The T.R. Miller Tigers Men’s Swim Team recently traveled to Auburn University for the 2017 AHSAA 1-7A Swim and Dive State Championships.

The competitors for the Tigers included Cole Jernigan, Nolan Atkinson, Mac Baxter, Cobi Godwin, Dean Thelen, Caleb Kent, Austin Greenwood and Sam LoDuca.

The team performed exceptionally well, placing 19th overall out of 67 teams from 1-7A, while placing 9th amongst schools in classes 1-5A. Only six points separated the 6th and 9th place teams.

“We are very excited about how well our young team competed this season, and see only great things in our future,” head coach Angel Boys said. “We have future goals of bringing home one of those state trophies to our school in the sport of swimming.”

Sophomore Cole Jernigan placed 6th in the finals for the 50 and 200 freestyle races for 1-5A. He also anchored the 4×50 freestyle relay which the team finished 8th in the state.

Freshman Mac Baxter finished 7th in the state finals for the 500 freestyle, 10th in the 200 freestyle, and lead off in the 4×50 freestyle relay that finished 8th.

Sophomore Cobi Godwin took place in the 4×100 freestyle relay and the 4×50 medley relay.

Sophomore Dean Thelen, sophomore Sam LoDuca, senior Austin Greenwood, and eighth grader Caleb Kent were relay members for the 4×100 and 4×50 relay teams.

Nolan Atkinson was injured and did not compete, but Boyd said that he was instrumental in helping the team get to state in the two relay races.