The Winder-Barrow High School swimmers ventured back to the University of Georgia Saturday and once again had a record-setting afternoon.
Despite missing some team members due to illness and other holiday events, the Swim Doggs managed to finish eighth among 14 teams. The diminished numbers also did not stop the team from swimming to 16 personal records and three new school records.
Freshman Brittany Litke has now qualified for state in all eight individual events.
“Competition appears to always bring out the best in each swimmer,” said coach Jennifer Blevins. “I am so proud of how well each one gets into the water and swims strong races during each meet. The results simply prove that all of the hard work is paying off. The early mornings, extra yardage, vacation practices and tough workouts are definitely working.”
Personal records set Saturday include:
•Alex Hentenaar, 100 and 200 free;
•Caitlin Connell, 50 and 200 free;
•Litke, 200 individual medley (new school record which also lowered her state qualifying time, 500 free, new school record and state qualifying time):
•Skyler Lowe , 50 and 100 free;
•Anna Dean, 50 free;
•Elizabeth Mattison, 50 free and 100 breaststroke;
•Clara Moody, 50 free;
•Jake Hester, 100 free and 100 back;
•Jared Glenn, 100 breaststroke;
•Girls 200 medley relay, Litke, Megan Greene, Moody and Dean, new school record.
The work ethic of the swimmers is something Blevins is extremely proud of.
“I know that I was worried about leaving the prestige of practicing in the UGA pool and having access to the Athens-Bulldog Swim Club (ABSC) coaches, but seeing the success of each of these swimmers assure me that we have come together as a team and have found our own success,” Blevins said. “I am most proud of the overtime work that Alex Hentenaar and Brittany Litke are putting in. Each is practicing with the Doggs and with their respective club teams. Several days, Alex and Brittany practice twice. Having each of them continue to swim their personal bests at meets is a testament to their hard work and sacrifice.
The holiday break is going to give the WBHS swimmers a reprive, but not much.
The team members are set to practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the first two weeks of the break and then will be back to our regular schedule starting Jan. 5.
“I am still looking forward to more good things to come from this team,” Blevins said. “In January, we have four regular meets left. Brittany is looking to lower her state qualifying times, the boys and girls relay teams are seeking initial state qualifying times, several swimmers are eyeing school records and each one is looking forward to continuing to swim personal bests.”
