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Anna Thomas / Photography Editor
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Senior Sean Norris pulls throught the water toward the finish
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By Mallory Findlay
Co-Ads Manager
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The Chattahoochee swim season came to a close, but the Cougars refused to go
quietly. With a robust and enthusiastic team, the Cougar swimmers collected some very praiseworthy placements at meets in the final stretch of their season.
At the Metro Meet Feb. 1, where nearly 40 teams competed, the Cougar girls came
in an exciting fifth place and the boys beat all the competition to achieve an outstanding first
place. Senior Megan Rames came from behind in the medley relay for a first place finish and an All-American consideration time. Senior Ryan Staak also achieved an
All-American consideration time in both the Individual Medley and the backstroke. Senior Daniel Yang set a school record in the 50 freestyle as well.
The final dual meet was versus Milton Feb. 8. First place finishers included junior
Jelle van de Vall, freshman Chandler West and sophomore Brian Twynham. This final meet
was supposed to be only non-qualifiers for state. The Cougars upheld their end of the deal
but apparently Milton did not, easily perceived when they creamed CHS. At state, the Cougars boys and girls beat both Milton boys and girls. The swimmers had less than a
week after the Milton meet to rest for the state championship Feb. 13-15 at Westminster.
Staak remarked, “There were many outstanding performances this year at state, and I think a lot of it has to do with the support we had.”
“ ‘Many’ outstanding performances” seems to be an understatement. Juniors and
seniors led the team with the greatest number of points scored. Highlights include junior
Rob Miller who achieved fifth place in the 200 free and an astounding fourth place in the
500 free, Staak with an exceptional second place finish in the 200 I.M, which achieved an
automatic All-American time and senior Bryan Scarborough who posted a seventh place in
the 100 back. As far as girls went, freshman Nicki Golen accomplished fourth place in the
100 butterfly and junior Michelle Hanson got fifth in the 100 breast, while Rames posted ninth place in the 100 free. Junior Lisa Lyons also made third place in diving.
Cougar relay teams placed well in their events. The boys took sixth in the 200 medley,
sixth in the 200 free and fifth in the 400 free . The girls posted fourth in the 200 medley relay and ninth in the 400 free relay.
However, a grim mood settled over the Cougars when it was discovered that Staak
was disqualified for a questionable false start in the finals for his 100 back. He is a well-loved and respected team member, and the event was disheartening to many,
including junior Emily Kirk who commented, “It’s shocking since he’s so good and all, but it happens to the best of us.”
Coach Sharon Evans pointed out, “It was unfortunate, but sadly ,things like that happen all the time.”
Staak was somewhat upset about the call made by the judge saying that the starter has
been holding the swimmers too long on their starts. He wanted to break the school record
and win the event. Staak explains, “My current time is fast enough to do both, but since I
was disqualified I was unable to accomplish those goals. But it is over and done with, and I am just focusing on my club meet I have in a few weeks.”
Many other swimmers would agree with Staak in the fact that high school swimming
creates more of a team atmosphere than club swimming. High school swimming emphasizes the team instead of individual goals. Friends are there to support and motivate.
The same is true in college, which is why many swimmers, including Staak, also look forward to collegiate swimming.
Rames, expressing her thoughts about state, exclaimed, “I think the guys’ fifth place
finish and the girls’ seventh place finish at state this year was very impressive!” She also considered the fact that the team had been split in half when Northview opened and
realized that it will take time to rebuild. Overall, everyone seems pleased with the results of the meet and the year. |
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