Cobb Schools’ Athlete of the Week (AOW) program is a weekly recognition of male and female student-athletes performing at high levels in their sport, classroom, and school communities. This week's male winner is Raef Jollands, a freshman swimmer for the Trojans. 

Being a freshman and having brand-new teammates didn't deter Raef in the pool. He has already qualified for state in the 500 free (finished 1st) and the 100 Back (finished 2nd) at the Walton Amazing Grace Invitational. He also had the fastest leg on the 400 Freestyle relay and led off the 200 Freestyle relay (both relays finished 2nd). He did all of this AFTER swimming at his morning club swim meet. He is a hard-working student in the classroom with a challenging academic load. Raef is also on the Lassiter Mountain Biking Team and part of Lassiter’s STEM Engineering program.

"Raef came to Lassiter with a smile and a great attitude, ready to race and connect with his new high school teammates," said his coach, Brittany Hughes. "He has been a part of Swim and Dive for only a month but has participated in all team activities so far and has qualified for state in 4 different individual events. He has been swimming from a young age and swims year-round with his club team."

"He is very well-liked and respected by teammates, classmates and teachers. Raef is already proving to be a huge asset and will be a major part of the boy's team looking ahead to region, county, and state meets!" Coach Hughes concluded proudly.

The AOW program is made possible by support from BSN Sports.