Students at Athens Drive can reveal their talents in many different ways. Athens allows students to join clubs, sports, and even other events. Each student has their very own interest that can express these skills individually. Junior Hannah Wooten demonstrates her talent by participating in the Athens Swim Team.
The Athens Drive Women’s Swim Team won its first regular-season meet against Green Level, Holly Springs, and Wake Forest and was also the regional runners-up. With the help of her support systems, Wooten scored 37 points at regionals for Athens.
“Hannah, as a student and swimmer, is determined, professional, and willing to help out whoever she’s around,” said Athens Drive Assistant Coach Morgan Thomas.
At NCHSAA 4A Eastern Regionals, Wooten got first place in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:50.62. Wooten described this moment as her “biggest accomplishment from this season.” At the time, when she swam this, it was an Eastern Region record. This record has been broken since, but Wooten says that this experience for her was “still something I wasn’t expecting.”
“Finding out about Hannah’s success and commitment was such an exciting feeling. I was very proud of the hard work and dedication she has put into her academics and athletics. Seeing how happy she was to tell me where she committed was one of my favorite moments of the season,” said Thomas.
Everyone has to start somewhere, no matter the challenge. Wooten has been swimming since she was six years old; her parents originally put her in it to learn how to swim for survival purposes. “I wouldn’t be where I am without the support and sacrifice of my parents. They’ve shown me what hard work and dedication mean,” said Wooten.
This led to her love for swimming. Wooten was on the same club team for about 10 years. She recently switched club teams last year, which she describes as “a scary move, scary transition, because I had never known swimming anywhere else but from where I was at.” Her ability to stay committed shows her undeniable determination.
During the regular 2025 swim season, Wooten got first place in the 100-yard freestyle, the 200-yard individual medley, and the 500-yard freestyle.
“If you had told me six months ago, I would be where I am, and I would be committed, and swimming these times, making all these leads, I would’ve been like, no, you’re crazy.”
Wooten describes swimming as something that allows people to work hard together. Wooten is in the water roughly 20 hours a week with her club team, so she balances her time between her club team and the Athens swim team.
This past February, Wooten announced her verbal commitment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. At the United States Military Academy at West Point, for every 100 applicants, around 12 are admitted. This means the school is extremely selective. She is proud to serve her country while continuing not only her swimming career, but also her academic career.
“I’m from North Carolina, that’s where I was born, where I grew up, so New York is going to be a different experience,” said Wooten.
Swimming is a great way for Wooten to display her skills and love for the sport. Sports and other activities can be challenging.
“Sometimes you have to find the humor, like the fun in hard swimming situations,” said Wooten.
