Loyd family achieves dominance in swimming

The Loyd family of Blytheville are making waves in Arkansas swimming.

On Saturday and Sunday June 28th and 29th Adam, Anna, and Emily Loyd traveled to Little Rock to compete in the Arkansas AAU State Swimming Championships.

To say that this swimming family achieved excellence is an understatement based on their results.

Anna Loyd was State Champion in all of the individual events that she entered. She earned 1st place in the 50 Free, 50 Butterfly, 50 Breaststroke, 50 Backstroke and 100 Free.

Her performances qualified her for the AAU Junior Olympic Championships in Des Moines, Iowa July 28-Aug. 2.

When asked about her performances Coach Spence Royer said the following: "Anna has achieved dominance in every swimming league this year.

Her overall season is one of the best that I have ever seen.

Anna has the chance to do some amazing things in Iowa and I am very proud of her."

Adam Loyd was also able to qualify for the AAU National Championships as he swam to the following: State Champion 100 Breaststroke, 2nd place in the 50 Breaststroke and 50 Butterfly, and 3rd in the 100 Back and 4th in the 100 Free.

Emily Loyd, the younger sister of Adam and Anna, made her championship debut in grand fashion. New to the sport, Emily swam to 6th place in the 50 free and 9th place in the 50 Backstroke.

Coach Spence has been working with Emily on her swimming mechanics and the extra work has indeed paid off.

The Loyds compete for the Blytheville Barracudas as well as FAST Caruthersville (soon to be Racers Swimming).

Coach Royer has developed a new team that will be housed at the Rec Center in Caruthersville. Racers swimming will provide access to the sport of swimming for athletes ages 5-18.

On Sunday Aug. 24 Racers Swimming will host tryouts for new swimmers. For more information about the new team please contact Coach Spence Royer at 573-333-0031.