Bob Jones claims state swimming title

Members of the Bob Jones swim team celebrate their state championship. (Contributed)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

The Bob Jones Patriots are boys state swimming champions again for the first time since 2010, the last of the team’s seven-straight titles from 2004-10.

The team, coached by Michael Gunner, beat out other teams from Classes 6A and 7A at Auburn University on Dec. 12 and 13. McGill-Toolen Catholic High School out of Mobile and Auburn High School were the Patriots’ main competition at the meet, Gunner said.

In addition to picking up a championship as a coach, this one was special for Gunner as his son, Chris, was one of six seniors on the team.

“They’re really tight, those guys are,” Michael said. “It felt good to be back, and this one was really special with my son being a senior.”

The championship goes to the team with the most points after competing in the various aquatic events. With no divers, Bob Jones fell behind early as other schools gained points from the diving events. However, the Patriots edged the gap as the weekend rolled along.

“We had good swimmers towards the end of the meet,” Gunner said. “It’s a total team thing the way they have it working.”

The squad was helped by Andrey Tretyakov, who won the 100-meter butterfly and 100-meter breaststroke, and Derek Sander, who won the 100- and 200-meter freestyle.

As a group, the team emerged victorious in the 200-meter free relay and tied for first in the 200-meter medley relay.

Gunner firmly attested to the leadership skills of the six seniors, who finished second in their last trip to the state finals.

“They’re all special in their own way,” Gunner said. “They’re all special and had things that made it memorable. It seems like it gets tougher as you get older, but it doesn’t get old.”

In addition to Chris Gunner, the other seniors are Chris Burrows, Chris Day, Zach Weston, Nathan Rodes, Brad Sheeler. The Bob Jones girls team placed fifth.