Swimmers compete in conference meet

O ver the Valentine’s weekend more than just sharing chocolates and kisses occurred. The Gulf South Conference Championship Swimming took place at Delta State Feb. 12-14.

The Tigersharks ended very well, with the men’s team placing third and the women’s placing fourth.

“Our conference is easily the toughest in the country,” Head Coach Ryan Killackey said.

While some teams have members from different states, the team has found a way to come together on a bigger scale, hosting several international swimmers.

“This team has become a family,” Killackey said. “It is evident in everything they do…that is why we are so successful.”

The team has had a lot of success this year, in part due to the excellent leadership from its seniors.

“Our seniors have been our backbone,” Killackey said. “Our saying this year was ‘train as a team, compete as a team, succeed as a team’ and our seniors have made that possible.”

Vincente Condorelli is one of those leaders.

With his .02 second success in he 1650 meter that gave him a National Cut at Conference Championships, Condorelli was a big part of the Tigershark success this season.

“Vincente is the kind of guy that makes you remember why you are in this sport,” freshman Nick Bass said. “He is uplifting, hard working, and never quits. He is a great leader for our team.”

With the conference meet behind them, 18 members of the 35-person team are now preparing for one of the biggest competitions of their college careers: Nationals.

There are three and a half weeks to prepare for the big meet in Houston, Texas.

“We are already in prepare mode; they are doing whatever it takes,” Killackey said.

The swim team’s relays are expected to do well, especially the men’s.

A team as strong as the Tigersharks has nothing but success in their future.

“We are proud of our team this year. No one deserves to go to Houston more than us,” Bass said.