Commerce’s Susan Spikes nabbed a second-place finish in the Super Pro division during Saturday racing action at Atlanta Dragway.
Spikes, driving a 2001 Undercover, fell in the finals to Buford’s Dylan Coggins.
Coggins, in his second final in two weeks, got the win with a slightly better reaction time than Spikes. Coggins dialed in a 4.86 and ran a 4.870 at 140.36 mph and a 0.014 reaction. Susan Spikes dialed in a 5.03 and ran a 5.042 ET at 137.25 mph and a 0.032 reaction.
Spikes beat Hoschton’s Justin Belfanco in his 1968 Camaro in the semifinals.
In other racing action, Commerce’s Calvin Boyer, driving a 1983 Malibu, lost in the Pro division semifinals to Will Spear, who went on to lose in the finals.
Other Sports
Davidson, Ackerman lead Tiger Sharks to high finish at state
The Commerce Tiger Sharks finished the 2019 summer swim season on a strong note.
The Tiger Sharks, with its 25 swimmers, finished third overall in the 2019 GRPA Class C State Swim Meet.
Samantha Davidson (15-18) led the way for the Tiger Sharks by scoring 27 team points across five events. She had three wins individually (50-yard freestyle, 25.25 seconds; 50-yard backstroke, 29.20; 50-yard butterfly, 27.57) and two wins with the 200-yard medley relay (Davidson, Anna Wynne, Reagan Duke and Katherine Garrison) and the 200-yard freestyle relay team (Davidson, Duke, Garrison, Wynne).
Austin Ackerman (13-14) was right behind Davidson in points with 25 team points. Ackerman scored two wins (50-yard breaststroke, 31.59; 100-yard individual medley, 1:03.16). He also scored a second-place finish in the 50-yard backstroke and on the 200-yard medley relay squad (Ackerman, William Suber, Drew Cameron and Jack Friedman) plus the 200-yard freestyle squad (Ackerman, Cameron, Friedman, Suber).
Anna Wynne (15-18) scored 24 team points. Wynne captured two wins (50-yard breaststroke, 34.49; 100-yard individual medley, 1:08.74) to go along with relay wins. She also had a third-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle.
The girls' 7-8 100-yard freestyle relay team (Rylee Ashton, Elliott Jones, Kennedy Grace Totherow and Stacey McKinney) finished first, as well as the mixed 11-12 200-yard freestyle relay team (Lilianna Sears, Courtney Cameron, Camden and Cooper Moulton).
Other top finishers at state include:
SECOND PLACE
Cooper Moulton (9-10): 25-yard breaststroke (21.66), 25-yard backstroke (20.34), 100-yard individual medley (1:36.84)
Zoey Zellner (9-10): 25-yard backstroke (20.19), 25-yard butterfly (17.20)
Reagan Duke (13-14): 50-yard backstroke (32.37)
Stacey McKinney (7-8): 25-yard backstroke (24.15)
Kennedy Grace Totherow (7-8): 50-yard freestyle (47.83)
Madalyn Sears (9-10): 50-yard freestyle (35.45)
Camden Moulton (11-12): 100-yard freestyle (1:16)
Dalty Friedman (13-14): 100-yard freestyle (1:07.79)
Girls' 9-10 100-yard medley relay team and 100-yard freestyle relay team (Nataly Calderon, Ruby Garcia, Madalyn Sears and Zoey Zellner)
THIRD PLACE
Reagan Duke (13-14): 50-yard butterfly, 50-yard freestyle
Jack Friedman (15-18): 100-yard freestyle
Dalty Friedman (13-14): 100-yard individual medley
Courtney Cameron (11-12): 100-yard individual medley
Zoey Zellner (9-10): 100-yard individual medley
Stacey McKinney (7-8): 100-yard individual medley
Rylee Ashton (7-8): 25-yard breaststroke
The Tiger Sharks, with its 25 swimmers, finished third overall in the 2019 GRPA Class C State Swim Meet.
Samantha Davidson (15-18) led the way for the Tiger Sharks by scoring 27 team points across five events. She had three wins individually (50-yard freestyle, 25.25 seconds; 50-yard backstroke, 29.20; 50-yard butterfly, 27.57) and two wins with the 200-yard medley relay (Davidson, Anna Wynne, Reagan Duke and Katherine Garrison) and the 200-yard freestyle relay team (Davidson, Duke, Garrison, Wynne).
Austin Ackerman (13-14) was right behind Davidson in points with 25 team points. Ackerman scored two wins (50-yard breaststroke, 31.59; 100-yard individual medley, 1:03.16). He also scored a second-place finish in the 50-yard backstroke and on the 200-yard medley relay squad (Ackerman, William Suber, Drew Cameron and Jack Friedman) plus the 200-yard freestyle squad (Ackerman, Cameron, Friedman, Suber).
Anna Wynne (15-18) scored 24 team points. Wynne captured two wins (50-yard breaststroke, 34.49; 100-yard individual medley, 1:08.74) to go along with relay wins. She also had a third-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle.
The girls' 7-8 100-yard freestyle relay team (Rylee Ashton, Elliott Jones, Kennedy Grace Totherow and Stacey McKinney) finished first, as well as the mixed 11-12 200-yard freestyle relay team (Lilianna Sears, Courtney Cameron, Camden and Cooper Moulton).
Other top finishers at state include:
SECOND PLACE
Cooper Moulton (9-10): 25-yard breaststroke (21.66), 25-yard backstroke (20.34), 100-yard individual medley (1:36.84)
Zoey Zellner (9-10): 25-yard backstroke (20.19), 25-yard butterfly (17.20)
Reagan Duke (13-14): 50-yard backstroke (32.37)
Stacey McKinney (7-8): 25-yard backstroke (24.15)
Kennedy Grace Totherow (7-8): 50-yard freestyle (47.83)
Madalyn Sears (9-10): 50-yard freestyle (35.45)
Camden Moulton (11-12): 100-yard freestyle (1:16)
Dalty Friedman (13-14): 100-yard freestyle (1:07.79)
Girls' 9-10 100-yard medley relay team and 100-yard freestyle relay team (Nataly Calderon, Ruby Garcia, Madalyn Sears and Zoey Zellner)
THIRD PLACE
Reagan Duke (13-14): 50-yard butterfly, 50-yard freestyle
Jack Friedman (15-18): 100-yard freestyle
Dalty Friedman (13-14): 100-yard individual medley
Courtney Cameron (11-12): 100-yard individual medley
Zoey Zellner (9-10): 100-yard individual medley
Stacey McKinney (7-8): 100-yard individual medley
Rylee Ashton (7-8): 25-yard breaststroke
Brad Akins YMCA swimmers place in state recreation meet
A handful of Brad Akins YMCA Barracudas placed and scored points in the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) state swim meet, held July 19-20 at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center in Canton.
Ryleigh Tooke notched the highest place for the Barrow County team, taking third in the 50-yard butterfly in the girls’ 15-18-year-old division.
Tooke was also part of the girls’ 18U 200-yard medley relay team that finished sixth.
Other relay team members included Jordan Sorah, Savannah Stanish and Abby Lammers.
Spencer Smith finished in the boys’ 18U 50-yard breastroke, while Lizzie Wald finished seventh in both the girls’ 8U 25-yard breaststroke and 25-yard backstroke.
The boys’ 12U 200-yard medley relay team of Gavin Cannon, Dalton Kay, Anthony Morera and Stephen Wald finished sixth, while the girls’ 10U 100-yard medley relay team of Abigail Hamilton, London O’Toole, Peyton Gober and Marissa Mahaffey finished sixth.
Also competing in various events at the state meet were:
•Lizzie Wald in the 25-yard butterfly.
•Gober in the 50-yard freestyle, 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard butterfly.
•Mahaffey in the 25-yard breaststroke and 100-yard individual medley.
•London O’Toole in the girls’ 9-10 50-yard freestyle and 25-yard breaststroke.
•Isabella Morera in the girls’ 7-8 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard butterfly.
•Benjamin Wald in the boys’ 7-8, 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard backstroke.
•Connor Herring in the boys’ 9-10 25-yard breaststroke and 25-yard butterfly.
•Stephen Wald in the 100-yard freestyle, 50-yard breaststroke and 100-yard individual medley.
•Caleb Wald in the boys’ 13-14 100-yard freestyle.
•Kay in the 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard breaststroke and 50-yard backstroke.
•Cannon in the 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard backstroke and 50-yard butterfly.
•Tooke in the 100-yard individual medley and 50-yard backstroke.
•Smith in the 100-yard individual medley and 50-yard backstroke.
•Stanish in the 50-yard backstroke.
•Anthony Morera in the 50-yard butterfly.
