From July 27 through July 30, 2023 12 swimmers from the Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team joined 3 other swimmers from the MSL (Mountain Swim League) to form Team MSL and compete in the 2023 Jr. Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa. The other 3 were from FAST (Franklin Area Swim Team).
Highlands Tate Wilson competes in the butterfly at a recent meet in Franklin.
Team MSL finished 14th in the meet against teams including Team Florida, Team New England, and Team Arkansas.
Highlands Penelope McRae flashes a smile before changing directions at a meet in Franklin.
The 12 members of the Team MSL 2023 National Team from the Highlands Hurricanes were: Jasmine Abranyi, Elizabeth Burnette, Corena Dearth, Finneaus Garner, Conner Hughes, Sofia and Lilliana Jandera-Chambless, Chase Kenter, Aniah McKim, Paolo McRae, Jack Sumner and Tate Wilson. From FAST: Claire Ballard, Lana and Zoi Walker.
Highlands Corena Dearth races freestyle in Franklin.
Team MSL was led by Lilliana Jandera-Chambless who won a gold medal in the 100 backstroke, and 6 silver medals and scored 70 pts. Chase Kenter brought home a silver medal in the 400 IM, a 5th place finish in the 200 breaststroke and 70 pts. Jack Sumner won a bronze medal in the 400 IM, finished 4th in the 200 butterfly and scored 64 pts. Claire Ballard won a bronze medal in the 100 breaststroke, an 4th in the 50 freestyle, and 38 pts. Lilliana’s sister Sofia Jandera-Chambless brought home a gold medal in the 200 butterfly and 20 pts. Elizabeth Burnette and Corena Dearth both scored 16 pts. Both had an 8th and a 12th place finish. Burnette in the 100 and 50 butterfly and Dearth in the 50 and 100 breaststroke.
Two sisters bringing home Gold medals Lilliana (left) Sofia ( right) Jandera Chambless. Lilliana won the 100 Back and Sofia the 200 fly.
The foursome of Finneaus Garner, Conner Hughes, Aniah McKim, and Paolo McRae combined for 48 pts, scoring in all 4 of their relays, finishing 9th in the 200 medley relay, and 10th in the 400 medley relay. Jazmine Abranyi finished 13th in the 50 freestyle, 20th in both the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle, scoring 4 pts. Lana Walker finished 26th in the 100 butterfly, and 35th in the 50 freestyle . Sister Zoi Walker finished 26th and 38th in the 50 and 100 freestyle. Tate Wilson finished 26th in the 400 freestyle and 60th in the 50 freestyle.
Highlands Aleksandar Petric-Sakonjic takes a breath while competing in the breaststroke in Franklin.
The Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team is a Highlands Recreation Park Team that practices at the Highlands Recreation Park Pool in the evenings. 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 Aniah McKim and Tate Wilson were both awarded 2023 Academic All-Americans, which requires athletes to be graduating seniors, maintain a GPA of over 3.75 on a 4 point scale, and lettered in their school’s swimming program.
For more information please call Steve Hott at 828.421.4121.
Highlands Miley Zagal competes in freestyle at a meet in Highlands.
Highlands Ivan Shchelgachov races freestyle at a meet in Highlands.
Highlands Elizabeth Burnette races freestyle in Highlands.
Young Highlands Hurricanes cheering on their teammates in Highlands.
Highlands Swim Coach Steve Hott poses with the medals earned from a meet in Iowa.
Highlands Jasmine Abranyi powers through the water competing in the butterfly.
Highlands Maxwell Basil scopes out the competition racing freestyle in Highlands.
Highlands Ian Batista competes in freestyle in Highlands.
Highlands Stephan Halldin keeps cool as a cucumber in hot sauce waiting to race at a meet in Franklin.
Highlands Harrison McKim competes in the breaststroke in Highlands.
Highlands Ben Halldin competes in freestyle in Highlands.
Quick strategy session for a young Highlands swimmer before racetime at a meet in Franklin.
Highlands Chase Kenter is the first to reach the other end of the pool during the butterfly competition at a meet in Franklin. Kenter is also pictured at the top of the article.
Highlands swimmers staying cool in the shade between races at a meet in Franklin.
Highlands Connor Hughes rockling a freestyle race in Franklin.
Highlands Aniah McKim competes in the backstroke in Franklin.
Highlands Penelope McRae flying through the water competing in the butterfly in Franklin.
Highlands Swim Coach Steve Hott keeping spirits high at a meet in Franklin.
Downtime for the Highlands Hurricanes at a meet in Franklin.