Three Hope Piranhas Swimmers are set and ready to go to Houston Thursday, July 29 for the Junior Olympics Swim Meet to race alongside Team Arkansas.
13-year-old Sadie Knoll, 13-year-old Addison McEuen, and 12-year-old Ben Stewart are the three representatives from Hope joining Team Arkansas for the Junior Olympics which will take place July 29 to Aug. 1. This will be Knoll's 3rd Junior Olympics swim meet and both Stewart's and McEuen's 2nd.
"We are super excited to get to be a part of Team Arkansas & the opportunity to swim at the Junior Olympics," Coach Amy Knoll said. "The competition is tough but the experience for our swimmers is great!"
Coach Knoll has also started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover the expenses of the meet and trip to Houston.
"We are hoping to raise money to help cover our registration fees, event fees, team swim caps and team shirts, lodging and travel expenses," Knoll said.
As of Thursday afternoon, July 22, the team has raised over $500 through the fundraiser.
"It’s amazing to see the response and support we have had in previous years and this year as well," Knoll said. "These swimmers have worked very hard in a very short amount of time. We are so very grateful for any donation made and for anymore that may come. This is a huge opportunity for them and I’m proud to be their coach and to be part of this experience."
The swimmers will be competing in the following events on the following days:
Season #2 (AM) - July 30 (competition starts at 8:30 a.m. Central)
Event #7: Girls 13-14 200 Meter Freestyle (Knoll)
Event #11: Girls 13-14 200 Meter Breaststroke (Knoll & McEuen)
Season #3 (Afternoon) - July 30 (competition starts at 12:45 p.m. Central)
Event #30: Boys 11-12 200 Meter Freestyle (Stewart)
Event #34: Boys 11-12 100 Meter Breaststroke (Stewart)
Season #5 (AM) - July 31 (competition starts at 8:30 a.m. Central)
Event #43: Girls 13-14 50 Meter Freestyle (Knoll)
Event #55: Girls 13-14 400 Meter Freestyle (McEuen)
Season #8 (AM) - Aug. 1 (competition starts at 8:30 a.m. Central)
Event #89: Girls 13-14 200 Meter Backstroke (Knoll)
Event #93: Girls 13-14 100 Meter Breaststroke (Knoll)
Season #9 (Afternoon) - Aug. 1 (competition starts at 12:45 p.m. Central)
Event #126: Boys 11-12 50 Meter Breaststroke (Stewart)
Event #130: Boys 11-12 100 Meter Butterfly (Stewart)
The three swimmers will be in Houston Thursday afternoon to complete registration and to practice with Team Arkansas. The meet will be at CY Fair Natatorium. Spectators not able to make the event can watch the kids swim live at floswimming.com.