11 Swim Doggs taking the blocks. Personal records came from all 11 swimmers including Nelson Lofton, Tony Brundage, Skyler Lowe, Jared Glenn, Andrew Maynard, Daniel Dean, Cailtin Connell, Alicia Jones, Kristina Brown, Anna Dean and Elizabeth Mattison.
Alex Hentenaar followed by swimming a strong 100 butterfly which is believed to be a personal record, his coach said.A plethora of 100 free races were next. Brundage, Diaz, Lowe and Andrew Maynard, Kristina Brown and Connell all swam personal bests. Following the frees, Hentenaar swam a new school record and personal record (5:49.58) in the 500 free. Litke then swam a strong 500 free (5:41.33) and is now just 1.33 seconds from the state qualifying time of 5:40.00.
Next were the 200 free felays. The B team of Lofton, Lowe, Diaz and Glenn swam 10 seconds faster than their seed time and the A team of Daniel Dean, Andrew Maynard, Hentenaar and Mitchell Buttler swam a 1:43.10, just seconds away from the state qualifying time of 1:43.10.
The girls 200 Free Relay teams were followed by swimming faster times than listed. The B team of Mattison, Connell, Brown and Jones improved the time by almost 30 seconds (2:27.14) and the A team of Moody, Megan Greene, Anna Dean and Litke swam almost 24 seconds faster (1:59.95) than their seed time. The A team now has its sights set on cutting time off and meeting the 1:54.00 state qualifying time, Blevins said.
Buttler made his first attempt at his repeat state qualifying time in the 100 backstroke. Missing the qualifying time of 59.00 by a couple seconds provided Mitchell with an desire to tweak his performance and try again, his coach said.
“I have no doubt that he will improve his time and swim the event faster than he did last year,” Blevins said.
Anna Dean earned a personal record in her turn at the 100 backstroke.
Glen led the breaststroke off by swimming a personal best and Daniel Dean followed by swimming to a third place overall finish.
The girls’ breaststroke allowed Mattison to swim a personal best. Litke ended the day by winning the event, earning another school and personal record and sealing her eighth state qualifying time. The final event of the meet was the 400 free relays. Blevins said the boys and girls relay teams all set times to improve from. WBHS returns to the same waters at UGA again this Saturday.
“Confidence is up a level, new goals have been set and the team is eager to train this week to get ready to race again,” Blevins said.