Ryleigh Tooke notched the highest place for the Barrow County team, taking third in the 50-yard butterfly in the girls’ 15-18-year-old division.
Tooke was also part of the girls’ 18U 200-yard medley relay team that finished sixth.
Other relay team members included Jordan Sorah, Savannah Stanish and Abby Lammers.
Spencer Smith finished in the boys’ 18U 50-yard breastroke, while Lizzie Wald finished seventh in both the girls’ 8U 25-yard breaststroke and 25-yard backstroke.
The boys’ 12U 200-yard medley relay team of Gavin Cannon, Dalton Kay, Anthony Morera and Stephen Wald finished sixth, while the girls’ 10U 100-yard medley relay team of Abigail Hamilton, London O’Toole, Peyton Gober and Marissa Mahaffey finished sixth.
Also competing in various events at the state meet were:
•Lizzie Wald in the 25-yard butterfly.
•Gober in the 50-yard freestyle, 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard butterfly.
•Mahaffey in the 25-yard breaststroke and 100-yard individual medley.
•London O’Toole in the girls’ 9-10 50-yard freestyle and 25-yard breaststroke.
•Isabella Morera in the girls’ 7-8 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard butterfly.
•Benjamin Wald in the boys’ 7-8, 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard backstroke.
•Connor Herring in the boys’ 9-10 25-yard breaststroke and 25-yard butterfly.
•Stephen Wald in the 100-yard freestyle, 50-yard breaststroke and 100-yard individual medley.
•Caleb Wald in the boys’ 13-14 100-yard freestyle.
•Kay in the 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard breaststroke and 50-yard backstroke.
•Cannon in the 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard backstroke and 50-yard butterfly.
•Tooke in the 100-yard individual medley and 50-yard backstroke.
•Smith in the 100-yard individual medley and 50-yard backstroke.
•Stanish in the 50-yard backstroke.
•Anthony Morera in the 50-yard butterfly.
Sea Dragons take home plenty of hardware at state
Jefferson showed up on the podium in droves at the state recreation swimming meet.
In 74 events, the Sea Dragons recorded 10 individual or relay titles with three state records broken at the July 12-13 event in Tifton. The program also had 64 placers finish in the top eight or reach the finals.
Jefferson’s girls’ team finished second to Douglas County (no final point totals were available) as the summer swimming season wrapped up.
“Everyone worked so hard and raced hard,” coach Tess Nunnally said. “They swam with heart for themselves and for Jefferson.”
In the competition for the girls’ state team title, Douglas County beat Jefferson based on the sheer numbers the team had. The suburban Atlanta program doubled the number of girls’ state qualifiers the Sea Dragons had in Tifton.
“Our district, District 7 is the strongest district in the state with Oconee, Habersham and Jefferson,” Nunnally explained. “Ultimately, we knock a lot of each other’s quality swimmers out vying for one of the top 3 spots in events to move onto state. Therefore, our three teams usually take 40-50 swimmers each down to state. Well this year, Douglas owns their district and brought over 110 swimmers to state. Last year, our girls were a half point from winning state. This year, we were second place once again to Douglas but by far more points due to the numbers they brought.”
“I am still proud of our girls bringing home second place overall in the state,” Nunnally said. “We definitely have the quality to win state but not the quantity.”
Jefferson did boast a host of state title winners, nonetheless.
Ansley Nunnally (12U girls) won three individual state titles (50-yard butterfly, 50-yard backstroke and 100-yard individual medley) and was part of two record-setting relay championship teams. Nunnally also set a state record in the 50-yard butterfly with a time of 28.4. She swam times of 30.97 and 1:05.95, respectively, in the backstroke and individual medley.
Kate Dunagan (12U girls) won a pair of state titles (50-yard freestyle, 27.2; 100-yard freestyle, 58.2) and helped deliver record times for two championship-winning relay teams.
The record-setting relay championships came from Nunnally, Dunagan, Aubree-Clare Flores and Ximena Young in the 200-yard medley relay (2:06.86) and 200-yard freestyle relay (1:51.53). The medley record was 19 years old while the freestyle record was 26 years old. The Jefferson relay team bettered the state freestyle relay mark by over two seconds.
Others bringing home titles were Gabby Lee (10U girls’ 25-yard backstroke, 17.3), Justin Duke (12U boys’ 50-yard backstroke, 33.2) and Justin Kurgan (12U boys’ 50-yard breaststroke, 39.09).
“Our boys were also amazing at state this year,” Nunnally said. “We had two boy champions which is amazing.”
RUNNERS-UP
In addition to 10 state champions, Jefferson produced nine state runners-up. Those swimmers were:
•Duke (12U boys) — 100-yard freestyle, 1:04.67.
•Emery Whetstone, Spencer Cain, Blakely Hawk and Jillian Mundy (8U girls) — 100-yard medley relay, 1:31.52; 100-yard freestyle relay, 1:20.23.
•William Allen, Corbin Hobbs, Will Nunally and Thomas James (10U boys) — 100-yard medley relay, 1:15.11.
•Justin Duke, Justin Kurgan, Cayden Sheridan and Eben Mundy (12U boys) — 200-yard medley relay, 2:22.53.
•Gracie Holman, Makaylee Cain, Grace Richardson and Katy J. Beller (14U girls) — 200-yard medley relay, 2:13.44; 200-yard freestyle relay, 2:01.62.
•Parker Newell (8U boys) — 100-yard individual medley, 1:55.65.
•Aubree-Clare Flores (12U girls) — 50-yard backstroke, 32.76.
Newell barely missed a state title in his first-ever state meet, finishing in second by less than six tenths of a second
THIRD-PLACE
Those finishing third were:
•Haylee Cain (10U girls) — 50-yard freestyle, 32.55.
•English Wyatt (8U boys) — 25-yard breaststroke, 23.95.
•Dunagan (12U girls) — 100-yard individual medley, 1:12.51.
•Mundy (8U girls) — 25-yard butterfly, 20.77.
•Lee, Sofia Burns, Kerrigan Vaughn and Haylee Cain (10U girls) — 100-yard freestyle relay, 1:02.25.
•Sheridan, Munday, Kurgan and Duke (12U boys) — 200-yard freestyle relay, 2:05.5.
Jefferson also had nine fourth-place finishers, six fifth-place finishers, nine sixth-place finishers, seven seventh-place finishers and eight eighth-place finishers.
Nunnally said 8U girls’ swimmers Hawk (sixth, 25-yard breaststroke, 25.11) and Leila Yang (fourth, 25-yard backstroke, 22.05) “were also amazing to watch at their first state meet,” as the two reached the finals of their individual events.
Nunnally pointed to the long-term objectives of the program following its efforts at this year’s state meet.
“Our goal for the future is to work on getting more swimmers and talent in our older age groups and more male swimmers,” Nunnally said. “Hopefully, soon, we will have a facility to house more swimmers where we don’t have to turn swimmers away because we can’t accommodate them in our current facility and with our current staff limitations.”
In 74 events, the Sea Dragons recorded 10 individual or relay titles with three state records broken at the July 12-13 event in Tifton. The program also had 64 placers finish in the top eight or reach the finals.
Jefferson’s girls’ team finished second to Douglas County (no final point totals were available) as the summer swimming season wrapped up.
“Everyone worked so hard and raced hard,” coach Tess Nunnally said. “They swam with heart for themselves and for Jefferson.”
In the competition for the girls’ state team title, Douglas County beat Jefferson based on the sheer numbers the team had. The suburban Atlanta program doubled the number of girls’ state qualifiers the Sea Dragons had in Tifton.
“Our district, District 7 is the strongest district in the state with Oconee, Habersham and Jefferson,” Nunnally explained. “Ultimately, we knock a lot of each other’s quality swimmers out vying for one of the top 3 spots in events to move onto state. Therefore, our three teams usually take 40-50 swimmers each down to state. Well this year, Douglas owns their district and brought over 110 swimmers to state. Last year, our girls were a half point from winning state. This year, we were second place once again to Douglas but by far more points due to the numbers they brought.”
“I am still proud of our girls bringing home second place overall in the state,” Nunnally said. “We definitely have the quality to win state but not the quantity.”
Jefferson did boast a host of state title winners, nonetheless.
Ansley Nunnally (12U girls) won three individual state titles (50-yard butterfly, 50-yard backstroke and 100-yard individual medley) and was part of two record-setting relay championship teams. Nunnally also set a state record in the 50-yard butterfly with a time of 28.4. She swam times of 30.97 and 1:05.95, respectively, in the backstroke and individual medley.
Kate Dunagan (12U girls) won a pair of state titles (50-yard freestyle, 27.2; 100-yard freestyle, 58.2) and helped deliver record times for two championship-winning relay teams.
