23 Tiger Sharks Headed To State

Tiger Shark spirits were soaring as swimmer after swimmer emerged from the water with state qualifying times. Commerce excelled particularly in relay events, placing in nine different relays with several different age groups.

Head coach Pam Minish was jubilant regarding the success of her swimmers.

“We saw some excellent times,” said Minish. “The kids are so excited.”

The Tiger Sharks also had a great deal of individual success with Austin Ackerman, Lauren Massey, Kate Massey and Hayden McRee putting up first-place times in a multitude of events.

“We haven’t taken this many kids (to state) in a really long time,” said Minish. “I saw some times Saturday that could be really competitive at state. I’m really anxious and excited about getting there and getting it done.”

The Tiger Sharks will compete in the North Georgia Swim League Team Championship this weekend (Friday at Clarkesville, Saturday at Gainesville) before sending qualifying swimmers to the GRPA State Swim Meet in Tifton July 20-21.

State finalists include:

Boys 8-u: Austin Ackerman, first place, 25 freestyle (17.19) and first, 25 backstroke (21.45).

Girls 8-u: Lauren Massey, first, 100 individual medley (1:38.76) and first, 25 butterfly (19.78); Madison Epps, third, 25 backstroke (24.86); Lauren Massey, Madison Epps, Logan Collins and Ansley Ayers, second, 100 freestyle relay (1:26.01).

Girls 10-u: Samantha Davidson, first, 25 freestyle (15.01).

Girls 12-u: Kennedy Smith, third, 100 freestyle (1:10.70); Kate Massey, first, 100 individual medley (1:10.37) and first, 50 butterfly (30.76); Kennedy Smith, Kate Massey, McKenzie McRee and Kaylee Vandiver, second, 200 medley relay (2:17.90); and Kennedy Smith, Kate Massey, McKenzie McRee and Kyla McCook, second, 200 freestyle relay (2:06.64).

Girls 14-u: Kendall Moon, second, 50 breaststroke (37.91) and second, 50 backstroke (32.79); Anna Hardy, second, 50 freestyle (28.96); Kendall Moon, Anna Hardy, Jessie Pritchett and Ashley Harold, second, 200 medley relay (2:18.04) and second, freestyle relay (2:02.06).

Boys 18-u: Jonathan Book, second, 100 freestyle (53.16) and third, 50 freestyle (23.93); Dalton Dean, second, 50 backstroke (28.58), Dawson Knick, second, 50 breaststroke (32.15); Jonathan Book, Dalton Dean, Daw;on Knick and Clay Pritchett, second, 200 medley relay (1:50.59) and third, freestyle relay (1:42.14).

Girls 18-u: Hayden McRee, first, 100 individual medley (1:11.36) and second, 50 breaststroke (36.92); Hayden Mcree, Hannah McRee, Emmie Burley and Allison Blatchford, second, 200 medley relay (2:18.04) and second, 200 freestyle relay (2:02.92).