By Nick Nunn
Staff Writer

Mary Claire Cardwell, the Morgan County High School Swim Dogs’ sole representative at the State Meet last Friday, took 19th place in the girls 100-yard backstroke during the preliminary race. Unfortunately, her performance, which was a personal record of 1:01.82, was not sufficient to move her along to the Finals.
However, MCHS girls swim coach Susan Courchaine is proud of Cardwell’s performance.
“Coming in 19th place in the state is quite an accomplishment!” said Coach Courchaine. “We at MCHS were very proud to have her represent our team at the state level.”
Although Cardwell, freshman, only qualified to swim in the 100 backstroke this year at the State Meet, Courchaine anticipates that Cardwell will develop her other strokes in the coming years in order to become competitive in other events at future State Meets.
“Backstroke is her best stroke right now,” said Courchaine, “but she is a strong all-around swimmer and I believe she could compete at the state level in other strokes as well.”
At this point, Coach Courchaine sees no limit to the accomplishments that Cardwell might attain in the future as a member of the Swim Dogs as long as she keeps her nose to the grindstone.
“I believe Mary Claire has great potential to improve even more in the future,” continued Courchaine. “She is a gifted athlete and she works very hard. If she remains committed to swimming over the next three years, I believe she could be state champion in the future.” 

Printed in the February 14, 2013 edition