The record-setting relay championships came from Nunnally, Dunagan, Aubree-Clare Flores and Ximena Young in the 200-yard medley relay (2:06.86) and 200-yard freestyle relay (1:51.53). The medley record was 19 years old while the freestyle record was 26 years old. The Jefferson relay team bettered the state freestyle relay mark by over two seconds.
Others bringing home titles were Gabby Lee (10U girls’ 25-yard backstroke, 17.3), Justin Duke (12U boys’ 50-yard backstroke, 33.2) and Justin Kurgan (12U boys’ 50-yard breaststroke, 39.09).
“Our boys were also amazing at state this year,” Nunnally said. “We had two boy champions which is amazing.”
RUNNERS-UP
In addition to 10 state champions, Jefferson produced nine state runners-up. Those swimmers were:
•Duke (12U boys) — 100-yard freestyle, 1:04.67.
•Emery Whetstone, Spencer Cain, Blakely Hawk and Jillian Mundy (8U girls) — 100-yard medley relay, 1:31.52; 100-yard freestyle relay, 1:20.23.
•William Allen, Corbin Hobbs, Will Nunally and Thomas James (10U boys) — 100-yard medley relay, 1:15.11.
•Justin Duke, Justin Kurgan, Cayden Sheridan and Eben Mundy (12U boys) — 200-yard medley relay, 2:22.53.
•Gracie Holman, Makaylee Cain, Grace Richardson and Katy J. Beller (14U girls) — 200-yard medley relay, 2:13.44; 200-yard freestyle relay, 2:01.62.
•Parker Newell (8U boys) — 100-yard individual medley, 1:55.65.
•Aubree-Clare Flores (12U girls) — 50-yard backstroke, 32.76.
Newell barely missed a state title in his first-ever state meet, finishing in second by less than six tenths of a second
THIRD-PLACE
Those finishing third were:
•Haylee Cain (10U girls) — 50-yard freestyle, 32.55.
•English Wyatt (8U boys) — 25-yard breaststroke, 23.95.
•Dunagan (12U girls) — 100-yard individual medley, 1:12.51.
•Mundy (8U girls) — 25-yard butterfly, 20.77.
•Lee, Sofia Burns, Kerrigan Vaughn and Haylee Cain (10U girls) — 100-yard freestyle relay, 1:02.25.
•Sheridan, Munday, Kurgan and Duke (12U boys) — 200-yard freestyle relay, 2:05.5.
Jefferson also had nine fourth-place finishers, six fifth-place finishers, nine sixth-place finishers, seven seventh-place finishers and eight eighth-place finishers.
Nunnally said 8U girls’ swimmers Hawk (sixth, 25-yard breaststroke, 25.11) and Leila Yang (fourth, 25-yard backstroke, 22.05) “were also amazing to watch at their first state meet,” as the two reached the finals of their individual events.
Nunnally pointed to the long-term objectives of the program following its efforts at this year’s state meet.
“Our goal for the future is to work on getting more swimmers and talent in our older age groups and more male swimmers,” Nunnally said. “Hopefully, soon, we will have a facility to house more swimmers where we don’t have to turn swimmers away because we can’t accommodate them in our current facility and with our current staff limitations.”
Local racers get wins at Atlanta Dragway
Commerce, Homer and Jefferson were all represented well during the July 13 Summit ET event at Atlanta Dragway.
Susan Spikes (Commerce), Jody Blalock Sr. (Commerce), Cooper Hancock (Homer) and Shannon Blanton (Jefferson) brought home first-place finishes.
Spikes took first in the super pro series. It was her third race win of the season. She defeated Don Brown Jr. in the finals with a speed of 134.86 MPH. Debbie Blanton of Jefferson finished in the semifinals of the event. Spikes defeated Debbie Blanton to reach the finals.
In the pro series, Blalock Sr. took down Robby Nelson in the finals. It was Blalock's second win of the season. He clocked a speed of 97.55 MPH in the finals. Blalock defeated Matt Ward to reach the finals.
Hancock scored his fourth win of the season in the 5-9 junior dragster division. Hancock, 9, clocked a speed of 52.70 MPH in the finals to defeat Aaron Kennedy of Winder. Hancock defeated Ava Ward in the semifinals.
Shannon Blanton defeated Alayna Carden to win in the 10-12 junior dragster division. It was Shannon Blanton's first win of the year. She ran 66.98 MPH.
Other Winners
James Noel took first in sportsman division. It was his second win of the year. He defeated Dickey Forrester in the finals.
In the junior street division, Jayton Duggar got his first win in his third-ever race. Duggar defeated Jacob Wilson in the finals to claim his first crown.
Tim Sutton took first in the super pro bike series. Sutton defeated Ken Ford in the finals.
The last junior dragster division (13-17) saw Jacob Wilson take the win. He defeated Hayden Wilson in the finals for the win.
Susan Spikes (Commerce), Jody Blalock Sr. (Commerce), Cooper Hancock (Homer) and Shannon Blanton (Jefferson) brought home first-place finishes.
Spikes took first in the super pro series. It was her third race win of the season. She defeated Don Brown Jr. in the finals with a speed of 134.86 MPH. Debbie Blanton of Jefferson finished in the semifinals of the event. Spikes defeated Debbie Blanton to reach the finals.
In the pro series, Blalock Sr. took down Robby Nelson in the finals. It was Blalock's second win of the season. He clocked a speed of 97.55 MPH in the finals. Blalock defeated Matt Ward to reach the finals.
Hancock scored his fourth win of the season in the 5-9 junior dragster division. Hancock, 9, clocked a speed of 52.70 MPH in the finals to defeat Aaron Kennedy of Winder. Hancock defeated Ava Ward in the semifinals.
Shannon Blanton defeated Alayna Carden to win in the 10-12 junior dragster division. It was Shannon Blanton's first win of the year. She ran 66.98 MPH.
Other Winners
James Noel took first in sportsman division. It was his second win of the year. He defeated Dickey Forrester in the finals.
In the junior street division, Jayton Duggar got his first win in his third-ever race. Duggar defeated Jacob Wilson in the finals to claim his first crown.
Tim Sutton took first in the super pro bike series. Sutton defeated Ken Ford in the finals.
The last junior dragster division (13-17) saw Jacob Wilson take the win. He defeated Hayden Wilson in the finals for the win.
YOUTH SWIMMING: Jefferson girls seek state title in Tifton
The Jefferson girls’ youth swimming team missed out on a state title by half a point last year, but they aim to break through that ceiling this weekend.
The Sea Dragons will compete at the state meet in Tifton this Friday and Saturday
Jefferson’s girls have dominated the regular-season schedule but will have to out-swim top competitors like Douglas County and Tift County at state to bring home a long-awaited championship.
“They usually have a dominant force with their (age) 13-18 girls,” coach Tess Nunnally said of both those teams. “We are a little light in those age groups, but the ones we have will fight hard. We look to win state with our girls’ team. We were a half a point short last year. We have numerous girls that can win state titles and break state records this year. It will be very interesting in Tifton this week.”
The Sea Dragons, fresh off their sixth-straight league championship, will travel with 46 swimmers this weekend between their girls’ and boys’ programs. Those swimmers will compete in a total of 53 individual events and 21 relays.
“We are looking for a lot of spectacular things to happen down there this weekend,” Nunnally said.
SEA DRAGONS WIN
ANOTHER LEAGUE TITLE
For the sixth-straight year, Jefferson took the top spot in the 15-team North Georgia Swim League. With 80 swimmers participating, the Sea Dragons picked up 679.5 points, 138.5 points ahead of second-place Dacula. Jefferson’s girls’ team earned 510.5 of those points.
The meet was separated into two days and two locations. The Sea Dragons sat in sixth place after Friday’s session in Gainesville before a huge Saturday in the pool in Habersham County to deliver the win.
“Our swimmers came in and rocked it by beating anyone they could to score points for the team,” Nunnally said. “We had many swimmers come from the slower heats to place (in the) top 8 for our team. Every single one of our swimmers contributed points whether on a relay or individually. I could not be more proud as a coach to see these athletes come together for each other and fight till the end.”
Nunnally said her team has some “amazing talent” across all age divisions.
“Many of the swimmers see that hard work, practice and determination pays off,” she said. “These swimmers have bright futures ahead in this sport.”
TOP-THREE FINISHERS
Those finishing in the top three of their division at the league meet based on their combined point total were:
•Sawyer Cain, champion, 6U girls.
•Jillian Mundy, third, 8U girls.
•Gabby Lee, third, 10U girls.
•Haylee Cain, second, 10U girls.
•Ansley Nunnally, second, 12U girls.
•Kate Dunagan, third, 12U girls.
•Justin Duke, second, 12U boys.
