Wilson Trio at SC Championship Meet

Wilson County Trio at Short Course Championships

March 19, 2006……Three boys from Wilson County, and representing Excel Aquatics, participated in the 2006 Southeastern Swimming Short Course Swimming Championships this past weekend in Nashville TN. Southeastern Swimming comprises year round swim teams from the State of Tennessee, Alabama, and the Panhandle of Florida. The Short Course Championships requires qualifying times in order to be able to participate.

Leading the way was 12 year old Luke Blackwell of Lebanon, competing in his first Southeastern Championship Level Meet. Blackwell rocked the house on Saturday, dropping over 40 seconds in the 11&12 Year Old Boy’s 1000 Yard Freestyle, finishing Third with a time of 11:35.39. Blackwell also competed in the 500 Free (10^th Place), 100 Free (26^th Place), 100 Back (24^th Place), 200 Free (10^th Place), and the 100 Breast (29^th Place). “Luke has had a great Short Course Season this year, and we look forward to his Long Course Season this summer.” Excel Assistant Coach John Barnes noted. “Although Luke trains under the tutelage of former Romanian National Champion Andreea Ianoli-Mitrofan, he does not do a lot of practice yardage as one might assume from his success in the distance events. His success in all of these events is coming from listening to Coach Andreea and learning how to swim his races properly. Coach Andreea has been a real blessing for all the swimmers that train with her.”

Competing in the 13&14 Year Old Boy’s Category were two Mount Juliet Middle School students, Taylor Wallace and Bradley Gillilan. Wallace competed in the 100 Breaststroke, 400 Individual Medley, 200 Individual Medley, 50 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly, 200 Breaststroke, and the 100 Backstroke. Gillilan competed in the 400 Individual Medley and the 1000 Freestyle.

For more information on year-round competitive swimming options in the Mid-State Region, as well as information on Summer League Swimming in the County, visit www.SwimWilsonCounty.com.

Barnes Named to MTHSSA Board of Directors

Barnes elected to Regional High School Coaching Association Board Position

March 4, 2006……Wilson County resident and swim coach John Barnes has been elected to the position of Vice-President of the Middle Tennessee High School Swim Association (MTHSSA) Board of Directors. The MTHSSA serves as the governing body of High School swimming in the Mid-State region. As Vice-President of MTHSSA, Barnes will primarily assist the current MTHSSA President in carrying out her duties; as well as serving on the MTHSSA Review Committee and providing guidance on the MTHSSA website. Barnes becomes the First Wilson Country Resident to be on the Board for High School Swimming.

Barnes, who was the Head Coach for the first swim teams at Lebanon High School, Mount Juliet High School, and Wilson Central High School in the 2001-2002 inaugural season, is currently a volunteer Assistant Coach and Site Coordinator with Excel Aquatics, a USA Swimming Silver Medal Level Club.