While the competition level at a Georgia Parks and Recreation Association (GPRA) swim meet might not be at the same level compared to a USA Swimming meet, Carrollton Bluefins coach David Weeks makes sure his team competes at the recreation meets every year.

“We have our kids participate because it is a big thing,” Weeks said. “If you win a state championship, you win one. You make state finals, you put it on your resum©.”

The Bluefins will have approximately 110 swimmers competing this morning beginning at 9 a.m. for the chance to advance to the state championship meet in two weeks. About 90 Bluefin swimmers will gather in Clayton City for the District 4 meet, which includes Carroll County. The other 20 will go to Dalton for the District 5 meet, which includes Haralson County.

The top three finishers in each individual race and team medley qualify for the state championship, which will be held July 20-21 at the Aquatics Center in Augusta.

The Bluefins will have swimmers from ages 4 to 18 competing. GPRA doesn’t allow swimmers older than 18.

Weeks expects about 50 of his swimmers to move on to the state championship. He said that number would usually be around 65, but the Bluefins don’t have enough swimmers ages 13-14 this year in the same division to form a relay team for that age bracket.

The Bluefins compete in both GRPA and USA Swimming meets. GRPA meets are less competitive and limit swimmers to only two individual events, which prevents a swimmer from entering in every category he or she qualifies for and dominating the meet.

While the GRPA remains popular for swimmers ages 10 and under, Weeks said it has lost much of its popularity with older swimmers because there are a lot of swimmers and the races are short and quick.

“The more you train, the better you get ready for more distance events,” Weeks said.

One of the best aspects of GRPA meets, according to Weeks, is that they provide the opportunity for all the age groups involved with the Bluefins to get together.

“It’s a good chance for all the younger kids and older kids to meet together and have a chance to create a team atmosphere,” Weeks said. “That’s one of the important things about my team that I like.”