Jefferson swimmers winning events were:
•Kenlee Wheaton, Khloe Vaughn, Avery Sheridan and Sawyer Cain, 6U girls’ freestyle relay (1:41.61).
•Sawyer Cain, 6U girls’ 25-yard freestyle relay (21.61); 25-yard backstroke (24.84).
•Jillian Mundy, 8U 25-yard butterfly (24.42).
•Gabby Lee, Sofia Burns, Haylee Cain and Kerigan Vaughn, 10U girls’ medley and freestyle relays (1:15.98 medley relay /1:06.14 freestyle).
•Gabby Lee, 10U girls’ 25-yard backstroke (17.93).
•Haylee Cain, 10U girls’ 100-yard individual medley (1:25.71); 25-yard butterfly (16.58).
•Ansley Nunnally, 12U girls’ 50-yard freestyle (27.22); 50-yard backstroke (30.54).
•Justin Duke, 12U boys’ 50-yard freestyle (29.35); 50-yard backstroke (34.25).
•Ximena Young, Jessica Beller, Ansley Nunnally and Kate Dunagan, 12U girls’ 200-yard medley and freestyle relays (2:31.13 medley/ 1:58.89 freestyle).
•Grace Richardson, Makaylee Cain, Madelyn English and Georgia Griffin, 14U girls’ 200-yard medley and freestyle relays (2:20.71 medley/2:07.92 freestyle)
OTHER TOP FINISHERS
Other swimmers placing in the top eight in multiple events were Kenlee Wheaton (6U girls), Khloe Vaughn (6U girls), Avery Sheridan (6U girls), Blakely Hawk (8U girls), Emery Whetstone (8U girls), Wyatt English (10U boys), Sofia Burns (10U girls), Kerrigan Vaughn (10U girls), William Allen (10U boys) Will Nunnally (10U boys) Jessica Beller (12U girls), Ximena Young (12U girls), Cayden Sheridan (12U girls), Justin Kurgan (12U boys), Grace Richardson (14U girls) and Makaylee Cain (14U girls).
The Sea Dragons will compete at the state meet in Tifton this Friday and Saturday
Jefferson’s girls have dominated the regular-season schedule but will have to out-swim top competitors like Douglas County and Tift County at state to bring home a long-awaited championship.
“They usually have a dominant force with their (age) 13-18 girls,” coach Tess Nunnally said of both those teams. “We are a little light in those age groups, but the ones we have will fight hard. We look to win state with our girls’ team. We were a half a point short last year. We have numerous girls that can win state titles and break state records this year. It will be very interesting in Tifton this week.”
The Sea Dragons, fresh off their sixth-straight league championship, will travel with 46 swimmers this weekend between their girls’ and boys’ programs. Those swimmers will compete in a total of 53 individual events and 21 relays.
“We are looking for a lot of spectacular things to happen down there this weekend,” Nunnally said.
SEA DRAGONS WIN
ANOTHER LEAGUE TITLE
For the sixth-straight year, Jefferson took the top spot in the 15-team North Georgia Swim League. With 80 swimmers participating, the Sea Dragons picked up 679.5 points, 138.5 points ahead of second-place Dacula. Jefferson’s girls’ team earned 510.5 of those points.
The meet was separated into two days and two locations. The Sea Dragons sat in sixth place after Friday’s session in Gainesville before a huge Saturday in the pool in Habersham County to deliver the win.
“Our swimmers came in and rocked it by beating anyone they could to score points for the team,” Nunnally said. “We had many swimmers come from the slower heats to place (in the) top 8 for our team. Every single one of our swimmers contributed points whether on a relay or individually. I could not be more proud as a coach to see these athletes come together for each other and fight till the end.”
Nunnally said her team has some “amazing talent” across all age divisions.
“Many of the swimmers see that hard work, practice and determination pays off,” she said. “These swimmers have bright futures ahead in this sport.”
TOP-THREE FINISHERS
Those finishing in the top three of their division at the league meet based on their combined point total were:
•Sawyer Cain, champion, 6U girls.
•Jillian Mundy, third, 8U girls.
•Gabby Lee, third, 10U girls.
•Haylee Cain, second, 10U girls.
•Ansley Nunnally, second, 12U girls.
•Kate Dunagan, third, 12U girls.
•Justin Duke, second, 12U boys.
Jefferson swimmers winning events were:
•Kenlee Wheaton, Khloe Vaughn, Avery Sheridan and Sawyer Cain, 6U girls’ freestyle relay (1:41.61).
•Sawyer Cain, 6U girls’ 25-yard freestyle relay (21.61); 25-yard backstroke (24.84).
•Jillian Mundy, 8U 25-yard butterfly (24.42).
•Gabby Lee, Sofia Burns, Haylee Cain and Kerigan Vaughn, 10U girls’ medley and freestyle relays (1:15.98 medley relay /1:06.14 freestyle).
•Gabby Lee, 10U girls’ 25-yard backstroke (17.93).
•Haylee Cain, 10U girls’ 100-yard individual medley (1:25.71); 25-yard butterfly (16.58).
•Ansley Nunnally, 12U girls’ 50-yard freestyle (27.22); 50-yard backstroke (30.54).
•Justin Duke, 12U boys’ 50-yard freestyle (29.35); 50-yard backstroke (34.25).
•Ximena Young, Jessica Beller, Ansley Nunnally and Kate Dunagan, 12U girls’ 200-yard medley and freestyle relays (2:31.13 medley/ 1:58.89 freestyle).
•Grace Richardson, Makaylee Cain, Madelyn English and Georgia Griffin, 14U girls’ 200-yard medley and freestyle relays (2:20.71 medley/2:07.92 freestyle)
OTHER TOP FINISHERS
Other swimmers placing in the top eight in multiple events were Kenlee Wheaton (6U girls), Khloe Vaughn (6U girls), Avery Sheridan (6U girls), Blakely Hawk (8U girls), Emery Whetstone (8U girls), Wyatt English (10U boys), Sofia Burns (10U girls), Kerrigan Vaughn (10U girls), William Allen (10U boys) Will Nunnally (10U boys) Jessica Beller (12U girls), Ximena Young (12U girls), Cayden Sheridan (12U girls), Justin Kurgan (12U boys), Grace Richardson (14U girls) and Makaylee Cain (14U girls).
YOUTH SWIMMING: Davidson wins 3 league titles for Tiger Sharks
Samantha Davidson competed in four individual events during the first day of the North Georgia Swim League Championship meet. Her average finish was 1.25.
Davidson claimed three league titles at Frances Meadows Aquatic Center in Gainesville. During the two-day event with day two being in Habersham County, the Commerce Tiger Shark swim teams combined to score 138 points and finish 10th out of 15 teams.
Davidson (18U girls) won the 50-yard freestyle (25.27 seconds), 50-yard backstroke (28.84 seconds) and 50-yard butterfly (27.06 seconds). She finished second in the 50-yard breaststroke and her efforts helped lead the girl Tiger Sharks to a seventh-place finish in the league. The team scored 92 points.
Davidson wasn’t the only swimmer to claim an individual title. Austin Ackerman (14U boys) won the 100-yard individual medley (1:02.58). Ackerman finished second in the 50-yard breaststroke, third in the 50-yard backstroke and fourth in the 100-yard freestyle.
The boys’ team scored 46 points and finished 11th in the league. Fifteen teams competed. The state meet is next Friday and Saturday at Fort Oglethorpe.
Other top finishers for the Tiger Sharks include:
•Girls’ 100-yard freestyle relay (10U-Madalyn Sears, Ruby Garcia, Nataly Calderon and Zoey Zellner), second
•Courtney Cameron (12U girls), third in the 50-yard breaststroke
•Girls’ 100-yard medley relay (10U-Calderon, Sears, Zellner and Garcia), third
•Cooper Moulton (10U boys), fourth in the 25-yard breaststroke and 25-yard backstroke; fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and 25-yard butterfly
•Zoey Zellner (10U girls), fourth in the 25-yard butterfly; fifth in the 100-yard individual medley; eighth in the 25-yard backstroke
•Girls’ 200-yard medley relay (18U-Samantha Davidson, Courtney Cameron, Gracie Brown and Katherine Garrison), fifth
•Girls’ 200-yard freestyle relay (18U-Garrison, Cameron, Brown and Davidson), sixth
•Gracie Brown (14U girls), seventh in the 50-yard backstroke
Gavin Haley (8U boys), eighth in the 25-yard breaststroke
Davidson claimed three league titles at Frances Meadows Aquatic Center in Gainesville. During the two-day event with day two being in Habersham County, the Commerce Tiger Shark swim teams combined to score 138 points and finish 10th out of 15 teams.
