NEWPORT-The Cocke County High School Swim Team wrapped up their season on January 23 at the prestigious KISL Meet in Knoxville at the University of Tennessee Aquatic Center.

The CCHS squad had a successful season, but it became even more successful with the announcement this past week that Big Red senior James Ball had qualified for the State High School Swim Meet, which will be held at the Nashville Centennial Sports Complex on Friday, February 12.

Ball is the first Cocke County swimmer to qualify for the State Meet in five years.

Swimmers had to meet strict qualifying times in order to make it to the State Meet. To put this in perspective, 13 CCHS swimmers qualified in 20 events for the Knoxville Area High School Championship meet on January 23, but only Ball was able to produce fast enough times to qualify for the State Meet. He placed 12th overall at the KISL Meet.

Ball is co-captain of the CCHS Swim Team and anchored the men's relay. He set two team records this past season, in the 50-yard and 500-yard Freestyle.

At the State Meet, Ball will be competing in the 50-yard Freestyle and 100-yard Butterfly.

Ball is the son of Denver and Karen Ball.