ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610230032
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: COMMUNITY SPORTS
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: BILL RAY STAFF WRITER
After taking the month of August off following the summer swimming season, the Southwest Aquatic Team's fall season is in full swing.
Boasting an increase of around 40 swimmers, the team has participated in two meets in the past two weeks. The upswing in interest is likely the result of a number of factors, SWAT director Bill Beecher said.
"Some of the increase is probably due to the Olympics," Beecher said. "But we feel like we did a pretty good job of getting information out also."
The team is one of the top three or four in a region that stretches from Southwest Virginia into North Carolina and includes about 20 teams that compete regularly. SWAT has swimmers from all over the New River Valley, a key factor in its success.
For convenience, the team is divided and practices are conducted in several locations including the Blacksburg Aquatic Center and Dedmon Center in Radford. This flexibility helps increase the size of the team, allowing it to be more competitive.
With many high schools in the area not offering swim teams, SWAT is one of the few outlets for swimmers in the New River area.
By competing in SWAT, swimmers are eligible to qualify for Junior Olympic competition. This season, several swimmers have legitimate shots at qualifying, Beecher said. Aaron Workman, 17, and 15-year-old Betsy Garratt are among the teams' top athletes. They qualified for the Junior Olympics this summer.
Workman, who swims in the senior division, placed first in all three individual events in which he was entered when the team opened the winter season Oct. 13 against the Chapel Hill, N.C., YMCA. The Pulaski County High School senior won the 50-meter freestyle, the 100 freestyle and the 100 breast stroke.
Radford High School sophomore Garratt also swept her three events as the team faced Chapel Hill with wins in the 100-meter butterfly, 100-meter breast stroke and 200-meter individual medley.
Last weekend, the younger swimmers performed in Roanoke at Carter Aquatic Center and finished third in a field of eight teams. David Szabo, 14, won all six of his events, bettering his seeded time in five. In the 9-10 age group, Paul Moore also had a successful meet. The 10-year-old finished first in five events and second in one. He took home the blue ribbon in the 100 IM, the 50 free, the 100 free, the 100 breast stroke and the 200 IM.
One misconception about the sport is the demands on a youngster's time, Beecher said. He said that the amount of time varies, with seniors putting in anywhere from 12 to 15 hours a week. Swimmers in the 6-and-under division practice three hours per week.
For more information regarding SWAT, Beecher can be reached weekdays in Radford at (540) 831-5240.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB