Patch Athens, GA --On the final day of the final meet, when swimmers age 14 and under could obtain qualifying times for the upcoming state swim meet, Athens Bulldog Swim Club athletes huddled for a team cheer on the pool deck of Gainesville’s Frances Meadows Aquatic Center.
“Go, Dawgs!” rang out authoritatively minutes before the swimmers readied for their races at the Lanier February Invite this past weekend. Swim caps were donned, goggles were secured, and 22 athletes earned new state cuts.
Those achieving new state qualifying times included Caroline Allen, Anna Ash, Aidan Brook, Caedmon Churchwell, Fear Churchwell, Gunnar Churchwell, Wesley Cline, Olivia DellaTorre, Will Foggin, Anna Marie Garmon, Brynn Halbach, Gavin Jones, Siya Kannan, Charlie Logan, Elliott Martin, Kate Massey, Gracie Mauldin, Nick Mauldin, John Morgan McDonald, Macy Mullis, Dhruv Prakash and Felicia Pursner.
ABSC’s strong showing landed many swimmers in the top three berths in races in their respective age groups. These swimmers along with their number of first, second or third place finishes total were: Caroline Allen (2), Anna Ash (1), Aidan Brook (2), Caleb Camus (1), Mary Claire Cardwell (1), Fear Churchwell (3), Wesley Cline (2), Jacob Colquitt (5), Danielle DellaTorre (4), Gabbie Filipov (2), Cedar Hawks (2), Alex Hentenaar (1), Ian Hentenaar (2), Charlie Logan (3), Elliott Martin (2), Ellison Martin (5), Kate Massey (4), Lauren Massey (4), Gracie Mauldin (3), John Morgan McDonald (1), Macy Mullis (1), Camille Porter (2), Madison Rogan (1), Skylar Rogan (1), Abigail Weimer (8), Emily Weimer (4), Robert Wylie (3).
Some swimmers not seeking qualifying times competed in fewer races. There were also 14-year-olds at the high school state swim meet on Friday and Saturday who only attended the Lanier meet on Sunday.
Other swimmers displayed increased endurance and speed by cutting significant time from certain races. These athletes included Anna Ash (500 free, 200 IM, 200 fly and 200 free), Samuel Ash (200 IM, 200 free), Ansley Ayers (25 back), MacKenzie Baumgartner (100 IM, 50 breast), Sarah Blankenship (100 breast), Aidan Brook (1000 free), Caedmon Churchwell (200 back), Fear Churchwell (1000 free), Matthew Colquitt (100 breast), Brianna Dehring (100 back, 100 IM, 50 fly), Noel Dehring (50 fly, 100 back, 50 breast), Olivia DellaTorre (100 back), Anna Marie Garmon (200 fly), Ansley Halbach (25 fly), Gretchen Hinger (100 back, 50 breast), Kate Holbrook (1650 free), Lyndsey Kalessa (200 back), Siya Kannan (100 IM), Ava Kennedy (100 back, 50 free), Garrett Kennedy (100 IM, 25 breast), Charlie Logan (500 free), Henry Logan (100 IM), Kate Massey (200 back), Nick Mauldin (200 breast), John Morgan McDonald (1000 free), Marie Moore (200 IM, 500 free), Macy Mullis (100 fly), Maggy Payne (200 fly), Dhruv Prakash (500 free, 200 fly), Felicia Pursner (50 fly), Rebecca Pursner (100 IM, 25 fly, 50 fly, 25 back), Aisha Schulz (50 fly, 200 free) and Karen Zhao (50 fly).
Swimmers who maintained all personal best times over the course of two or more days of swimming at Lanier were Anna Ash, Jacob Colquitt, Olivia DellaTorre, Maddie Gist, Gretchen Hinger, Siya Kannan, Ava Kennedy, Felicia Pursner and Julianne Vogel.
Athletes showed seasonal improvement not only in posting numerous state qualifying times for the Georgia 14 & Under State Meet to be held February 22-24, but also in many personal best race times, good sportsmanship and team spirit.
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