By Sydney Klingler
Swimming Editor
sydney.klingler@gmail.com
    While most of the Alta Student Body was out having fun doing day activities before the Sweethearts Dance, the swimmers were focused on another task entirely. At the pool in the BYU Richards Building, the 2012 state competition was starting the second and final day of the state competition. This two day competition did not disappoint in the eyes of Alta High’s swimmers. The Girls came out in third place and the Boys finished with a strong fourteenth place, both sides of the team scored higher than projected. In addition to a great success in points, Alta High School’s Swim Team set or tied eight school records as well as a Utah High School Swimming record. Both of the Girls Relays, 200 Medley and 400 Freestyle--consisting of Hailey Wilkinson, Brianna Francis, Alicia May, and Taylor Coffey—accomplished an incredible feat and took first overall.
    Brianna Francis, Junior, was named the 2011-2012 5A Female Swimmer of the Year and set school records in the 200 Medley Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay, and Girls 100 Breaststroke. In addition to those, she broke the state record in the Girls 200 Individual Medley.
     Alicia May, Junior, now holds the school records for the Girls 50 Freestyle—a 2008 record that had remained untouched until now. She was also part of the record holding 200 Medley Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay teams and now holds the 100 Freestyle record.
    Jayden Rasband broke the school records for the Boys 200 Freestyle and 500 Freestyle. The high school Junior shattered his previous 500 Freestyle time by dropping an unheard of 14.56 seconds.
   Seniors Hailey Wilkinson and Taylor Coffey were part of the Girls 200 Medley Relay and the Girls 400 Freestyle Relay and now  hold school records in both.
    All five of these swimmers were named All-State Swimmers at the conclusion of the meet. 
    In addition to these incredible events, Patrick Thurman, Julie Abrahamson, and Dayne Shaw, were recognized by the other coaches around the state with Thurman receiving Girls’ Swimming Coach of the Year from the UHSAA. 
     Alta High School Swimming had an incredible season that will not soon be forgotten by its team members. The state competition was intense and every Alta State Swimmer left everything they had in the pool by the  end of the day on February 11, 2012.
Posted 2/22/12