Expectations high for Raptors in state swim meet

First-year Academic Magnet swimming coach A.J. Parks seems a little distracted this week even though his teams are super-sharp in their preparation for Saturday's Class AAA-AA-A state championship, which will be contested at Clemson University.

But Parks has good reason not to be focused 100 percent. He's battling a head cold while waiting for his wife Jessalyn to give birth to their first child. Jessalyn also coaches the teams.

"Any moment. It could happen any moment," Parks said Tuesday.

The baby is due Oct. 18, but there are definite signs of impending labor and the doctor told Jessalyn last week she could have the baby (a girl) at any time.

If the Parks are unable to go to the meet, former Magnet athletic director Troy Bennage, also the soccer coach, has offered to go in their place.

Whoever represents the Magnet faculty should see the Raptors fare well in the ultimate swim meet.

The Raptors girls are gunning for a top 5 finish, while the boys should place in the top 10. Not bad for a school with an enrollment of 550 students that has to battle schools that have nearly triple the enrollment than Magnet.

"I will put this team up against any team in the state," Parks said. "I'm not saying we would win, and I'm not saying we would lose. We would put up a good fight."

Last year, Riverside won the girls' title while J.L. Mann was second. Hilton Head was third, Bishop England fourth and Magnet was eighth.

J.L. Mann won the boys' title while Riverside was second. Bishop England was sixth and Magnet was seventh.

Parks feels the Magnet girls can crack the top five because the Raptors have at least two girls in every event.

"From what I hear, the girls' team is stronger than last year's team, and the boys, the same thing goes. We have a solid group. As long as they all come out ready to swim, we'll be OK. It all depends on what they do. It's interesting. It's a 'How-do-you-feel-today sport.' "

Magnet's best bet for medals in the girls' meet include Christina Brown in the 100 freestyle, Liz Brown in the 50 freestyle and 100 fly, and Summer Santos in the 200 and 500 freestyles.

Bishop England coach Rose Van Metre also has high hopes for her teams. She feels the girls can finish in the top 5, and the boys in the top 10.

"I think this is going to be a great meet," she said. "Times are fast."

Key members of the team to watch Saturday include Lydon Schultz in the 50 and 100 freestyles, Ben Detar in the 200 freestyle and 200 IM, Hanna Humphreys in the 100 breast, Gracie Herlong in the 500 free and 100 fly, Melanie McDonough in the 100 back and 50 free, and Emily Stein in the 50 free.

Schultz, Shelby Carter and Madison Taylor have been on the swim team for six years and will compete in their final high school meet.

SCISA swim

The SCISA state swimming championships will be contested Saturday at the Augusta Aquatics Center.

Beaufort Academy is the defending champion in the boys' and girls' Class AA-A.

First Baptist is the defending girls' champ in Class AAA, while Porter-Gaud is the defending champ in boys' Class AAA.

Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com or at 937-5592.