James Clemens swimmers command attention in Auburn
(CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – James Clemens High School teams performed impressively at AHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships at Auburn University.
The James Clemens boys’ team placed tenth, and James Clemens girls’ team placed twelfth, missing tenth place by only two points. The meet had 78 teams competing.
Kate Wade is swim coach and teaches algebra at James Clemens. A former Bob Jones swim star, Wade works to share training time and space with Michael Gunner, swim coach at Bob Jones High School.
In one-meter diving, Kenedey Williams placed seventh and Sarah Bradberry placed ninth. Placing ninth, the boys’ 200 medley relay team included Andrew Shea, Derek Santiago, Connor McAfee and Caleb Caple.
The girls’ 200 medley relay placed fourteenth with swimmers Grace Forrest, Christina Tarsitano, Emerald Gilbert and Hannah Blades. Annabel King placed sixth in the 200 freestyle.
Caleb Caple placed sixteenth in the 50 freestyle. In the 100 freestyle, Andrew Shea placed seventh, and Derek Santiago placed sixteenth.
Annabel King placed sixth in the 100 freestyle. The boys’ 200 freestyle relay placed eighth with Riley Malone, Jacob Garcia, Connor McAfee and Caleb Caple. The girls’ 200 freestyle relay placed fifth with swimmers Mackenzie Holtcamp, Lauren Brashear, Grace Forrest and Annabel King.
Andrew Shea placed sixth in the 100 backstroke. Christina Tarsitano placed eighth in the 100 breaststroke. The boys’ 400 freestyle relay with Caleb Caple, Connor McAfee, Derek Santiago and Andrew Shea placed tenth.
In the girls’ 400 freestyle relay, the team of Mackenzie Holtcamp, Lauren Brashear, Christina Tarsitano and Annabel King placed ninth.
Swim season for high school students is a fall sport, very much like a football schedule starting in August and ending in December. Swim tryouts for James Clemens and Bob Jones will be held in January 2014. Squad size is limited, so students will be highly competitive for openings on the team.