Davidson (18U girls) won the 50-yard freestyle (25.27 seconds), 50-yard backstroke (28.84 seconds) and 50-yard butterfly (27.06 seconds). She finished second in the 50-yard breaststroke and her efforts helped lead the girl Tiger Sharks to a seventh-place finish in the league. The team scored 92 points.
Davidson wasn’t the only swimmer to claim an individual title. Austin Ackerman (14U boys) won the 100-yard individual medley (1:02.58). Ackerman finished second in the 50-yard breaststroke, third in the 50-yard backstroke and fourth in the 100-yard freestyle.
The boys’ team scored 46 points and finished 11th in the league. Fifteen teams competed. The state meet is next Friday and Saturday at Fort Oglethorpe.
Other top finishers for the Tiger Sharks include:
•Girls’ 100-yard freestyle relay (10U-Madalyn Sears, Ruby Garcia, Nataly Calderon and Zoey Zellner), second
•Courtney Cameron (12U girls), third in the 50-yard breaststroke
•Girls’ 100-yard medley relay (10U-Calderon, Sears, Zellner and Garcia), third
•Cooper Moulton (10U boys), fourth in the 25-yard breaststroke and 25-yard backstroke; fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and 25-yard butterfly
•Zoey Zellner (10U girls), fourth in the 25-yard butterfly; fifth in the 100-yard individual medley; eighth in the 25-yard backstroke
•Girls’ 200-yard medley relay (18U-Samantha Davidson, Courtney Cameron, Gracie Brown and Katherine Garrison), fifth
•Girls’ 200-yard freestyle relay (18U-Garrison, Cameron, Brown and Davidson), sixth
•Gracie Brown (14U girls), seventh in the 50-yard backstroke
Gavin Haley (8U boys), eighth in the 25-yard breaststroke
Jefferson youth swimmers qualify for 53 individual, 21 relay spots at state
The Jefferson swimming program hopes the district meet is a sign of things to come at state.
The Sea Dragons racked up over the weekend in Habersham County, earning 53 individual and 21 relay-team qualifying spots to the July 12-13 state meet in Tifton.
The top three individuals and relay teams in each event secured a spot at the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state meet in Tifton.
“We should have a great showing down in Tifton,” coach Tess Nunnally said. “We are looking at having multiple state titles brought home from our swimmers.”
Before swimming at state, Jefferson will compete in the North Georgia Swim League meet Friday and Saturday. The 12U girls, 14U boys and girls and 18U boys and girls will swim Friday in Gainesville, while all 6U, 8U and 10U competitors and the 12U boys will compete Saturday in Habersham County.
At district, the Jefferson girls’ team won the team title with 564 points, while the boys placed third in their division (344 points).
Justin Duke, Gabby Lee, Kate Dunagan and Ansley Nunnally are among the swimmers who will be a top seed entering the state meet. Meanwhile, Jefferson’s 12U girls’ 200-yard freestyle relay team of Kate Dunagan, Aubree-Clare Flores, Ximena Young and Ansley Nunnally smashed a 26-year-old state record in that event at the district meet with a time of 1:52.41. The record, however, is only official if achieved at a state meet, so the group will have to better that mark in Tifton to earn that distinction. That same group of four also seeks to set the state mark in the 12U girls’ 200-yard medley relay. The team is less than a second away from breaking that record.
Individually, Duke and Ansley Nunnally picked up three district titles each. Duke secured two more team records in the 100-yard freestyle and 50-yard backstroke.
“These two will definitely be ones to watch,” coach Nunnally said.
Meanwhile, multiple Jefferson swimmers qualified in the maximum number of events allowed at state (three individual, two relays). That group consists of Haylee Cain, Lee, Dunagan, Ansley Nunnally, Flores, Grace Richardson, Will Nunnally, Duke and Justin Kurgan.
“Words can’t express how proud I am of each of the swimmers that swam this past week,” coach Nunnally said. “It is a privilege and honor to be able to coach such a wonderful group of athletes.”
Those qualifying for the state meet were:
•Jillian Mundy (8U girls) — second, 50-yard freestyle, 44.63; second, 25-yard butterfly, 23.8.
•Blakey Hawk (8U girls) — third, 25-yard breaststroke, 26.45.
•Leila Yang (8U girls) — first, 25-yard backstroke, 22.09; second, 25-yard freestyle, 20.12.
•Parker Newell (8U boys) — second, 100-yard individual medley, 2:03.57, third, 25-yard backstroke, 24.71.
•Wyatt English (8U boys) — third, 25-yard breaststroke, 26.23.
•Sofia Burns (10U girls) — second, 25-yard breaststroke, 21.44; third, 25-yard backstroke, 18.85.
•Kerrigan Vaughn (10U girls) — third, 100-yard individual medley, 1:33.47.
•Haylee Cain (10U girls) — second, 50-yard freestyle, 33.55; second, 100-yard individual medley, 1:29.9; third, 25-yard butterfly, 17.76
•Gabby Lee (10U girls) — third, 50-yard freestyle, 34.06; second, 25-yard freestyle, 15.43; first, 25-yard backstroke, 18.20.
•William Allen (10U boys) — second, 50-yard freestyle, 35.63; third, 25-yard backstroke, 20.61.
•Will Nunnally (10U boys) — third, 50-yard freestyle, 37.65; second, 100-yard individual medley, 1:42.27; third, 25-yard butterfly, 19.56.
•Corbin Hobbs (10U boys) — third, 25-yard breaststroke, 21.58; third, 100-yard individual medley, 1:42.40.
•Ansley Nunnally (12U girls) — first, 100-yard individual medley, 1:07.56; first, 50-yard butterfly, 29.29; first, 50-yard backstroke, 30.47.
•Kate Dunagan (12U girls) — first, 100-yard freestyle, 59.71; second, 100-yard individual medley, 1:12.09; second, 50-yard freestyle, 28.11.
•Aubree Clare Flores (12U girls) — third, 100-yard freestyle, 1:01.21; second, 50-yard backstroke, 31.77; third, 50-yard butterfly, 32.03.
•Ximena Young (12U girls) — third, 50-yard backstroke, 34.32.
•Jessica Beller (12U girls) — third, 50-yard breaststroke, 39.66.
•Justin Duke (12U boys) — first, 100-yard freestyle, 1:05.34; first, 50-yard freestyle, 29.33; first, 50-yard backstroke, 33.76.
•Justin Kurgan (12U boys) — first, 50-yard breaststroke, 41.51; second, 100-yard individual medley, 1:24.75; third, 50-yard butterfly, 38.28.
•Cayden Sheridan (12U boys) — third, 50-yard freestyle, 31.27; second, 50-yard butterfly, 35.56.
•Eben Mundy (12U boys) — third, 50-yard breaststroke, 42.96.
•Grace Richardson (14U girls) — third, 50-yard freestyle, 29.32; second, 50-yard backstroke, 32.41; second, 50-yard butterfly, 31.24.
•Katy Joy Beller (14U girls) — second, 100-yard individual medley, 1:14.24; second, 50-yard breaststroke, 39.48.
•Makaylee Cain (14U girls) — third, 50-yard breaststroke, 41.41.
•Macie Payridge (18U girls) — third, 50-yard breaststroke, 40.19.
•Christian Honeycutt (18U boys) — third, 50-yard breaststroke, 32.95.
•Tanner Brownell (18U boys) — third, 100-yard individual medley, 1:03.79.
•8U girls’ 100-yard medley and freestyle relays (Emery Whetstone, Spencer Cain, Blakey Hawk, and Jillian Mundy), first in both, 1:36.64 (medley)/1:25.95 (freestyle).
•8U girls’ B 100-yard medley relay (Jazlyn Rakestraw, Carter Varnedoe, Leila Yang and Reese Newell), second, 2:15.18.
•8U boys’ 100-yard medley and freestyle relays (Grant Holman, Parker Newell, Wyatt Dunagan and Caz Weldon), third in both, 1.49.22 (medley)/1:36.93 (freestyle).
•10U girls’ 100-yard medley and freestyle relays (Gabby Lee, Sofia Burns, Kerrigan Vaughn and Haylee Cain), first in both, 1:12.25 (medley)/1:05.74 (freestyle).
•10U boys’ 100-yard medley and freestyle relays earned (William Allen, Corbin Hobbs, Will Nunnally and Thomas James), second in both, 1:21.90 (medley)/1:11.42 (freestyle).
•12U girls’ 200-yard medley and freestyle relays (Aubree-Clare Flores, Ansley Nunnally, Ximena Young and Kate Dunagan), first in both, 2:07.38 (medley)/1:52.41 (freestyle)
•12U boys’ 200-yard relay (Justin Duke, Justin Kurgan, Cayden Sheridan and Eben Mundy), first, freestyle (2:12.11); second, medley (2:29.6).
