SSA Shines at Madison Medal Meet
34 SSA swimmers took a break from the usual summer
Alabama Parks and Recreation (ARPA) slate of dual meets to participate in the
annual Madison Medal Meet, an event open to ARPA teams from across
Alabama. This year’s contest featured
swimmers from Guntersville,
Scoring was divided into “A” and “B” divisions, with the A
division comprised of swimmers who had achieved State Qualifying Times (SQT’s)
during that event. Medals were awarded
for first through third place in both divisions, while the fourth through
eighth place finishers received ribbons.
Wet ‘n’ Wildcats swimmers returned home with 53 medals and
37 ribbons. 25 of the medals were earned
in A division, including 10 gold medals.
Scottsboro’s big gun was Kyle Vosen, who was scarcely
challenged as he earned 4 A division gold medals with a sweep of the 8-Under
Boys 100 IM, 25 Free, 25 Fly and 50 Free.
Drew Butler also claimed 4 A division medals, as he took
1st place in the 9-10 Boys 100 IM and 50 Back as well
as 2nd place in the 50 Free and 50 Breast.
Mary Margaret Green also took home 4 A division medals, placing
first in the 9-10 Girls 50 Breast as well as 2nd in the 100 IM, 50
Free and 100 Free.
Alexis Heaton won 3 A division medals with 2nd
place efforts in the 50 Breast and 50 Back along with
a 3rd place showing in the 100 IM.
Heaton also took 2nd in the 50 Free B division.
Zach Reichle captured 2 A division medals by taking 2nd
in the 11-12 Boys 100 IM and 3rd in the 50 Breast, as well as
winning the B division gold medal in the 50 Free.
Haley Abril also won 2 A division medals, placing 3rd
in the 15-18 Girls 50 Fly and 100 Free.
Other A division medalists for Scottsboro were Michael
Rossmeier (1st place 13-14 Boys 50 Breast), Allison Bivens (1st
place 15-18 Girls 50 Breast), Kristin Copeland (1st place 8-Under
Girls 25 Breast), Kelsey Kokes (2nd place 13-14 Girls 50 Breast),
MaKalea Kirkland (3rd place 13-14 Girls 50 Fly) and Patrick Duncan
(3rd place 12-Under Boys 100 Breast).
Jeremiah Keller was the recipient of 4 B division medals,
including gold in the 50 Fly and 100 IM.
Cole Cooper’s gold medal in the B division 9-10 Boys 50 Free was one of
3 he earned Saturday. Patrick Duncan
added 3 more in the same age group.
Three of Scottsboro’s youngest swimmers came home with
heavy loads. 6 year-old Kyla Reichle won
B division gold medals in the 8-Under Girls 100 IM and 50 Free. 5 year-old Curtis Cooper took B division gold
in the 8-Under Boys 25 Fly, and Logan Anderson took B division medals in the
8-Under Boys 25 Back (2nd place) and 25 Breast (3rd
place).
Other Scottsboro swimmers awarded 2 B division medals were
Christina Richard, Crossan Cooper and Shonna Browder.
Additional B division medals were also earned by Karah
Kirkland, Michael Rossmeier, MaKalea Kirkland, Anna Richard and Emma Stewart.
Scottsboro swimmers not named above who returned home with
ribbons included Meghan Travis, Maryann Jones (4), Jessica Duncan (3), Emily
Albin (3), Shannon Bradbury (2),
Several other Scottsboro swimmers had strong showings,
including the rapidly-improving Samantha Hastings and Parker Kerce, Victoria
Keller, and Grace
Scottsboro’s coaches were very pleased with the team’s
performance and level of participation.
“This is by far the largest and best group we’ve ever brought to this
meet” said Head Coach Diane Richard. “We
were consistently at or near the top in most events, and as we approach the
District Meet in 3 weeks I think our team is peaking at the right time.” Parents and coaches from other teams were
also overheard praising the efforts of Scottsboro’s coaches, including
assistants Marcos Abril and Steve Hamlet, as they noticed that the Wildcats
swam well over 100 races without a single disqualification.
SSA returns to ARPA District II action Tuesday at the
RecCom as they host an improving Albertville Gators team.