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  • Five members of the Knox Central Swim Team recently competed at the state meet in Louisville. From left are T.J. Brock, Hanna Wright, Jimmy Hall, Kendra Gray, and Jessica Pope.

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March 8, 2010

Swimming to State

Five Knox Central swimmers compete at State; Hall medals

The Times-Tribune

CORBIN — Special to Times-Tribune

Five members of the Knox Central Swim Team competed recently at the KHSAA Swimming & Diving Championships held at the University of Louisville’s Ralph Wright Natatorium.

Representing Knox Central were students Jimmy Hall, Hannah Wright, Kendra Gray and T.J. Brock, and Knox County Middle School student Jessica Pope.

Jimmy Hall, a senior at KCHS, swam in the state prelims on Friday, Feb. 12, and advanced to the state finals on Saturday, Feb. 13, where he finished 8th and medaled in the 100-yard freestyle and 16th in the 100-yard breaststroke. Hall had earlier won both events at the Region 5 championship held Feb. 5-6 at EKU in Richmond.

Hanna Wright, a junior, competed in the 100-yard butterfly at the state prelims but failed to advance to the state finals. She had advanced to the state by placing 4th at the regional.

Knox Central also qualified two girls relay teams to swim at the state, both of which consisted of the same four swimmers: juniors Hanna Wright, Kendra Gray and T.J. Brock and 8th grader Jessica Pope.

The girls 200-yard medley relay team swam in the state prelims and advanced to the finals, finishing 16th overall while turning in their best time of 1:59.66.

The girls 400-yard freestyle relay team also competed but failed to advance to the state finals.

“The kids swam really well,” said K.C. Coach Dee Dole. “They are already planning to return next year. Last year when Jimmy went, he planned to go back and medal. He achieved that goal. I think the girls have that desire now. Competition is really tough there. Several of the kids swimming at the state have U.S. junior national times.”

Dole also noted that out of 55 girls’ teams competing at the state, Knox Central’s team tied for 30th, with only 34 of the teams scoring. There were 50 boys’ teams competing. The Knox Central boys team tied for 27th, with only 38 teams scoring.

“It’s tough to make it to the state,” Dole said, “and it’s harder yet to come back the second day and score.”

There were several other outstanding achievements by the Knox Central swimmers at the regional on Feb. 5-6 as well, although they failed to qualify the swimmers for the state meet. These include Hanna Wright’s 6th place finish in the 100-yard backstroke; Kendra Gray’s 9th place in the 100-yard backstroke and 12th place in the 50-yard freestyle; T.J. Brock’s 13th place in the 100-yard breaststroke; and Jessica Pope’s 11th place finish in the 500-yard freestyle.

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