The Vidalia Recreation Department Swim Team had a great showing at the GRPA B State Swim Meet in Fort Oglethorpe on July 16 and 17.  Fourteen swimmers competed in the meet with numerous swimmers making it to the finals and bringing home awards.  This year, the team also had several state champions.  Lake Wright brought home a state championship in the 13-14 boys 50 yard breaststroke with a time of 34.26.  The 15-18 year old mixed relay team were state champions, bringing home 1^st place in the 200 yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:40.48, just shy of the current state record of 1:39.44.  This team consisted of Conley Brown, Reece Brown, Jackson Crawley, and Autumn Harris.  In the 15-18 mens division, Jackson Crawley also earned state championship titles in both the 50 yard freestyle, with a time of 22.90, and in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 50.40.  

The 7-8 year old relay team consisting of Mason Bowman, Ginny Meredith, Easton Moore, and Aubree Zorn earned 2^nd place in the 100 yard mixed freestyle relay with a time of 1:21.57.  In the 7-8 boys division, Mason Bowman also earned 2^nd place in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 39.62, 2^nd place in the 25 yard freestyle with a time of 17.79, and 4^th place in the 25 yard butterfly with a time of 20.94.  With a time of 24.09, Cason McLendon earned 4^th placed in the 25 yard backstroke.  Easton Moore earned 6^th in the 25 yard breaststroke with a time of 31.64, 4^th place in the 100 yard IM with a time of 2:03.73, and 8^th place in the 25 yard backstroke with a time of 26.12.  In the 7-8 girls division, Ginny Meredith earned 6^th place in the 25 yard backstroke with a time of 23.76.  Aubree Zorn earned 8^th place in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 44.12, 7^th place in the 25 yard freestyle with a time of 19.18, and 4^th place in the 25 yard butterfly with a time of 22.80.

The relay team consisting of Maggie Bowers, Jack Godbee, Autumn Moore, and Spencer Mosley earned 2^nd place in both the 13-14 mixed 200 yard medley relay, with a time of 2:10.60, and in the 13-14 mixed 200 yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:54.09.  In the 13-14 boys division, Jack Godbee also earned 5^th place in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 57.15, 2^nd place in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 25.69, and 3^rd place in the 50 yard butterfly with a time of 27.99.  Spencer Mosley earned 7^th place in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 26.93 and 2^nd place in the 50 yard backstroke with a time of 31.65.  With a time of 1:18.03, Lake Wright also earned 8^th place in the 100 yard IM.  In the 13-14 girls division, Autumn Moore earned 4^th place in 50 yard breaststroke with a time of 36.92, 5^th place in the 100 yard IM with a time of 1:13.57, and 4^th place in the 50 yard butterfly with a time of 31.45.

The relay team consisting of Conley Brown, Reece Brown, Jackson Crawley and Autumn Harris also earned 4^th place in the 15-18 200 yard mixed medley relay with a time of 1:58.01.  In the 15-18 mens division, Reece Brown earned 6^th place in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 53.43, 4^th place in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 23.68, and 6^th place in the 50 yard butterfly with a time of 26.38.  In the 15-18 womens division, Conley Brown earned 3^rd place in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 57.58, 3^rd place in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 26.14, and 3^rd place in the 50 yard backstroke with a time of 31.35.

For 29 years, Rob Hilton has coached the Vidalia Recreation Department Swim Team and under his tenure, more than 28 State Champions have been crowned.  This year, he was assisted in coaching by his former swimmers Cole Register & Jessica Gordon.  Coach Hilton has announced that this will be his final year coaching the Vidalia Recreation Department Swim Team.  His many years of service to this sport have been greatly appreciated and his community and swimmers are thankful for his wisdom, dedication, and leadership.