Stewart (Photo by Marvin Gentry/AHSAA)

Stewart a state champ - again

By Michael Butler

Tallassee High School sophomore swimmer Macey Stewart has added two more medals to a growing amount of hardware. Stewart was first in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke at the Alabama High School Athletic Association's 62nd State Swimming Championships at the Auburn University Martin Aquatics Center on Saturday.

Stewart broke the AHSAA record in the backstroke. She now has five state titles overall.

The time of 55.75 in the backstroke surpassed the 1A-5A record of 56.09 set in 2016 by Sara Cimino of Randolph. Her time in the freestyle event was 51.27.

The girls team was eighth overall in Class 1A-5A. The boys had a team finish of seventh.

The girls 400 freestyle relay team (Ivy Davis, Lilly Haynes, Allison Johnson and Stewart) were fourth overall. The 200 medley relay team (Stewart, Davis, Valerie Johnson and Allison Johnson) were fifth.

Coach John Mask with THS medalists; son Camden Mask and Macey Stewart

"(The freestyle time) would have won the class 6A-7A title also," THS head coach John Mask said of Stewart's feat. "She is the fastest 100 freestyler in Alabama. The 100 backstroke, her second state championship of the day - a record time, was also the fastest time in the state in any classification."

On the boys side, the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay teams (Corbin Grover, Camden Mask, Chase Webster and Adam Aldridge) were sixth in both events.

Mask brought home a bronze medal with his third-place finish in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:04.88. Webster was eighth in the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.65.

"We are so proud of every member of our swim team," Coach Mask said. "All 19 members of this year's team played a role in our success. We would like to thank the administration, city and parents for all their help in making this our best season yet."