News Summary
The Starkville Swim Team celebrated an outstanding performance at the Mississippi Swimming Inc. Long Course Championships, concluding head coach Melissa Hubley’s tenure. Under her guidance, the team secured two gold and six silver medals, with standout swimmer Timur Gabitov earning gold in two events and Evalyn Wu winning four silver medals. Both swimmers qualified for the Southern Zone Age Group Championships, while the team collectively demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship and achievement.
Starkville – The Starkville Swim Team achieved remarkable success at the Mississippi Swimming Inc. Long Course Championships held last week, marking a memorable moment as head coach Melissa Hubley concluded her tenure with the team. Under her guidance, the athletes showcased extraordinary talent, leading to the team winning a total of two gold and six silver medals.
Timur Gabitov, a 14-year-old swimmer from Starkville High School, was a standout performer, earning gold medals in both the 400-meter individual medley and the 200-meter butterfly events. Gabitov’s efforts also secured him silver medals in the 100-meter butterfly and the 400-meter individual medley, demonstrating his versatility and competitiveness in the water.
Additionally, 11-year-old Evalyn Wu from Partnership Middle School made a significant impact by claiming four silver medals in various events, including the 50-meter breaststroke, 100-meter backstroke, 50-meter backstroke, and 50-meter freestyle. Their impressive performances qualified both Gabitov and Wu for the upcoming Southern Zone Age Group Championships in Orlando, Florida, set to begin on July 30.
The championships also featured seven other Starkville swimmers who contributed to the team’s overall success. Cooper Koehn achieved a noteworthy second place in the 50-meter breaststroke, while Baraka Nyatta secured a fifth-place finish in the 200-meter backstroke and sixth in the 100-meter backstroke. Effia Wu placed seventh in the 200-meter breaststroke, and Britten Whittington finished tenth in the 200-meter backstroke. Axl Landers also showcased his skills, finishing seventh in the 100-meter backstroke.
Newcomer Cole Tucker marked his first meet by improving his personal best times in the 50-meter breaststroke and 50-meter backstroke. In the team relay events, AddyGrace Whittington played a significant role in helping the 200-meter freestyle relay team achieve an eighth-place finish. The collective efforts of the team underscore a strong culture of sportsmanship and achievement within the Starkville Swim Team.
Gabitov’s success is particularly noteworthy as he has made a strong comeback after recovering from a broken leg sustained over a year ago. Coach Hubley expressed pride in the team’s progress and the profound emotional connections developed with the athletes during her four-year tenure. These sentiments reflect the positive atmosphere and commitment fostered within the team.
Hubley, who has decided to step down as coach to focus on her new role as the full-time aquatics coordinator at Mississippi State University and manage family commitments, has played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s identity. Under her leadership, the Starkville Swim Team has distinguished itself from Shockwave Aquatics in Tupelo, promoting a community-oriented approach to swimming.
As Hubley transitions out of her coaching role, Donald Williams has been appointed as the new head coach. Despite her departure, Hubley will continue to coach at local pools. She remains optimistic about the team’s future and the direction in which Coach Williams will lead the athletes. The Starkville Swim Team is poised to continue its legacy of excellence in the sport, building on the achievements and foundation established during Hubley’s leadership.
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Additional Resources
- Starkville Swim Team Captures Medals
- Google Search: Starkville swimming achievements
- Starkville Swim Team Shines at Tupelo Meet
- Wikipedia: Swimming
- Columbus Swim Coach Leads Starkville Swimmers
- Google Scholar: swimming team success in Mississippi
- SOCSD Science Fair Awards
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Swimming
- Westin Cooper News Article
- Google News: Mississippi swimming events
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
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