By Steve Hott, Head Coach of the Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team
Photos by Amy Hinton
Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team traveled to the Asheville Jewish Community Center (AJCC) for the Post Purim Palooza from March 18-19 and earned 119 personal records (PRs).
Highlands Jaycee Powell turns at the wall. The Message on his back reads “I only win, you got that. Eat my dust.”
The Hurricanes finished 2nd to AJCC 1745.5 to 1735 and well ahead of Waynesville’s SMAC (Smoky Mountain Aquatics Club) score of 647.5.
From left are Highlands Aniah McKim, Finneaus Garner, and Paolo McRae taking off to begin a race.
Paolo McRae, Chase Kenter, and Anton Halldin all qualified for the 2023 Jr. Olympics to be held in Des Moines, Iowa this summer.
They join Finneaus Garner, Aniah McKim, Dasha Halldin, and Corena Dearth on the national team who have previously qualified for the 2023 JO’s.
Highlands Corena Dearth competes in the butterfly.
Garner broke the 2017 team record in the boys 50-yard freestyle with 23.50
Kenter and both broke the 2019 team record in the boys 200-yard backstroke. Kenter retains the record by winning the race in 2:28.36.
Alyse Remery broke the 2019 team record in the girls 200 backstroke with a time of 3:00.22.
Highlands Elizabeth Burnette checks her time after a race.
High scorer for Highlands was Aniah McKim with 170 pts. and 5 first place and 2 second place finishes. Garner scored 162 (3 firsts and 2 seconds), Kenter 159 (2 firsts and 4 seconds), and Dasha Halldin 150 (3 firsts, 2 seconds), McRae brought home 145 (2 seconds, 1 third), Justin Powell 129.5 (1 first, 1 second), Remery 122 (2 thirds) and Ian Batista 116.5 (1 second, 1 third), Ivan Shchelgachov scored 114.5 (2 firsts, 1 second), Elizabeth Burnette 93 (1 second), Corena Dearth 63, Max Jestin 55, and Charlie Hinton 49 (1 first, 1 third).
Highlands Elizabeth Burnette makes a quick turn and heads back to the other end of the pool.
Anton Halldin brought home 47 (1 third place finish), Alex Petric 45.5, Penelope McRae 33, and Bella Batista 29. Jayce Powell scored 18, Wylie Hinton 13, sister AnnMarie Hinton 11, and Annabelle Searles 7.
Bo Curcuru brought home 2 pts, and Morgan Mason 1. Also swimming for the Hurricanes were John Bradshaw Spencer and 6-year-old Stefan Halldin.
Highlands Ivan Shchelgachov competes in the butterfly in Asheville.
Jack Sumner and Aja Garner were out sick, and Ben Halldin was out due to injury; they were all sorely missed.
Highlands Paolo McRae races freestyle in Asheville.
The Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team is a Highlands Recreation Park Team that practices in the evenings at the Highlands Recreation Park Pool.
Highlands Dasha Halldin competes in the butterfly.
The only requirement to join is that a prospective swimmer must be able to swim 25 yards (one length of the Recreation Park Pool) unassisted.
Highlands Alyse Remery competes in Asheville.
For more information, please call Steve Hott at 828.421.4121.