By Steve Hott, Head Coach, Highlands Varsity Swimming and Diving
Congratulations to the Highlands High School Swim Team for qualifying for the 1A/2A State Championships next weekend! Each swimmer had at least one personal best time and the boys 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays will compete at State.
Highlands qualified for the state championship at Regionals held at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center in Charlotte on Feb. 3. Out of 99 1A/2A schools in the Western Region of NC, Highlands boys finished 8th, and Highlands one girl team of Tate Wilson finished 24th.
Pictured at the top of the article is the Highlands High School Swim Team in Charlotte on Feb. 3.
Individually co-captain Finneaus Garner qualified in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle, Chase Kenter qualified in the 200-yard IM, Jack Sumner qualified the 100 yard butterfly and Aniah McKim qualified in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Co-captain Tate Wilson had a personal best in the 200-yard freestyle, Conner Hughes had personal bests in both the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard freestyle and Paolo McRae had a personal best in the 100-yard freestyle. Jesus Mendoza also provided support as the team’s relay alternate.
Of special note Garner finished 3rd in the 50-yard freestyle and was awarded a bronze medal.
The team will travel to Cary, NC and compete in the State Championship meet next Friday at the Triangle Aquatic Center. Way to go Highlanders!
Wrapping up a winning season
Highlands Swim Team at the Buncombe Aquatics Center on Jan. 27.
Seven members of the Highlands Varsity Swim Team ended their regular season in an outstanding way at the Buncombe Aquatics Center on Jan. 27.
Jr. Finneaus Garner, Sophomores Aniah McKim, Paolo McRae, and Jesus Mendoza, and Freshmen Jack Sumner, and Chase Kenter finished 2nd out of 16 in the boys meet, ending the regular season 25-5.
The 1A Highlanders were swimming against a mix of larger teams including 4A and 3A teams from Western NC.
Sophomore Tate Wilson by herself finished 12th as a team in the girls meet.
Sophomore Conner Hughes was unavailable due to a scheduling conflict.
Garner Scored 46.5 points winning 3 events and a 2nd. Kenter scored 42.0 points with two 1sts and two 2nds. McRae and Sumner scored 38.5 pts. McRae got 1st and 2nd and two 3rds.
Sumner got three 1sts and a 2nd. McKim Scored 35.5 pts including two 1st and two seconds. Wilson scored 25 points with a 2nd and a 3rd place finish. Mendoza scored 5 points garnering and 8th place finish.
Garner, Kenter, McRae, Sumner, McKim, Hughes, and Wilson are Jr. Olympians.
McKim and Wilson are Academic All-American Swimmers.