Gilmer Swim Team Excels at State Swim Meet: Two Individual Titles Earned

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The Gilmer County Swim Team traveled to Tifton, Georgia this past weekend, July 20th-21st, to compete in the GA State GRPA B/C Swimming Championship. The Team returned drenched in Medals, tying for 14th place overall, the best showing ever for the Gilmer County Swim Team.Payton Woodring earned the title of State Champion in the both the Girls 7-8 25 yd. Backstroke and 25 yd. Freestyle, the first two title champion from the Gilmer County Swim Team. Caleb Waddell narrowly missed two state titles by placing 2nd in both of his events, the Boys 9-10 50 yd. Freestyle and 25 yd. Freestyle. David Brown also narrowly missed a state title by placing 2nd in the 13-14 Boys 50 yd. Butterfly.

Payton Woodring Holding Her Two State Championship Medals
(Photo Courtesy of Larry Lykins)

Matthew Waddell (13-14 Boys age group) became the first swimmer from the Gilmer County Swim Team to place in the maximum number of events a swimmer is allowed to enter, 2 individual events and 2 relay events: 7th place, 100 yd. Freestyle; 7th place, 100 yd. Individual Medley; 6th place, 200 yd. Medley Relay; 7th place 200 yd. Freestyle Relay.

Gilmer County Swimmers who scored (top 8 in an event) at the meet were: Sarah Aaron, 13-14 Girls 100 yd. Freestyle, 6th place; Law Lykins, 7-8 boys, 8th place 50 yd. Freestyle and 7th place 25 yd. Freestyle; Olivia Lykins, 7-8 Girls, 7th place, 25 yd. Freestyle; Anna Waddell, 7-8 Girls, 7th place, 50 yd. Freestyle; Kaylin Woodring, 11-12 Girls, 100 yd. Individual Medley, 4th place.

The relay teams of the Gilmer County Swim Team had a strong showing at the meet: The 7-8 Girls 100 yd. Medley Relay of Olivia Lykins, Anna Waddell, Payton Woodring and Cadence Mohon placed 3rd; The 13-14 Boys Relays of Austin Watkins, Matthew Waddell, David Brown and Thomas Morales placed 6th in the 200 yd. Medley Relay and 7th in the 200 yd. Freestyle Relay.

The Gilmer County Swim Team was comprised of 54 swimmers this season, 35 of which qualified for the state swim meet, of which 31 participated. Head Coach Larry Lykins said

“for our team of our swimmers to win our League Championship Meet, and then go down to Tifton a week later and come away with 2 State Titles and a 14th place overall finish, is a testament to the to the hard work and dedication that each swimmer displayed this season.”

Lykins added,

“It is also a testament to the parents, swim team board, coaches (Jacob Mabry and Jennifer Mills) and the Park and Rec., because none of the kids’ success would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all those folks as well.”

The 2012 Swim Season is over for the Gilmer County Park and Rec. Swim Team, and it was the most successful yet. The team has plans for continued growth and success, if you have considered joining the team, the 2013 season will start immediately following the end of the 2012-2013 school year. Until then, just keep swimming.

Article Courtesy of Larry Lykins

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