Coach Karla Norris’ Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club (ATAC) swim team finished a dominant summer season with quality swims and top performances at the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) state swim meet July 24 and 25 in Tifton.

There were swimmers from all over the state competing at the meet.

On July 24, the 7- and 8-year-old boys relay team of Caleb Boutwell, Sam Boutwell, Peyton Dodson and Thad Whitaker swam home third in the 100-yard medley relay in a time of 1 minute, 29.02 seconds and fourth in the 100-yard freestyle relay in a time of 1:15.30.

Their individual swims also boosted the overall team performance as Caleb Boutwell became a two-time state champion by taking firsts in the 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard breaststrokes in times of 15.68 seconds and 22.54.

Sam Boutwell finished second by small margins in the 25-yard backstroke and 25-yard butterfly with times of 20.75 and 18.86.

Peyton Dodson finished a strong third in the 100-yard individual medley in a time of 1:48.51.

Norris expressed pleasure with the performances of both her younger and older swimmers in Tifton.

“On Saturday (July 25), the older swimmers competed and raced their way to personal bests and great finishes,” she said. “In the 11- and 12-year-old boys division, Eric Conner just missed the finals in the 100-yard freestyle, finishing ninth, but swimming a personal best time of 1:10.26. He also placed eighth with another best time of 36.29 in the 50-yard butterfly.”

Alex Hughes competed in the 13- and 14-year-old boys division, finishing third in the 50-yard freestyle and fifth in the 50-yard breaststroke in times of 22.25 and 33.19

Norris had special praise for the performances of Maggie Bridges and Sunnie Chason in the 15- to 18-year-old girls division.

“Maggie Bridges and Sunnie Chason both had great swims in a tough age division,” she said. “Maggie swam the 50-yard breaststroke in a time of 38.10 and finished eighth. She finished fourth in the 100-yard individual medley with a time of 1:12.11.

“Sunnie raced her heart out in the sprint events, finishing second in both the 100-yard freestyle and 50-yard freestyle, turning in times of 59.32 and 27.24,” Norris said.

Lucas NeSmith, competing in the 15- to 18-year-old boys division, swam a personal best time of 1:03.92 for a very close fourth-place finish in the 100-yard individual medley. He also finished eighth in the 50-yard backstroke with a time of 31.59.

“I’m very proud of all the swimmers,” Norris said. “They not only swam at the state meet, the entire team trained all summer long. They really deserve all the things they accomplished and the recognition they received for their hard work and dedication.

“We look forward to the upcoming season and seeing more new faces competing with the team and representing the YMCA ATAC swim team in the future,” Norris said.

The team, which is now taking a short break, will return to practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, after school. Anyone interested in becoming a part of the team can come to the city pool on Potter Street or contact coach Norris at (850) 339-6054 or e-mail her at karlanorris16@hotmail.com.