Panthers, Knights split at swim meet
The Super Bowl took center stage on Sunday, but last week the local Super Bowl of swimming splashed down at Augusta Aquatics Center.
Back
Columbia County's athletes vied for bragging rights Thursday during the CSRA Swimming and Diving Championships, which capped the regular season for area high-school squads.
"A lot of sports get more attention than swimming, but we have a lot of talented swimmers," Lakeside coach Jessica Hales said. "They have really been working hard and have maintained their focus through all the long practices and the competitions."
The effort paid off for the Lakeside girls, who defended their CSRA title by edging Evans 173-164.
The Evans Knights, meanwhile, outpaced the Panthers by a score of 194-159.50. Evans swept the three relay events, and freshmen Josh Andrews and Martin Kata claimed two wins apiece in individual events.
Greenbrier settled for third place in the boys and girls standings, but the best of the Brierpatch, along with their county rivals from Lakeside and Evans, will now gear up for the Georgia High School Association state championships.
"We have a bunch of state qualifiers," Evans coach Lane Schuckers said. "Our goal, for both the girls and the boys teams, is to place in the top 10 at state. They have confidence, and they seem to all be coming together."
Evans competes in Class AAAAA, while Lakeside and Greenbrier both are in Class AAAA. The top swimmers and divers from all three schools close the season at their respective state meets later this month.
Greenbrier High School's Sharon McCoy swims in the 200-meter freestyle relay Thursday.
Photo by Michael Holahan
"We've had a lot more people qualify for state this year, and we have a lot of young swimmers," Lakeside senior J.R. Barrett said. "Everybody's peaking at the right time. It's looking good for the end of the season and for next year."
CSRA Championships
Team scores
Boys: Evans 194; Lakeside 159.90; Greenbrier 93.50; Westside 43; Davidson Fine Arts 25.
Girls: Lakeside 173; Evans 164; Greenbrier 99; Westside 86; Cross Creek 16.
Event winners
Boys: 200 Medley Relay - Evans (1:47.91); 200 Freestyle - Martin Kata, Evans (1:50.07); 200 Individual Medley - Josh Andrews, Evans (2:09.64); 50 Freestyle - Christian Kata, Evans (22.60); 1-meter Diving - Tim Barrett, Greenbrier (245.50); 100 Butterfly - Martin Kata, Evans (55.03); 100 Freestyle - Kevin Skenes, Lakeside (52.78); 500 Freestyle - J.R. Barrett, Lakeside (5:13.09); 200 Freestyle Relay - Evans (1:41.03); 100 Backstroke - Josh Andrews, Evans (58.74); 100 Breast stroke - Brian Maleck, Lakeside (1:09.58); 400 Freestyle Relay - Evans (3:34.05).
Girls: 200 Medley Relay - Evans (1:59.27); 200 Freestyle - Rebekah Moody, Evans (2:03.31); 200 Individual Medley - CJ Hendry, Evans (2:19.62); 50 Freestyle - Angela Griffin, Evans (26.76); 1-meter Diving - Courtney Ward, Lakeside (199.50); 100 Butterfly - Ginny Millar, Westside (1:05.0); 100 Freestyle - Ginny Millar, Westside (54.35); 500 Freestyle - Rebeccah Houston, (5:43.86); 200 Freestyle Relay - Evans (1:51.26); 100 Backstroke - Rebekah Moody, Evans (1:03.41); 100 Breast stroke - Mary Gunnels, Greenbrier (1:16.25); 400 Freestyle Relay - Evans (3:51.05).