Kia AutoSport Athletes of the Week: Back-To-Back State Champions Brookstone Girls Swimming
Columbus, Ga – The Brookstone Girls Swimming team knew they had a target on their back once the season started. When the dust settled at the GIAA State Swim Meet at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta the Lady Cougars are back-to-back State Champions. The team says winning it all this year felt even better.
“It’s a lot more fun this year than it was last year honestly. Just to be able to say that we defended our title. We came out and did exactly what we did, and even better than last year,” said senior Holly Mattson. Mattson also won a pair individual events. She won first place in the 200 Meter Individual Medley and 100 Meter Backstroke.
One the way to the State Championship several Brookstone swimmers set personal best times in several events, and the Lady Cougars ended up winning the meet by almost 50 points. Swimming can be measured by individual races, the most impressive asset of this year’s team is their bond as a team.
“There was never an “I” moment it was all what can I do for the team? How can I make this better? How can we all do it together?,” said Brookstone Swim Head Coach Karen Waters.
“I think we’re all just so close and like family, and I’m just so proud of them,” said sophomore Lauren Kennedy. Kennedy also reached the podium in three individual events. She won 2nd Place in 200 Meter Freestyle, 200 Meter Butterfly and the 500 Meter Freestyle.
To win a State Championship by that wide of a margin it takes everyone to step up their game. Some of the Brookstone swimmers that have a lot of time in the pool recognized just how much some of their teammates stepped up.
“I’m honestly going to remember just how impressive it was for all the girls that don’t swim club. They’ve only been swimming high school and they did dramatically better than they did last year. This year they were placing and they were scoring. Our B rely was scoring and they were up on the podium and that was really cool to see how much they’ve grown,” said Mattson.
The Brookstone Lady Cougars have back-to-back GIAA State Championships, but there’s a hunger for even more success on campus.
“I had some of my Sophomore class come in and they’ll be sitting in study hall, and they’ll be in a break, and they’ll say at a three-peat and I can’t think that far ahead,” said Waters.
Congratulations to our newest Kia AutoSport Athletes of the Week the Back-To-Back GIAA State Champions the Brookstone Girls Swim Team.
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