By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
June 11, 2002
A lack of interest and a need for an off week during a busy summer schedule has put a drain on the Youth Swimming competition at the State Games of Mississippi. The event, which was to begin on Friday, has been cancelled.
Event Commissioner Wade Heggie and State Games Director of Sports Chris Taft confirmed the decision in cancelling the event on Monday.
The Youth Swimming was expected to open the first big weekend of sports activities for the Games on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Highland Park Pool. It was to run through Sunday. Last year, 101 events marked the 2001 competition.
But according to Taft, who handles the official entries for the State Games, a very low number of entries led to the meet's cancellation this year.
Youth swimming is dominated in Mississippi by 20 or so swimming clubs and associations spread out through the state. Last year, the Meridian Swim Association fielded a full team and was joined by teams from Tupelo, Surf of Jackson and Sunkist.
Many teams attend meets almost weekly throughout the state and region. With the State Long Course Championships in late July, many coaches want to avoid burnout before the state meet.
Heggie confirmed that sentiment.
Heggie wants to see Youth Swimming return to the State Games in 2003 and to that end, he has begun taking steps.
Taft did say that the Masters Swimming competition set for June 22 at Meridian Community College's Damon Fitness Center has enough entries and will go on as scheduled.