ACAC ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO CHAMPIONSHIP

ACAC ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO CHAMPIONSHIP

By: Emilie Cooper

Sophie Volcansek cheers for team

Atomic City Aquatic Club returned to the Kingsport Aquatic Center for the last chance meet of the long course season.  This meet stood just 1 week before the Southeastern Swimming Championships in Huntsville, AL. 

With many swimmers fighting to achieve a new personal best and hoped-for SES championship cut, the team came together to cheer and push each other forward.  When asking parents about their favorite moments at the meet, multiple parents commented on the sportsmanship. Robin French stated, “They are such fierce friends. That’s my favorite thing about this team. They support each other and scream and cheer for their teammates.” 

It isn’t just cheering, either. Logan Williams (14) stepped in to be a timer during the 400 Free. Dorian Volcansek (12) was so focused on cheering, that he walked into a poolside pole! He also handed over his goggles to help a teammate when theirs broke behind the blocks before their race. 

With all the hard work from the team in the previous weeks, the team set some impressive new personal bests.

Sydney Taylor (17) dropped over 3 seconds from her 200 Free.  Hallie Hill (13) dropped 4.5 seconds from her 400 IM.  Clara Hill (11) improved her 400 Free by 12.5 seconds. Gretchen Grubb (13) shaved off more than 17 seconds across 4 events.  Hollins Grubb (9) took an amazing 20 seconds off of her 200 IM and continued to drop more than 18 seconds across her other 7 events with personal bests in all 8 of her events. 

Sam Duby (12) dropped nearly 8 seconds from her 200 IM with a time of 2:51.84, setting a new SES qualifier time with ease!  Additionally, she earned 2 other SES qualifying cuts when she dropped 5 seconds from her 100 Fly and 2 seconds from the 100 back.

Logan Williams (14) set a new personal best by nearly 6 seconds in his 100 Breast. Jeffrey Nichols (13) set personal bests in 6 of his events. 

Mateo Volcansek (11) recently aged up into the 11-12 group but showed he’s ready for the challenge. With his new personal bests in the 50 Back and 50 Fly, he achieved SES qualifying cuts in both events with time to spare.

A fun addition to this meet was the mixed relays.  ACAC had 2 teams compete in the 12&U 200 Free Relay both placing in the top 8.  The team made up of Dorian, Mateo, and Sophie Volcansek as well as Sam Duby finished 1st with a time of 2:06.62, nearly 7 seconds faster than 2nd place.

In other news, the team “had a great time promoting ATOMIC AWESOME at the Smoky Mountain Invite at the Springbrook Pool in Alcoa,” said Coach Sarah Corcoran.  She called out thanks to all the team promoters: Brian, Jayme, and Alex Kaye; Jaime and Rossi Casteel; Mason Fischer, Addie Slinger; and Katherine Buchanon.  They showed up to get the word out and raise awareness of the team to area summer swimmers.

ACAC will next be swimming in the Southeastern Swimming Championships July 13-16.  For anyone interested in learning more about Atomic City Aquatic Club, there are 2 swim clinics coming up. The Starts & Turns clinic is July 25-28 and the Foundations for High Performance clinic is September 5-8.  For more details:  https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/seacac/page/fall-clinic-2023.

Addie Slinger promotes ACAC at Smoky Mountain Invitational