By Brian Anderson

Tiger Sharks back in the pool prepping for first meet of summer swim season

The Troy Tiger Sharks are getting geared up for their first swim meet of the season. The team is comprised of 34 kids ranging from ages 5-18, including standout swimmer Sarah Cathryn Snellgrove.

Snellgrove placed fourth in the 50-yard freestyle and 50-yard backstroke at the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association State Swim Meet last year. She was just fractions of a second from being on the podium in both events.

Head coach Shane Tatum said this year the team will be broken up into four age groups. The groups are: 8 and under, 9-10, 11-14, and the senior group.

“We look to have a great year this year,” Tatum said. “We are returning some great kids, one who is going to Dartmouth State in the fall. We are looking to have some great swimmers.”

Olivia Murray, coach of the 9 and 10-year-olds, said the kids will be learning all four strokes, the freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly. They will compete in six events, four individuals and two relays.

“For some of the kids it’s their first swim meet and we just want them to learn and have fun and be competitive at the same time,” eight-and-under coach Torrey Battle said. She wants them to learn the swimming environment as well as enjoy it.

The Tiger Sharks will begin their season at Troy Recreation Center on Enzor Road in Troy on May 30. The tri-meet is set for 6:00 p.m. and will compete against Andalusia, Dothan and Eufaula.