By Martin Couch

The Bryant Parks and Recreation Department is growing by leaps and bounds, according to director Jeremy Lemons.

“Right now, hopefully, we’ll get ready for our big tour,” he said, referring to the new community center at Bishop Park. “We are putting in the carpet on the second floor and getting on a second coat of paint. The final touches are coming at the end of this month with the community center by furnishing it with 300 chairs up there.”

FAYETTEVILLE — The Bryant High School swim team produced five top 10 finishes including two season-beat performances and recorded three other season-best times at the 2010 State swimming and diving championship held at the University of Arkansas over the weekend.

Jinson Kang had the top finish with a fourth place in the 100 butterfly. She finished in 1:03.05. Justine Tazelaar took fifth in the 100 backstroke in a personal best time of 1:04.41.

Kang also took seventh in the 200 free with a time of 2:05.78 to account for a second top-10 finish.

Photos by RICK NATION

LITTLE ROCK — The team of Lee Smothers, Joseph Boshears, Jacob Toland and Collin McDiarmid combined on a time of 1:48.03 in the 200 freestyle relay in the 11-12 age group, setting a 21-year old state record at the Arkansas Swimming State short course championships at UALR, Feb. 12-14.

The quartet was competing for the Central Arkansas Swim Club Racers, a team that includes swimmers from 10 to 18 years of age. The Racers finished third overall. The boys team was third, the girls team fourth in their respective competitions.

ARKADELPHIA — The Bryant High School boys and girls swim teams swept the respective championships at the South Regional swimming and diving meet at Ouachita Baptist University on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The Lady Hornets accumulated 364 points. El Dorado was second at 257 followed by Little Rock Christian (242), Lake Hamilton (218), Magnolia (215), Arkansas Baptist (182), Hot Springs Lakeside (143), Arkadelphia (80) and Little Rock Lutheran (78).

The Hornets accumulated 374 points with Magnolia second at 334 followed by El Dorado (266), Arkadelphia (182), Arkansas Baptist (157), Lake Hamilton (101), Little Rock Christian (97), Benton (56) and Lakeside (27).

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — The Central Arkansas Swim Club will be hosting a “Rev-Up” program for beginning and experienced swimmers as a warm-up for the summer swim competitions including those involving the Bryant Barracudas.

The sessions will be held at the North Little Rock Boys and Girls Club under the director of coaches Patrick Bass and Onat Tungac. Swimmers will learn proven technique drills to improve their quality of strokes, turns and starts.

CONWAY — Sophomore Caleb Thomas became the first diver competing for the Bryant High School swim team to earn a bid to the State championship meet with his performance at the 47th Hendrix High School Invitational held Saturday, Jan. 23, at Hendrix College.

There were 24 girls teams and 21 boys teams that competed at the huge meet. Bryant finished 9th in the combined standings with the Lady Hornets seventh among the girls and the Hornets 12th among the boys teams.

Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.

NAME: Justin Tazelaar

DATE OF BIRTH: July 19, 1992

PARENTS: Wayne and Deborah

SIBLINGS: Dyllan and Cody

FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: P.E.

FAVORITE SPARE TIME ACTIVITY: Dancing and singing in front of the mirror in my room

FAVORITE FOOD: Goldfish.

FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: Brokencyde

Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.

NAME: Megan Matthew

DATE OF BIRTH: July 25, 1992

PARENTS: Chuck and Linda Matthew

SIBLINGS: Katie Matthew

FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: History

FAVORITE SPARE TIME ACTIVITY: Sewing

FAVORITE FOOD: Any fruit.

FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: none

Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.

NAME: Kyle Douglas

DATE OF BIRTH: Jan. 3, 1992

PARENTS: Shawn and Angela Douglas

SIBLINGS: Mikayla Douglas

FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Science

FAVORITE SPARE TIME ACTIVITY: Swimming

FAVORITE FOOD: Italian.

FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: Attack Attack