East’s Addy Sechriest and Rodney Hawkins III

 

 

 

 

By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

GRANITE QUARRY — Two East Rowan Mustangs, sophomore Rodney Hawkins III and junior Addy Sechriest, are the Post’s Rowan County Swimmers of the Year.

It’s a repeat countywide honor for Sechriest.

Sechriest and Hawkins, the son of Rowan Aquatic Club team director Hannah Hawkins, represented the Mustangs — and Rowan County — in the 3A State Championships held at Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary.

Hawkins was 11th in the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.19) and also scored with 14th place in the 500 free (5:19.04).

Sechriest also competed in the state meet in the 200 free (2:03.28) and 500 free (5:37.93). She placed eighth in the 200. She was 11th in the 500.

“The commitment and dedication from Rodney and Addy are what allow them to go the distance,” East coach Amanda Trexler said. “The distance swims are tough. It’s easy not to pace correctly or miss a turn, but they worked hard and knew exactly what they wanted.”

Watching both young Mustangs compete in Cary with the state’s best was a thrill for Trexler. The atmosphere at a state meet is unmatched.

“To watch the smiles and adrenaline at States is exciting,” she said. “Seeing such close races from the best swimmers from around the state, and watching your own swimmers is such a proud moment. It was such an honor for Coach (Wesley) Parrish and me to be there with Rodney and Addy and their families to share in their special achievements. We can’t wait to see what next year brings for them.”

While the depth of South’s girls propelled them to their fourth straight county championship, East took its third straight boys county title.

East went 24 years between county titles but has been on a roll since 2023.

Leading the way was Hawkins who had two individual wins and two relay wins.

Clayton Lowe and Cole Humphreys both had three golds and one silver.

Brett Steelman had two relay wins and two individual second places.

“Proud is an understatement for the performance from our boys at the county meet,” Trexler said.  “We knew going in that we needed to get some PRs and swim the best we had all season to defend our championship status. After losing a few key swimmers from last year, we have had some boys step up, learning new strokes and getting faster.”

Trexler knew South Rowan and Salisbury would provide a lot of competition in the relays, but the Mustangs answered the challenge.

“I’m so proud of Sam Lisenby, Jensen Whitman, Will Kesler and Cole Humphreys for swimming so hard to get that 200 free relay win,” Trexler said. “For the 400 relay, while it wasn’t our best time, they were still able to clinch that first-place spot. Our 200 medley relay team of Clayton Lowe, Will Kesler, Rodney Hawkins and Brett Steelman truly upped their swimming, with a first-place finish to get us started.”

Humphreys had a PR to win the 100 backstroke. Steelman had two PRs for a pair of second-place finishes. Humphreys and Steelman also helped hype up their teammates.

“The passion they bring is contagious,” Trexler said.

East doesn’t have a large team, but everyone contributed.

Lisenby earned points in the 200 IM and 100 free. Collin Hensley and Bryson Honeycutt competed well in the 500 free. Noah Grooms got a PR in the 200. Whitman got a PR in the 100 back.

“The boys were hungry for getting better this year in all of their individual events,” Trexler said. “Coach Parrish and I asked a lot from them in terms of learning new strokes and doing multiple events and they always pushed themselves.”

South Rowan’s Marshal Faw won 50 and 100 freestyle sprints.

West Rowan (Wayne Hall in the 500) and North Rowan (Rylan Furr in the 100 breaststroke) had one winner each.”

A lot could have gone wrong for the Mustangs in the county meet, but nothing did.

“It took all of our boys contributing through sickness, injuries and an early morning start to get to another county championship,” Trexler said.  “This wouldn’t have been possible without team’s perseverance, as well as the hard work and dedication of Coach Parrish throughout the season.  I’m so thankful for an assistant who cares so much about the sport and the kids.”

 

Boys

• County champion — East

• Swimmer of the Year — Rodney Hawkins III, East

• Coach of the Year — Amanda Trexler, East

All-County

East

• Clayton Lowe: 200 medley relay, 400 free relay, 200 IM, 100 free

• Will Kesler: 200 medley relay, 200 free relay

• Rodney Hawkins III: 200 medley relay, 400 free relay, 100 fly, 200 free

• Brett Steelman: 200 medley relay, 400 free relay, 50 free, 100 breast

• Sam Lisenby: 200 free relay, 200 IM

• Jensen Whitman: 200 free relay

• Cole Humphreys: 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 free, 100 back

South

• Marshal Faw: 50 free, 100 free

Salisbury

• Vincent Westfall: 100 fly

• Andrew Ellsworh: 100 back

West

• Wayne Hall: 500 free

North

• Rylan Furr: 100 breast

Carson

• Jack Smith 500 free

Girls

• County champion — South

• Swimmer of the Year — Addy Sechriest, East

• Coach of the Year — Matt Epley, South

All-County

South

• Ava Blume: 200 medley relay, 100 fly

• Kayleigh Draughn: 200 medley relay, 200 free relay

• Maddison Glenn: 200 medley relay

• Gracie Hinson: 50 free, 100 free, 200 free relay

• Brimley Patterson: 200 medley relay, 100 breast, 200 free relay

• Eva Shue: 100 breast

• RaElla Smokstad: 500 free

• Sadie Siscoe: 200 IM relay, 100 back, 200 free relay

East

• Addy Sechriest: 200 free, 500 free, 400 free relay

• Gracie Lineberger: 200 IM, 100 fly, 400 free relay

• Ellie Lentz: 400 free relay

• Mady Morris: 400 free relay

Salisbury

• Ava Morris: 50 free, 100 free

Carson

• Karis Miller: 200 free, 100 back