The Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team returned successful from their meet in Clemson, SC in January. Over 600 swimmers from 20 teams and 4 states descended on Fike Natatorium on the Clemson University Campus for the 2019 Clemson Aquatics Team (CAT) Tiger Invitational. 18 of those entered were Hurricanes. The meet was unscored, but ribbons were awarded to the top 8 finishers in each event.
Chase Kenter earned 7 ribbons, won 3 events, and had 5 personal records (PR’s). Conner Hughes brought home ribbons in 5 events and had 3 PR’s. Layla Babac had 3 ribbons and 3 PR’s, Aniah McKim got 2 ribbons and 6 PR’s. Savannah Byrd, Andre Halldin, and Jack Sumner each won a ribbon. Byrd and Halldin had 4 PR’s, Sumner 2. Jelehna McKim set 8 team records and had 6 PR’s. Elias McKim broke 6 team records with 6 PR’s. Twins Ben and Dasha Halldin each had 5 PR’s. Peyton Kaylor set 4 PR’s. Tate Wilson, Max Jestin, Blake Kenter, and Justin Powell all had 3 PR’s each.
Pictured below are photos from Clemson, S.C. meet
Chase Kenter and Conner Hughes both qualified to compete in the North Carolina Swimming Age Group Short Course Championship in Cary, NC which was held on February 15-17 at the Triangle Aquatic Center. The fastest 14 and under swimmers from across the state were in attendance including Kenter and Hughes. Conner had personal records in two of his four events; the 100 butterfly and the 50 breaststroke.
Chase was one of only three nine year old boys to earn medals at the event on the strength of his Personal Record (a AAA time) in the 100 butterfly. Over the course of the meet, he had 5 PRs in his 9 events. As a result of his swims in both meets, Chase is now ranked 34th nationally for 9-year-old boys via USA Swimming’s IMX ranking system.
Pictured below are photos from the Cary, N.C. meet
The Highlands Hurricanes are a year-round Highlands Recreation Department Team. The Hurricanes compete in AAU and USA swimming meets locally and around the country. The only requirement to join the team is that a swimmer must be able to swim one length of the pool (25 yards) unassisted. For more information on how you can join or even volunteer with the Hurricanes, please contact Head Coach Steve Hott at 828-421-4121.
By Steve Hott
Photos courtesy of Debbie Kenter
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