Newton Citizen

CONYERS - The Salem boys took the top spot with 122.5 points, and the Salem girls finished third with 42 points, giving Salem second overall in a swim meet Saturday against Riverwood, North Springs and Holy Innocents'.

Riverwood claimed the overall win at the meet.

Salem took first in the boys 200-yard medley relay, the boys 200 free relay and the 400 free relay.

Individually, Salem notched first-place finishes from Joseph Schneider (boys 200 freestyle), Matt Tibbetts (boys 200 individual medley and boys 100 butterfly), Carlisle Whitley (boys 50 freestyle and boys 100 freestyle) and Taylor Horton (boys 500 freestyle).

Other Salem swimmers with strong finishes included Lindsay McMullen (third, girls 200 freestyle), Horton (second, boys 50 freestyle), Walker Whitley (second, 100 butterfly), Schneider (second, boys 100 freestyle), Josh Danforth (second, 100 backstroke), McKenna Sickler (third, girls 100 backstroke) and Logan Gunzenhauser (second, boys 100 breaststroke).

"We had quite a successful meet Saturday against Riverwood, North Springs and Holy Innocents,'" Salem coach Lisa Boyd said. "The scores do not adequately reveal the boys team's dominance in the competition. Of the 11 events in the boys competition, they took first place in nine, earning second place finishes in the other two.

"Both sophomore Walker Whitley and junior Joseph Schneider distinguished themselves with impressive swims," Boyd said. "Joseph won the 200 free with a time of 2:08.89, over 7 seconds faster than his previous best. He placed second in the 100 free, dropping his time by almost two seconds in that event.

"Walker dropped two seconds in his 100 fly and 100 breast times, taking second place in fly and fourth in breast. Sophomore Taylor Horton also made a significant contribution to the team, winning the 500 free, taking second in 50 free, and participating strongly in two first-place relays."

Salem has now qualified for state in all three of the boys relay events. Its next competition will be Jan. 5 at Johnson park against Riverwood and Loganville.

Brandon Evans can be reached at brandon.evans@rockdalecitizen.com.