By By Jimmy Boone/special to The Star
July 13, 2003
The skies may have been clear, but there was a lot of thunder at the Meridian Invitational Swim Meet in the Highland Park Swimming Pool.
The Hoover Blue Thunder Swim team crossed the state line from Alabama and swam to a 600-point lead in the long-course events.
Hoover led with 1,047 points, while Meridian was in second at 400 points.
Vogt was not disappointed that Hoover had come in and done well in the long-course events.
The Meridian Swim team did find success again in its younger swimmers.
Kaitlyn Collins won first place in the eight-and-under female long course 50-meter butterfly (54.45) and the 50-meter back stroke (50.31).
Semmes Partridge claimed first place in the 10-and-under female 50-meter back stroke (41.74) and the 100-meter free style (1:17.92).
Aaron Ng took first place in the 10-and-under male 100-meter long course breast stroke and the 50-meter back stroke (46.82).
In the afternoon events, the swimmers between 12-18 years old took to the pool, and the Hoover swimmers began to claim win after win.
David Wilson of the Delta Aquatic team, however, claimed three first place finishes in the 12-and-under age division.
Wilson of Greenville claimed first place in three events that he had entered.
Wilson said his fahter first got him interested in swimming.
Vogt said that over 230 swimmers from Mississippi and Alabama have participated in the event.
The event is considered part of the Mississippi State Games, but the teams from Alabama are able to participate because they did not take a part in the Alabama Sports Festival.
Vogt said the timing of the event has also helped to encourage participation.
The meet will resume action at 8 a.m. today at the Highland Park pool and end this afternoon.