Taylor Ballard of the Mississippi Makos Swim Team in Flowood, Mississippi has verbally committed to swim for the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast University.
With the Mississippi Makos, Ballard currently swims under Coach Brian Ware. She has been competing with the Makos for 12 years, and during that time, has achieved 20 state relay records, five individual state records, and numerous state team championships. Ballard has also competed with the Mississippi zone team three times.
Ballard also swims for Brandon High School in Brandon, Mississippi under Coach Kate Murphy. She has been team captain at her high school for two years and is a four time MHSAA state champion, with two wins in the 200 IM and two in the 100 Breaststroke. She has medaled in every individual race in high school and holds the current state record in the 200 IM.
Ballard’s best SCY times include:
100 Breaststroke – 1:05.03
200 Breaststroke – 2:25.41
200 IM – 2:08.05
400 IM – 4:42.70
At last year’s Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA) Championships, Ballard’s best time of 2:08.05 in the 200 IM would have placed 16th in the event. Her 400 IM time would have finished 21st, not far from qualifying for the B final. In the 100 Breaststroke, Ballard’s 1:05.03 would have been 8th, and in the 200 Breaststroke, she would have qualified for the B final.