PICKENS COUNTY — When it comes to big things in little packages, a piranha is a perfect example, much like the Pickens County YMCA Piranhas swim team which captured a recent home meet and improved their performances at the same time.

The meet was well attended by teams from Pickens County and other YMCA swim teams from Anderson County, Cherokee County and Greenwood County.

The Piranhas won the meet handily with 649 points while Anderson (353), Cherokee (170), and Greenwood (65) rounded out the field.

Pickens County had 22 swimmers in the meet and according to Greg Lucas, associated with the program, all the swimmers improved their times over the previous meet.

Lucas also pointed out that one Pickens County swimmer, Avery Woodall, participated after beginning practice that very week.

Here are the results:

• Mallie Couch (11) cut an impressive 48.73 seconds from her 200 Free

• Karlee Richardson (9) improved her times by 29.35 seconds

• Heidi McKever (4) improved her times overall by 27.96 seconds

• Tamara Boysworth (12) made the A time standard in 50 Back and 50 Free

• Ivy Hyder (9) made the A time standard in 50 Back, 200 Free, and the 50 Fly

• Davia Simmons (10) has made the AA time standard in the 50 Back and the A time standard in 50 Free

The next swim meet is at the Laurens County YMCA on July 2, followed by the Central YMCA Swimming League Summer State Championship Meet hosted by Georgetown YMCA on July 16 and July 17.

The Pickens Piranhas Swim Team is coached by Larry McMahan and Rachel Rahn. Rachel Rahn has been swimming with the Piranhas for eight years and coaching for the last two years. The June 25 Pickens meet was the final home meet for Rachel, who begins her college career this fall at Anderson University.

The Pickens County Piranhas Swim Team practices every weekday at 4:15 p.m. at the Pickens branch of the YMCA. The swim team accepts new swimmers all season long, no matter the level of their swimming ability.

If you have a young person who would like to join the Piranhas, come on out to the Pickens YMCA and check it out. Prospective swim team members can try swim team for one week for free.

Contact the Pickens County YMCA at 864-878-8380 or visit www.pcymca.net/swimteam.php for more information.

The Pickens County YMCA Piranhas Swim Team is coached by Rachel Rahn, left, and Larry McMahan. Rachel has been swimming with the Piranhas for eight years and coaching the team for the last two years. June 25 was the final Pickens home swim meet for Rachel, who begins her college career this fall at Anderson University.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_RachelAndLarryPhoto06-28-2016.jpgThe Pickens County YMCA Piranhas Swim Team is coached by Rachel Rahn, left, and Larry McMahan. Rachel has been swimming with the Piranhas for eight years and coaching the team for the last two years. June 25 was the final Pickens home swim meet for Rachel, who begins her college career this fall at Anderson University. Courtesy photo

By D. C. Moody

dmoody@civitasmedia.com

Reach D. C. Moody at 864-855-0355.