By Lauren Goldstein, Score Atlanta
The boys’ Class AAAAAA state swimming and diving championship could very well could come down to the final event.
In 2015, Walton edged Alpharetta 310-303.5 to win a second consecutive state title. At the Cobb County championships last week, Lassiter won its first county title since 2011, totaling 513 points and ending Walton’s four-year run of titles.
But with Cobb County programs on the rise, Gwinnett County schools are determined to take back the trophy that belonged to them for 12 consecutive years, ending in 2014. At the Gwinnett championships, Brookwood and Collins Hill swam a close meet, but the Broncos took home championship for the first time since 2009, ending Collins Hill two-year streak by 2.5 points.
When it comes to swimming dynasties in Class A-AAAAA, the Westminster boys have set their place in this category, winning six consecutive state titles from 2003-08. The Wildcats enter the state meet after prevailing at the metro championships with 200 points, followed by Alpharetta (114), Centennial (101) and Wesleyan (83).
Dalton standout Ethan Young will be a favorite to watch at the meet. Young, headed for the University of California next year, broke his own state record at last year’s state championships in the 100-backstroke (47.47) and tied for first place in the 100-butterfly (48.92).
Kell diver Anthony Musciano finished runner-up in last year’s event and has improved, breaking a 17-year-old Cobb County record (516.05) to win the Mustang Diving Invite last month.
Last year, the Kell Lady Longhorns dominated at state, winning their third consecutive title and finishing with 433 points, 78 points higher than runner-up Brookwood. The metro championships held last week proved that Marist girls are the team to beat, finishing with 172 points, followed by Westminster (135), Wesleyan (106) and Alpharetta (76.5).
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