•12U 200-yard mixed relays (Walker Holman, Jessica Beller, Anna Beth Camden and Rishav Rajabiden), first, freestyle (2:16.62); second, medley (2:39.2).
•14U girls’ 200-yard medley and freestyle relays (Gracie Holman, Katy Joy Beller, Grace Richardson and Makaylee Cain), first in both, 2:18.55 (medley)/2:05.05 (freestyle).
•14U mixed 200-yard medley and freestyle relays (Garrett Isaacs, Georgia Griffin, Madelyn English and Decator Dunagan), third in both, 2:51.5 (medley)/2:29.56 (freestyle).
•18U mixed 200-yard medley (Macie Payridge, Brandon Hailey, Christian Honeycutt and Kylee Novicki), second, freestyle (1:52.96); third, medley (2:14.07).
The Sea Dragons racked up over the weekend in Habersham County, earning 53 individual and 21 relay-team qualifying spots to the July 12-13 state meet in Tifton.
The top three individuals and relay teams in each event secured a spot at the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state meet in Tifton.
“We should have a great showing down in Tifton,” coach Tess Nunnally said. “We are looking at having multiple state titles brought home from our swimmers.”
Before swimming at state, Jefferson will compete in the North Georgia Swim League meet Friday and Saturday. The 12U girls, 14U boys and girls and 18U boys and girls will swim Friday in Gainesville, while all 6U, 8U and 10U competitors and the 12U boys will compete Saturday in Habersham County.
At district, the Jefferson girls’ team won the team title with 564 points, while the boys placed third in their division (344 points).
Justin Duke, Gabby Lee, Kate Dunagan and Ansley Nunnally are among the swimmers who will be a top seed entering the state meet. Meanwhile, Jefferson’s 12U girls’ 200-yard freestyle relay team of Kate Dunagan, Aubree-Clare Flores, Ximena Young and Ansley Nunnally smashed a 26-year-old state record in that event at the district meet with a time of 1:52.41. The record, however, is only official if achieved at a state meet, so the group will have to better that mark in Tifton to earn that distinction. That same group of four also seeks to set the state mark in the 12U girls’ 200-yard medley relay. The team is less than a second away from breaking that record.
Individually, Duke and Ansley Nunnally picked up three district titles each. Duke secured two more team records in the 100-yard freestyle and 50-yard backstroke.
“These two will definitely be ones to watch,” coach Nunnally said.
Meanwhile, multiple Jefferson swimmers qualified in the maximum number of events allowed at state (three individual, two relays). That group consists of Haylee Cain, Lee, Dunagan, Ansley Nunnally, Flores, Grace Richardson, Will Nunnally, Duke and Justin Kurgan.
“Words can’t express how proud I am of each of the swimmers that swam this past week,” coach Nunnally said. “It is a privilege and honor to be able to coach such a wonderful group of athletes.”
Those qualifying for the state meet were:
•Jillian Mundy (8U girls) — second, 50-yard freestyle, 44.63; second, 25-yard butterfly, 23.8.
•Blakey Hawk (8U girls) — third, 25-yard breaststroke, 26.45.
•Leila Yang (8U girls) — first, 25-yard backstroke, 22.09; second, 25-yard freestyle, 20.12.
•Parker Newell (8U boys) — second, 100-yard individual medley, 2:03.57, third, 25-yard backstroke, 24.71.
•Wyatt English (8U boys) — third, 25-yard breaststroke, 26.23.
•Sofia Burns (10U girls) — second, 25-yard breaststroke, 21.44; third, 25-yard backstroke, 18.85.
•Kerrigan Vaughn (10U girls) — third, 100-yard individual medley, 1:33.47.
•Haylee Cain (10U girls) — second, 50-yard freestyle, 33.55; second, 100-yard individual medley, 1:29.9; third, 25-yard butterfly, 17.76
•Gabby Lee (10U girls) — third, 50-yard freestyle, 34.06; second, 25-yard freestyle, 15.43; first, 25-yard backstroke, 18.20.
•William Allen (10U boys) — second, 50-yard freestyle, 35.63; third, 25-yard backstroke, 20.61.
•Will Nunnally (10U boys) — third, 50-yard freestyle, 37.65; second, 100-yard individual medley, 1:42.27; third, 25-yard butterfly, 19.56.
•Corbin Hobbs (10U boys) — third, 25-yard breaststroke, 21.58; third, 100-yard individual medley, 1:42.40.
•Ansley Nunnally (12U girls) — first, 100-yard individual medley, 1:07.56; first, 50-yard butterfly, 29.29; first, 50-yard backstroke, 30.47.
•Kate Dunagan (12U girls) — first, 100-yard freestyle, 59.71; second, 100-yard individual medley, 1:12.09; second, 50-yard freestyle, 28.11.
•Aubree Clare Flores (12U girls) — third, 100-yard freestyle, 1:01.21; second, 50-yard backstroke, 31.77; third, 50-yard butterfly, 32.03.
•Ximena Young (12U girls) — third, 50-yard backstroke, 34.32.
•Jessica Beller (12U girls) — third, 50-yard breaststroke, 39.66.
•Justin Duke (12U boys) — first, 100-yard freestyle, 1:05.34; first, 50-yard freestyle, 29.33; first, 50-yard backstroke, 33.76.
•Justin Kurgan (12U boys) — first, 50-yard breaststroke, 41.51; second, 100-yard individual medley, 1:24.75; third, 50-yard butterfly, 38.28.
•Cayden Sheridan (12U boys) — third, 50-yard freestyle, 31.27; second, 50-yard butterfly, 35.56.
•Eben Mundy (12U boys) — third, 50-yard breaststroke, 42.96.
•Grace Richardson (14U girls) — third, 50-yard freestyle, 29.32; second, 50-yard backstroke, 32.41; second, 50-yard butterfly, 31.24.
•Katy Joy Beller (14U girls) — second, 100-yard individual medley, 1:14.24; second, 50-yard breaststroke, 39.48.
•Makaylee Cain (14U girls) — third, 50-yard breaststroke, 41.41.
•Macie Payridge (18U girls) — third, 50-yard breaststroke, 40.19.
•Christian Honeycutt (18U boys) — third, 50-yard breaststroke, 32.95.
•Tanner Brownell (18U boys) — third, 100-yard individual medley, 1:03.79.
•8U girls’ 100-yard medley and freestyle relays (Emery Whetstone, Spencer Cain, Blakey Hawk, and Jillian Mundy), first in both, 1:36.64 (medley)/1:25.95 (freestyle).
•8U girls’ B 100-yard medley relay (Jazlyn Rakestraw, Carter Varnedoe, Leila Yang and Reese Newell), second, 2:15.18.
•8U boys’ 100-yard medley and freestyle relays (Grant Holman, Parker Newell, Wyatt Dunagan and Caz Weldon), third in both, 1.49.22 (medley)/1:36.93 (freestyle).
•10U girls’ 100-yard medley and freestyle relays (Gabby Lee, Sofia Burns, Kerrigan Vaughn and Haylee Cain), first in both, 1:12.25 (medley)/1:05.74 (freestyle).
•10U boys’ 100-yard medley and freestyle relays earned (William Allen, Corbin Hobbs, Will Nunnally and Thomas James), second in both, 1:21.90 (medley)/1:11.42 (freestyle).
•12U girls’ 200-yard medley and freestyle relays (Aubree-Clare Flores, Ansley Nunnally, Ximena Young and Kate Dunagan), first in both, 2:07.38 (medley)/1:52.41 (freestyle)
•12U boys’ 200-yard relay (Justin Duke, Justin Kurgan, Cayden Sheridan and Eben Mundy), first, freestyle (2:12.11); second, medley (2:29.6).
•12U 200-yard mixed relays (Walker Holman, Jessica Beller, Anna Beth Camden and Rishav Rajabiden), first, freestyle (2:16.62); second, medley (2:39.2).
•14U girls’ 200-yard medley and freestyle relays (Gracie Holman, Katy Joy Beller, Grace Richardson and Makaylee Cain), first in both, 2:18.55 (medley)/2:05.05 (freestyle).
•14U mixed 200-yard medley and freestyle relays (Garrett Isaacs, Georgia Griffin, Madelyn English and Decator Dunagan), third in both, 2:51.5 (medley)/2:29.56 (freestyle).
•18U mixed 200-yard medley (Macie Payridge, Brandon Hailey, Christian Honeycutt and Kylee Novicki), second, freestyle (1:52.96); third, medley (2:14.07).
Tiger Sharks qualify 26 for state
For the Commerce Tiger Sharks, Saturday's GRPA District 7 meet had a lot to be celebrated.
