Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As winter sports begin to take stage, the Bainbridge High School swim team is off to a fast start after winning their first meet in Thomasville. Led by head coach Eric Connor and assistant Beth Dollar, the Bearcat swimmers are looking to make noise in the 2022 season.

Although a win in their first meet brings plenty of excitement and momentum, coach Connor knows that his team is just touching the surface on what the 2022 Bearcat swimmers can become as the season progresses.

“I would say the meet went very well,” said Connor.  “We won the meet overall but what is exciting is that there is a lot of room for improvement. Every day the team tries to get faster, stronger, and learn from mistakes.”

This season the Bearcat swimmers are seeing many new faces which is exciting for Connor and his staff. Each day the Bearcat swimmers are progressing and working towards their ultimate goal in bringing home a region championship. What Connor admires most about his group is the selflessness they show amongst their peers.

“I enjoy watching the team get better,” said Connor. “This year I have a bunch of new swimmers.  You can see them get better every day and when the swimmers realize they are getting better, it becomes more fun for them. Our goal is to do everything possible to win and to win regions.  The swimmers are willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. They are a very selfless bunch of kids.”

This season Coach Connor is really looking for his senior swimmers Josh Fillingame, Ramsey Mathews, Jaycee Maxwell, and Reese Godby to take the charge with both their performance and leadership and help guide the younger swimmers. Connor has been impressed with the leadership his swimmers have shown thus far and knows his team will greatly benefit from it as the season goes on.

“I have a bunch of young swimmers and my seniors are fantastic leaders,” said Connor.  “You can tell this team works well with each other. The attitude towards this season has made the team so much better. Assistant coach Beth Dollar is always right there pushing all the swimmers and demanding the most from them.”

Another quality that the Bearcat swimmers possess in 2022 is the desire for competition. With a mix of freshmen trying to learn the ropes and seniors who have developed chemistry over the years, the competitive spirit amongst the swimmers is high this season.

“Competition is really high with this bunch,” said Connor.  “Freshmen are trying to get better.  The upperclassmen all have been swimming with each other for years.  Plus I have several sibling rivalries which lead to great races.”

Most importantly, Connor wants his swimmers to learn that they can overcome obstacles in life no matter the circumstances.

“I want my swimmers to always remember how tough it was for them when they first started swimming,” said Connor. “How it takes time and effort to overcome challenges. “I told them earlier in the season. Water is Water. The pool is always 25 yards. The events never change.  The only thing that can change is you. It is how you prepare yourself for challenges that determine if you will be successful.”