Chargers save best for last regular-season swim meet

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 10, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Abby Skinner has just missed meeting the state-qualifying standard for the 50-yard freestyle on several occasions this season.

So, first-year Wayne Country Day head coach Tracy Burns switched tactics. She entered Skinner in the 100-yard freestyle during the team's final regular-season meet at the Goldsboro Family Y.

The tactic turned into a reward for Skinner.

The seventh-grader touched the wall in 1 minute, 13.22 seconds -- nearly 21/2 seconds faster than the qualifying time set by the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association. While it was an eighth-place finish overall, Skinner advanced to the next Monday's state championship meet in Greensboro.

"You know, I thought to myself that she's been pretty close in the 50, let's put her in the 100 which would give her a little bit of extra length to work with," Burns said. "She has really worked hard this year."

Skinner also claimed second in the 100 backstroke (1:24.43).

Daniel Covert found some success in the 100 free, too.

Already a state qualifier, the freshman sprinter posted a state-qualifying time of 1:04.78 -- five seconds quicker than the NCISAA standard. Teammates and state qualifiers Mike Kalimnios and Charlie Dees each finished among the top 13.

"Daniel is a great kid ... has really worked hard all season," Burns said. "(He) is somebody who wants it so much and that really drives him every day. It was the goal for him to go to states this season, and his hard work has paid off in the long run for that."

Covert took second in the 200 free, and helped lead the Chargers to runner-up finishes in the 200 medley (2:13.93) and 200 free relay (1:55.11). Joining him were Dees, Nathan Rigdon and Zan Pittman.

Pittman captured first in the 200 individual medley (IM) and placed second in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.25). Rigdon was third in the 100 breaststroke.

The Chargers' foursome of Olivia Dively, Kate Thompson, Laurel Hinson and Alison Bailey secured second in the 200 free relay with a time of 2:14.66. Skinner swam the lead leg on the 200 medley that took second in 2:29.69. She was joined by Dively, Bailey and Thompson.

Thompson earned third place in the 100 free and fifth in the 50 free.

"We did have a really good meet," Burns said. "We had more of our swimmers qualify with state times, which was really awesome. We had some of our kids drop time, which was nice, too, with states coming up. It's definitely been a work in progress all season and feels good to see it end on such a good note."