The North Cross Raiders were well represented at the VISAA Swimming State Championship last weekend. The boys’ team had a great finish, taking 8th place overall and 2nd in the small school division. The girls’ team was also victorious finishing 14th overall and placing 4th for the small school division.

Juniors, Austin Criss and Jackie Crawford both swam away with individual state titles. Crawford dominated the girls 100yd backstroke to swim past the competition and take home the title by two and half seconds, a new school record. Criss also powered over the competition in the boys 100yd backstroke to set a new school record and also an All Timesland record. Crawford and Criss set two additional school records in their other events: Crawford placed 3rd in the 50yd freestyle, and Criss finished 2nd in the 200yd freestyle.

The swimming was infectious as sophomore Mac McNally swam under the previous school record in the 200yd freestyle to finish 3rd and had a 5th place finish in the 500yd freestyle. Junior Tommy Girani swam to a best time in the 100yd backstroke to score points and finish in 16th place. The boys’ team also had an awesome 400yd freestyle relay that finished 5th overall in the meet.

“We had a great season with a small group of dedicated young student-athletes,” said Head Swim Coach Greg Lake. “Two state championships and very close to a team title leaves me speechless. I am very proud to have been able to work with these wonderful young adults, and the future of North Cross swimming looks very bright.”

The school is proud of of the effort put forth by this year’s swim team.  Their attitude and hard work made this an exceptional year for swimming at North Cross School.

Written by Jocelyn Holdren, intern in the development department at North Cross School