Powers ready to lead the way for area swimmers at state championship (VIDEO)

ATLANTA -- Paul Powers has competed in national meets and even world events, battling against some of the best swimmers in any pool anywhere.

So you might think that a state championship was a little passé for the North Hall standout.

And you would be wrong.

Powers intends to give his all for the Trojans this weekend at the GHSA championships at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta. In fact, Powers is aiming to do something no other high school swimmer has ever accomplished -- break the 19-second mark in the 50 yard freestyle.

(To watch a video feature with Paul Powers, click "play" on the screen to the right.)

That's just one of the many goals Powers has in his sites this weekend, and, as the reigning 50 and 100 free state record holder, the senior believes he can help himself and his team to big things when he competes in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke, as well as North Hall's relay teams.

Paul's younger brother Ty, who finished second to Paul in last year's 50 free, is also hoping for big things, as he competes in the 50 free and 100 breaststroke.

The duo could lead the way for a huge weekend for area swimmers, including Gainesville's Colin Mongahan, who earned silver in last year's 200 individual medley and holds the No. 1 seed time for this year's 100 breaststroke.

Swimming will begin on Friday with preliminary races, with the finals set for Saturday.

AREA SWIMMERS QUALIFIED FOR 2014 GHSA SWIM CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday-Saturday, at Georgia Tech Aquatic Center, Atlanta

BUFORD
-- Boys 200 medley relay team
-- Girls 200 medley relay team
-- Brittany Litke, 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke
-- Danielle Brooks, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle
-- Boys 200 freestyle relay team
-- Girls 200 freestyle relay team
-- Ben Wellington, 100 backstroke
-- Girls 400 freestyle relay team

CHESTATEE
-- Boys 200 medley relay team
-- Luke Hene, 200 freestyle
-- Luke Grater, 200 individual medley
-- Boys 200 freestyle relay team
-- Boys 400 freestyle relay team

FLOWERY BRANCH
-- Boys 200 medley relay team
-- Girls 200 medley relay team
-- Kell Waddell, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle
-- Alex Miller, 50 freestyle
-- Boys 200 freestyle relay team
-- Girls 200 freestyle relay team
-- Boys 400 freestyle relay team
-- Girls 400 freestyle relay team

GAINESVILLE
-- Colin Monagahan, 200 individual medley, 100 breastroke
-- Sidney Cochran, 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly

JEFFERSON
-- Girls 200 medley relay team
-- Jacob Musgrove, 200 individual medley, 500 freestyle
-- Camille Porter, 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke
-- Girls 200 freestyle relay team

LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- Michael Wacho, 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle

NORTH HALL
-- Boys 200 medley relay team
-- Paul Powers, 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke
-- Ty Powers, 50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke
-- David Schofield, 50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke
-- Rosemary Schofield, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle
-- Ashley Johnston, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle
-- Boys 200 freestyle relay team
-- Girls 200 freestyle relay team
-- Boys 400 freestyle relay team
-- Girls 400 freestyle relay team

RIVERSIDE MILITARY
-- Boys 200 medley relay team
-- Kevin Reale, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke
-- William Toth, 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke
-- Rob McMorrow, 500 freestyle
-- Boys 200 freestyle relay team