By Michael Butler

Two Tallassee swimmers brought home blue ribbons at the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) Swimming and Diving Championships in Albertville over the weekend. Camden Mask was first in the 100-yard individual medley and 50-yard breaststroke. Anne Margaret Birchfield was a state champion in the 50-yard backstroke.

It capped an illustrious recreational and high school career for Mask, who will be taking his talents to the college level at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark.

Last school year, Mask won the 100-yard breaststroke at the AHSAA State Championships. He was fastest among all swimmers at the event in Huntsville.

On Saturday in Albertville, Mask was almost two seconds faster in the 50-yard breaststroke than his closest competitor among 15–18-year-olds. Both of his winning times were personal bests.

The 2025 Tallassee High School graduate turned 19 on Monday. He reflected on his accomplishments on his birthday.

“I started swimming with Coach (Donna) Funderburk and the Tallassee Swim Sharks at six,” Mask said. “The coaches and teammates over the last 14 years have become like a family to me. It has been such a joy to swim my last summer before college with my hometown team.”

Mask has a full trophy case of state recreational titles. In 2017, he won the ARPA medley relay. He was the 50-yard breaststroke champ in his age group in 2021. He added the 100-yard individual medley to his championships in 2023.

“He didn’t swim with Tallassee last summer because he decided to swim the USA Swim Futures Championship,” said John Mask, his father and THS swim team coach. “This year, he decided to swim with his friends and end his high school years where it all started.”

The next chapter begins soon.

“I will always be appreciative of the coaches, teammates and city for this wonderful experience that has propelled me to be able to pursue my dream of swimming in college and continuing this journey.”

Mask along with Caden Metz, Chandler Metz and Aiden Nobles were fourth in the 15-18 medley relay.

In addition to the backstroke title for Birchfield in the 9-10 age group, she was the state runner-up in the individual medley and free. She was fourth in the free relay with teammates Harlee Cauley, Ava Ingram and Anna Margaret Lucas.

Another highlight for Tallassee included a third-place finish for Abigail Zinn in the 11-12 breaststroke.