There were 13 Covington YMCA swimmers who competed for the Rockdale swim league at the GRPA swim meet on July 20-21 in Augusta.
And a combined 19 medals - five more than actual swimmers - were brought back to Rockdale and Newton County by the local team.
For the girls, medalists were Kit King (8th) in the 9-10 year old 25-yard butterfly and Heather Stanley (5th) in the 9-10 year old 25-yard breaststroke.
For the boys, medal winners were Joey Ellwanger (4th) in the 11-12 year old 100 freestyle and 8th in the 50 fly. Jack Mitchell placed 4th in the 11-12 year old 50 freestyle and 5th in the 50 backstroke.
Matthew Tibbetts placed 2nd in the 13-14 year old 50-yard breaststroke. Drew Ellwanger was 3rd in the 15-18 year old 50 breaststroke and 5th in the 100 yard individual medley.
During the men's 50-yard breaststroke was one of the most competitive races at the meet, with the first and second place swimmers both under state record time.
Nick Stanley won a silver medal in the 15-18 year old men's 50-yard backstroke, and swam it on the gold medal winning Rockdale medley relay. Stanley swam for Irwin Place this summer, but is a senior at Newton High School.
Ellwanger finished a close third in a personal best time of 27.7 seconds. He won a gold medal swimming the breaststroke leg of the medley relay in a blazing 27.1 seconds.
Other relay medalists were Matt Mitchell, Jack Mitchell, Robbie Carstens, Robbie Ellwanger and Joey Ellwanger in the 11-12 year old relays.
"Overall the Rockdale swim league and (the) Covington YMCA swimmers had a great state meet," said RSL state swim coach Gregg Ellwanger, "with other swimmers asking 'who are these fast kids from Rockdale?' Well, now they know."
Fishing
Fishing derby for kids is August 4 at fishery
The Metro Atlanta Hawg Hunters Bass Club presents the 11th Annual Castings Kids Fishing Derby 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 4 at the Georgia State fishery in Social Circle.
The event is catch and release, although some fish will be harvested.
Children will be supervised by club members and guardians, while rules for the derby must be obeyed. In addition, it is required that everyone register a sign a release form.
Participants need not bring any fishing equipment or bait for the contest. However, it is highly recommended that everyone bring a hat due to the summer heat.
A casting contest will be held from 11 a.m. to noon prior to a lunch that will be served between noon and 1 p.m. Prizes and awards will be given to the winners from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. during a special presentation.
For more information, call Darrell Anders at (678) 471-2925.
