All Wet
Wednesday, December 6, 2006 3:13 AM EST
By Adam Carrington
MDJ Sports Writer
MARIETTA - It's safe to say that Sprayberry swimmers Dillon Connolly and Kristine
Polley are going places even though they've been to many places already.
Connolly, a senior, is returning for his senior
campaign with the Yellow Jackets after racking up two state titles last season in the 100-yard breaststroke (56.25) and the
200 individual medley (1:50.38). The 200 IM was Connolly's first of his high school career and has already garnered three
titles in the breaststroke.
Polley, a sophomore, made her state debut last year in the same events as Connolly. She
didn't win on her first try, but she claimed second place honors in the 200 IM with a time of 2:05.47 and settled for fourth
in the 100 breaststroke in 1:05.02.
Both swimmers have high expectations this year, knowing they are strong contenders
to win both Cobb County and the state meet in their respective events. Both are also expected to be role models for teammates
to follow.
"They help in terms of giving our kids something to aspire to," Sprayberry coach Denise Danielson said.
"It's aspiring (watching them swim) because (success) really can happen if you work hard enough at it."
Connolly, who
has trained with the Marietta Marlins under Dr. Yit Aun Lim since he was seven, will be swimming for the University of Southern
California next season. Connolly said he's anxious to swim for USC coach Dave Salo, who has already coached a long list of
former Olympic medalists.
But first, he has business to take care of at Sprayberry.
"I'm shooting for that IM
national record," Connolly said. "That's what I've been aiming for the whole time. The breaststroke national record is pretty
(low), and it would be sweet to break, but I'm shooting for the 200 IM."
Polley, who was in Sports Illustrated as a
12-year-old for winning a gold medal at the Georgia Senior State meet, has made great strides since her freshman campaign.
She
won the 200 breaststroke over the summer with a time of 2:31.86 at the Senior Sectionals in Athens, which was good enough
to qualify her for the National Junior team. She will head to Hawaii with the team later this month for competition.
Polley isn't concerned about underachieving. She's optimistic about what she
can accomplish this season and is looking forward to having a solid team around her.
Polley won the 200 freestyle relay
last season in the Cobb County meet by less than a second with Lauren Vandiver, Kara Nester and Lindsey Jackson and will swim
with the same threesome this season.
"I'm really excited because we have a girls team that is going to do really well,"
Polley said. "(Individually), I'm going to try my best, and hopefully, it will get me to where I want to be."
acarrington@mdjonline.com
Excerpt from Marietta Daily Journal- January 19, 2007
Sprayberry could be a surprise team with plenty of experience returning. Kristine Polley is among the
top swimmers in state and will be competing defending her IM and breaststroke titles from a year ago.
Other key swimmers for the Lady Yellow Jackets are Liz Braun (200 freestyle,
butterfly) and Lauren Vandiver (500 freestyle)
Excerpt from Marietta Daily Journal Jan.20. 2007
Sprayberry's Dillon Connolly broke two county records in the IM and breaststroke.
His new time in the IM is 1:50.59, breaking his previous time of 1:51.05. He broke his breaststroke record by half a second
in 55.87.
"My IM was almost perfect. I died on the freestyle, but other than that, it felt good," Connolly said. "I'm
glad I broke 56 (in the breaststroke). I'm glad I had a little speed. I was worried that I had more endurance
Adam Carrington Journalish
