Photo: Colby Hutson, who set new records in each of his events including the men's 100 IM, 50 fly and 50 back.
CULLMAN – It was easy to see why swim fans are excited for another year of Cullman High School Swimming. Tuesday marked the first meet at the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center for the Cats and they did not disappoint. The hosting schools were Randolph, Westminster Christian Academy and Westminster Oak Mountain, but it was Cullman making a splash.
The Cullman High School women’s team finished second overall at the event and top finishers were as follows:
Callie Hollingsworth
2nd women's 100-yard individual medley
2nd women's 50-yard butterfly
Reese McNeel
3rd women's 100-yard freestyle
Cabri Adams
3rd women's 50-yard backstroke
In addition, the women's relay team of McNeel, Reagan Martin, Adams and Hollingsworth finished second in both the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
The men’s team had a solid showing as well, finishing in fourth place overall. Their results are as follows:
Colby Hutson
1st men's 100-yard individual medley
1st 50-yard butterfly
1st men's 50-yard backstroke
The men’s relay team consisting of Hutson, CJ Arnold, Brody Schaefer and Clay McAlpine finished second overall in the men's 200-yard freestyle relay.
“Overall our swim and dive team is very young,” said Cullman swim coach Cory Goble. “We have a total of 17 athletes including eight middle school swimmers, five freshmen, one sophomore, three juniors and two seniors.”
Despite the fact that the Cats swim team is young, 10 swimmers, Hutson (junior), McAlpine (sophomore), Martin (freshman), Shelby Smith (freshman), Jessica Thiot (freshman), Eli Borden (8th), Logan Holley (8th), Faith Borden (7th), Kyleigh Potter (7th) and Schaefer (7th) all recorded new personal bests in at least one of their scheduled events.
Not to be outdone, Hollingsworth set a new school record in the women's 50 fly while Hutson set new records in each of his events including the men's 100 IM, 50 fly and 50 back.
“Our two recent record breakers, Callie Hollingsworth and Colby Hutson are also our captains,” Goble told The Cullman Tribune. “Both have been involved in swim for many years and are an invaluable part of our program. Both are returning state finalists and are looking to make a statement this year while serving as a role model for the younger ones. Both are involved in school and community leadership initiatives and members of SGA.”
Goble also added that he looks forward to the Cats next meet at the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center and that he is excited about the addition of new swimmers and the direction that the Cullman Swim Program is headed. He also expects for the times of his swimmers to improve across the board as the season progresses.
Cullman High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mark Stephens added, “As in all our endeavors at Cullman High School we seek excellence, our swim program is no different. Our swim program has a rich tradition of success, rooted back to the days when our program was housed at Nesmith Pool. Most of our swimmers not only participate in our program, but on club teams that swim year around.”
The Cullman Swim Team will be at the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center for their second meet Tuesday.
