From Special Reports
CLEVELAND — Members of Swim Columbus and the Shockwave swimming teams delivered solid performances last weekend at the 2009 MSI Long Course State Championships at Delta State University.
The Shockwave team, which is from Starkville, finished second overall (5,489 points) to the Mississippi Makos (5,854.5).
Swim Columbus took ninth with 629 points.
The meet, which ran from Thursday through Sunday, had plenty of top local finishers.
Swim Columbus” Thomas Chain, 8, won the High Point Award in the 10-and-under age division. He won the 200 individual medley (3:11.58) finished second in the 50 and 100 breaststroke and the 400 freestyle, third in the 50 fly, 50 backstroke, and 200 free, fourth in the 40 free, and fifth in the 100 fly and 100 free.
“Thomas was the man and really was a true hero for our team this weekend,” Swim Columbus coach Chris Chain said. “He is the toughest young boy I know and really shined.”
On Thursday, Thomas competed in the 8-and-under meet and led the way with five victories in five events.
In other action from the 11-12 boys competition, Swim Columbus” Ladd Chain won the 50 free (29.54) and the 50 fly (33.29). He also finished second in the 100 free and in the 50 breast, third in the 50 back, fourth in the 100 fly, and fifth in the 200 IM.
Ann Marie Chilcutt placed in the top eight in several events, as did Cory Persons and Avery Smith.
Ladd Chain and Persons made the Zone Team that traveled from Cleveland to Orlando, Fla., for the Southern Zone Championships, which begin today.
Swimmers had to have a National AAA time to make the team.
“Both boys were very excited as they loaded the bus headed to Orlando,” Chain said.
For the Shockwave, top performers included: Kate Mattox (girls 10-and-under), Cris Roberts, Rachel Dees, Lacy Russell, and the team of Russell, Marta Burrell, Dora Chen, and Dees (11-12 girls), Calla Kingery and Hannah Wilson (girls 15-and-over), Rick Deaton, Luke Leary, and Colton Fremont (boys 13-14).
For more individual results, see Wednesday”s Commercial Dispatch.
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