Valley rec swim team makes a splash, heading to state championship in Opelika

The Valley rec swim team made a splash this summer during the recent district championships with 24 out of 30 swimmers qualifying for the state championship.

On July 26, those swimmers will be making the trip up to the Opelika Sportsplex to compete in the state championship. Some of the swimmers were individual competitors while others were competed on relay teams.

Earlier this summer, the swim team competed in two or three swim meets but they have spent the whole summer practicing. Every morning and evening, the pool at the Valley Sportplex was open to kids for practice, allowing them to work around their summer schedules.

Bobby Poer, Valley Recreation’s aquatics manager, said there are teams for all age groups from under 6 years old to 18 and 19-year-olds.

With so many kids on the swim team, Poer said there were many standout swimmers. His favorite part of the season, he said, was getting to see the enormous growth each swimmer made.

“The kids, from top to bottom, have improved immensely over the summer,” Poer said.

“The best moments are pretty much always when you see a swimmer make a breakthrough that immediately makes it where they drop a significant amount of time in an event,” Poer said. “And, it’s like they have these light bulb moments.”

Poer said that he loves getting to see the swimmers gain a sense of accomplishment when they see how much improvement that they have made.

The team was co-coached this year by Caitlyn Turner. Poer said that she has been responsible for most of the work put into the team this year.

Many might think of swimming as a solitary sport but Valley’s rec swim team has proven that improvement starts with teamwork. Poer said he has enjoyed seeing the friendships between teammates grow.

Of the relay teams, he said, “They’re fun to watch, cheering on each other and rooting for each other and trying not to let each other down. That’s always fun to see too.”

The state championship will held be on the weekend of July 26 at the Opelika Sportsplex. The following are students who will get the chance to compete with the top swimmers in the state:

Olivia Fuller (Girls 8 & Under, 100 IM)

Sadie-Anne Hackney (Mixed 11-12, 200 Medley Relay A)

Piper Hines (Girls 6 & Under 25 Free)

Finlay Ruth Hooks (Girls 8 & Under, 100 Medley Relay A)

Selah Pearl Hooks (Girls 8 & Under, 100 Medley Relay A)

Brittlyn Jackson (Girls 6 & Under, 100 Free Relay A)

Bryleigh Jackson (Girls 9-10, 200 Medley Relay A)

Ella Kate Jones (Girls 9-10, 100 IM)

Maxine Lawson-Boothby (Mixed 11-12, 200 Medley Relay A)

Khloe Mangram (Mixed 9-10, 200 Free Relay A)

Raylee Meacham (Girls 6 & Under, 25 Free)

Becklyn Powell (Girls 8 & Under, 100 Medley Relay A)

Maggie Jo Rennie (Girls 15-18, 100 IM)

Lily Roberts (Girls 9-10, 200 Medley Relay A)

Cerina Sanchez (Girls 9-10, 200 Medley Relay A)

Melaina Sanchez (Mixed 9-10, 200 Free Relay A)

Chase Fuller (Boys 9-10, 50 Free)

Oliver Lawson-Boothby (Mixed 8 & Under, 100 Free Relay A)

Drew Leak (Boys 11-12, 200 Medley Relay A)

Bryce Powell (Boys 11-12, 200 Medley Relay A)

Carter Powell (Boys 11-12, 200 Medley Relay A)

Luke Roberts (Mixed 8 & Under, 100 Free Relay A)

Asa Williams (Mixed 9-10, 200 Free Relay A)

Jake Wooley (Boys 11-12, 200 Medley Relay A).

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