The Tullahoma Swim Club (TSC) concluded its 2024-2025 short-course season with two successful swim meets at the end of February. TSC is a registered member club of USA Swimming, which organizes and governs the world of competitive swimming in the United States. TSC consists of about seventy swimmers ages 5-18, spanning all skill levels. 

Thirty-one TSC swimmers participated in the Southeastern Swimming Region 2 Championships that were held in Chattanooga on February 14-16. USA Swimming divides the country into administrative regions called Local Swimming Committees (LSCs). TSC is part of the Southeastern Swimming LSC, which includes Tennessee, Alabama and the panhandle of Florida.  Region 2 is comprised of all clubs in Tennessee east of Tullahoma. Thirteen additional clubs attended the Region 2 Championships, and TSC performed well. There were numerous top ten and top five finishes, and many swimmers swam personal bests. All swimmers achieved goals they and their coaches (Jordan Kaiser, Isabel Stoker and Deanna Gipson) had worked toward all season. Head coach, Deanna Gipson, said “We, the coaches, have thoroughly enjoyed watching our swimmers progress this season! They went to every meet with a goal to accomplish. Through hard work and determination, these swimmers persevered at every meet. This group of swimmers has represented Tullahoma well!”

The Southeastern Swimming Region 2 championship typically marks the end of the season, however this year Tullahoma Swim Club had four swimmers reach a very difficult goal. If an athlete swims an event fast enough at any USA Swimming sanctioned meet during the season, he or she can qualify for additional meets. TSC had four swimmers qualify for the Southeastern Swimming Winter Championships. These swimmers travelled to Huntsville, AL on February 21-23 to compete against the fastest swimmers in the Southeastern LSC.

A swimmer qualifies in an event by meeting a very competitive time standard that is determined each year by Southeastern Swimming. Lukas Jackson qualified in the 50 freestyle for 10 and under Boys. Grady Sturgill qualified in the 100 and 200 freestyle events for the 11-12 Boys. Lorelei Mizell qualified in the 50 freestyle in the Girls 13-14 division, and Jaden Gipson qualified in the 200 Butterfly in the Boys open (15+) division. Commenting on these accomplishments, Coach Gipson said “We had a very successful season. The swimmers showed up to almost every practice and put forth 100% every day. They set individual goals at the beginning of the season, and this group of kids put their hearts into meeting their goals this year. It was an honor to coach all of Tullahoma Swim Club’s swimmers this year!”

TSC is currently enrolling swimmers for the USA long-course and local summer league seasons. Practice begins at the end of March, and the season will last through mid-July. Registration and tryouts are open to swimmers of all skill levels.  Summer league season is a great opportunity to give competitive swimming a try in a fun, supportive environment.