Sports

Aqua-Darts give grand team effort

• The Aqua-Darts swimming team posts strong times despite not bringing a full squad.

Scott Chancey

DOTHAN, Ala. — Talk about making a splash.

Although the majority of the Albany-based Aqua-Darts swimming club’s athletes were not able to compete, coach Molly Gilbert’s team held its own in this past weekend’s Water World Classic.

The club, also coached by new assistant and ex-Darton swimmer Courtney Reynolds, not only won heats but also posted personal-best times and won awards, mostly by Jordan Yarbrough and her brothers, Jeff and Jacob.

Jordan Yarbrough won heats in the 100 backstroke and breaststroke with times of 1 minute, 23.58 seconds and 1:35.75, respectively.

She followed those feats, placing among the top five in eight events, finishing fourth overall among 11-and-12-year-olds.

Jeff Yarbrough, while suffering a stomach virus, posted four top-four finishes and was sixth overall in the 15-18 division.

“Jeff is a competitor; and even though he was a little under the weather, he wanted to swim,” said Gilbert, who also is an assistant coach on Darton College’s swimming and diving team. “I am very proud of what he continues to achieve.”

Jacob Yarbourgh won heats in the 100 backstroke (1:34.65), breaststroke (1:55.44) and 50 butterfly (49.84). And six-year-old Hector Grimaldo — the club’s youngest competitor — posted five personal-best times in the 8-under boys division.

Both Reynolds and Gilbert were captains and NJCAA All-Americans at Darton, and Gilbert — who also competed at Georgia Southern — feels those credentials can help the program grow by leaps and bounds.

“To have two former All-Americans coaching is a great tool for the team to learn from; and, many club teams are not able to benefit from this much experience,” said Gilbert.

The Aqua-Darts’ next meet is the GRPA District meet July 12 in Tifton.

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