by special report to The Chattanoogan
posted September 5, 2008
After compiling team standings from independent schools throughout the U.S., Swimming World Magazine has proclaimed Baylor’s swim team as this year’s independent school national champion.
Baylor racked up 92.5 points, to easily surpass Oaks Christian of Westlake, Calif., and St. Xavier of Cincinnati, Ohio, who tied for second place nationally with 58 points.
Baylor head coach Dan Flack says the support he has had from trustees, administration, coaching staff, parents, and students alike have paved the way for a successful program.
“This championship validates a vision. Everyone believed in the concept that supporting a program such as swimming at a high level would help develop great students who happen to excel in the pool,” Flack said. “We have always approached it from the perspective that the pool is an avenue for personal growth with each student.”
After winning the Tennessee High School State Championship in February, the Raiders went on to win the Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships in Philadelphia last spring.
The boys 200 medley relay is ranked second in the country (1:32.64), while the 200 freestyle relay is ranked third (1:23.47), and the 400 freestyle relay finished with the eighth fastest time (3:06.52).
In July, the boy’s team was awarded the 2008 National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association National Dual Meet Championship for Class 9, schools with an upper school enrollment of less then 1000 students.
Looking toward this season, Flack says he is confident his team will continue to be formidable contenders for another shot at the U.S. independent school crown.
“As long as we keep our focus on what we believe is important, I believe success will be inevitable,'' he said. "We have a strong group returning, and our kids have all made a step up this summer, whether in be at the local, regional, national or international level, so I feel our future is quite bright.”
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)
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