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ABT History:

Americus Blue Tide was founded in 1975 by Kirt and Theresa Myers. In their 21 years as Coaches they enjoyed outstanding success at every level. Through the years ABT swimmers have set one World Record, three American Records, and over 30 Georgia State Records.

Update December 13, 2001:
Dr. James Kirt Myers, the founder of Americus Blue Tide Swim Team, died in an automobile accident in December, 2001. Kirt was an All-American swimmer for the University of Alabama in the 1960's. He, and his wife Theresa, began a competitive swimming program in Americus after moving to town in 1975. Throughout his coaching career, Dr. Myers helped develop numerous National and World ranked athletes. Among them are former World Record holders Bill Forester (who now coaches with GCAT) and Angel Myers Martino.

Dr. Myers' contribution to the sport of swimming is incalculable. Locally, hundreds of young people have enjoyed the benefits of competitive swimming and dozens have earned college athletic scholarships while with ABT.

In 1991, Kirt served as National Team Head Coach at the Olympic Festival. He was selected as Head Coach again and led the U.S. National Teams to victory at both the 1993 and 1997 Short Course World Championships.

After his retirement from full-time coaching in 1997, Kirt remained involved with swimming. He remained a guest coach at the Georgia Aquatics Swim Camp in Americus and could frequently be found on deck helping out with ABT or one of the local high school teams.

Some of Kirt Myers' coaching achievements:

Coached nine Olympians during his career

Coached two Pan-American Games Champions

Placed in the top 5 at Nationals in 1992 & 1993

Placed in the top 10 at Nationals six times

1991 Olympic Festival Head Coach

1993 SC World Championship Assistant Coach

1997 SC World Championship Head Coach

Georgia Coach of the Year four times

Founded Americus Blue Tide in 1975

Founded Georgia Aquatics Swim Camp