MOULTRIE – It’s one final meet before the big stage is set for the GHSA 2017 swimming championships at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. It’s a chance for the participating schools to add a proverbial feather to the cap. There’s a good bit at stake for members of the Colquitt County High swimming team, and they will put it on the line today at the Albany State West campus (formerly known as Darton College).

As for the swimming region, Packers coach Andy Chapura said it’s just like all the other sports for the athletic program: Colquitt vs. Lowndes, Camden County and Tift County. The winning boys and girls squads get the trophy as the rulers of 1-7A, and Chapura said – based on sure numbers – it will be extremely hard to deny Tift County those honors.

“They are the team to beat,” the coach said. “It’s a strong program. They’ll have twice as many girls as we do.”

But at any time during a swimming season, competitors are able to beat the GHSA qualifying time of each event. That’s all that’s needed to earn a place in the championships taking place the first weekend of February.

So far, Colquitt County has one each on the boys and girls side. Senior Carlton Paulk, back in the first meet held in November, earned a spot for Class 7A in the 50 freestyle going in 23.5 seconds. Kaitlyn Mitchell, a sophomore and multiple-time champion of the GRPA, is going for both the 50 and 100 freestyles.

What Chapura is especially hoping for out of today’s action in Albany is getting his girls relay team into the field. He said his daughter Emily, one of the four, is just getting back into form after an injury from back in the summer. Emily joins Kaitlyn and sister Patti Mitchell and Madison Montgomery in relays; all underclassmen, they qualified for state during the 2015-16 season.

Two other Packers Chapura said are on the cusp of gaining state admission are Rhett Martin and Skylar Waller, both juniors.

“Georgia Tech is where the speed is,” said Chapura.

When Paulk gets to the state meet, he’ll have a chance to compete with other swimmers heading to the college level. Paulk is considering options to continue swimming at either LaGrange, Berry or Thomas University. He has an older sister, Abby Beth, playing soccer at Brewton-Parker College (originally a basketball player) and two younger siblings rising up in the Colquitt County middle grades level.

Paulk said his 50 free times since qualifying have been steady. It’s been a steady climb in swimming when he – as a 7th grader – learned from his mother about the start of middle school team.

“I decided I wanted to do that,” said Paulk. “I give it my all. It’s the only thing I do, swim. You have to be dedicated and give all your time or you’re not going to get better. I do this so I can be better in college.”

Paulk’s actually been accepted to LaGrange College. He said these three schools on the list have good programs, and academically he’s considering an education major. He’s had the education of the GHSA championships already.

“There were so many more faster people than me,” said Paulk. “(I’m) pretty fast, but not fast enough yet.

“It has disciplined me. I’ve gotten more mature doing swimming. It’s shown me how to lead people.”

Paulk looks at his younger sister Gracie and sees someone even more athletic. His younger brother Jay Ben is more into agriculture, showing hogs. He drew inspiration from Abby Beth watching her hard work.

Kaitlyn Mitchell, as a Colquitt freshman, by herself qualified for state in the 50 and 100 free and breaststroke.

“It was exciting … a lot of pressure,” she said. “The pool was really different. Way more people than normal. I didn’t make it to finals. I placed in the 40s. I messed up on the turn. (This year) I want to do better on my turn and have better tempo, faster arms.”

Kaitlyn won two GRPA Class B titles last summer in Tifton, and two years ago she won the 100 free.

“There are way more people at the GHSA,” she said. “It’s way harder. It’s way louder.”

Maybe because, being from Colquitt County, she swims as part of the highest classification, 6A last year and 7A this year. Both those classes this year have their own championships while Classes 1 through 5 are combined.

“I think I’m going to be more comfortable this year,” said Kaitlyn. “By my senior year I definitely want to make it to finals in the two free events and have a time in the 50 free down to the 24s.”

Patti Mitchell’s swimming is something that helped her achieve status with the Georgia Youth Leadership Awards. She is one of 20 from all over the state chosen as showing leadership qualities for honors Feb 11.

“I have to send in my biography and what I did to be in the top 20,” she said. “I have my own business during the summer. I sell peas. I pick the peas, blanch them and bag them. I sell them to one of the swimmers’ mom and to another lady. It’s from our garden at our house. My dad and grandpa plant it.

“My counselor told me about (GYLA). She filled out her recommendation for me. I was really happy about it.”

Part of that recommendation was Patti’s swimming involvement, which includes giving lessons to younger ones at the YMCA, which the junior does from February through May.

Now she wants her group to get in that state meet.

Colquitt County’s previous swim meet, hosted by Lee County High, was last weekend, also in Albany at the formerly-named Darton facility.

“This was another large meet with some Atlanta schools in attendance,” said Chapura. “We swam very well as a team, but we were missing members from both the boys and girls team. This was a good tune up meet to get ready for our region meet. The high level of competition at this meet helped push many of the swimmers to new personal best times.

“I am very pleased with how the (middle school) team performed at Lee County Invitational. This was a very competitive meet. This meet, like the high school meet, had many swimmers missing on both the boys and girls teams. Even with these members missing, both teams swam great. They are making new personal best times every time the swim.

“I cannot express how proud I am of both my teams and my coaching staff.  Our swim team is on the rise the future looks good but we would love to have more swimmers. We will take February off then begin our club swimming. If anyone is interested in your child swimming, please come by the SW pool and inquire.”