Dozen Dazzle at Thoroughbred Meet

Wilson County Dozen Excel in Brentwood

November 5, 2006……Twelve residents from Wilson County and Excel Aquatics took to the pool at the annual Excel Aquatics’ Thoroughbred Invitational November 3-5 in Brentwood TN. Leading the way and placing in the Top 8 were Luke Blackwell, Madison Blackwell, Samuel Blackwell, and Bradley Gillilan of Lebanon; and Taylor Wallace and Kelsey Copeland of Mt. Juliet. Also competing were Chelsie Barlettano, Dallas Barlettano, Josh Deardorff, Makensie Moses, Taylor Moses, and Alek Nochowicz.

Those winning events were Taylor Wallace (13&14 Year Old Boy’s 400 Yard IM) and Bradley Gillilan (13&14 Year Old Boy’s 500 Yard Freestyle). Wallace finished the 400 Yard IM with a time of 4:33.34, over a 10 second drop in winning the event; and followed that up with Top 5 finishes in his 6 other events. Wallace is a freshman at Mount Juliet High School and will be competing in the High School season under the guidance of Kathy McCabe.

Kelsey Copeland, a Sophomore at MJHS, finished in the Top 8 in the 13&14 Year Old Girl’s 200 Yard Freestyle, 100 Yard Backstroke, and 200 Yard Backstroke.

Gillilan won the 500 Yard Free in a time 5:20.21, an 8.79 second drop. He followed up that performance with a 2^nd Place finish in the 1000 Yard Free with a time of 11:05.92, missing first place by a scant 0.83 seconds. Gillilan placed in the Top 8 in 8 of his 9 events, and improved his times in all 9 events. Gillilan is a freshman at Lebanon High School and is coached by Jaymie Reynolds during the High School season.

“This was a great meet for our kids. Of 74 events competed in by these 12 swimmers, there were 61 best times.” Excel Assistant Coach John Barnes noted. “Chelsie Barlettano of Lebanon competed in her first meet and did very well. Her brother Dallas had a very nice time drop in the 10&Under Boy’s 50 Yard Free.”

“Our two 7 year old swimmers, Makensie Moses of Mt Juliet and Samuel Blackwell of Lebanon made their mark as future forces to be reckoned with. Makensie continued improving her times in all of her events, and Samuel placed 6^th in the 25 Yard Breaststroke in the first time he has competed in a meet.”

Makensie’s older brother Taylor competed in the 11&12 Year Old Boy’s events. Notably he dropped over 18 seconds in the 500 Yard Freestyle, although he was battling an injury. “Taylor is a tough kid, I was glad that he gutted it out and swam his events.” Barnes observed.

Luke Blackwell was 10 for 10 in improving his times, with notable drops coming in the 13&14 Year Old Boy’s 400 Yard IM (7^th Place and over a 22 second drop); and the 1000 Yard Freestyle (3^rd Place and over a 15 second drop). Younger sister Madison Blackwell placed 8^th in the 11&12 Year Old Girl’s 50 Yard Backstroke, and 8^th in the 200 Yard IM.

“I was really pleased with Madison in her Butterfly events. Her technique continues to improve, and as she gets stronger, I’m confident that Fly will be one of her better events.” Barnes stated.

Alek Nochowicz of Mt Juliet, a freshman at Pope JPII High, went 6 for 6 in his improving of times, with a notable drop of over 6 seconds in the Senior Boy’s 100 Yard Breaststroke, and placing 9^th in the 500 Free. Josh Deardorff of Lebanon, a 11^th Grade Home School student, dropped time in the Senior Boy’s 50 Yard Freestyle as a good measurement of where he is in his preparation for the High School State Championship Meet.

For more information on year-round competitive swimming options in the Mid-State Region, as well as contact information on High School swimming in Wilson County, visit www.SwimWilsonCounty.com.