Last week, the Mount Pisgah varsity swim team closed their season with the GHSA 1-3AAA State Championship Meet at Georgia Tech.
The state meet emphasized the team’s record-breaking season and allowed the hard-working team to showcase their abilities at a championship meet.
“The hard work and dedication of this year’s team was rewarded by qualifying and sending the most athletes, 15, to the state meet in school history (eight boys and seven girls). During the meet, the combined swim team swam nine different school record performances in a total of five events (three individual and two relays,” said assistant coach Lauritz Adriansen II.
This is a high-stakes meet with some of the fastest swimmers from Georgia high schools, which means the environment in and out of the pool impacts the athletes’ attitudes and performances. Having the right mindset leading up to and during competitions like this is crucial for success.
“Swim meets are long and can be tiring, but having the right mindset can make all the difference. Staying focused, managing nerves, and keeping energy levels up throughout the day is key to performing well,” said senior team captain Sarah Beth Raley.
For many of the state team members, this meet was their last in their swimming career.
“Being a captain, I tried to put on a better show and be more inspirational to my teammates before races, making the meet more fun for all,” explains senior team captain Brendan Noll.
Having historical results for the teams’ program, the Varsity Swim Team continues to set the bar high for future swimmers.
“Coaches have instilled a growth-oriented approach, focusing not just on immediate results but also on long-term development, ensuring that the program’s future remains bright. The solid performances this year, combined with the team’s evolving culture, have created a momentum that will inspire upcoming middle schoolers and elevate the program for years to come,” said Hopkins.
Sophomore Lauritz Adriansen won the 200 freestyle, making himself the first male swimmer at Mount Pisgah to win a state title, and was runner-up in the 500 freestyle. The girls’ 400 freestyle relay placed third, making seniors Sarah Beth Raley and Campbell Grace Cummins the first female swimmers to podium in an event for three consecutive years.
