At the Metro Atlanta Championships on Jan. 30, the Centennial girls managed a No. 3 finish, which marked the best performance from a north Fulton squad. Having played a key role in four events, sophomore Caitlin Bell was instrumental in the Lady Knights’ exceptional showing.

Bell won the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:55.81, and later notched a second-place finish in the 500 freestyle. She also helped the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams to No. 2 marks.

“She is so diverse. We can put Caitlin in any event and know that she will swim her best and usually come up with a win,” head coach Andrew Morrison wrote last week in an email to the Neighbor.

Starting Thursday at the GHSA State prelims at Westminster, Bell will represent Centennial in the 200 and 500 individual freestyle events, as well as the 200 medley and 500 freestyle relays. Morrison added Bell also qualified in several other events.

With two years still ahead at the varsity level, Morrison believes Bell can follow in the footsteps of veteran leader Julia Treible.

“We expect even greater things out of Caitlin as she gets older,” the coach added. “We think she will be one of the best swimmers we have had on the team.”