Etowah’s Swim and Dive team is looking forward to next year after ending its season at the state championships in Atlanta.  

Etowah’s Swim and Dive team competed in the Georgia High School Association’s (GHSA) Swim and Dive State Competition earlier this month. While the GHSA State Competition took place Feb. 2-6 at Georgia Tech, Etowah swimmers competed on Saturday, Feb. 6.  

 Due to COVID-19, certain rules were modified to follow social distancing guidelines. One change is that everything was on the same day instead of having a separate day for the finals. This year, finals were timed to fit everything in.  

“I think timed finals were good. I would much rather have finals though just because the energy and competition is different,” Abby Modlinski said.  

Another change this year was that spectators were not allowed to observe the competition. This was different for many athletes, as they were used to having their family and friends there to cheer them on. Instead, the competition was streamed online via the National Federation of State High School Association’s Network.   

“I wish my parents and family members could have been able to see me race and support me because family means a lot to me,” Samantha Durst, freshman, said.  

Although, some changes may have made it difficult to compete this year, Etowah’s Swim and Dive team was still able to perform well.  

Payton Smith, senior, finished 5th in the 100 yard butterfly and 7th in the 200 yard freestyle. Bianca Santiago, junior, finished 8th in her 100 yard breaststroke. Cole Dallas, senior, finished 21st in his 100 yard butterfly and 20th in the 400 yard freestyle relay. Diver Kassie Guiterrez, senior, placed 2nd.  Overall, the girls’ team placed 14th, and the boys’ team placed 28th.  

Congratulations to the swim and dive team for ending the season with a strong showing.