The Troy Tiger Sharks head to Birmingham this weekend to compete in the state meet.

The swimmers have competed in five meets, including the district meet, and

head coach Idral Bowen and during that time Bowen said both skills and passions for the sport have increased..

“I am really proud of them,” Bowen said. “I think they have really like it, especially the ones that have never done it before. At this point of the year it seems like everyone has gotten really comfortable with one another and they all get along so well. I have said it before: swimming is an individual sport but there is also a team aspect. They all get along great with each other both at practice and at competitions.”

The Tiger Sharks had 12 swimmers qualify for the state meet: Taylor Ellis, Eden Bruner, Jeffrey Knotts, Fabian Pireto, Addison Bruner, Peyton Sasser, Dallas Daughtry, Jennifer Jordan, Kendall Savoie, Nicholas Slobodchiloff, Daniel Niu and Jake Rodgers.

The swimmers who competed in the district tournament had to finish in the top four of a race to qualify for state. So far Tiger Sharks have performed well in Birmingham, according to assistant swim coach Skylar Sexton.

“The kids are taking our coaching well and correcting their technique,” Sexton said, adding that all 12 swimmers had improved their times.

Tiger Sharks have competed the 50-meter breaststroke races as well as the 50-meter freestyle races. The 15-18 year-olds have also competed in the 200-meter medley relays and two of the 100 individual medleys.

The state swim meet ends today in Birmingham.