Bradley Gillilan and Madison Blackwell swim to Sectional Meet Qualifying Times

Two Swimmers attain Sectional Meet Qualifying Times

January 21, 2008….Over 1,150 swimmers from Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, and Virginia descended upon the UT Aquatics Center in Knoxville this past weekend. It was the largest meet to ever be held at the facility.

Six swimmers from Wilson County competed in the meet for Excel Aquatics, and with the high level of competition that eleven-hundred swimmers bring to the show, some spectacular swims were accomplished.

Swimming from Wilson County were Lebanon’s Bradley Gillilan and Spencer Ford; from Mt. Juliet were Taylor Wallace, Luke Blackwell, Samuel Blackwell, and Madison Blackwell.

Leading the way with Top 8 finishes were Gillilan, Luke Blackwell, and Madison Blackwell.

Gillilan, a sophomore who attends Lebanon High School, picked up his pace on the second half of the 1,000 Yard Freestyle, and finished in a time of ten minutes, seven seconds, and eighty eight-one hundredths of a second (10:07.88). The swim was good enough for 5^th Place in the Senior Boys Category.

Gillilan’s time in the 1,000 was good enough for a Senior Sectional Meet qualifying time cut, and is his second event he has qualified in for the Sectional Meet. Gillilan qualified for the 1,650 Yard Freestyle in October 2007.

Bradley negative split his 1,000 Free,” Excel Assistant Coach John Barnes explained. “He went out in his first 500 in a 5:04.88, and came back on the second 500 in a 5:03.00. Negative splitting an event is where you come back in the back half faster than what you go out, and is a common strategy in the distance events among top swimmers.”

“His pacing was what we teach to our swimmers, and he executed his game plan very well.”

Madison Blackwell placed 7^th in the 11&12 Year Old Girl’s 50 Yard Butterfly, with a time of 0:30.04. The time was an Age-Group Sectional Meet qualifying time cut.

“This is Madison’s first Age-Group Sectional time cut, and it was a great swim. Her butterfly form is arguably the most technically correct in the county amongst any girl at any age, and is something she has been working on with her coach.”

Luke Blackwell, swimming in the 13&14 Year Old Boy’s category, took 6^th place in the 400 Yard Individual Medley (4:33.51), and 7^th Place in the 200 Yard Freestyle (1:57.00).

“Luke also swam in the 200 Yard Breaststroke, turning in a time of 2:37.88, which was a Southeastern Swimming Short Course Championship Meet qualifying time cut.” Barnes noted.

Spencer Ford, a sophomore at Lebanon High School, swam in his first USA Swimming sanctioned meet. “Spencer did great, we identified some areas which we need to work on, and I was very impressed with his competitive spirit during the meet.” Barnes commented. “If Spencer continues to focus on his strokes and pushes himself physically in practices, then we will see some good things out of him in the future.”

Samuel Blackwell placed in the Top 16 in all five of his events in the 8&Under Boys category. “Sam dropped over 2 seconds in his 100 Yard Freestyle, and also swam the 100 Yard Individual Medley for the first time, placing 9^th overall in his age group.”

“He has been working on his techniques in all four of his strokes, and they all came together in that Individual Medley for a great swim. We are so proud of Samuel.”

Excel’s next meet is the Excel Aquatics Mardi Gras Meet on February 2^nd and 3^rd. Gillilan, Ford, Wallace, and Luke Blackwell will be competing in the MTHSSA Region High School Meet this coming Friday the 25^th in Nashville.

For more information about competitive swimming for Wilson County residents, visit www.SwimWilsonCounty.com.