The Starkville Swim Team sent 11 swimmers to the state swim meet in Biloxi this past weekend, with the team finishing sixth overall.
Cooper Koehn, 9, Keeland Foreman, 10, Evalyn Wu, 10, Justin Chung, 13, Timur Gabitov, 13, Britten Whittington, 13, Effia Wu, 13, Teddy Brain, 14, Katie Chung, 15, Isabelle Anthony, 16, and Breih Magbanua, 17, swam fast and represented Starkville with pride. They were led by coaches Brooke Keen and Melissa Hubley.
Magbanua, a senior standout swimmer, made his final appearance at the State Championship Swim Meet, marking a memorable chapter in his swimming career as he achieved top 10 finishes in all of his events, including a 5th place finish in the 50m freestyle. Magbanua’s impressive performances left a lasting impression, capping off a remarkable 8-year journey in the pool.
“Breih has been an excellent leader for our swim team for years, both in and out of the pool,” Hubley said. “He spends time with the younger swimmers to help them learn physical and mental techniques, and he helps to keep the older swimmers motivated and positive. We’re excited that, along with Teddy, Breih will be attending the “Best of the South” regional swim meet in Atlanta, March 14-16. They will have another opportunity to showcase their talents and challenge themselves on a bigger stage”.
Other Starkville swimmers also made waves at the championship.
Evalyn Wu, a standout in the 10 and Under age group, was named the State High Point Swimmer for her category. Wu’s dedication and skill were evident as she accomplished a clean sweep, winning first place in all 7 of her events.
In the Boys 13-14 category, Teddy Brain claimed the State High Point Swimmer award. He won five gold and two silver medals. Timur Gabitov also earned multiple podiums with two gold medals and one bronze.
The team’s success, along with the individual achievements of all swimmers reflect the dedication and skill that have become synonymous with the Starkville program. The 2025 State Short Course Championship was a memorable one for the Starkville swimmers, who will continue to show their power in the pool during the upcoming long course season.
“The swimmers have worked hard to get to this point, spending long hours and early mornings at the Sanderson Center pool,” Hubley told The Dispatch. ”As coaches, we’re so proud of all of our swimmers. We are about to start our spring season training with the whole team, and we will keep focusing on team spirit, stroke development, and fast swimming.”
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