Clinton High School makes history at MHSAA State swim meet

By Charlie Rook

The Clinton High School swim team finished up their season with a strong performance at the state meet on October 17. Clinton High School qualified five individuals and five relays, making it the most individuals the team has sent to state in seven years. 

Head Coach Marcy Rushing says a large part of the success the team had this season is due to the team’s bond. Rushing spoke to the team’s friendship out of the pool. 

“The team is very close this year,” said Rushing. “The five senior girls have grown up together and have shown a lot of growth over the years.” 

High school swimming has several different events throughout one competition, making practices a bit different depending on the person. The swimmers switch between a primary practice and their event practice. 

“The swimmers have different practices based on what they swim,” said Rushing. “We alternate freestyle practices with individual medley and primary practices.” 

The swimmers who didn’t qualify for the state meet will still compete with their club team through the rest of the year, and will continue to prepare for next year’s season. As for the swimmers who competed at the state meet, Coach Rushing says she had high goals. 

“Our team goals [were] to place in the top eight for the men’s and women’s team,” said Rushing. “I [also wanted] to see a top three individual place.”

The team placed seven individuals/relays in the top eight, which are the scoring positions, and one bronze medal, the first ever for Coach Rushing. However, Coach Rushing said she was already proud of how the team had competed this season, even before their state meet success. 

“I’m super proud of this team this year,” said Rushing. “We haven’t had five individual qualifiers in seven years.”

The high school season has now ended following the state meet, with the next one set to start in August of next year.