©2009 NPT PHOTO BY JENNIFER HOOPER

Caitlin Robertson making a big push for Cocke County
in their meet at Gatlinburg-Pittman on Monday evening.

GATLINBURG-Recovering from their season opening loss to Jefferson County last week, the CCHS swim team rallied to defeat Gatlinburg-Pittman Monday evening by a score of 168 to 116.

Double winners, swimmers who won first place in both of their individual events, included James Ball (100 yard butterfly and 100 yard backstroke), Hayley Parks (200 yard freestyle and 100 yard backstroke) and David "Bud" Perryman (50 yard freestyle and 100 yard freestyle).

Placing first in individual events were Jordan Lloyd (100 yard breaststroke), Erika Wild (50 yard freestyle), Katie McGaha (100 yard freestyle) and Justin Shropshire (200 yard freestyle).

Placing first in both the 200 team medley and 400 team freestyle were relay members Justin Shropshire, Jordan Lloyd, James Ball and Alex Adkins. The girls' relay members Hayley Parks, LeAnne Robertson, Caitlin Robertson and Megan Suggs also participated in the 400 freestyle relay.

Additional place winners contributing to the team's overall points included second place winners: Alex Adkins (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle), LeAnne Robertson (200 individual medley, 500 freestyle), Jordan Lloyd (200 individual medley), Katie McGaha (50 freestyle), Skylar Greer (50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke), Caitlin Robertson (100 butterfly), Justin Shropshire (100 freestyle), Joan Huskey (100 backstroke) and Erika Wild (100 breaststroke); and third place winners: Megan Suggs (200 freestyle, 100 breastroke), Caitlin Robertson (200 individual medley), John Huskey (100 freestyle) and Devon Brooks (100 backstroke).

Having lost 12 swimmers from last year's team, and working with seven new team members this year, the squad is in a rebuilding phase, but hopes are high as the season progresses.

The high school team is working closely with the new Cocke County Middle School swim team, practicing together and traveling to meets together.

"The enthusiasm of the middle school team is both an inspiration and a positive challenge for the high school team because they are really working hard," said Coach Debbie Lloyd. "The addition of coach Lisa Stepp, who runs the practices, and Pam Adkins, who is leading yoga and kick boxing as dry land exercises, has also added depth to the swim program."

The next meet will be this Monday, Nov. 16, at Pigeon Forge. Warm-ups begin at 5:30 p.m. with competition beginning at 6 p.m.