During the GA 14&U Long Course State Championship Gilmer County resident, nine year old Payton Woodring, swam in nine events for 10&U and placed in the Top five for six of the nine events. Payton competes with Carpet Capital Aquatic Club in Dalton, GA. The team is a US Swimming club that competes year round in the Short Course, 25 yard events, and Long Course, 50 meter events. The CCAC team sent 14 children and their Coach, Jason Meszaros, to Savannah for the four day competition, July18-21.

Payton swam in nine total events in the 10&under category over the weekend. Payton was able to set personal best times in seven of the nine events that she swam. In sx of her events she finished in the top five for nine year olds and the top 30 overall for the 10&under events
.
Her best event was the 100 meter Backstroke where she finished 2nd for the nine year olds and 13th overall. Her time was a personal best at 1:27.34 minutes, which was a 2.04 second drop from her previous best time.

Payton swam and qualified for the Eastern Section Southern Zone Championship in March 2014 in North Carolina. United States Swimming is divided into four zones.

The Eastern Section of the Southern Zone is made up of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi and the Southeastern group (Tennessee, Alabama and the Florida panhandle).

(Submitted by Mark & Amy Woodring)