Andrea Gutierrez, Managing Editor

This week, a young Richmond Hill swimmer will be headed to represent the state in a prestigious swim tournament. 

Marianne Hatala, 12, was recently selected to represent Team Georgia in USA Swimming’s Southern Zone Age Group Championships in Orlando, Florida, set to take place from Wednesday, July 29 to Saturday, August 1.

The USA Swimming Zone Age Group Championships are regional end-of-season meets where top youth athletes represent their Local Swimming Committees (LSCs), or regions, across the Eastern, Central, Southern, and Western zones.  

Hatala, who swims with Georgia Coastal Aquatic Team (GCAT), was one of 12 girls across the state selected to join the squad. She will be Team Georgia’s breaststroke swimmer. 

Recently, Hatala achieved 3 individual gold medals in breaststroke (50m, 100m, and 200m) while competing for her club at the 2026 Georgia Long Course Age Group Championships held in Atlanta earlier this month. She was also a part of GCAT’s 200m and 400m free relays at the tournament which placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively. 

Hatala also took first place in the 50, 100, and 200m breaststroke races at the Georgia Short Course Age Group Championships held in Columbus on February 20-22, 2026.

Hatala follows in the footsteps of her older brother Wesley, who also swims for GCAT, saying that she “thought it would be fun to try it out”. 

“I like having a challenge to do every day, and getting to meet all the new people when I travel for meets,” said Hatala.