The swim team recently wrapped up another wonderful season. After all the meets together the swimmers were able to improve their times greatly, and even move on to longer events like the 500 yard. The team might be small, but as they take on each season together they not only have a chance to expand their talents, but also the bond they share. Together the swimmers were able to place well in many events, and even have all 7 make it to the finals this year.
In early November the season launched off with a meet at Dalton. The swim team competed against Dalton and Pickens. Sophomore Lily Marshall, senior Jaslin Pack, senior Mariana Easley, and junior Anna Bradford all competed in the relay. Together they won 1st in 100 breast and 3rd in 50 free. Jaslin Pack placed 3rd in the 100 breast. Senior McKinley Pepper placed 1st in the 100 back. Later, at the start of December, the team took on a meet against Adairsville. senior Levi Cragle placed 1st in the 500 free and 2nd in 200 IM. Coach Johnston said, “Levi was a consistent point scorer for us, because he likes to swim those long events. He got really good at it.” Along with Cragle, Easley placed 1st in 100 Breast. Pack placed 2nd in 50 free. Lastly, Bradford placed 3rd in 100 free. Two weeks later the swim team went on to the Dalton Invitational. Out of over 100 swimmers, all of the Heritage swimmers qualified for finals. The swimmers continued to their next meet at Calhoun. The girls relay—including Pack, Marshall, Easley, and Bradford— finished 9th in free relay and 10th in Medley Relay. Easley placed 5th in the 100 breast and 11th in 50 free. Pack placed 14th in 100 free. Pack was noticed by her teammate, Lily Marshall, for being “a team player” and someone who “puts everybody in a good mood and never has a negative attitude.” The swim season eventually came to an end after their last meet at Dalton for Regions. Lily Marshall said, “It was sentimental to see our seniors leave.” At Dalton, the girls ended up placing 4th in the free relay. Levi Cragle also dropped 5 seconds on his 500 yard freestyle. The girls overall scored 98 points while the boys scored a total of 33 points, giving the team an ending score of 131 points.
Looking back over the season, “The kids we have all improved on their times from the start of the season to the end. That is exactly what you want to see as a coach,” said Coach Johnston. “Watching the team grow closer together, supporting each other, and being genuinely interested in each other’s success was very nice to see.”
