People could hear the splashes from dives and flip turns from across the Cumming Aquatic Center on Saturday night as the beginning of the winter Swim and Dive season started. Swimmers cheered on their teammates, pushing them to swim their very best. North Forsyth High School hosted the kickoff meet. Over 30 teams from many high schools including Lambert, North Forsyth, West Forsyth, and Denmark competed. SOFO Wet War Eagles debuted their best swimming against teams all around Metro-Atlanta, continuing their championship attitude into the following season.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Sierra Wamsley

Counting the caps. South senior swimmers Sreenivas Yellayi (Left) and Jake Taulbee (Right) collect caps from the different teams that were competing in the meet. This was one of the many ways swimmers attempted to pass the time before their events.

South Forsyth forensics teacher and head swim coach, Mrs. Bergdahl, comments on the past competition and the goals and expectations for the upcoming season.

Q. How did you think our swimmers performed given this was the first meet of the season?

A. Our swimmers, as a whole, did an amazing job for their first meet!

Q. Were there any swimmers that stood out at this first meet?

A. Yes, definitely the ones who made SQT [State Qualifying Times]: Jordan Edwards (200 Free), Gavin Cullinan and Ben Isakbayev (200 IM), Jordan Edwards and Caroline Blair (200 IM), Katie Herman (50 Free), Jake Taulbee (100 Fly), Sreenivas Yellayi (100 Free), Katie Herman (100 Free), Jenny Chung and Grace Drawdy (500 Free), Boys A Relay (200 Free Relay), Girls A and B Relays (200 Free Relay), Gavin Cullinan (100 Bk), Caroline Blair and Charlotte Tully (100 Bk), Boys A Relay (400 Free Relay), and last but certainly not the least (just the last event ) Girls A Relay (400 Free Relay).

Q. Have you changed any of your expectations from last season to this season? If so, can you give us a few examples?

A. I know that my athletes will reach as high as we set the bar. We will try to be returning champs for County and I would love to see the girls win State (ultimate goal) and get the boys on the podium at state in some form (of course 1st would be ideal).

Q. What are some of your goals and expectations for this season?

A. Some major goals I have include all athletes reaching the lettering qualifications; all make their PR [Personal Record]; we continue to unite the Swim & Dive as one team; bonding with genuine hearts. Some expectations the coaches and I have for the athletes and ourselves would be that coaches and athletes respect one another and others outside of our sport.  Swimming and Diving is a very unique sport – it takes incredible dedication and energy to succeed.  If we meet our goals than this expectation will be attained.

Q. How have the practices changed from last year?

A. This year we have an equal amount of dryland/weights and water time.  Ideally, we would have even more water time, but we will take, gracefully, what we can get.

Q. What are some specific events you are excited about in the upcoming swim season?

A. I am super excited to see what this group of young athletes can do – they are an amazing, hard-working group of athletes.  Overall their academic work ethic rivals their athletic ability – and that is saying something!

With over 20 newly-made state qualifying times, South Swim and Dive athletes leave the competition with radiating smiles and the satisfaction earned after a day of good work. The team hopes to continue the success they saw in the past few weeks into both the county and state championship competitions.