Alpharetta Recreation Commission Gets Visit from Some Sharks

Several members of the Alpharetta Sharks Swim Team visited the Alpharetta Recreation Commission on Thursday night, Aug. 25, for some recognition on a successful season for the city recreation program.

Anna Debban, who spent her first summer as the program's coordinator, said she "quickly found out the spirit, the pride and the hard work it takes to be a part of the team."

The Sharks started their season even before the last school year had ended, splitting time between school work, studying for end of year test and swim practices. Debban said their families made the same level of commitment, getting them to swim meets and practices–"numerous practices."

Not only did they win the state championship at Georgia Tech, but they did it for the second consecutive year, beating more than 70 other teams, she told the Recreation commissioners at their meeting in .

Team members also had success at the GA Recreation and Park Association swim meet also. More than 70 children were in the preliminaries.

Sharks' team members got out of the pool after winning 15 gold, 8 silver and 7 bronze medals, Debban said, with many more medals earned.

Attending the meeting from the Sharks were:

Ben Balmes

Lauren Johnson

Michael Critchfield

Will Critchfield

Elena Jerkovic

Rachel Saxton

Laney Hellriegel

Spencer Kelly

Samantha Fedel

Tatum Smith