High school swimming notebook (Sept. 12)

The Myrtle Beach girls swimming team isn’t slowing down.

The Seahawks swam to a 22-point win in Saturday’s meet at Coastal Carolina to continue what has been a successful season as it reaches its midpoint.

Myrtle Beach finished with 155 points, ahead of runner-up West Florence.

“We were real, real happy about that,” Seahawks coach Kirk Gallion said. “We had a good day. We swam some different events for some kids and they had some success.”

The Myrtle Beach boys also had a strong showing, placing second behind perennial power Waccamaw. The Seahawks had 144 points to finish 28 behind the Warriors.

Because of issues with the scoring program, Gallion initially thought his team had tied Waccamaw for first. Nonetheless, it was a good showing for the Seahawks.

“Super pleased,” Gallion said. “I was very happy with the boys team. They’re really starting to come around.”

Most area schools will be competing in a meet in North Myrtle Beach next week. Myrtle Beach, however, is headed to Dreher.

“That’s our next step,” Gallion said. “We’ll try to see some different people and different competition and get ready for the state championships.”

Bateson twins take lead for Socastee

The Socastee boys swimming team has new faces leading the way.

The only catch is it may sometimes be confusing as to which is which.

In their senior seasons, twins Eddie and Chad Bateson have emerged as leaders for a program that is rebuilding after having plenty of success in recent years.

“They’re stepping up and they’ve been really good as leaders in the pool as well as out of the pool,” Socastee coach Jay Preslar said. “That’s really helped the younger swimmers, so that’s been excellent.”

Preslar said it’s been crucial for a program finding itself in an unusual position.

“Rebuilding is a good description. We have a much smaller team than normal; we have 14 swimmers,” Preslar said. “It’s really a young team. A couple of the veterans are just outstanding and will really do quite well at state. The Bateson twins, Eddie and Chad, are both seniors. In just about every event they’ve done so far, they’re ranked top 5 to top 10 in the state.”

The Batesons are in their sixth season with the Braves’ program, and in previous years they were teamed with former standouts such as Ryan Sutton, Walker Harwell and others who have taken on the lead role – and spotlight.

Now, the Batesons are the program’s swimmers to keep an eye on. Both posted top-10 finishes at state a year ago in the Braves’ first season moving back up to Class AAAA.

Preslar expects them to fare even better this year.

“I think there’s a good chance that both of them could win something at states,” Preslar said. “They’re right up in the mix.”

Both are planning to swim at the next level, Preslar said.

“They’ve become outstanding swimmers,” he said.

Paul thriving in second year with Socastee

Jenn Paul has high hopes for the state swim meet this year.

Preslar just hopes injuries won’t get in the way of what should be a promising season.

Paul, a sophomore at Socastee, has excelled when healthy this season, but recently she’s been slowed a bit by nagging injuries.

“If we can get her healthy, she’s got huge potential for this year and certainly the next two years,” Preslar said.

Paul finished 11th in 100-yard freestyle and 18th in 100-yard backstroke in her first season with the Braves since moving to the area from New York.

“She’s got really good form and she works really hard in practice. I think when you put that combination together, it’s [easy to succeed],” Preslar said. “She’s been swimming a long time; she swam before she came to this area. … She’s going to be right up there. She’s had several top 5 times.”

Since moving here, Paul has quickly made a name for herself in swimming circles.

“She’s an outstanding swimmer. She’s one of the best girls swimmers in the area right now,” Preslar said. “She’s done quite well.”

Paul figures to be a key cog for the next couple years as the girls program also looks to rebuild.

“We’re sort of building for the future,” Preslar said. “But they’ve come a long way. Everybody’s improving their times.”

This story was originally published September 12, 2015 at 10:47 PM with the headline "High school swimming notebook (Sept. 12)."