This season, the Mount Pisgah Christian School swim team has had an outstanding year, competing in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) swim season, with members of the team earning qualifying times and invitations to compete at the GHSA State Swim Championships.
Hard mornings as well as nights of practice held a major contribution to this teams success and the hard work put in did not go unnoticed at state.
“Leading up to state, our training eased up with more rest, and I prepared mentally by visualizing my race every day to keep my nerves under control,” said junior Lauritz Adriansen, the new Pisgah free record holder.
The GHSA State Swim Meet takes place annually at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where the top swimmers from schools across the state come together to race in events like freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and relays. Getting to state reflects the work this team has put in, from early practices and hard training sessions to steady improvements in the pool at each meet.
“I competed in the 200IM for state and I would say one technical skill I focused on most this season leading up to this competition was having a steady kick,” said junior Sydney Hutchins.
No matter the final results, reaching state is a major accomplishment and a moment these swimmers and Mount Pisgah will remember for years to come.
“A challenge I faced was a double shoulder injury and I overcame it by starting to prioritize my recovery and it helped me perform at a higher level because while I was injured I improved other aspects of swimming that didn’t require as much of my shoulders,” stated James Crutchfield.
At the state meet, Hutchins came in first and is now the state champion for the 200IM. Adriansen finished as the state runner up in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle.
“My advice is to work hard everyday. Show up to practice and put in all the effort. Swimming doesn’t come easy so hard work and determination is necessary. Make going to practice fun and make relationships with your teammates because they are the people that will push you through and make you better,” said senior Erin Hopkins.
