Some team names instantly incite concern and respect when they appear on an opponent’s schedule. The Bacon County High School swim team is one of those fear-inspiring teams. Amazingly, however, the Bacon swim team consists on only one person: sophomore Garrett Holton. He IS the entire Raiders team. This season he was good enough to qualify in four events for the Georgia High School Association’s state swim meet.
“My favorite part of swimming is the exhilaration of the cold water rushing over me when I dive in the water,” Holton said.
Swimming is a year-round family activity in the Holton household. His father, Keith, got him started at an early age, and he was swimming competitively by the time he was six-years-old.
“My dad has taught, trained, and pushed me to be the best swimmer that I can be,” Holton said. “He won the 50-yard freestyle at the GHSA state swim meet 20 years ago, and I hope to accomplish this same feat before I graduate from high school.”
Those who have seen him swim believe it is a goal the younger Holton can accomplish. He is only a few years removed from setting the state record in the 11-12 age division at the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state swim meet.
“My dad also set this same record,” Holton said. “He is the one that taught me all of the different strokes in swimming and what it means to be a true competitor.”
One disadvantage Holton faces is the lack of a recreation department swimming program in Bacon County. So he and his younger sister must make the 30-minute trek across Highway 32 to participate in the Coffee County Recreation Department’s program in the summer. Holton also attended summer swim camps at the Bolles School in Jacksonville. In the winter, he practices at South Georgia State College in Douglas. To reduce travel to and from the pool, Holton’s father built a lap pool so Holton and his younger sister would have a place to train at home in Alma. And mom? Amy Holton is the coach of the Bacon County swim team.
Holton swims the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, the 200-yard individual medley, and the 100-yard butterfly in times that may one day catch the eyes of college recruiters. Another number colleges will soon be interested in is Holton’s GPA of 96, which makes him a standout in the classroom, too.
“I hope to obtain a scholarship in swimming,” Holton said, adding that he would like to major in mechanical engineering or forestry. “I would love to be on a swim team if I get a scholarship.”
An athletic young man, he participated in mixed martial arts, track, cross-country, and football. He also taught himself to do front and back flips. But swimming holds his attention these days with year-round practices and summer competitions.
“When I get into the pool, I am constantly reminding myself to push harder,” Holton said. “I tell myself that if you don’t, you’ll never get better.”
Holton’s Events and Personal Bests:
50-yard Freestyle: 22.49
100-yard Freestyle: 49.57
100-yard Butterfly: 55.44
200-yard IM 2:05.37
SE-SF-0217-Bacon
Bacon County page
Written by: Rob Asbell
Photography by: Shawn Smoak
Bacon County’s One-Man Team
