Sunkist takes team title at Mississippi state championship

The following is a press release provided to SwimSwam for publication:

The Sunkist swim team (SUNS) from Flowood won the Mississippi state swimming championship at the brand new Tupelo Aquatic Center this weekend. It was a total team effort victory as they came in second in both the girls and boys divisions. This was their 1st team championship since 2001. Host team Shockwave (SWAT) won the boys team title while defending state champion Mississippi Makos (MMST) won the girls team title. This was the first championship meet at the new 12 million dollar Tupelo Aquatic Center. They will be the host site of the 2015 Southern Zone Age Group Championship.

Gabrielle Ivey of Ocean Springs (OSY) won all of her events in the 10 & under girls; 200FR, 50BK, 50FR, 500FR, 100BK, 100FR, & 50FL. Sunkist teammates won all of the 10 & under boy individual events, with Matthew Robinson winning the 200FR, 50FR, 500FR, Carter Dickey winning the 50BK, Michael Robinson (only 8) winning the 100BK, and Noah Derrick winning all of his events; 50BR, 200IM, 100FL, 100IM, 100FR, 100BR, 50FL.

Cait Chandler from Biloxi Elite Swim Team (BEST) won the 200FR, 50BR, 100IM, 100FR, & 100BR in the 11-12 girls. Cade Vickers from SWAT won all of his events in the 11-12 boys; 50BR, 200IM, 100FL, 100IM, 100FR, 100BR, 50FL. Cade remained undefeated by coming from behind to win the 50FL 28.12-28.35.

Addison Bridges (MMST) won the 13-14 girls 200FR, 400IM, 200FL, 200IM, 500FR, 100FL, 1000FR, and was a part of both Makos relay victories to be the only undefeated swimmer of the meet. Some of the fastest swims of the meet came from Sunkist 13-14 teammates Jack Smithson and Eien McGee. Smithson started the meet off with a state record in the 1650FR (16:20.52) which now ranks as 25th in the nation. Smithson broke state records in the 200FL (1:56.08 22nd nationally) and 100FL (52.32 21st nationally). He also picked up victories in the 500FR, 200BK, & the 1000FR. Eien won the 200FR, 100BR (1:02.12 21st nationally), 100BK (54.70 14th nationally), 50FR (22.22 5th nationally), 200IM, and the 100FR (48.22 4th nationally). His only loss of the meet came to teammate Smithson in the 100FL (52.93 4th nationally). Smithson and McGee were joined by Khameron Glass and Chikashi Kano in setting state records in both the 200FR (1:32.15) & 200MR (1:44.30).

Senior girls results were spread out over a lot of great swims. Taylor Ballard (MMST) & Laken Vickers (SWAT) raced to a quick 1:05.03-1:05.54 100BR battle. Ashleigh Moore (BEST) just edged out Cris Roberts (SWAT) and Alex Good (MMST) in the 100BK (59.77-59.94-59.95). Kate Murphy (SUNS) took down a quick and tight 50FR (24.31) over Vicker (24.41), Mary Helen McGee (MMST 24.54), Courtney Goff (MMST 24.54), and Kyjana Webber (BEST 24.55). Murphy was on the other side of a close race in the 100FR as Webber came back to close fast and win 51.71-51.87. Murphy added wins in the 1650FR, 200FR, 200FL, 200IM, & 100FL.

Sam Stewart of the YMCA HubFins (YHF) won the 200FR, 100BK, 200FL, 200IM, 200BK, & 100FL in the senior boys. Ashton Robertson (BEST) broke the state record in the 50FR (21.11). Ladd Chain from Swim Columbus (SCSO) won the 100FR and picked up silvers in the 200FR, 200FL, 50FR, 200IM, & 100FL. Sunkist teammates had nice battles in the breaststroke events. Josh Williamson won a close race against Ralph Moore (59.75-1:00.26) in the 100BR. Moore returned the favor by taking Williamson in a close race in the 200 (2:13.74-2:13.81).

Full results

Final team scores:

1. Sunkist Swim Team 4047

2. Shockwave Aquatics 3493.5

3. Mississippi Makos Swim Team 3232

4. Biloxi Elite Swim Team 1817

5. YMCA HubFins 1627

6. Laurel Swim Association 832

7. Swim Columbus 740

8. Delta Aquatic Club 671

9. Southern Mississippi Aquatic C 620.5

10. Ocean Springs Marlins 451

11. Meridian Swimming Association 213

12. Vicksburg Swimming Association 199

13. Tallahatchie Tidal Waves 59

14. Unattached 18