Gwinnett County Swim and Dive Booster Club

The Gwinnett County Swim and Dive Booster Club was created to assist the large number of high school swim and dive teams within the county. The Booster Club arranges for space in local county pools for practice and swim meets. Officials are hired for all meets and paid for by the county boosters. The county meet, diving invitational, and intra-county meets are overseen by the booster club. In past years, the booster club purchased laptop computers and specialized Hy-Tek software for each team. Most recently, the club purchased semi-automatic timing systems for the three competition pools.

The Booster Club is comprised of high school coaches, team parent representatves from each school, diving coaches, and special members that serve at the request of the general membership. A portion of each athlete's registration fees are the required dues for the county booster club. These dues help to offset the cost of practice lanes and meets, officials, county championship awards, insurance and other fees. This portion of an athlete's fees is tax deductible.

A handbook is provided at the start of each high school season that addresses the logistics of meets, the season calendar, county and state meet entries and rules, and much, much more.

All general meetings of the booster club are open to everyone.

HISTORY OF THE GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

VARSITY SWIMMING AND DIVING

 

Season

78-79   Parkview High initiated the sport with over 40 participants. Meets were arranged with several local private schools and schools outside the county. Practices were held at the YWCA in Decatur. There were many drawbacks for the Panthers. Team members had to provide their own transportation, raise money for suits and warm-ups, and pay $1 per practice at the YWCA. They were only able to practice three days a week for 45 minutes in a pool that did not have lane ropes.  There were also no coaching supplements. Despite these drawbacks, the boy’s team finished an undefeated dual meet season and placed 5th at State.  The team was led by Bill Steel who won the State Championship and established the State record in the 500 Freestyle.

 

79-80   Parkview Boys place 3rd at State

 

80-81   South Gwinnett, Central Gwinnett, and Norcross start their own programs. With the Gwinnett County summer swim league growing to around 1,500 swimmers, all that was needed was a year-round swimming facility.  Thanks to some quick action by the High School Booster Club and the County Commissioners, Gwinnett County was about to get its first heated pool. The new pool being constructed at Mountain Park had a heater added to its design. Later that year an air structure covering was purchased for the Mountain Park Aquatic Center through a joint effort of the Northlake Aquatic Club, Gwinnett Recreation Authority and the Board of County Commissioners. This unique facility featured a removable air support building which provided a warm environment in the winter months and could be taken down for outdoor summer swimming. The pool became the State of Georgia’s only indoor/outdoor 50 meter facility.

 

81-82   Gwinnett High school swimming seemed to be on the right track when the Recreation Authority of Gwinnett allowed the local high schools to use the Mountain Park facility rent free because of the department’s use of several high school gyms. However, there were nine high schools with swimming programs and only one coach.  Parents formed booster organizations that paid fees much like the local community schools.  Despite overcrowded conditions with more than 250 swimmers, a medley team from Parkview won Gwinnett’s first State team event.

 

83-84   Scott Hogg of Parkview establishes the State record in the 50 Freestyle and the 100 Butterfly

 

85-86   Mark Smith of Central Gwinnett establishes the State record in the 100 Breast stroke.

 

88-89   Jonathan Jennings of Brookwood establishes the State record in the 200 Individual Medley.  Brookwood Boys place 2nd at State. For the past 30 years, the private schools in the state and the high school teams from Dekalb County had dominated the sport of swimming. Mary Ellen Blanchard of Norcross received All American Status.

 

            The decade of the 90’s began to change all that!

 

89-90   With the fantastic growth of the county and the summer league programs growing to over 4,000 participants, the high schools in Gwinnett begin to lead the way at the State meet.  Shiloh Boys place 2nd at State. Clay Tippins establishes the State record in the 100 Butterfly.

 

90-91   Shiloh Boys become the first Gwinnett County team to win a State Championship.  Clay Tippins of Shiloh establishes the State records in the 100 Butterfly and the 200 Freestyle.  The 100 Butterfly is still a current State record.

 

92-93   Shiloh Boys place 2nd at State.

 

93-94   Shiloh Boys win State Championship.  Shawn McNew of Shiloh establishes the State record in the 200 Individual Medley. The 200 Medley relay of McNew, Heitner, Keen and Simonton establish the State record. The 200 Free relay of Newman, Lewter, Simon and McNew establish the State record. The 200 Free relay is still the current State record. Other State successes - Parkview Boys - 3rd, Brookwood Boys - 6th, and Brookwood Girls - 5th.

 

94-95   Parkview Boys win State Championship.  Other State successes - Brookwood Girls – 3rd, Brookwood Boys - 6th,  Shiloh Boys - 9th. For the State of Georgia, Rick Creed (Parkview) was named Boy’s Coach of the Year and Greg Puckett (Brookwood) was named Girl’s Coach of the Year.  Collins Hill High School was an addition to our county.

 

95-96   State successes - Parkview Boys - 3rd, Brookwood Boys - 4th, Parkview Girls - 5th.