The Tiger Sharks won both the boys' and girls' Class C districts. The two teams combined took down Lumpkin County. Even more impressive, though, all 26 Tiger Sharks who attempted to qualify for state made it through.
Recreation swim coach Nick Moulton said it is the largest state-qualifying group the Tiger Sharks have had in over 20 years.
"It feels like we are just starting to dig in and get conditioned," Moulton said. "Our kids have been working hard at practice. Most of them are swimming between 4,000-5,000 yards a day, and it’s starting to pay off.
"We are looking forward to carrying our momentum into league championships this weekend. Then we will finally be able to start preparing for state."
The league championships begin this Friday in Gainesville and carry into Saturday in Habersham County.
The girls' team scored 471 points to beat Lumpkin County by 224 points. The lady Tiger Sharks had 28 first-place finishes.
The Tigers Sharks edged out Lumpkin County 219-191. The Tiger Sharks had 16 first-place finishes. The top three from each event qualified for state.
First-place finishes for Commerce in Class C include:Girls' 7-8 (50-yard freestyle) Kennedy Grace Totherow, 54.59
Boys' 7-8 (50-yard freestyle) Gavin Haley, 1:04.68
Girls' 10U (50-yard freestyle) Madalyn Sears, 37.76
Boys' 12U (100-yard freestyle) Camden Moulton, 1:24.38
Girls' 14U (100-yard freestyle) Dalty Friedman, 1:12.98
Girls' 18U (100-yard freestyle) Anna Wynn, 1:03.88
Boys' 18U (100-yard freestyle) Jack Friedman, 56.92
Girls' 10U (100-yard medley relay) Ruby Garcia, Madalyn Sears, Zoey Zellner and Nataly Calderon, 1:32.25
Mixed 12U (200-yard medley relay) Cooper Moulton, Courtney Cameron, Lilianna Sears and Camden Moulton, 2:40.74
Girls' 18U (200-yard medley relay) Reagan Duke, Anna Wynn, Samantha Davidson and Katherine Garrison, 2:10.51
Boys' 18U (200-yard medley relay) Austin Ackerman, Drew Cameron, William Suber and Jack Friedman, 2:09.28
Boys' 7-8 (25-yard freestyle) Gavin Haley, 26.74
Girls' 10U (25-yard freestyle) Ruby Garcia, 19.61
Girls' 14U (50-yard freestyle) Reagan Duke, 30.06
Boys' 14U (50-yard freestyle) Drew Cameron, 36.70
Girls' 18U (50-yard freestyle) Samantha Davidson, 26.28
Boys' 18U (50-yard freestyle) Jack Friedman, 25.84
Boys' 7-8 (25-yard breaststroke) Gavin Haley, 37.28
Girls' 10U (25-yard breaststroke) Madalyn Sears, 27.37
Boys' 10U (25-yard breaststroke) Cooper Moulton, 23.16
Girls' 12U (50-yard breaststroke) Courtney Cameron, 40.42
Boys' 14U (50-yard breaststroke) Austin Ackerman, 32.47
Girls' 18U (50-yard breaststroke) Anna Wynn, 35.79
Boys' 18U (50-yard breaststroke) William Suber, 34.51
Girls' 10U (100-yard individual medley) Zoey Zellner, 1:33.28
Girls' 12U (100-yard individual medley) Courtney Cameron, 1:25.16
Girls' 14U (100-yard individual medley) Dalty Friedman, 1:26.88
Boys' 14U (100-yard individual medley) Austin Ackerman, 1:02.77
Girls' 18U (100-yard individual medley) Anna Wynn, 1:12.73
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard backstroke) Stacey McKinney, 26.22
Girls' 10U (25-yard backstroke) Zoey Zellner, 22.04
Boys' 10U (25-yard backstroke) Cooper Moulton, 20.25
Girls' 12U (50-yard backstroke) Courtney Cameron, 39.67
Girls' 14U (50-yard backstroke) Reagan Duke, 34.37
Boys' 14U (50-yard backstroke) Austin Ackerman, 30.31
Girls' 18U (50-yard backstroke) Samantha Davidson, 29.53
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard butterfly) Rylee Ashton, 34.84
Girls' 10U (25-yard butterfly) Zoey Zellner, 18:09
Girls' 14U (50-yard butterfly) Reagan Duke, 33.62
Girls' 18U (50-yard butterfly) Samantha Davidson, 28.54
Boys' 18U (50-yard butterfly) Jack Friedman, 28.95
Girls' 7-8 (100-yard freestyle relay) Rylee Ashton, Elliot Jones, Kennedy Totherow and Stacey McKinney, 1:47.95
Girls' 10U (100-yard freestyle relay) Madalyn Sears, Nataly Calderon, Ruby Garcia and Zoey Zellner, 1:18.99
Mixed 12U (200-yard freestyle relay) Lilianna Sears, Cooper Moulton, Camden Moulton and Courtney Cameron, 2:29.44
Girls' 18U (200-yard freestyle relay) Reagan Duke, Katherine Garrison, Anna Wynn and Samantha Davidson, 1:57.58
Boys' 18U (200-yard freestyle relay) William Suber, Drew Cameron, Austin Ackerman and Jackson Friedman, 1:55.97
Other top finishers from Class C and qualifying for state include:
Girls' 7-8 (50-yard freestyle) Rylee Ashton, second
Girls' 10U (50-yard freestyle) Ruby Garcia and Nataly Calderon, second and third
Girls' 12U (100-yard freestyle) Lilianna Sears, second
Girls' 18U (100-yard freestyle) Katherine Garrison, third
Boys' 18U (100-yard freestyle) William Suber, third
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard freestyle) Stacey McKinney, second
Girls' 10U (25-yard freestyle) Nataly Calderon, third
Girls' 12U (50-yard freestyle) Lilianna Sears, second
Boys' 12U (50-yard freestyle) Camden Moulton and Taylor Haley, second and third
Girls' 14U (50-yard freestyle) Gracie Brown, second
Girls' 18U (50-yard freestyle) Katherine Garrison, second
Boys' 18U (50-yard freestyle) William Suber, second
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard breaststroke) Rylee Ashton, second
Boys' 14U (50-yard breaststroke) Drew Cameron, second
Girls' 7-8 (100-yard individual medley) Stacey McKinney, second
Boys' 10U (100-yard individual medley) Cooper Moulton, second
Girls' 14U (100-yard individual medley) Gracie Brown, second
Girls' 18U (100-yard individual medley) Katherine Garrison, third
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard backstroke) Kennedy Totherow, third
Girls' 10U (25-yard backstroke) Madalyn Sears and Ruby Garcia, second and third
Boys' 12U (50-yard backstroke) Camden Moulton, third
Girls' 14U (50-yard backstroke) Gracie Brown and Hope Reynolds, second and third
Boys' 14U (50-yard backstroke) Drew Cameron, second
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard butterfly) Kennedy Totherow, second
Girls' 10U (25-yard butterfly) Nataly Calderon, second
Girls' 12U (50-yard butterfly) Lilianna Sears, third
Girls' 14U (50-yard butterfly) Dalty Friedman and Hope Reynolds, second and third
The Tiger Sharks won both the boys' and girls' Class C districts. The two teams combined took down Lumpkin County. Even more impressive, though, all 26 Tiger Sharks who attempted to qualify for state made it through.
Recreation swim coach Nick Moulton said it is the largest state-qualifying group the Tiger Sharks have had in over 20 years.
"It feels like we are just starting to dig in and get conditioned," Moulton said. "Our kids have been working hard at practice. Most of them are swimming between 4,000-5,000 yards a day, and it’s starting to pay off.
"We are looking forward to carrying our momentum into league championships this weekend. Then we will finally be able to start preparing for state."
The league championships begin this Friday in Gainesville and carry into Saturday in Habersham County.
The girls' team scored 471 points to beat Lumpkin County by 224 points. The lady Tiger Sharks had 28 first-place finishes.
The Tigers Sharks edged out Lumpkin County 219-191. The Tiger Sharks had 16 first-place finishes. The top three from each event qualified for state.
