PICKENS COUNTY — The Pickens County YMCA Piranhas Swim Team recently competed in a home swim meet at the Pickens YMCA and in an away meet at the Laurens YMCA.

“I am exceptionally proud of all the swimmers,” said Larry McMahan, head coach of the Pickens County Piranhas Swim Team. “These swimmers have been working hard during the summer season and swam very well at both the Pickens and Laurens meets.”

Returning after completing her freshman year at Anderson University, Rachel Rahn of Liberty also helped coach at both swim meets. Rahn is a former long-time swimmer for the Pickens Piranhas Swim Team.

The Pickens meet was held May 27 and included teams from Greenwood and Newberry YMCAs. All of the Pickens swimmers improved in at least one of their events.

McMahan said he knows the coaching is working and the swimmers are applying their skills when all of the swimmers are improving.

Greenwood YMCA hosted the meet at the Laurens YMCA on June 13. Laurens’ pool is an outdoors pool, and those are always fun.

Teams that attended the meet were Anderson, Augusta, Cherokee, Greenwood, Newberry and Pickens. McMahan said this was a good meet to attend because six of the 10 teams that swim in the summer attended this meet.

“We had some teams from the lower part of the state that did not attend,” McMahan said. “This gave us a good insight of our competition for the Summer Championship Meet that will also be held at Laurens. Pickens had a great showing at the meet. When coaches from other teams tell me that our team is fast, and seeing that they didn’t lose a single relay, that just makes me feel great for our swimmers.

“We as coaches can try to teach them the skills that it takes for them to swim fast, but it’s all up to the swimmers if they want to apply those skills and really move in the water,” he added. “I feel honored to have such a great group of swimmers. We make improvements where needed and try to encourage each of the swimmers.”

The Pickens County YMCA Piranhas, which practices Monday through Friday in the afternoon, accepts new swimmers all season long, no matter the level of their swimming ability.

Interested swimmers may try a week for free. For more information, call the YMCA at (864) 878-3436 or visit https://www.pcymca.net/swimteam.php.

Pickens County YMCA swimmers take a break between events at a Pickens swim meet. From left are Emma Yousey, Ivy Hyder, Mallie Couch, Tamara Boysworth, Ella Grace Lawton, Addie Sanders, Mia Yousey and Karlee Richardson.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_PickensYMCAPiranhasSummer2017.jpgPickens County YMCA swimmers take a break between events at a Pickens swim meet. From left are Emma Yousey, Ivy Hyder, Mallie Couch, Tamara Boysworth, Ella Grace Lawton, Addie Sanders, Mia Yousey and Karlee Richardson. Courtesy photo

Staff Report