 

96-97   Parkview is first Girls team in County to win State Championship.  Other State successes - Brookwood Girls - 3rd, Parkview Boys - 2nd, Brookwood Boys - 3rd, Duluth Boys - 9th.  Whitney Leatherwood of Brookwood is selected as the Female Swimmer of the Year for the State.

 

97-98   County teams dominate State tournament. Parkview becomes first team in County to win both the Boys’ and the Girl’s State Championship in the same year. Other State successes - Duluth Boys - 2nd, Brookwood Boys - 5th, Collins Hill Boys - 10th, Brookwood Girls - 3rd, Collins Hill Girls - 7th.  Parkview Boys 400 Free relay of Reed, Baker, Shanteau, and Gayle establish the State record. For the State of Georgia, Rick Creed (Parkview) was named Girl’s Coach of the year and Brook Whitmire (Duluth) was named Boy’s Coach of the year.  Katie Permenter of Parkview was selected as the Female Swimmer of the Year for the State.

 

98-99   County teams again successful at State tournament with 7 teams placing in top 10. They were Duluth Boys - 2nd, Brookwood Boys - 3rd, Parkview Boys - 4th, Brookwood Girls - 2nd, Parkview Girls - 5th, Norcross Girls - 8th, and Collins Hill Girls - 9th.

 

99-00   Due to tremendous growth and interest, Parkview and Brookwood start Junior Varsity (JV) teams.  State tournament is split for the first time; there is an AAAA meet and a combined AAA/AA/A meet.  Gwinnett teams dominate the AAAA meet with Parkview Boys winning the State Championship.  Other State successes were Brookwood Boys-2nd,Shiloh Boys - 5th, Duluth Boys - 6th, Brookwood Girls - 2nd, Parkview Girls - 4th, and Norcross Girls - 5th.  Parkview established numerous State records - Boys 400 Free Relay of Jeff Craig, Eric Shanteau, Landon Odom, and Mike Kauffman, 200 I.M. - Ashley Daly and Eric Shanteau, and the 500 Freestyle - Mike Kauffman. In the AAA/AA/A meet the Dacula Boys place 9th.  For the State of Georgia, Rick Creed (Parkview) was named AAAA Boy’s Coach of the year and Greg Puckett (Brookwood) was named AAAA Girl’s Coach of the year.  Christie Hupman of Brookwood was selected as the AAAA Female Athlete of the Year for Georgia.

 

00-01   The new century begins with two new additions to the swim/dive community - Grayson High School has its first team and the 10-lane Collins Hill pool opens. The success of the 90’s carries over into the new century.  The Parkview Boys and the Brookwood Girls win the first ever AAAAA State Championships. Other State successes were Brookwood Boys - 3rd, Shiloh Boys - 5th, Norcross Boys - 8th, Parkview Girls - 4th, Duluth Girls - 8th, and Shiloh

 

Girls - 9th. Many new State records are set.  Eric Shanteau of Parkview beats his previous record in the 200 I.M.  The Parkview 400 Free Relay of Eric Shanteau, Jeremy Oversier, John Millen, and Mike Kauffman crush their previous record.  Amanda Weir of Brookwood sets a State record in the 100 Free and ties a 20 year old record in the 200 Freestyle.  For the State of Georgia, Eric Shanteau, Mike Kauffman, and Amanda Weir were selected as the AAAAA Male and Female Athlete’s of the Year.  Rick Creed (Parkview) and Greg Puckett (Brookwood) were selected as the AAAAA Boy’s and Girl’s Coaches of the year for the State.

 

01-02   The success of the new century continues.  The Parkview Boys and Brookwood Girls

successfully defend their AAAAA State Championships.  Other State successes were Brookwood Boys – 3rd, Shiloh Boys – 9th, Norcross Boys – 10th, and the Parkview Girls – 3rd.The State records continue to fall. The Parkview Boys set numerous records. Eric Shanteau crushes his previous 200 I.M. record while teammate Mike Kauffman breaks his previous 500 Free record. The 200 Medley Relay of David McManic, Eric Shanteau, Michael Kauffman, and John Millen set a new record.  The 400 Free Relay of Eric Shanteau, John Millen, Michael Miller, and Mike Kauffman break their previous record.  The girls also break their share of State records – Ashley Daly of Parkview sets record in 200 I.M. and Amanda Weir of Brookwood breaks her previous record in the 100 Free.  The Brookwood 400 Free Relay of Andrea Hupman, Meredith Alfrey, Christie Hupman, and  Amanda Weir crush the previous record.  For the State of Georgia, Eric Shanteau, Mike Kauffman, and Christie Hupman were selected as the AAAAA Male and Female Athlete’s of the Year.  Rick Creed (Parkview) and Greg Puckett (Brookwood) were selected as the AAAAA Boys' and Girls’ Coaches of the year for the State.

