Tanya Chilton | The News

Head Coach Jay Williams of the Mount Airy Bears swim team led the Bears team to a third-place finish in the conference and took 11 to state finals this season. The team also took 11 last year to state.

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The Northwest All-Conference swimmers were recently named after swimmers wrapped up the conference season earlier in the month, and Bears Head Coach Jay Williams said depth in the conference was evident by so many swimmers named from different teams.

Williams said throughout the 2o12-13 season, the conference swim teams were intensely competitive with one another and the tough competition pushed swimmers to improve. Swimmers from every school in the Northwest conference were represented in the state swimming and diving competition. Williams said several from the conference encouraged one another on once getting to the state finals.

Williams said several of the swimmers in the conference are multi-talented in different sports and that fact has been nice to see.“The variety has helped create well-rounded individuals overall.

He said he was happy to have the specialist swimmers who are in the program but also happy to see the kids coming in from other sports. He called the varied talent of the conference part of the high-school experience and said swimming provided an opportunity for students to excel.

The Bears coach said several programs and their coaches in the Northwest conference should be credited.

Williams, in particular, mentioned the East Surry and Bishop McGuinness programs, as well as Coach Ashley Taylor and Assistant Coach Jan Taylor of North Surry. Williams also said Marie and Justin Plummer of West Stokes have spent sweat-equity in building a good program at West Stokes.

Overall, Williams said it was nice this year to see a group of coaches dedicated to helping the children improve and reach their potential in swimming.

He said an important transition came this season in the Northwest conference when the fight became more than just to make “state” but instead be recognized as serious contenders at state-level competition.

The Northwest All-Conference swimmers are named with first and second place swimmers in the conference meet. Both individual and relay events received designation.

Northwest Boys Swimming

Making all-conference for the boys are:

• Bishop McGuinness — Matthew Brackett, Ben Coon, Grant Davidson, Jeffery Davidson, Joseph Farley, Daniel Gomez-Perry, Sean Gorham, William Johnson, Charlie Ladka, Alex Strasser

• East Surry — Christopher Holshouser

• Mount Airy — Blake Bond, Mason Epperson, William Judd, Jacob Puckett

• North Surry — Payden Simmons

• West Stokes — David Hughart, Robbie Scoville, Sam Stevenson, Dylan Turner, Josh Zolnierowicz

• Swimmer of the Year — Ben Coon, Bishop McGuinness

• Coach of the Year — Kenny Christensen, Bill McKenzie, Bishop McGuinness

Northwest Girls Swimming

Making all-conference for the girls are:

• Bishop McGuinness — Maia Cancro, Bri Eichorn, Emily Fiore, Colleen Gillooley, Erica Justice, Maria Kammire, Gina Koesters, Carolyn O’Halloran

• East Surry — Mikayla Elliott, Katherine Martin, Kayla Simmons, Avery Tilley, Kelsey Tunstall

• Mount Airy — Emma Harrison, Ivy Marion, Sydney Peavy, Liza Pell, Catherine Scott

• Surry Central — Christine Hawks

• Swimmer of the Year — Emily Fiore, Bishop McGuinness

• Coach of the Year — Kenny Christensen, Bill McKenzie, Bishop McGuinness