AUBURN, Ala. – Several Cullman High School swimmers were in the field taking on 635 other athletes from across the state at this year’s AHSAA State Swim Meet at Auburn University and each of the nine Bearcats competing progressed to the finals in at least one event.
In individual competition, Reese McNeel placed seventh in the 1-meter dive and Kelly Warren collected a ninth-place finish in the same event. CJ Arnold posted a season-best time in the 100-yard backstroke and now holds the school record in the event. The girls 200-yard medley relay team of McNeel, Warren, Madison Clements and Ruby Hudson finished 12th among 6A and 7A schools and they later posted a 13th place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay. The girls 400-yard freestyle relay team of Warren, McNeel, Clements and Anna Page left Auburn with a new school record in the event and placing 12th among 6A and 7A teams.
The boys relay team of Brody Schaefer, Logan Holley, Aubrey Helms and Arnold took home a 14th place finish at the state meet and posted a season-best time in the event. Overall, the girls team came away with the highest finish for the Bearcats at 14th place and were second highest among 6A schools.
Cullman Head Coach Cory Goble is proud of the way his team finished the season and hopes that finish will build some momentum going into next year.
“This meet was a great way to cap off a great season, and it represented the hard work these athletes have put in over the last several months,” Goble said. “It also helped provide valuable experience for many young swimmers, several of which had never previously qualified for the state meet. I am excited about the opportunity to pick up again next year with several returning athletes and build upon this season’s progress.”
It’s been a productive season for the CHS Swim Team and with a lot of underclassmen returning to compete next year, the future looks bright for Bearcat swimming.
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