from staff reports

The Brewton Local Area Swim Team Tigersharks blew away the competition this past weekend in Gulf Shores. The Tigersharks racked up four individual high point awards and a plethora of medals and ribbons on their way to a first place GCAAL Championship finish, which capped off the summer season.
Swimmers in attendance were: Nolan Atkinson, Mac Baxter, Patrick Noble, Cole Jernigan, Colby Morris, Jocelyn Carpenter, Kayleigh Kulicka, Addison Heath, Anderson Heath, Emerson Heath, Callie Kent, Caleb Kent, Matthew Kirkland, Harrison Walton, Collin Walton, and Kylee Walton.
Nolan Atkinson, a standout 10-year-old age group swimmer, took home the high point championship trophy.
“Nolan has won high point champion every year at this meet since he was 6 years old,” head swim coach Angel Boyd said. “Nolan is a very competitive, driven young athlete, who has just began to truly realize his true potential in the sport of swimming.”
Nolan is the son of Rob and Lisa Atkinson.
Mac Baxter, a standout 11-year-old age group swimmer, took home a high point runner-up trophy, in a strong fast 11-year-old age group.
“Mac is a talented young breaststroke and butterflier, who has trophied at this meet for the past four years”, stated Boyd.
Baxter is the son of Chris and Angel Baxter.
Patrick Noble, a 9 yea- old Tigershark speedster, had a banner meet, winning several medals and dropping over 30 seconds in the 100-freestyle.
“Patrick is a great kid, who has a good work ethic,” Boyd said. “I am very proud of his performance at this year’s championships.”
Patrick is the son of Hal and Trish Noble.
Cole Jernigan, a 12-year-old Tigershark standout, won high point champion, once again this season, waxing the competition, with extremely fast times in the backstroke, breaststroke and the 100-yard individual medley.
Cole is the son of Lee and Felicia Jernigan.
Matthew Kirkland, an upstart speedster, made a name for himself this past weekend medaling in three of five individual events and also as a part of two, 10U medal winning relay teams.
“Matthew is the son of Jeff and Heather Kirkland and is a first-year swimmer who has really worked hard to achieve some lofty goals this season,” stated Boyd. “I look forward to seeing what else this driven young man can do.”
Caleb Kent had an amazing championship weekend as well. Kent medaled individually in several events as well as a part of the 10U medal winning relay team.
Caleb is the son of Danny and Phyllis Kent of Flomaton.
“Caleb is a hard working young man, who I feel will be a part of the Tigershark Southeastern Short Course Championship team this Spring, if he continues on his current course,” Boyd said.
Jocelyn Carpenter, daughter of Brant and Carla Carpenter, also had some personal best times this weekend in Gulf Shores, winning medals in all of her races.
“Jocelyn is a talented 11-year-old with a lot left in the tank,” Boyd said. “We have yet to see her full potential.”
Other swimmers who had banner swims and personal bests this weekend included:
Kylee Walton, daughter of Mark and Heather Walton, who ribboned in three individual events; Callie Kent, daughter of Danny and Phyllis Kent, who medaled in one and ribboned in several individual events; Addison Heath, daughter of Dewayne and Dr. Melissa Heath. Heath won the girls 8-year-old breast stroke first place medal as well as several other medals and ribbons; Emerson Heath, daughter of Dewayne and Dr. Melissa Heath, medaled and ribboned in several individual events; Anderson Heath, daughter of Dewayne and Dr. Melissa Heath, ribboned; Collin Walton, son of Mark and Heather Walton, who ribboned in three individual events; Harrison Walton, son of Mark and Heather Walton, who ribboned in two individual events; and Kayleigh Kulicka, niece of Dewayne and Dr. Melissa Heath, who ribboned in several events.
“The team as a whole swam their hearts out,” Boyd said. “I am so proud of each and every one of them.”
Team Tigershark is coached by Boyd. Boyd is assisted by Brandee Morris.
“We are currently taking registrations for our fall session, which begins Aug. 18,” Boyd said. “For more information, people can visit our website at —www.tigersharkswimming.jimdo.com—or like us on Facebook at Brewton Local Area Swim Team.”
The recent wins were dedicated to Craig Douglas Boyd, Coach Boyd’s dad who recently passed from cancer on June 27, 2014.