Forty eight GPAC swimmers opened the 2014 long course season with sensational early-season times and earned top spot among visiting teams at the “Spirit of Mobile Invitational” swim meet held in Mobile May 2-3.  Among the 77% best times swam in the meet, GPAC boasted 2 individual high-point winners, 13 different individual event winners, and numerous new Southeastern cuts and new motivational times.

Makayla Ludwick and Walker Parra were the high-point winners for the 11-12 age group for GPAC. Ludwick, 12, won six out her eight individual events, setting five best times and setting a new Southeastern qualifying time in the 200 IM. She also posted a new ‘AAA’ time in the 200m backstroke and two new ‘AA’ times (200 IM, 100 Fly). Teammate Renee Henderson, 11, was the runner-up for the girls in the age group.

Parra, 12, won four individual events on the boys’ side and nabbed second in two others to claim the prize for the 11-12 age group. Walker set five new life-best times and set a new ‘A’ time in the 50m fly.

“It was a great first meet for all age groups,” said Head Age Group coach Greg Johnson. “Once [the younger ones] got over the fact that the pool is long, they really swam well. The older swimmers were working on recognizing long course again and how to swim it.”

GPAC had 13 different swimmers win individual events at the meet. Paige Bridges, 10, took the gold in the 100m backstroke and was the runner-up for the girls 9-10 age group. She also posted a new Southeastern cut in the 200 IM. Cason Forst, 12, who finished third in the point standings, won the 200m free. The Henderson Trifecta of James, Renee and William scored individual wins, with sister Renee winning three, and the brothers each winning one. Eight other swimmers won events at the meet: AJ Luth, 14 (400 IM), Maren Mackey, 10 (100 Fr), Tatiana Oberley, 16 (200 Br), Heidi Schellin, 16 (100 Br),Seth Scoggins, 12 (100Br), and Grace Sill, 14 (400 fr).

Eleven swimmers accounted for 17 new Southeastern Swimming championship qualifying times: Parker Brandt, 13 (100 fly), Paige Bridges, Lexi DeJesus, 12 (50 Br 200 IM), James Henderson, 13 (100 Fr, 100 Fly, 200 Br, 400 IM), Renee Henderson, 11 (50 fly), William Henderson, 11 (400 Fr), Makayla Ludwick, Heidi Schellin (400 IM), Noah Scoggins, 10 (50, 200 Fr), Seth Scoggins (50 Fr, 100 fly) and James Tracey, 12 (50 Fr).

Congratulations to the swimmers who achieved new motivational times at the meet:

B: Alex Atherton, Parker Brandt, Caitlin Bridges, Amy Brown, Scott Griffith, Amelia Hoitt, Genna Hoitt, Braedan Jacobs, Kristina Jacques, Sam Laggan, Justin Liu, Alexandra McCreary, Korbin Menser, Cat Pertruska, Nicholas Petruska, Kat Ralls, Heidi Schellin

BB: Alex Atherton, Caitlin Bridges, Lexi DeJesus, Meghan Doyle, Cason Forst, Amelia Hoitt, Rebecca Holliman, Emily Johnson, Malia Ludwick, AJ Luth, Geza Maruschak, Gracie Matthews, Logan Mead, Nicholas Petruska, Seth Scoggins

A:  Braden Barkely, Parker Brandt, Caitlin Bridges, Paige Bridges, Cason Forst, James Henderson, William Henderson, AJ Luth, Maren Mackey, Walker Parra, Nicholas Petruska, Noah Scoggins, Seth Scoggins, James Tracey

AA:  Paige Bridges, James Henderson, Renee Henderson, William Henderson, Makayla Ludwick, Maren Mackey

AAA:  Paige Bridges, Makayla Ludwick

GPAC had 20 out of 48 swimmers set life-best times in all events swam. Congratulations to these swimmers: Alex Atherton, Parker Brandt, Paige Bridges, Amy Brown, Lexi DeJesus, Cason Forst, Amelia Hoitt, Genna Hoitt, Sam Laggan, Justin Liu, Logan Mead, Kobi Menser, Korbin Menser, Tatiana Oberley, Nicholas Petruska, Kat Ralls, Cain Scoggins, Noah Scoggins, James Tracey and Madeleine Vanfleteren.