The Heritage School's swim team won't have to worry about too many hurt feelings while heading to Saturday's Georgia Independent Schools Association state swim meet at the Augusta Aquatic Center.
Sixteen of Heritage School's 18 swimmers earned qualifying marks led by sophomore Tanner Brandner, who already owns every record in school history among boys events.
Brandner qualified in all seven individual events while also a member of both of the Hawks' relay teams. Swimmers can choose a maximum of three individual events among varsity and junior-varsity competition.
"It's been a very exciting season with a huge number of new swimmers successfully accomplishing personal goals and surpassing them," said Heritage School coach Alice Browning. "Our veteran swimmers have continued to do personal bests, bringing great success to the team."
Last year, Heritage School's boys scored 27 points, with Brandner finishing sixth in the 200 freestyle and eighth in the 100 freestyle.
He will swim in the 100 freestyle on Saturday, where he has already narrowed last year's state time by two seconds to 54.25. His other swims, along with personal bests earned this year, will be in the 50 freestyle (24.10) and the 100 breaststroke (1:14.67).
In all, six Hawks swimmers will compete individually. The boys 200 medley and freestyle relay teams broke school records in each of the first two meets of the season. Last year, Heritage School finished sixth with a the 200 medley team including Brandner and returners Jesse Riggs and Ben Dudley.
Both Dudley and Riggs, a sophomore, qualified in the maximum three individual events for state. Riggs will swim the 200 Individual Medley, 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke in addition to both relays.
Dudley is entered in the 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke in addition to the freestyle relay.
Freshman Matthew Harmon, who broke the school backstroke record by three seconds, will also swim in the 200 Individual Medley and the 500 freestyle in addition to both relay events.
Junior Donald Breyne will swim the 100 freestyle and breaststroke as well as the medley relay and sophomore William Newman qualified individually in the 200 freestyle.
Both seniors and newcomers have strengths of this year's Lady Hawks team while led by captain Lauren Brandner, who broke three school records this season while aiming for a fourth in the 200 IM on Saturday.
Earlier this season, Brandner -- who earned qualifying state marks in five events --established new school records for the 100 butterfly and freestyle as well as another in the 50 freestyle.
In addition to the 200 IM, Brandner will compete at the state level in the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle. She finished 12th in the 100 butterfly at last year's state meet.
Lady Hawks varsity qualifiers also include senior Kaitlin Pepper, who is entered in the 50 freestyle and will swim both relays.
Other relay members include sophomore Kelly Abrams, who also qualified for the 200 IM and 500 freestyle.
Freshman and first-year swimmer Ruthie Powell set a new school record this season in the 500 freestyle and she is also competing in the 200 and 50 freestyle events as well as the freestyle relay.
Junior Mackenzie York qualified in the 100 butterfly and will also swim the medley relay.
Hawks junior varsity entries this week are led by eighth grader Gage Warren and seventh grader McCullough Burns. Warren will swim the 100 IM, 100 freestyle, and 50 breaststroke. Burns is entered in the 50 and 100 freestyle as well as the 50 backstroke.
Three Lady Hawks are among JV girls entries for Heritage School.
They include eighth-grader Kayla Rasnake, who will swim the 100 IM, and 50 breaststroke. Harper Minor, a seventh grader, qualified for the 100 IM, 50 butterfly and 50 breaststroke.
Sixth grader Allie Browning leads the group with three scheduled swims individually in the 100 IM, 50 butterfly and the 100 freestyle in her first trip to state.
