BRANDON- The Brandon Blackhawks have been showing tremendous spirit in there first season as a swim club.
“I love these kids,” Swim coach Todd Duncan said. “I put them through full training, just like any varsity team, these kids have dedicated three hours everyday after school to this team and it shows.”
On Jan. 28, Brandon hosted their first home meet, competing against Walled Lake Northern, enjoyed a well earned victory.
The Blackhawks ended the meet with a 91-77 victory.
Out of 12 events, the Blackhawks took four first place finishes, including the 200 meter Medley Relay, Aubree King in the 200 meter freestyle, and Tyson DeLandsheer in the 100 meter breast stroke.
Also placing well for Brandon were Melissa Swineford, at second, in the 200 meter freestyle, Amanda Dixon, also at second, in the 200 meter IM.
Fransico Garcia placed second in the 50 meter freestyle, with a time of 26.33, while Kelly Kennedy placed third in the same event with a time of 33.10.
Brandon’s Dixon and Stacy Provo took second and third, respectively, in the 100 meter fly, with times of 1:19.87 and 1:44.27.
The 100 meter freestyle again saw Garcia and K. Kennedy placing second and third, while the 500 meter freestyle placed King in second and Swineford in third.
The Blackhawks swept the second and third spots in the 200 meter free relay, and the 400 meter freestyle relay.
In the 100 meter back stroke, Jessica Kennedy nabbed the second spot in a time of 1:20.85, while Matt Lyon took third with 1:22.94. Swineford took third in the 100 meter breast stroke.
Not only were the members of the swim team elated with their win, their parents too couldn’t have been more pleased.
“It has been pretty nice to have a swim program at Brandon,” Trudi Dixon, who’s daughter Amanda, is on the team, said. “Our first home meet seems to be well organized.
“Amanda loves to swim, we were very excited about this program, it would be beautiful if this would become a varsity sport,” she added.
Now, the Brandon Swim program is just a club, because it is in its first year, the team has been swimming a co-ed team. If the sport makes it to the varsity level, the team would be split into a boys and girls team, for their respective seasons.
“The girls have it kind of rough right now, because it is the boys season,” Duncan said. “We are very pleased with the program however, and things have gone very smooth.
“Everybody keeps improving and that is the most I can ask for.”
The Brandon swim team is looking forward to their next competition, which is Feb. 11, at Walled Lake Central. On Feb. 18, Brandon will host its second meet of the season, against visiting Holly and Walled Lake Northern. Meet times are set for 6 p.m.