Cole, Marks and Paul combine for six individual victories
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 15, 2010 1:47 PM
Travis Paul watched the walls.
Darion Marks gave a little extra push.
Logan Cole relished the "practice" time.
The trio of Goldsboro High swimmers combined to claim six individual events and two of three relays during a 10-team swim meet contested Tuesday evening at B.G. Darden Natatorium.
Their night started with nearly a nine-second victory over Triton's foursome in the 200-yard medley relay. Along with teammate Timmy Vick, the Cougars touched the wall in 1 minute, 53.78 seconds.
Paul, still recovering from the flu, hit the pool a few minutes later for the 200 free. He hit the wall during the third phase of the four-lap swim, but stayed focused and easily defeated Clinton's Ryan Taylor by 12-plus seconds for first place.
"I was out of the water on Thursday and Friday," said Paul, who also emerged victorious in the 100 free later in the evening. "(The swim) felt good. I just pushed it really hard."
Marks planned to ease through the 200 IM, but picked up the pace after two laps. He swam a strong back and breaststroke, and had plenty of energy left for the final stroke, which led to a first-place time of 2:26.98.
"I was planning to cruise, so I could have some energy and do well in the 50 (free)," said Marks. "I felt a little tired before (the event), and when I hit the water and swam the fly strong, I hit my backstroke and breaststroke hard.
"Then I brought it home with the freestyle."
Cole logged the lone sub-minute time in the 100 fly, recording a first-place mark of 58.28 seconds. He easily bested Triton's Alvin Wolf by 13 seconds and third-place finisher Austin Walker (Charles B. Aycock) by 14 seconds.
It was a "warm-up" for Cole, who has his eyes set on the day-long interscholastic meet scheduled for Saturday at the Y. He wanted to reduce his time and challenge Jacksonville's Shawn Hunter, who has beaten him in previous meetings.
"I'm trying to get down to a low 56 on the fly and am excited for this Saturday, working on everything I can," said Cole, who also claimed the 100 backstroke. "The swim tonight, it was just another swim to me and I did drop some time."
Southern Wayne's quartet of Dylan Atwood, Chad Davis, Jacob Sasser and Christian Newberry captured the 400 free relay in 4:03.91. Sasser finished second behind two-time defending state champion Collin Hobbs in the 1-meter diving competition.
Atwood placed third in the 200 free, while Davis was sixth in the 200 IM and fourth in the 500 free.
"They've really got it together, putting the time and effort in practice that it takes (to be successful)," said Saints head coach Karen O'Donnell. "I have good leadership on the team now. We've got kids who have moved into the senior position who are helping the young kids."
Charles B. Aycock's quartet of Sam Pierce, Bryant Bowling, Sam Chastain and Demion Creel placed third in the 200 medley relay. Chastain took fifth in the 200 IM, while Creel ended up fourth in the 50 free.
Tanner Couling was sixth in the 100 free.
Eastern Wayne's Hobbs racked up 187.10 points in the 1-meter diving. Teammates Ty Schmeltzer and Shane Smith placed fifth and eighth, respectively, in the 100 free.
The Warriors were sixth in the 200 medley relay.
"The guys are starting to realize there is a team concept in swimming," said Eastern Wayne head coach Sydney Myers. "They are encouraging each other. They are pushing hard on each other. We got a few (regional) consideration times (tonight)."