In the final three dual meets, the Cudas went 2-1 with big wins over Eastridge (504-152) and Cumberland Youth Fellowship (390 – 333). The team, coached by George News and Rachel Giammarelle, came just 23 points shy of ending with a 5-2 record, but lost in a close battle to Ooltewah Swim Club by a 375-352 margin thus giving them a 4-3 record instead.
“We’ve come a long in the last few years, and the kids have worked extremely hard to turn things around. I could not be more proud.” exclaimed News.
In the meet against Eastridge, the team was led once again by Joseph Nease and Zack Beeler, who have had outstanding seasons, each earning a perfect 19 points. Geanna Funes and Micah Klingbeil equaled that same score against the Stingrays.
The team next traveled to Chattanooga to face the Cumberland Youth Foundation for the first time.
“They have a lot of young kids and swam several exhibition events because they had so many 8-and-unders,” said News, “but they didn’t have quite as many in the older brackets and that gave us a huge advantage and the score was about the most lopsided I’ve ever seen it.”
Lindsey Driggers, Kailey Klingbeil, and Nease won all their events. Andrew McEntyre and Justin Nease added 17 points each.
“We would have had an even greater spread had it been for the way they only allow two swimmers in each event to score,” said team spokesman Jack Foley.
If a team comes in first, second, and third, the first place swimmer gets five points and the second place person earns 3. The top two swimmers on the other team earn the remaining points as long as they have two athletes in the race and they don’t get disqualified.
In the final home meet, the Ooltewah swim team descended on the Calhoun Recreation Department pool. Foley explained the meeting was “neck and neck” all night until the final relays when the Tidal Waves pulled ahead.
“We came very close to pulling this one out, but we were missing a few key swimmers who were on vacation” said News. “Nonetheless, we ended on a strong note heading into the district meet. We’re only going to get better.”
Krytal Funes joined Joseph Nease atop the points rankings in this meet.
“It’s been such a great year” Foley said. “So many people have made this day possible, including many former swimmers and coaches, as well as city and recreation department staff who positively contributed in laying the groundwork for the success we’re having now.”
The team suffered through many losing seasons, often going 0-8. “But I believe those days are behind us,” he added. “In addition to having such dedicated coaches, one of the things that truly makes a difference and builds the team up, and which continues to amaze me, is how many brothers and sisters swim on this team. It’s such a great family activity. We have about 15 families that have more than one swimmer who proudly wears the Barracuda t-shirt.”
Like in many sports, parent volunteers help organize and run things on game days.
“The same is true for us,” Foley noted. “We’d be lost without the parents who serve as timers, judges, recorders, help set up and tear down, and of course, those who coral the kids from the bullpens to the blocks.”
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