The Starr’s Mill swim team has been dropping their times to be able to qualify for state. Some swimmers have already qualified in some races.
“[The coaches] talk to the swimmers like the season is going to be a journey where we have a starting point. We’re going to start where we’re at, get a baseline, and then we’re focusing our energy on getting better,” head coach Derek Abrams said. “Not in one practice, not in one set, but building throughout the whole season.”
Senior Sophia Cochran, senior Emma Frank, and senior Katie Rausch have already qualified for state. Cochran has qualified for state in the 500-yard freestyle and 200-yard freestyle. Frank has qualified for state in the 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke), and the 500-yard freestyle. Rausch has qualified for state in the 100-yard backstroke.
“I just try to push really hard when my coach makes distance sets so I can get my endurance up,” Cochran said. “I try to stay positive and just keep going, not let myself get down on anything even if I don’t do well.”
For the boys, sophomore Jack Lynch has qualified for state in the 200-yard individual medley, 100-yard breaststroke, and 100-yard freestyle. Junior Braeden Roach has qualified for state in the 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley, and 100-yard butterfly.
“As coaches, we like to mix in our workouts where we are building endurance with long sets,” Abrams said. “We spend time in our practices where we’re fine-tuning our skills and our techniques.”
All of the team’s relays have qualified for state.
The team has won first place in three out of the five meets that they have been to, the dual meet against Whitewater, the Blue Devil Invitational, and a tri-meet against Sandy Creek and Fayette County.
Swim competes again at the Lakeside Invitational at Chamblee High School on December 9. They will also attend the County Championship on January 27 at the Lundquist Aquatic Center in Jonesboro where Starr’s Mill will compete for its 24th consecutive championship.