By Carmen Rodgers
Elmore/Autauga News
Elmore County Commission honored Tallassee swimmer Macey Stewart for her recent State Championship win.
Stewart is a junior at Tallassee High School. She first started swimming at four-years-old. At age 11, her parents, Joe and Joely Stewart, began taking her to Auburn Aquatics to swim. She joined the Tallassee Tiger Sharks Swim Team in the 2nd grade.
Macey has taken top place in numerous state championships. She placed in multiple events at the 2018 AHSAA swim meet, and at the 2020 Southeastern Swimming Championship where she set the aquatics 13-14-year-old record. In 2021, at the AHSSA State Meet she set an association record, and at the 2021 Swimming Championships Swim Meet she set a personal best record. In dong so, she broke her record for the previous year and went on to win the event overall.
In 2022 Macey won two state championships at the AHSAA State Swimming and Diving Championships, which brought her total individual state championships as well.
Macey took both the 100-yard backstroke in Class 1A-5A win and the 100-yard freestyle in Class 1A-5, an event Macey has won two years running. Since she still has her senior year to look forward to, that total is likely to grow even larger.
Elmore County Commission Chairman Bart Mercer was the first to congratulate Macey on her accomplishments and asked if she has plans to swim at the college level.
“I have been talking to some colleges, it’s likely,” she said.
Commissioner Mack Daugherty also explained how proud he was to have Macey representing Elmore County as a top swimmer in the state.
“We are so very proud of you, Macey, it seems like you are a member of the family, you have been here so many times to receive this award. This is a very big deal. I know your community is proud, The City of Tallassee is proud, and I am proud as the commissioner representing that area. I very much look forward to following your college career and on to the Olympics. There’s no telling how far you’ll go. We could not be more proud of you and your family,” he said.
Commissioner Harry Hines also commended the young swimmer for her continued accomplishments.
“Macey, it is outstanding that you keep coming up here so that we can honor you and your family. We know it takes a lot of them driving back and forth, taking time and effort. And, you being a great example for your fellow students is something that I know you will cherish, work hard, because we know that people look up to you every day. The example you are setting is outstanding, thank you,” Hines said.
Commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson also offered words of encouragement the state swimming champion.
“Macey I want to extend my congratulations to you as well,” she said. “And commissioners, I think we have a lot of ladies that are experiencing girl power because we have a lot of ladies getting resolutions, so continue on. We are so proud of you and I expect to see you back here again next year, right? Congratulations,” she said.
Commissioner Dennis Hill made the closing remarks to Macey.
“I want to congratulate you. I am especially proud of you because I am a graduate of Tallassee High School. It’s good to see young ladies excel, like you. You are a good example to people whether you realize it or not. Keep doing what you are doing and you will affect people’s lives. I am very proud of you. I hope you continue to win. I know your momma and daddy will be real proud if your earn a college scholarship. Congratulations,” he said.
Macey will continue to compete in swimming events during her senior year at Tallassee High School.
Photo cutline: Tallassee’s top swimmer Macey Stewart is pictured with her mother Joely, her father Joe, and the Elmore County Commission.