 

02-03   The success continues – with more depth to the success.  The Parkview Boys and Brookwood Girls successfully defend their AAAAA State Championships.  For the girls, Parkview placed 2nd and Duluth placed 9th.  For the boys, 8 of the top 15 teams were from Gwinnett with the following placing in the top 10 – Collins Hill – 6th, Brookwood – 8th, and Shiloh – 9th.  Two more State records were set – John Millen in the 500 Free and Amanda Weir in the 50 Free.  For the State of Georgia, Amanda Weir was chosen as the AAAAA Female Athlete of the Year.  Rick Creed (Parkview) and Greg Puckett (Brookwood) were selected as the AAAAA Boys’ and Girls’ Coaches of the Year for the State.

 

03-04   The success continues – with some differences. For the first time, the season is joined by Peachtree Ridge High School, the new Mountain Park pool opens and coaches have laptops.  The Brookwood Girls successfully defend their AAAAA State Championship and become the first girl’s team in Georgia to win 4 State Championships in a row.  Amanda Weir set a new state record in the 100 Freestyle.  Amanda also became the first female in Georgia history to be a perfect 8 for 8 as State champion in her individual events.  During the regular season, the Broncos also set 3 National meter records – 200 Medley Relay (Andrea Hupman, Kimberly Morris, Amanda Weir, and Callie Merriman), 100 and 200 Free – Amanda Weir.  The Collins Hill boys win their first State Championship.  The Eagles were joined by four other boys teams in the top 10 (Parkview 4th, Brookwood 7th, Shiloh 9th and Duluth 10th).  The Collins Hill boys also put an end to the 13 year streak of the Parkview boys as County Champions.  Jennifer Weaver (Collins Hill) and Greg Puckett (Brookwood) were selected as the State AAAAA Boys’ and Girls’ Coaches of the Year.

 

04-05   The Gwinnett County High School Swimming and Diving Teams continue their tradition of excellence. The Brookwood Girls successfully defended their County Championship. The Collins Hill boys repeated as the AAAAA State Champions as well as winning their second straight County Championship. Mill Creek High School opened this year and added another swimming and diving program to the county.  The county now has 15 schools with Girls and Boys Swimming and Diving programs.  Our Coach of the year for boysswimming was Jim Reason of Duluth and our girls Coach of the year was Susan Ethridge of Grayson. Swimming Award winners this year were Greg Tunning from Collins Hill and Layla Lester from Dacula.

 

05-06   The Parkview Boys Swimming and Diving Team reclaimed the 2006 5A State and County Championships. The Gwinnett County High School Boys Swimming and Diving Teams have won the 5A State Championships for the last six years.  In looking at the top 10 teams from the State   Championship, Gwinnett County had four Boys Teams (Parkview, Collins Hill, Brookwood, and Duluth) and three Girls Teams (North Gwinnett, Parkview, and Mill Creek) finish in the Top Ten. In doing this, the Gwinnett County High School Swimming and Diving Teams continued their pursuit of Excellence. The Brookwood Girls narrowly defeated the Parkview Girls to successfully defend their straight County Championship.  Lexie Bryant a Duluth girl diver wins 5A state diving championships.  This is the first GCPS girl to win state title.

 

            Our Coach of the year for the Men’s Swimming and Diving was Jeremy Laird of Peachtree Ridge and our Women's Coach of the year was David Perron of North Gwinnett.

 

            Our Swimming Award winners this year were South Gwinnett (Boys) Cole Porter, (Female) Carmen Rodriguez.

 

            For the first time, the Gwinnett County Swimming and Diving Booster Club also recognized a Swimmer and Diver of the Year.  Nat Emmett of Collins Hill was the Male Swimmer of the Year and Abigail Alton of Dacula was the Female Swimmer of the Year, Jordan Horsley of Collins Hill was the Male Diver of the Year and Lexie Bryant of Duluth was the Female Diver of the Year.

 

06-07   The Gwinnett County High School Boys Swimming and Diving teams took the top 5 places at this year's State Championship Meet. The Parkview Boys team successfully defended their 5A State Championship, while Brookwood, Collins Hill, Grayson, and Norcross finished out the Top 5. Gwinnett County Swimming and Diving Teams have won the 5A State Title for the last seven consecutive years. Parkview's Boys team also defended the Gwinnett County Championship.

 

            The Gwinnett County High School Girls Swimming and Diving teams had three teams finish in the Top 5 places at the State Championship meet this year. Parkview's Girls team performed beyond expectations and were the State Runner-up. North Gwinnett and Brookwood each had a great meet finishing fourth and fifth respectively. Brookwood's Girls team made it four in a row at the County Championship, beating arch-rival Parkview.

 

            Scott Royal of Peachtree Ridge was named the Male Swimmer of the Year.

            Abigail Alton of Dacula was named Female Swimmer of the Year.

            Jacob Tzegaebge of Shiloh was named the Male Diver of the Year.

            Heidi Olnhausen of Norcorss was named Female Diver of the Year.

            Kevin Rodgers of Mill Creek is the Men's Coach of the Year.

            Michele Broeg of Central Gwinnett is Women's Coach of the Year.