Swimmers and divers make splash at state championships

Spain Park, Oak Mountain and Briarwood Christian’s swimming and diving teams were represented at the AHSAA State Championships on Dec. 5 in Auburn.

These athletes racked up several finishes in the top 16, competing against students from more than 30 schools across Alabama. Spain Park’s Rachel Cunningham and Briarwood’s Sadler Keen both came home with gold medals, as well. SPHS coach Sally Mathias said Cunningham, a two-time state champion, broke two of her team’s records at the championships. The SPHS girls 200-yard medley relay team set a new team record, and freshman Tyler Dean broke the 100-yard backstroke team record she had previously set in the sectional meet.

“Our students worked hard to develop their God-given athletic abilities. These results reflect their hard work and dedication,” Briarwood coach Alison McKeen said.

Spain Park’s women’s team placed 12th overall in Class 6A-7A, and Oak Mountain placed 29th. The men’s team at Spain Park placed 13th and the Briarwood men placed 17th. The full list of top-16 results is below:

Spain Park

► 1st place, girls 200-yard individual medley: Rachel Cunningham

► 1st place, girls 100-yard breaststroke: Rachel Cunningham

► 2nd place, boys one-meter diving: Zachary El-Fallah

► 5th place, boys one-meter diving: Jon Pickett

► 5th place, boys 50-yard freestyle: Peyton Clutts

► 7th place, girls 200-yard medley relay: Tyler Dean, Rachel Cunningham, Bailey Deas, Caitlin Bullard

► 9th place, boys 500-yard freestyle: Ward Lockhart

► 9th place, boys 100-yard backstroke: Peyton Clutts

► 13th place, girls 200-yard individual medley: Bailey Deas

► 5th place, girls 400-yard freestyle relay: Bailey Deas, Caroline Rice, Tyler Dean, Rachel Cunningham

► 16th place, girls 100-yard backstroke: Tyler Dean

Briarwood Christian

► 1st place, boys 500-yard freestyle: Sadler McKeen.

► 2nd place, boys 200-yard freestyle: Sadler McKeen

► 15th place, boys 500-yard freestyle: Mason Mathias

Oak Mountain

► 9th place, girls 100-yard freestyle: Haley Burt

► 10th place, girls 50-yard freestyle: Haley Burt