Hayden Roberts with coaches Kristin McElroy, Ivey Vickers and Teresa Walker at his signing ceremony Feb. 24.

TIFTON — Hayden Roberts won’t be far from familiar faces the next time he competitively swims. The Tift County High senior signed Friday, Feb. 24, with a school just down the road: Thomas University.

“I’m going to miss him,” said head coach Ivey Vickers. She knows it will be difficult for the Swim Devils to replace him. Roberts competed in the state tournament all four seasons, making finals this year in the 200 individual medley after previously making it to three finals with relay teams.

This year, he additionally qualified for state in the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle.

The Blue Devils have won nine consecutive region championships. Roberts has 10 first place medals to his credit, with at least one individual first place every year.

Vickers said Roberts has meant much to the Swim Devils during his career. “I don’t know who we’ll get to replace his points,” she said. “We have our work cut out for us.”

Thomas University’s Nighthawks are an NAIA program and placed 15th at nationals in 2022.

“He’ll do a great job,” Vickers said.