Fuller claims breaststroke state title

Published 10:40 pm Friday, July 20, 2007

From Staff Reports

Jamey Fuller has had many memorable days at the pool for the Dalton Dolphins. Now the 8-year-old Fuller has extended his dominance to the state level.

Fuller captured a Georgia Recreation and Park Association state championship in the 25-yard breaststroke Friday night at the Augusta Aquatic Center, finishing in 20.53 seconds.

In his other swim, Fuller placed sixth in the 100-yard individual medley with a time of 1:33.81.

The top eight finishers at state earn a medal for their efforts.

“He had a good day for us,” said Dolphins coach Charles Todd, who escorted a group of about 25 swimmers to the state meet. “His winning the breaststroke was huge.”

The state meet continues today in Augusta. The Dolphins will have 20 swimmers participating, Todd said.

The Dolphins are a local summer recreational swim team that competes in the Chattanooga Area Swim League. Dalton recently clinched its third straight title in the Blue Division, the highest in the CASL, and will host the league’s postseason City Meet next week. In that event, Dalton will try to repeat as postseason champions.

Fuller has been a consistent scorer for the Dolphins this summer, registering in double-figure points to help the team maintain its high level of success. Fuller was among several Dolphins who registered a team-high 19 points in a win over top rival Signal Mountain on Thursday, and he also scored 14 at Red Bank earlier this week in the victory that clinched the Blue title.

Dalton will host a makeup meet against Ringgold at 6 p.m. on Monday at the Dalton Recreation Center, then move to Dalton High School on Tuesday as the City Meet begins with diving competition throughout the day. On Friday and Saturday, Dalton will host the remainder of the meet at Chattanooga’s Baylor School.