Ever since the GHSA split the swimming and diving championships into two separate classification brackets, the highest classification girls title has been handed back and forth between Fulton County (Chattahoochee, Centennial, Northview), Lassiter and Brookwood. The Broncos won last year, ending Lassiter’s run of four straight titles, to give Brookwood its fifth title since 2001. Lassiter has won five titles since the split and Centennial, Northview and Chattahoochee all have claimed one since 2000.
Brookwood recently finished second in the Gwinnett County championships, as Mill Creek ran away with the title. Brookwood lost several key contributors from last year including Kelsey Gouge, but coach Greg Puckett has senior Rachel Muller back.
“Muller should be one of the favorites in the 200 free and 500 free,” Puckett predicted.
Muller beat fellow Bronco Anna Jahns in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle at the Gwinnett County championships. Muller finished second in the 200 free last year and third in the 500 free.
Mill Creek lacks the individual standouts of years past such as Rachael Dudley (2012 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke champion) and Frederique Lefebvre, but look for the Hawks to once again lean on their depth and their incredible diver Lexi Sachse, who won the Gwinnett diving title.
Meanwhile, Lassiter will look to rebound after falling in the Cobb County championships.
“I know that all of our girls are excited about (the championships),” Lassiter head coach Lauren Barnes said. “The second-place finish to Walton at the Cobb County Championships has helped pump them up.”
Lassiter will be led by Jordan Drake, Lauren O’Malley and Lexi Glunn.
“Jordan Drake is a fierce competitor,” Barnes said. “When she gets in the right mindset, nothing can shake her confidence in a race. Lauren O’Malley possesses a lot of maturity for a sophomore. She is a leader of the team and she motivates others with her grace and positive attitude.”
Walton will enter with a lot of momentum after claiming the program’s first Cobb County title since 2008 as Kira de Bruyn and Jane Watts were among the top swimmers at the event.
A third Cobb County team could swim away with the title as Kennesaw Mountain should have Rebecca Postoll back from U.S. National Team duties. Postoll missed the Cobb County championships, but the Lady Mustangs still managed to finish third. Postoll’s sister, Melissa, was a force in the pool, taking the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle events. The Mustangs will also be a threat on the diving board as Alex Hart recently set a new school record at the Cobb County championships. She finished second last year to Colquitt County’s Elizabeth Kirkland in the one-meter dive.
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