Small roster, big goals for Anderson County swim team
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Shea Rainey returns to the Mavericks swim team for the 2025 season but has been re-classified and will compete as a freshman. - Tony Cox
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Senior Donovan Rainey brings experience to the Maver- - Tony Cox
The 2025-26 swim season has jumped off the blocks for Anderson County High School, though the Mavericks and Lady Mavs will have a brief lull before they dive back into competition in mid-December.
Anderson County fields a small but experienced roster this year, and coach Stephanie Coker believes the program’s four returning athletes can still make waves despite their limited numbers. The boys’ side features just one competitor: freshman Shea Rainey, who returns to the pool after reclassifying. While he is ineligible for the state meet this season, Coker said the year offers him a chance to build strength and sharpen his technique.
“He swam for the Mavs last season but he’s re-classified and will compete as a freshman. Thus, he’ll not be eligible for the state meet,” Coker said. “Shea will not be eligible for the state meet since he re-classified, so he’s going to use the season to work and train.”
The girls’ squad includes three familiar faces: senior Donavan Rainey, Shea’s older sister; junior Kady Terry; and sophomore Katie Wade. All three competed at the TSSAA state championships last season, giving Anderson County a solid core of swimmers who already know what it takes to compete at the highest level.
“All of our swimmers are back, and they swam last year,” Coker said.
Wade missed the team’s season-opening meet earlier this month but is expected to play a significant role as the season progresses.
“Katie Wade wasn’t at the first meet but she looks to have a promising season,” Coker said.
Terry, meanwhile, surged ahead in the early going, setting the tone with improvements in both her sprint events.
“Kady Terry shaved some time off her previous marks in both the 50 free and 100 free,” Coker said.
With a month to train before their next competition, the Mavericks and Lady Mavs aim to fine-tune their strokes, build endurance and gain momentum as the heart of the season approaches. Their next test comes Dec. 13 at the prestigious Ray Bussard Invitational, held at the University of Tennessee’s Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatics Center. The meet is among the largest and most competitive in the Southeast, offering Anderson County a prime opportunity to gauge its progress against elite regional talent.