The Mount Gilead swim team opened the season with three meets in one week. The Barracudas were victorious over the teams from Galion and Bucyrus, but fell short against Colonel Crawford.

“The swimmers are doing so well considering we have such a short season, “ said coach Dina Snow. “We dealt with several days where the temperature never went above 50, and an entire week where it rained on us every day!! These kids have heart.”

Snow noted that only one other team in the TriCounty Aquatic League has an outer pool: Upper Sandusky. “Our competitors can practice all through May and no matter what the weather, so what our team is able to do with so few weeks of prep is really impressive!”

Some of the highlights included watching some brand new swimmers compete in their first meets. Owen Philpot; Madison Hack; Joy, Luke and Allena McLaughlin; Morgan Staley; Josh, Ellie and Addie Rhea; Anna Marocco, Reagan Swihart, and Gavin and Taylor Robinson all took to the water for the first time over the past week.

“They all finished and proved to themselves they could do it!” said Snow. “Reagan and Gavin have progressed so well that they are already important parts of relays and stepping up to do some tough events!”

Several 15-18 swimmers also set new team records already. Evan Zmuda set new standards for the 200 IM, 200 free and 100 breast; Casey Conrad captured the 100 butterfly record by 0.01 second, and Erin Zmuda dropped her own 100 free time and also lowered the record for the 100 breaststroke.

The 11-12 boys age group has proven to be a big part of the team’s success as well. Tyler Knight, Mason Kidwell, Eric Mowery, Isaiah Fisher, Sammie West and Michael Snopik have teamed up for a variety of relays and individual events to bring home many blue ribbons.

The team will also face Shelby in the coming week, as well as take part in the annual Hawaiian Invitational at Colonel Crawford.

Information received from Dina Snow.