Community Spotlight

from March 2023

Prepared for Impact

2023 GHSA State Swimming & Diving CHAMPIONS

For this month’s Community Spotlight we dive into the pool following the 2023 GHSA State Championship Swimming & Diving Meet and highlight our wonderful Cobb County swimmers. Our own Justin Hanover called the races for the NFHS Network and was blown away by what he saw.

“We have a tremendous amount of swimming talent in Cobb on both the men’s and women’s sides. I was constantly calling out the names of Lassiter and Walton and Harrison and Campbell and so on. This is a tremendous tribute to the amazing coaches we have in our neighborhood developing these High Schoolers and bringing Championships to us,” Justin said.

The Lassiter Lady Trojans won the overall State Championship for the fourth consecutive year and the Walton boys also took home the big trophy in the team competition. This was the first time the Raiders pulled off the feat since the back-to-back Championships in 2014 and 2015.

Congratulations to all of our outstanding athletes!

HILLGROVE HAWKS l 7A

Men’s 200 Free Relay placed 9th Cameron Warren, Nathan Rariden, Justin Knauf & Lathan Parks

Nathan Rariden placed 3rd in the 100 Free and 200 Free

Noah Smith 6A State Champion in the 50 Free and 100 Free placed 4th

Julia Hodgson led the Lady Spartans in points, scoring 18, qualified for finals in all four of her events and placed 10th in the 100 back.

The Men’s Swim Team had their best finish at State in over 23 years! Luke Watkins led the team in scoring with 29 points, qualified for finals in all four of his events and placed 10th in the 200 IM and 7th in the 500 Free. Watkins broke two school records on the season: 200 free at 1:50.05 and 500 free at 4:39.02.

Elliot Elmore placed 3rd in 100 Breaststroke

Elizabeth Tilt 6A State Champion in the 100 Fly & 200 IM

Overall Men’s Team State Champions!

Men’s 200 Free Relay placed 3rd: William Iglar, Theo Thomas, Jesse Franks & Griffin Lovett