UPDATE: North Atlanta Swimmers, Divers Shine at State Competition

It was a big weekend for the North Atlanta swimming and diving program at the Georgia High Schools Association state meet!

Junior diver Drew Sheldon got things started on Friday when he earned the title as the top diver in Georgia’s second-largest classification (Class AAAAAA). In swimming and diving, the schools in the state’s two largest classifications – Class AAAAAAA and Class AAAAAA – compete in the same division, while schools in Class AAAAA through Class A compete against each other in another division. Drew placed eighth overall but was the highest scoring diver among competitors from Class AAAAAA schools – the first time this has ever been accomplished by a diver from Atlanta Public Schools. No other divers from Class AAAAAA placed in the top 10 and only four others placed in the top 20. It is a big week for Drew as earlier he was notified that he has been selected to compete for USA Water Polo’s 18-and-Under Olympic Development Team for the Southeast Zone.

 Also on Friday, North Atlanta senior Farley Tranakos qualified to compete in the girls’ state competition. Even though she just began competing in the sport last year, Farley is believed to be the first APS female to qualify for the state diving competition.

Then on Saturday, the North Atlanta girls’ team placed seventh in Class AAAAAA. It is the first time an APS team has placed in the state meet. Outstanding performances were turned in by the Warriors’ 200-yard medley relay team (fifth), made up of sophomore Taylor Hicks and freshmen Savannah Mason, Zoe Mock and Hannah Dabney; the 200-yard freestyle relay team (sixth) of seniors Lindsey Reeves and Katherine Jackson, junior Hunter Smith and freshman Hannah Dabney; the 400-yard freestyle relay team (sixth) of senior Lindsey Reeves, sophomore Taylor Hicks and freshmen Hannah Dabney and Zoe Mock;  Zoe Mock in the 100-yard breaststroke (11^th); Taylor Hicks in the 100-yard backstroke (fourth); Hannah Dabney in the 50-yard freestyle (10^th); and Taylor Hicks in the 200-yard intermediate (third).

The boys’ squad did not place in the team competition, however, the 200-yard freestyle relay team of juniors Ethan Roman and Bowden Maiellaro, and freshmen Ben Aspinwall and Jack Bynum placed 10^th, and freshman Ben Stelle placed 11^th in the 500-yard freestyle.