First-place finishes for Commerce in Class C include:Girls' 7-8 (50-yard freestyle) Kennedy Grace Totherow, 54.59
Boys' 7-8 (50-yard freestyle) Gavin Haley, 1:04.68
Girls' 10U (50-yard freestyle) Madalyn Sears, 37.76
Boys' 12U (100-yard freestyle) Camden Moulton, 1:24.38
Girls' 14U (100-yard freestyle) Dalty Friedman, 1:12.98
Girls' 18U (100-yard freestyle) Anna Wynn, 1:03.88
Boys' 18U (100-yard freestyle) Jack Friedman, 56.92
Girls' 10U (100-yard medley relay) Ruby Garcia, Madalyn Sears, Zoey Zellner and Nataly Calderon, 1:32.25
Mixed 12U (200-yard medley relay) Cooper Moulton, Courtney Cameron, Lilianna Sears and Camden Moulton, 2:40.74
Girls' 18U (200-yard medley relay) Reagan Duke, Anna Wynn, Samantha Davidson and Katherine Garrison, 2:10.51
Boys' 18U (200-yard medley relay) Austin Ackerman, Drew Cameron, William Suber and Jack Friedman, 2:09.28
Boys' 7-8 (25-yard freestyle) Gavin Haley, 26.74
Girls' 10U (25-yard freestyle) Ruby Garcia, 19.61
Girls' 14U (50-yard freestyle) Reagan Duke, 30.06
Boys' 14U (50-yard freestyle) Drew Cameron, 36.70
Girls' 18U (50-yard freestyle) Samantha Davidson, 26.28
Boys' 18U (50-yard freestyle) Jack Friedman, 25.84
Boys' 7-8 (25-yard breaststroke) Gavin Haley, 37.28
Girls' 10U (25-yard breaststroke) Madalyn Sears, 27.37
Boys' 10U (25-yard breaststroke) Cooper Moulton, 23.16
Girls' 12U (50-yard breaststroke) Courtney Cameron, 40.42
Boys' 14U (50-yard breaststroke) Austin Ackerman, 32.47
Girls' 18U (50-yard breaststroke) Anna Wynn, 35.79
Boys' 18U (50-yard breaststroke) William Suber, 34.51
Girls' 10U (100-yard individual medley) Zoey Zellner, 1:33.28
Girls' 12U (100-yard individual medley) Courtney Cameron, 1:25.16
Girls' 14U (100-yard individual medley) Dalty Friedman, 1:26.88
Boys' 14U (100-yard individual medley) Austin Ackerman, 1:02.77
Girls' 18U (100-yard individual medley) Anna Wynn, 1:12.73
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard backstroke) Stacey McKinney, 26.22
Girls' 10U (25-yard backstroke) Zoey Zellner, 22.04
Boys' 10U (25-yard backstroke) Cooper Moulton, 20.25
Girls' 12U (50-yard backstroke) Courtney Cameron, 39.67
Girls' 14U (50-yard backstroke) Reagan Duke, 34.37
Boys' 14U (50-yard backstroke) Austin Ackerman, 30.31
Girls' 18U (50-yard backstroke) Samantha Davidson, 29.53
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard butterfly) Rylee Ashton, 34.84
Girls' 10U (25-yard butterfly) Zoey Zellner, 18:09
Girls' 14U (50-yard butterfly) Reagan Duke, 33.62
Girls' 18U (50-yard butterfly) Samantha Davidson, 28.54
Boys' 18U (50-yard butterfly) Jack Friedman, 28.95
Girls' 7-8 (100-yard freestyle relay) Rylee Ashton, Elliot Jones, Kennedy Totherow and Stacey McKinney, 1:47.95
Girls' 10U (100-yard freestyle relay) Madalyn Sears, Nataly Calderon, Ruby Garcia and Zoey Zellner, 1:18.99
Mixed 12U (200-yard freestyle relay) Lilianna Sears, Cooper Moulton, Camden Moulton and Courtney Cameron, 2:29.44
Girls' 18U (200-yard freestyle relay) Reagan Duke, Katherine Garrison, Anna Wynn and Samantha Davidson, 1:57.58
Boys' 18U (200-yard freestyle relay) William Suber, Drew Cameron, Austin Ackerman and Jackson Friedman, 1:55.97
Other top finishers from Class C and qualifying for state include:
Girls' 7-8 (50-yard freestyle) Rylee Ashton, second
Girls' 10U (50-yard freestyle) Ruby Garcia and Nataly Calderon, second and third
Girls' 12U (100-yard freestyle) Lilianna Sears, second
Girls' 18U (100-yard freestyle) Katherine Garrison, third
Boys' 18U (100-yard freestyle) William Suber, third
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard freestyle) Stacey McKinney, second
Girls' 10U (25-yard freestyle) Nataly Calderon, third
Girls' 12U (50-yard freestyle) Lilianna Sears, second
Boys' 12U (50-yard freestyle) Camden Moulton and Taylor Haley, second and third
Girls' 14U (50-yard freestyle) Gracie Brown, second
Girls' 18U (50-yard freestyle) Katherine Garrison, second
Boys' 18U (50-yard freestyle) William Suber, second
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard breaststroke) Rylee Ashton, second
Boys' 14U (50-yard breaststroke) Drew Cameron, second
Girls' 7-8 (100-yard individual medley) Stacey McKinney, second
Boys' 10U (100-yard individual medley) Cooper Moulton, second
Girls' 14U (100-yard individual medley) Gracie Brown, second
Girls' 18U (100-yard individual medley) Katherine Garrison, third
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard backstroke) Kennedy Totherow, third
Girls' 10U (25-yard backstroke) Madalyn Sears and Ruby Garcia, second and third
Boys' 12U (50-yard backstroke) Camden Moulton, third
Girls' 14U (50-yard backstroke) Gracie Brown and Hope Reynolds, second and third
Boys' 14U (50-yard backstroke) Drew Cameron, second
Girls' 7-8 (25-yard butterfly) Kennedy Totherow, second
Girls' 10U (25-yard butterfly) Nataly Calderon, second
Girls' 12U (50-yard butterfly) Lilianna Sears, third
Girls' 14U (50-yard butterfly) Dalty Friedman and Hope Reynolds, second and third
New Barrow County high school to offer ‘limited’ number of sports
The Barrow County School System’s third high school will offer a limited number of athletic programs when it opens at the start of the 2020-21 school year.
The school, which has been commonly referred to as Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy though a name hasn’t been formalized yet, is “considering athletic programs such as cross country, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, golf, tennis and dance,” according to a newsletter published last week. The school also anticipates offering One Act Play, E-sports and literary competition through the Georgia High School Association. Final decisions will be based on student interest, and students will indicate what athletics and extra-curricular activities they are interested in when they submit their applications for the school this fall, according to the newsletter.
The school will not be zoned for attendance but will be one of “choice.” The first phase is estimated to have a capacity of around 700 students, school officials have said. The application window is scheduled for Oct. 15 through Nov. 15.
The school does not plan to offer football, basketball or baseball/softball. School system officials have held talks with the GHSA about allowing students to play football and possibly others at the high school in their home zone, but the GHSA has been resistant to the idea, superintendent Chris McMichael has said.
Other than a small gymnasium, the school will not have its own athletic facilities and instead plans to utilize facilities around the county. That could include future multipurpose fields that will be part of Victor Lord Park when its expansion is completed next year.
Because the enrollment of the school is not yet known, it’s not yet clear what that would mean for Apalachee and Winder-Barrow high schools as well as the new school for GHSA classification purposes. The GHSA is entering its fourth and final year of the current alignment and will finalize its classification for 2020-21 and 2021-22 early next year. Apalachee and Winder-Barrow are currently in Class AAAAAA.
Those with questions about the new school are directed to email principal Dale Simpson at dale.simpson@barrow.k12.ga.us. The school also has a website at http://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/basa/.
The school, which has been commonly referred to as Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy though a name hasn’t been formalized yet, is “considering athletic programs such as cross country, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, golf, tennis and dance,” according to a newsletter published last week. The school also anticipates offering One Act Play, E-sports and literary competition through the Georgia High School Association. Final decisions will be based on student interest, and students will indicate what athletics and extra-curricular activities they are interested in when they submit their applications for the school this fall, according to the newsletter.
The school will not be zoned for attendance but will be one of “choice.” The first phase is estimated to have a capacity of around 700 students, school officials have said. The application window is scheduled for Oct. 15 through Nov. 15.
The school does not plan to offer football, basketball or baseball/softball. School system officials have held talks with the GHSA about allowing students to play football and possibly others at the high school in their home zone, but the GHSA has been resistant to the idea, superintendent Chris McMichael has said.
Other than a small gymnasium, the school will not have its own athletic facilities and instead plans to utilize facilities around the county. That could include future multipurpose fields that will be part of Victor Lord Park when its expansion is completed next year.
Because the enrollment of the school is not yet known, it’s not yet clear what that would mean for Apalachee and Winder-Barrow high schools as well as the new school for GHSA classification purposes. The GHSA is entering its fourth and final year of the current alignment and will finalize its classification for 2020-21 and 2021-22 early next year. Apalachee and Winder-Barrow are currently in Class AAAAAA.
Those with questions about the new school are directed to email principal Dale Simpson at dale.simpson@barrow.k12.ga.us. The school also has a website at http://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/basa/.
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