Swimming to State

Varsity Swimming and Diving capped off their regular season in record-breaking fashion, with personal records (PRs), new State qualifying times, and even a new pool record. While many see swimming as an individual sport, the strong showing by the entire MV boys team has allowed them to place in the top four of most meets this season, winning several.
The S&D team is tight, which is demonstrated through their camaraderie and team spirit. Coach Rae Colley says, “I have never seen a team show so much love and support for each other. People were more excited to see Ben Martin qualify for State than they were about their own best times. And when James McGuire broke the Pace Academy pool record in the 100 Breaststroke event, there were at least 40 people at the end of his lane cheering him on. You just don’t see that all the time.”
To qualify for the State Championship team, a swimmer has to achieve a time standard, either in an Individual event or on a Relay team. Mount Vernon has 7 swimmers who have accomplished this important milestone: seniors Charlie Goldman, Ben Martin, and Garrett Hahn; juniors James McGuire, Steven Butz, and Connor Hughes; and sophomores Nic Lew and Jenya Eppstein. Charlie, Ben, and James have also qualified to swim Individual Events at the State Meet. All three have been on the State team for two years, but Monday night was Ben’s first individual state cut, which was the most exciting race of the evening.
The swim team is peaking at just the right time to do well at State, and there should be more to celebrate 6777 the next two weeks. The GHSA Swimming and Diving State Championships A-AAAAA will be held February 4 – 6 — Thursday (Diving), Friday (Swimming Prelims), and Saturday (Swimming Finals). If you can’t cheer on the team live, their performance can be followed in real time on www.atlantaswimming.com. Go Mustangs!