Instead of programs, swim meet organizers distribute “heat sheets.” Dozens of names are printed under dozens more headings, which identify the order of events and corresponding heats in a competition.
Appearing this year for the first time are three athletes from “COM,” the label denoting Commerce High School. And while it might take fans time to find the team’s three swimmers in the sea of names listed, they are there, and they are proud.
“It feels pretty good. I’ve been waiting since I was a freshman to swim for my high school,” a beaming Hayden McRee said. “It feels really cool to be competing.”
Commerce participated in its second meet on Friday, one hosted by Chestatee High School at Gainesville’s Frances Meadows Aquatic Center.
McRee, the only girl on the team, earned second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:14.25) and sixth in the 50-yard freestyle (29.82).
Clay Pritchett finished second in the 100-yard butterfly (1:07.37) and fifth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:13.11). Dawson Knick placed fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:14.25) and 15th in the 50-yard freestyle (27.51).
Each swimmer improved their times, with Pritchett advancing eight seconds in the butterfly event. Knick and McRee, meanwhile, tackled new events on Friday, their second meet this season.
In their first outing last month, the swimmers also performed well finishing fifth or better in each of their races.
Because the Tigers are such a small group, there were few goals identified for their cumulative team results. Yet, their strong individual times have kept Commerce from placing last at either of its first two meets, coach Sara Massey said.
The unexpected achievement is a bonus for the juniors, who say they mainly concentrate on enjoying their competitive experience.
“I was a little nervous (at the first meet), didn’t know quite what to expect,” Pritchett said. “It’s more laid back than we thought it would be. We’re used to everyone screaming (when you’re in the water). It was kind of different.”
All three compete on club or recreation swim teams in Commerce or surrounding areas. Those involvements paved the way for a high school team to be created this season.
Principal Donnie Drew, who attended the meet Friday, presented a scaled back plan for a small swim team to the board of education a couple of months ago. The board agreed to the plan, which called for the school to assume transportation costs and a coaching stipend mainly. Parents agreed to cover the rest of the costs this year.
While the swimmers practice in the pool on their own, Massey conditions her team on “dry land,” with workouts encompassing bleacher runs, stomach crunches, pushups and more.
“They are great kids to work with. It makes my job a lot easier,” said Massey, whose own background includes competitive diving in high school and time as assistant coach at Oconee County High School. “They give it their all.”
Additionally, the coach provides feedback on individual races, charts her swimmers’ progress and handles the administrative aspects involved with meets.
All involved with the Tiger team anticipate the program will continue in the coming years with a number of middle school students active in the sport. Some of their peers have already asked what it’s like to swim for Commerce High, Knick said.
“We tell them we’re having fun,” he added. “It’s a good time and it’s a good experience.”
