Swim team makes big splash at state championship

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AUGUSTA, GA—For the first time, Johns Creek youngsters competed at the Georgia Swim Association State Championship Meet July 25-26 at the Augusta Aquatic Center, bringing home medals in 29 individual events and 13 relays.

Previously these swimmers ended their season at the Fulton County Championship Meet in June. While swimmers sponsored by their local governments were able to advance to the state level, those in unincorporated Fulton County had no local sponsor.

That ended this year when City Recreation and Parks Manager Kirk Franz received phone calls from parents interested in seeing Johns Creek’s swimmers given the opportunity to advance to the state level.

Local swimmers were told to let the city know prior to the Fulton County meet if they would be willing to extend their season four weeks and represent the City if they qualified for the state level. Of those interested, Johns Creek was able to pull a team of 64 swimmers to create the first-ever City of Johns Creek Swim Team.

The athletes, ages 7 through 18, are all swimmers on community teams that began workouts before school was out in May. At the close of the regular season on June 29 they agreed to don their caps and suits for the month of July and continue workouts. Dynamo Swim Club in Johns Creek generously offered the team practice space. The team was managed by Sunnie Roth and coached by Beau Caldwell and Kelly Rames.

“I am really impressed with these young athletes,” said Mayor Mike Bodker. “They obviously really put their hearts into swimming for their hometown. My thanks to our Recreation Department for pulling this together and giving this great group of kids the opportunity to go to the state level and represent our City with such distinction.”

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Media Contact:
Bill Doughty, APR
Director of Communications
P 678-512-3274 / C 678-577-8152

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For the latest news about the City of Johns Creek, visit our home page: www.JohnsCreekGA.gov.