Thanks to Corey Coon-Cassily for contributing this report:
Sunkist swim team of Flowood defended their state title at the Mississippi Swimming Championships. Over 300 swimmers representing 13 teams travelled to the Tupelo Aquatic Center to compete in the 4 day championship meet. The Sunkist swim team won their second straight short course championship by having balanced scoring across all ages and events. 15 year old Jack Smithson from Sunkist won all 9 events he was entered in (7 individual and 2 relays) with swims that all rank in the national top 100.
Cassie Howell of Performance Elite Aquatics (PEAQ) won all 7 of her events; 200FR (2:15.66), 50BK (31.38), 50FR (27.73), 100IM (1:12.76), 100FR (1:02.17), 100BK (1:08.35) & the 500FR (5:58.96). She was also a member of two winning relays on her way to the 10 & under high point award. Lauren Balfour (PEAQ) won the 100FL (1:14.27), 200IM (2:41.92) & the 50FL (31.56). Ava Madden from Southern Mississippi Aquatic Club (SMAC) won the 50BR (39.12) & the 100BR (1:26.31).
Michael Robinson & Bennett Carter (PEAQ) tied for the 10 & under high point award. Michael won the 200FR (2:15.77), 100FL (1:12.18), 50FR (28.20), 50FL (30.88), & 100FR (1:01.82). Bennett won the 500FR (6:27.55), 50BK (33.42), 200IM (2:39.36), 100BR (1:27.07) & the 100BK (1:13.35). Anthony Smith of Biloxi Elite Swim Team (BEST) won the 100IM (1:13.01) & the 50BR (40.74).
Laurel Swim Association swimmers were dominant in the distance events. Peyton Thompson won the 11-12 girls 1000FR & 200IM while finishing second in the 500FR & 200FR. Noah Pappas won the 11-12 boys 1000FR, 500FR, & 200FR. Nathan Gerrick won the 13-14 1000FR & 500FR and finished 2nd in the mile. Kash Eason won the 17-19 1650FR, 1000FR, 500FR, and picked up a victory in the 200BK.
Saturday night brought the best races in the form of the splash and dash 50’s. Kyjana Webber (BEST) broke a 22 year old record of Mimi Bowen to win in 23.78. Teammate Sean Dellinger justed missed out on a record sweep by missing the boys record by 0.02 (21.30). Kyjana was on the other side of the 100FR record Sunday, missing out by 0.03. Swim Columbus’ Ladd Chain broke former Alabama swimmer John Servanti’s 100FR record with a 46.10. PEAQ’s Eien McGee bettered his own record in the 100FR (47.14) to move just outside of the national top 10 for 14 year olds.
PEAQ swimmer Addison Bridges won all 7 of her events in the 13-14 girls. Her 200FL time of 2:03.50 broke a 35 year old record by over a second! She also broke state records in the 100BK (58.24) & 200BK (2:03.78). Addison’s 1000FR time of 10:13.63 moved her into the top 10 nationally (9th).
The most memorable moment of the meet came during prelims on Saturday. Laurel swimmer Ethan Heinrich had passed away in a tragic car accident two weeks before. He was entered into the 200IM and his teammates, all wearing superman shirts in his honor, huddled around his open lane. They then swam the heat in complete silence until the finish where the entire pool erupted into cheers to recognize a young life taken too soon.
Mini-Photo Vault
Courtesy of Corey Coon-Cassily.
Courtesy of Corey Coon-Cassily.
Courtesy of Moses Williams.
Courtesy of Moses Williams.
Courtesy of Moses Williams.
Courtesy of Moses Williams.
Congratulations to all the swimmers! Mississippi should be proud of their swimmers and proud to have a facility like Tupelo. We had a great experience!!
Nice article Corey! And kudos to Tupelo for hosting another great state meet! Congratulations to all swimmers and families for a fun-filled, exciting, and successful weekend!
Mississippi Swimming Rocks! Ladd Chains record breaking 50 free while John Servanti’s parents timed and watched was a special moment for sure!!!
Great job everyone from Mississippi swimming. Some fast swimming and great moments from all!