Concerns about air quality in the Chatham County Aquatic Center forced the Savannah Fire Department to clear the building Saturday, but after tests showed there was no danger the Georgia Swimming 14 & Under Long Course Championships got right back into gear.
“We had a call from an individual concerned with the level of chlorine in the air inside,” said Mark Keller, Savannah Fire spokesman. “We checked the air and didn’t find elevated levels of chlorine, everything was normal.”
Keller said the water in the pool was also tested and chlorine levels were fine. Firefighters cleared the aquatic center at 12:16 p.m., and swimmers, coaches and spectators were allowed back in at 1:35 p.m., with the competition resuming at 2:30 p.m.
“It was just a temporary inconvenience,” Keller said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry in those situations, so we got everyone out.”
The delay didn’t seem to affect the swimmers, who have trained all season for one of the biggest events on their calendar.
Sam Parker, a 10-year-old Georgia Coastal Aquatic Team (GCAT) member from the Isle of Hope, was focused on his best race — the 50-meter backstroke. A day after finishing third in the 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter butterfly, Parker came through with the victory.
At the start of the race, Parker blasted off the wall and was under water in an instant. He was the last in his heat to surface, about 15 meters into the sprint. From there, he churned it home to win easily in 35.36, which Parker said was his best time in the event.
“I’ve focused on this race so much, it’s become my best event,” said Parker, who starts fifth grade at Savannah Christian in the fall. “I can go faster underwater, so I try to stay under as long as I can. That usually gives me an early lead, then I try to hold on.”
Other members of the GCAT team coached by Bill Forrester were ready to swim after the delay.
Emma Maust, a 10-year-old from Wilmington Island, had a solid swim in her 100-meter butterfly heat, finishing in 1:33.96.
“I was focused for this race because my coaches were helping me and my friends were there to cheer me on,” Maust said.
Alexandra Wayner, a 9-year-old student at Garrison School, raced in the second fastest heat of the 50-meter back, and came through with time of 40.50.
Wayner is the younger sister of Darby Wayner, a rising sophomore at Savannah Arts, who was the Savannah Morning News co-swimmer of the year last season with Patricia Forrester of Calvary Day.
“My sister helps me a lot with my swimming,” the younger Wayner said. “She gets in the pool with me and helps me with my double kick on the butterfly. In my (backstroke) race, I just tried to get the best kick out I could.”
Bill Forrester had a look of relief on his face as the meet was once again running smoothly.
“I just want the best for the kids,” Forrester said. “They have been training for this meet all season, and I wanted them to get their chance to shine. I’m happy for Sam (Parker), he’s got that great kick out that helps him so much in the backstroke — and he had a great race today.”
The final day of the Long Course Championships will be today, with swimming starting at 9 a.m. and running through the late afternoon.