Swimming could soon be added to the T.R. Miller athletic roster if swim coach Angel Boyd and parents in the community get their way.

“It doesn’t take a whole lot to have a good club,” Boyd said. “We need to allow kids to have the opportunity.”

Currently, students who enjoy swim compete through the Brewton YMCA swim league, the Tigersharks. Over the years, the age divisions – coached by Boyd – have brought home numerous region and state wins.

Parent Nancy Thelen, who moved to Brewton in 2014, said her children, Dean and Jacob, love being a part of the swim team.

“I appreciate 100 percent of what (Angel Boyd) does for the kids,” Thelen said. “The work she does with these kids – she makes them work hard and compete. They love every single minute of it. This is the perfect sport for my two boys. That’s what I want them to have, a sport they can enjoy all the way through school.”

Parent Brooke Glass said her daughter Elizabeth has also found her niche swimming.

“We’ve tried cheerleading, soccer and all other things,” Glass said of her daughter’s extracurricular activities. “With swimming she excels and loves it. (Boyd) instills values, teaches and works with them. (Elizabeth) wants the opportunity to represent her high school doing something she loves and is good at.” Glass said that scholarship opportunities for a having a swim team shouldn’t be ignored.

Many of the current swim club kids at the YMCA are qualifying or close to making the cut for sectionals, before even reaching high school, Boyd said.

Ninth grader Kobe Morris swims a 24 second free style with a state cut set at 24.79. Eighth grader Cole Jernigan swims a 26.66. Sixth grader Nolan Atkinson swims a 28.04. The cut for sectionals in the girl’s division is 29.99, eighth grader Elizabeth Glass swims a 29.69.

“It’s not like we’ll be going into this having kids not making sectional times,” Boyd said. “We have kids who are ready to go into state meets. We’re already building champions. Why not give the opportunity to bring home state championships for T.R. Miller and continue on our tradition of champions in another sport?”

The swimming season starts in August and ends with a state meet in December. Boyd is recommending starting a program to start this year open for students beginning in the seventh grade.

BCS board chairwoman Stephanie Walker said they will take the request under advisement.

“It’s impressive what you kids have done, and we appreciate all of your hard work,” Walker said.

In personnel news, the board accepted the retirement resignations of Kim Owens, Wade Morris and Beverly Haveard; position resignation of TRM band director Damon Anderson; and the rescinded retirement of Jamie Riggs.