The Dawsonville Racers' swim team competed in the District Park and Recreation meet at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center in Clarkesville last Saturday, July 12.
Dawsonville qualified nine swimmers for the event, which drew over 260 competitors.
"Our guys got an eye opening experience," head coach Stephanie Morgan said. "This was very good competition for our swimmers and we all improved our times at the meet."
Racers' swimmers who placed were: Jackson Morgan (boys 11-12) with a fourth place finish in the 100-yard freestyle, Hayley Adams (girls 13-14) finished eighth in the 100-yard freestyle and 50-yard freestyle, Brittany Adams (girls 13-14) came in sixth in the 50-yard freestyle and seventh in the 50-yard butterfly, Tiffany Seay (girls 13-14) finished eighth in the 50-yard freestyle and seventh in the 50-yard backstroke, and Skye Perry (girls 16-17) had two eighth place finishes in the 50-yard free and 50-yard breaststroke.
Each event consisted of three heats with the finals being held Saturday afternoon. This was a different format than the friendly meets Dawsonville has been participating in. At the "friendlies" each swimmer is presented a ribbon for their effort. This time each competitor had to place to receive in order to receive a ribbon.
“The younger kids didnít know what to expect,” said Morgan. "They wanted a ribbon, but didnít realize you had to finish in the top three in your event. But they had fun and thatís what we wanted out of the experience."
The team has been practicing all summer for its swim meets which are held throughout North Georgia.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday the team trains at the pool located at Veteranís Memorial Park from 9-11 a.m.
“Our kids have been working really hard for this meet. Our improved times show that they are getting better,” said Morgan.
The team has two more races before the season closes July 26.
This Saturday Dawsonville will travel to Hunters Chase in Cumming for a meet. On Saturday, July 26 the Racers will host the team's final swim meet at the pool in Dawsonville.
E-mail Pam Jacobs at sports@dawsonnews.com.