Semoball

Charleston Blue Racers finish season strong at conference meet

JJ Bledsoe competes for the Charleston Blue Racers during the 2022 Southeast Missouri Swim Conference (SMSC) Championship at Central Municipal Pool in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, July 16. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. — The Charleston Bleu Racers wrapped up a successful 2022 season at the Southeast Missouri Swim Conference (SMSC) Championship at Central Municipal Pool in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, July 16.

The team had several athletes set personal records, while Hannah Bledsoe, Mary Stella Bryant and James Bryant all earned high point trophies in their respective age divisions.

“We did great,” said Blue Racer coach Liz Ray. “Everyone was in the top twenty in their age groups. All the kids have gained self-confidence this season. Swim team is an individual sport as well as a team sport. You might not be the fastest swimmer but you can work and achieve success by cutting time off your strokes.”

The Blue Racers’ relay team of Alivia Ray, Mary Stella Bryant, Mary Louise Willoughby and Amelia Sullivan stand for photo after winning 100 individual medley relay at the 2022 Southeast Missouri Swim Conference (SMSC) Championship at Central Municipal Pool in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, July 16. (Submitted)

Hannah Bledsoe was third overall in the Girl’s 13 and 14-year-old Divison after she claimed gold in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of one minute and 13.87 seconds, and placed second in the 100 freestyle and the 50 freestyle.

Mary Stella Bryant was second overall in the Girl’s Nine and 10 Division after she earned silver in the 50 freestyle and the 50 butterfly. She also was third in the 100 individual medley.

James Bryant finished third overall in the Boy’s Eight and Under Division. He won the 25 breaststroke with a time of 31.56 and was second in the 25 butterfly and 100 individual medley.

The Charleston Blue Racers Swim Team stands for a photo following the 2022 Southeast Missouri Swim Conference (SMSC) Championship at Central Municipal Pool in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, July 16. Team members are (back row) Jude Sullivan, Brayden Hoeflinger, Hannah Bledsoe, JJ Bledsoe, Avia Sullivan, MacKinzey Kennard, Cherish Hartwick, Mary Stella Bryant; (front row) Blaze Tibbs, James Bryant, Amelia Sullivan, Autumn Sparlin, Alivia Ray, Mary Louise Willoughby and Emma Sue McCann. (Submitted)

The Blue Racers also won their first medley relay of the season when Alivia Ray, Mary Louise Willoughby, Mary Stella Bryant and Amelia Sullivan finished the 100 medley relay in 1:33.29 and won the Girl’s Nine and 10 Division despite having two swimmers who were swimming up a division.

The team’s other top females athletes were Alivia Ray, who placed third in the 50 backstroke, seventh in the 50 freestyle and sixth in the individual medley while competing in the Nine and 10 Division; Mary Louise Willoughby, who finished second in the 25 breaststroke, second in the individual medley and fifth in the 25 freestyle while competing in the Eight and Under Division; Emma Sue McCann, who placed fourth in the 25 breaststroke and the 100 individual medley, and was sixth in the 25 freestyle while competing in the Eight and Under Division; Amelia Sullivan, who was sixth in the 25 butterfly, seventh in the 25 freestyle and eighth in the 50 freestyle while competing in the Eight and Under Division; Autumn Sprain, who was 13th in the 100 freestyle and 17th in the 50 freestyle while competing in the Nine and 10 Division; Mackinzey Kennard, who was 13th in the 100 backstroke and 15th in the breaststroke while coming in the 13 and 14 Division; and Cherish Hartwick, who was 20th in the 100 freestyler while competing in the 11 and 12 Division.

The team’s other top male athletes were JJ Bledsoe, who placed second in the 50 backstroke, fourth in the 50 butterfly and 10th in the 50 freestyle while competing in the 11 and 12 Division; Brayden Hoefinger, who was second in the 50 backstroke and fifth in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle while competing in the Nine and 10 Division; Jude Sullivan, who was fourth in the 50 freestyle and sixth in the 25 butterfly while competing in the Eight and Under Division; Blaze Tibbs, who was 11th in the 50 breaststroke, 18th in the 50 backstroke and 21st in the 50 freestyle while competing in the 11 and 12 Division; and Avin Sullivan, who finished 10th in the 50 butterfly and 13th in the 100 freestyle while competing in the 11 and 12 Division.

Blaze Tibbs competes for the Charleston Blue Racers during the 2022 Southeast Missouri Swim Conference (SMSC) Championship at Central Municipal Pool in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, July 16. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

The Blue Racers had just 15 athletes compete at the meet, but finished with 752 total points.

“We love that anyone can do this sport,” said coach Liz Ray. “It’s a great life skill. These kids loved the experience. I loved how they cheered each other on this season. We had a great time this season and look forward to continuing the Blue Racer’s tradition into the future.”

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: