County swimmers do well at All-star meet

The CSRA Swim League season came to a close Sunday with the All-Star meet at the Augusta Aquatic Center.

The meet drew hundreds of parents and family members who crammed into the natatorium, turning the building into a humid standing-room only sweatbox.

Nobody seemed to care, though, as enthusiastic swimmers and family members screamed and yelled for about two hours straight.

The swimmers competing in the All-Star meet had to qualify during the Division Championships that lasted from July 6-9. The top 16 times in each event determined the field for Sunday's meet.

Columbia County swimmers fared well during the meet with a few named "double winners" after finishing first in two events.

Springlakes' Martin Kata, an Evans High student, won the 15-18 50 yard butterfly and the 100 yard individual medley. Woodbridge's Ivey Mischel won both the 11-12 50 yard butterfly and the 50 yard backstroke.

Even though individual honors were available, most swimmers were content with just having fun.

"There is no pressure in this meet," said Evans graduate and former West Lake coach Greg Young, now a coach with Brynwood. "The kids worry about the betterment of the team during the whole season and know they can just cut loose and have a good time.

"For those that just swim in the summer league, this event is purely fun. For the ones that swim year round in Greater Augusta Swim League or Aiken-Augusta Swim League, this is a chance to showcase their skills in a relaxed setting."

With the season now over, the CSRA Swim League will decide which teams will move up or down in the divisions based on pool membership size and 2004 record.

2004 CSRA Swim League Championships at Augusta Aquatic Center

Division III Championships, July 6

Team Finals 1. Springlakes, 2. National Hills, 3. North Augusta Country Club, 4. Jones Creek, 5. Stratford

Individual Final Winners

Jones Creek: Josh Searles, Emma Nelson (2 wins), Emily Mackert, Will Davis (2), Lacey Ante (2), Bobby Nelson, Preston Hull, Rebecca St. Louis (2), Jack Lovelace, Daniel Hull, Becky Wilde, Brodie McMorris,

Springlakes: Dillon Keeler (2), Ben Miller (2), Nicole Moody (2), Sharon Rogers, Christian Kata (2), Mason Rogers, Luca Castresana, Rudy Burgart, Ryan Greely, Mitchell Petras, Chloe Kirby, Rebekah Moody (2), Martin Kata (2)

Stratford-Nick Brown (2), Rebeccah Houston,

Division IV Championships, July 7

Team Finals:

1. Brynwood, 2. West Lake, 3. Augusta Country Club, 4. Richmond County, 5. Augusta Jewish Community Center, 6. Glennwood

Individual Winners

West Lake: Jackie Jeschke (2), Madison Cochran, Adrian Evans, Leland Evans (2), Lauren Plowman (2), Taylor Banks, Tyler Baum, Evan Mulloy, Sarah Caruana (2), Kate Clark, Josh Mulloy, Hayle Cohen,

AJCC: Leah Davis, Daniel Budenstein (2), Maple Dynan, Zach Albrecht, Zach Banks,

Glennwood: Kyle Welch, John Richards (2), Katie Croft, Ally Wilmer (2),

Division II Championships, July 8

Team Finals 1. Rivershyre, 2. Farmington, 3. Hammond Hills, 4. Montclair, 5. Woodbridge

Individual Winners

Rivershyre: Bryan Andrews (2), Matt Russell (2), Daniel Minter, Carly Ray, Rebecca Troutman, Elizabeth Hamilton, Timothy Behnke (2), Josh Patton, Joshua Minter.

Farmington: Erika Knight, Michael Weiksner, Madison Norton (2), Cameron Shepherd (2), Paige Yelvington, Josh Andrews, James Hebbard, Chelsea Hendry (2), Hannah Howard, Corey Singletary, Haley Shepherd.

Montclair: Anna Motes, Christy Darracott, Katie Darracott, Lissa Robinson, Ginny Millar.

Woodbridge: Brennan Day (2), Matt Duffin (2), Laura Beth Meschke, Mary Gunnels, Tim Sears, Ivey Mischel (2), Brooks Mischel, Tripper Mischel, Rupika Pumachcharige .

Division I Championships, July 9

Team Finals

1. Cambridge-Stevens Point, 2. Fermata, 3. Petersburg Racquet Club, 4. Houndslake, 5. Woodside

Division I Individual Winners were not available as of press time.