Mardi Gras Meet Festivities

Wilson County Swimmers Compete at Mardi Gras Meet

Feb 20, 2005……With only four weeks left in the USA Swimming Short Course Season, five Wilson County residents participated in the Excel Aquatics Mardi Gras Swim Meet in Brentwood. Representing Wilson County for Excel were Bradley Gillilan, Alek Nochowicz, Austin Barnes, Kelsey Copeland, and Conrad Claycomb.

Out of 38 individual swims for these Fab Five from Wilson County, 30 Personal Best Times were set, a remarkable 79% rate of achievement. “That’s good consistent swims across the board for those kids.” Assistant Coach and Lebanon resident John Barnes noted. “They are in mid-season form, and continue to improve. As a whole all of our Middle School age and Elementary School age swimmers that train in Gallatin swam lights out, and did phenomenally. That is a real testament to their coaches, Andreea Mitrofan and AJ Miley.”

Claycomb is a Lebanon resident and an 8^th Grader at St. John Vianney Catholic School, and will be swimming for Pope John Paul II High School next year. “Conrad had a terrific meet, I was very proud of the way he swam. He’s continuing to learn and improve, and will be a big addition to JPII next year in the distance events.” Claycomb dropped times in all 6 of his events, with the largest drop occurring in the 500 Yard Freestyle, a drop of 17.63 seconds resulting in a time of 6:16.97. Other large drops occurred in the 100 Free, a 1.10 second drop; and the 100 Backstroke, a 3.16 second drop.

Barnes, a 7^th Grader at Carroll-Oakland School, dropped times in all 8 of his events. “Austin did great this weekend, I’m a very proud father with just enough sense to stay out of the way and let the other coaches work with him.” Coach Barnes noted. “The most important thing is he’s learning proper stroke technique and how to compete at the same time, all the while only training two to three times a week with Coach AJ and Andreea.”

Gillilan, a 7^th Grader at West Wilson Middle School, dropped an incredible 32 seconds in the 400 Individual Medley. “For a 12 year old to turn a 5:05.31 in that event is great, he achieved a qualifying cut in that event for the Southeastern Short Course Championships, and he cannot even swim it at the Championships until he turns 13.” Gillilan placed in the Top 8 in the 11&12 Year Old Boy’s category in the 50 Breaststroke (#5), 100 Freestyle (#3), 200 Backstroke (#4), 100 Backstroke (#4), 50 Freestyle (#7), and 400 IM (#3).

Nochowicz, a Willoughby Station resident in Mt. Juliet, and a 7^th Grader at Holy Rosary Academy continued to improve on his performances of prior months. “Alek is showing what he is capable of doing, due in large part by his high attendance rate at practice, following the instruction of Coach Andreea, and having a great attitude about what he is doing in the water.” Alek placed in the Top 8 of the 13&14 Year Old Boy’s category in the 50 Breaststroke (#7), 50 Butterfly (#8), and the 50 Backstroke (#7). In addition to time drops in those three events, Nochowicz also dropped time in the 100 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke, 200 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, and 50 Freestyle.

Copeland is an 8^th Grader at Mount Juliet Middle School and will lead the contingent of new swimmer joining MJ High School next year. “Kelsey learned what can happen in her 100 yard events when she attacks the first 50, her time drop in the 100 Backstroke was 1.30 seconds, and she turned in a 1:07.21. With just her times this year, she would already have 4 qualifying times for the High School State meet. That bodes well for her next year as she represents MJHS.” Copeland place in the Top 8 in the 13&14 Year Old Girl’s category in the 100 Backstroke (#6) and 50 Backstroke (#3).