Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Justin Hunter
The Jasper Swim Team recently won several titles at the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Championship in Auburn, Alabama. The team of 7th – 12th graders worked tirelessly towards these accomplishments under the guidance of coaches Jason Lynn and Katie Oliver.
Throughout the regular season, which spans from August to December, the team practices three to five days a week, before or after school, and sometimes both. Most swimmers also compete with the Club Team during winter and summer.
Swimmers begin by setting time goals, working towards ranking within the top three competitors at sectionals to qualify for the state meet. This season, the girls’ and boys’ Jasper Swim teams ranked second at Sectionals, taking them to the AHSAA State Championship.
At State, the team set school records, earning more medals and faster finishing times than ever recorded in the team’s history. When asked about the students’ work ethic, Coach Katie Oliver says, “I did have several students that came to an optional 6 a.m. Friday morning practice, if that tells you anything. So, I am proud of that.”
Oliver continues, “This year, the team was completely dedicated to our practices, and we always joked that if they got sick during practice, then that just meant I wrote the next practice harder. It is an hour and a half of straight conditioning work. There are not a lot of breaks. All the kids embraced that, did well, worked through their injuries, and made the adjustments needed to be successful. So, I’m very proud of their work ethic and successes this year.”
Coach Jason Lynn echoes Oliver’s sentiments. “All season, the kids practiced hard. There were practices before and after school at times. But I think the key to this season was that the kids took ownership of the team. They pushed each other and held one another accountable. You can’t coach work ethic into a kid, but luckily, these kids have it.”
The Jasper Swim Team’s accomplishments at the 2023 AHSAA State Championships include:
• Boys 200 Free – Sailor Panter, 3rd place (Team Record)
• Boys 200 IM – John Abner Nicholson, 4th place (Team Record)
• Girls 50 Free – Annabelle Bivona, 5th place (Team Record)
• Boys 100 Fly – John Abner Nicholson, 2nd place (Team Record)
• Girls 100 Free – Annabelle Bivona, 8th place
• Boys 500 Free – Sailor Panter, 3rd place (Team Record)
• Boys 500 Free – Ethan Hendon, 7th place
• Girls 200 Free Relay – Scout Barber, Anna Gamotis, Lila Oliver, Annabelle Bivona, Alternate: Rozzy Cosmiano – 5th place
• Boys 200 Free Relay – Ashton Amerson, Murphy Lee, John Nicholson, Sailor Panter – 3rd place (Team Record)
• Girls 400 Free Relay – Scout Barber, Anna Gamotis, Lila Oliver, Annabelle Bivona, Alternate: Rozzy Cosmiano – 4th place (Team Record)
• Boys 400 Free Relay – Ashton Amerson, Murphy Lee, John Nicholson, Sailor Panter – 3rd place (Team Record)
The Walker Leader congratulates the Jasper Swim Team on these accomplishments! WL
