DAPHNE - TNT swimmers competed at the 2009 Southeastern Long Course Championships in Nashville, Tenn. on July 23-26. TNT had a great meet, finishing in 16th place among more than 50 participating teams, which was the highest finish of any Baldwin County swim team.  TNT swimmers accounted for one Age Group High Point Trophy, 13 New Team Records, 17 Improved Time Standards and 44 Improved Times.

The Southeastern Long Course Championships are held annually, pitting the fastest swimmers from Alabama, Tennessee and the Florida Panhandle in a Preliminary/Finals Meet Format over the course of four days in two 50 Meter Long Course pools. During the Long Course season, swimmers attempt to achieve qualifying times in local and regional swim meets in order to be eligible to attend the championships.  Although up to 17 qualifying events are offered during the season, swimmers are limited to competing in a maximum of seven events during the four-day Championship Meet.  The top eight qualifiers in each event from the Preliminary morning competition return for Finals each evening.  Fourteen TNT swimmers qualified to attend the Meet and four qualified for the evening Finals competition.

TNT was led by Kyle Simpson, age 14, of Spanish Fort. Kyle qualified for the maximum of seven events at the Championships. He turned in an outstanding performance at the Meet, achieving best times, qualifying for finals and setting new TNT team records in each of his seven events.  Kyle won the 13-14 Boys High Point Trophy by taking 1st place in the 200 Free, 200 Back, 200 IM, and 100 Free, 2nd in the 100 Fly, 4th in the 50 Free and 5th in the 100 Back.  As a result of Kyle’s outstanding performance, he was selected as a member of Southeastern Swimming’s Southern Zone All-Star Team.  The Zone Team is comprised of the top seven swimmers of each age group from Alabama, Tennessee and the Florida Panhandle.

Will Anderson, 14, of Fairhope, also turned in a stellar performance at the Meet. Will qualified to swim the maximum seven events and qualified for Finals in three events and tuned in best times in six of his seven events. He placed 3rd in the 200 Back, 4th in the 200 IM and 6th in the 100 Back.

Jackson Tunks, age 12, of Fairhope, qualified for the maximum of seven events, turned in best times in all seven and qualified for Finals in four events.  Jackson finished 6th in the 100 Fly, 6th in the 100 Back, 8th in the 200 Free and 8th in the 200 IM. 

Ryan Simpson, age 12, of Spanish Fort qualified for the maximum seven events, achieved new best times in three and made Finals in one. 

TNT’s 11-12 Boy’s 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay also scored points for the team.  Swimmers Tyler Powell, Ryan Simpson, Andrew Szydel and Jackson Tunks finished 4th in the Freestyle Relay and 5th in the Medley, setting new TNT records along the way. 

TNT’s 2009 Long Course Championship Team also included Kellen Bullock, Broderick Costantini, Harrison Costantini, McLaine Costantini, Hannah Denham, Ashley Szydel, Andrew Szydel and Nico Szydel.

TNT Swimming offers competitive swimming and swim lessons to children and youth of all ages. For information about any of TNT’s programs, log onto www.swimtnt.com or call Coach Mittemeyer at (251) 599-1019 or Coach Hatfield at (251) 432-2233.  Evaluations of new swimmers are currently underway for group placement for the 2009-2010 Short Course Season and Fall Registration will be held at both YMCA branches on Aug. 16.