LCA competed in the 2019 GISA State Swim Meet held at GA Tech on Saturday, January 26, 2019. The GISA State meet includes both JV and Varsity swimmers and all LCA swimmers qualified in either individual events or relays. Five of the varsity swimmers who qualified were unable to participate due to injuries, but were at the meet cheering on their fellow swimmers. Of the 23 LCA swimmers who participated in the meet, 20 competed in individual events and 3 swam in relays.
For the Varsity team, most of the swimmers have swam on the team for a long time and all 4 seniors have been on the team for all 4 years of high school. This years seniors are Alanna King, Merritt Reece, Nick Swagel and David Bridges. The Men's Varsity team finished 4th overall in the State. To help that happen, the Men's Varsity Free Relay Team placed 5th overall and 2 of the swimmers placed Top 8 overall in their individual events. Senior David Bridges finished as follows in his individual events: 50 free - 5th, 100 free - 7th and 100 back - 3rd overall. Brent Taylor added to the Boys 4th place finish with his stellar results in the 100 fly - 6th, 50 free - 6th and in 100 breast - 4th overall. Other swimmers for the Men's varsity team who helped secure their 4th place standing were Zach Bruno, Kade Stewart and Will Anderson.
Varsity Girls senior swimmer Alanna King swam in her last meet at the State meet in individual events and relays along with her fellow senior swimmers David Bridges, Merritt Reese and Nick Swagel. Merritt and Nick could not swim because of their injuries but were at the meet cheering on their team.
This year the JV team grew and did very well. Every JV boy qualified for individual events as well as relays and turned in best times at the meet. The JV girls team was very big this year and qualified 8 girls in individual events along with 2 relay teams as well. Each swimmer did their part to help the JV Girls team post a 5th place overall finish in the State Meet. The JV girls 200 Medley Relay Team and the 200 Free Relay Team each placed 4th overall, and they both set new LCA School Record's. Girls JV 200 Free Relay swimmers are Ella Morris, Azalea Snell, Isabelle Gary and Reese Banaszek. The Girls JV 200 Medley Relay swimmers are Reese Banaszek, Ella Morris, Isabelle Gary and Callie Bruno. Two of the girls ended up top 8 in their individual events as well, they are Reese Banaszek who finished 4th in 50 back and Ella Morris who finished 5th in 50 Breast. Ella and Reese set new LCA school records in their events. All swimmers participated and contributed to the LCA team success at the GISA State Meet. Way to go Lions!
It is exciting to see all of the swimmers and where they started and how they grew in their swimming this season but their whole swimming experience at LCA. The team has grown each season and is expected to continue to grow. The team is strong with swimming abilities and friendships. The culture of respect for each other as individuals and as team members is notable and inspirational.
LCA Team Top 8 finishes in the GISA State Meet:
JV GIRLS - finished 5th overall in the team standings
JV Girls 200 Free Relay 4th overall, new LCA school record - ( Ella, Azalea, Isabelle, Reese )
JV Girls 200 Medley Relay 4th overall, new LCA school record ( Reese, Ella, Isabelle, Callie )
Ella Morris - 5th in 50 breast
Reese Banaszek - 4th in 50 back
VARSITY Boys - finished 4th overall in the meet
Varsity Boys 200 Free Relay - finished 5th
( Brent, Cade, Zach, David )
Brent Taylor - 4th - 100 breast, 6th - 100 fly, 6th - 50 Fr
David Bridges - 5th - 50 free, 7th - 100 free, 3rd - 100 bk
