The Southside Seals continued their march to the 2000 USMS national championships with impressive swims at the USMS Dixie Zone Championships in Atlanta recently.

Four Seals swimmers competed, winning 10 individual titles, a new team record.

Steve McDonald displayed his prowess in the breaststroke events in the Men's 40-44 age group. He finished in third place in the 100-yard breaststroke, fourth in the 200-yard breaststroke and seventh in the 50-yard breaststroke.

Karol Welling lead the way in the Women's 35-39 age group with four individual Dixie Zone Championships. Welling took first place in the 50- and 100-yard butterfly, the 100-yard backstroke and the 1,000-yard freestyle. In addition, she earned a third place finish in the 50-yard breaststroke and fifth in the 50-yard freestyle.

Ken Sharpe continued his great season in the Men's 45-49 age group, winning two Dixie Zone Championships in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly. He won both races in USMS national qualifying times. Sharpe also finished second in the 50-yard backstroke, third in the 100-yard freestyle, in a national qualifying time, fourth in the 50-yard breaststroke, fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke and sixth in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Steve Justice dominated the Men's 40-44 age group, winning four Dixie Zone Championships in national qualifying times. He also won the High Point Award in his age group. Justice won the 50-yard freestyle, the 100- and 20-yard backstroke and the 100-yard individual medley. He also finished second in the 200-yard breaststroke, third in the 100-yard freestyle (national qualifying time) and fourth in the 50-yard breaststroke.

The Southside Seals is a member club of United States Masters Swimming and is open to adults over 19. Swimmers of all skill levels are welcome including competitive swimmers, triathletes and fitness swimmers. Practices are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m. at Kedron Aquatic Center in Peachtree City.

In other swimming news, USA Pools named its Guard of the Month and Outstanding Guards for the Kedron Aquatic Center. The Guard of the Month is Molly Gardner, who has been a dependable and positive part of the staff for over a year. Jessica Lentini and Billy Whitehouse were named Outstanding Guards.

Lentini was the winner of the Maybelline Five contest. She was chosen out of 25,000 young ladies by submitting an essay and a video phone conference. Whitehouse qualified for the state swim meet competition.

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