Cartersville Cobias claimed first place in its league -- its first title since 2006 -- and went undefeated during the regular season, the first time in nine years.
"We're really proud of our swimmers and what they've accomplished," Kristin Strickland, aquatics coordinator with the Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department, said. "They've done really well this season."
She said the success is founded on coaching, youth effort and parental support.
"We have more swimmers than in the past couple of years," she said. "Last year we had 109 swimmers and this year it was 124. That's meant we had more options on who would swim in each event.
"We were able to put our better swimmers in the competitive lanes and that gave us more points."
Just as important, she said, is the fact that Maddy Johnston, head coach, is now in her third year guiding the program.
"Our swimmers are used to her and her coaching style and they are getting better because of that," she added.
Strickland said the swimmers have responded to the program.
"We've had a huge response and more of our swimmers are dedicated," she said. "They participate in every meet. They are coming before practices and staying later, trying to learn. It really has to do with our parents and their commitment to our swimming program."
Cartersville was undefeated in its meets this season, defeating Canton YMCA, 448-441; Kingston Square, 554-260; Pickens County, 551-258; River Green, 535-202; the Woodlands, 515-323; and Gilmer County by forfeit.
Also coaching the team are Ashlie Clanton, assistant coach; Morgan Johnston, 6 and under coach; and swim coordinator Becky Clanton.
Strickland said among the members who led the team with their performances were: Grant Allgood, age 10, 50 freestyle, 36.25; 25 breaststroke, 18.62; Madeline Braid, 14, 100 individual medley, 1:13.93; 50 butterfly, 31.86; Adam Brawner, 14, 100 individual medley, 1:18.75; 50 butterfly, 38.18;
Norman Clanton, 16, 50 freestyle, 25.81; 50 backstroke, 28.60; Thomas Hall, 9, 25 breaststroke, 27.25; 25 butterfly, 25.53; Chloe Hobgood, 16, 100 freestyle, 1:06.06; 50 backstroke, 32.53; Morgan Johnston, 18, 100 individual medley, 1:12.46; 50 butterfly, 30.53; Sky Jones, 17, 50 freestyle, 25.66; 50 butterfly, 32.84;
Rachel Long, 8, 50 freestyle, 42.38; 25 freestyle, 18.13; Makayla Ludwick, 8, 25 freestyle, 17.43; 25 backstroke, 18.40; Rylee Moss, 8, 100 individual medley, 1:26.42; 25 butterfly, 16.92; Zachary Naelitz, 16, 100 individual medley, 1:06.59; 50 butterfly, 27.00; Wesley Shores, 12, 100 individual medley, 1:25.54; 50 butterfly, 36.28;
Shane Walters, 17, 50 freestyle, 23.80; 50 breaststroke, 31.64; Nolan Watson, 12, 50 freestyle, 33.14; 50 breaststroke, 42.87; Johnathon Wilkes, 10, 50 freestyle, 37.82; 25 backstroke, 22.97; Emily Williams, 17, 100 freestyle, 1:05.28; 50 breaststroke, 37.89;
Erin Williams, 14, 50 freestyle, 27.52; 50 butterfly, 32.84; Brynna Wolfe, 9, 50 freestyle, 31.94; 25 freestyle, 14.89.