Article by Steve Hott, Head Coach Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team
Photos by Stanton Englander
On June 6, 39 members of the Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team traveled to Franklin to swim against FAST (Franklin Amateur Swim Team). The boys team upset FAST 358-308 and the girls swam well.
A Highlands Hurricane competes in freestyle in Franklin.
The Hurricanes were led by Emilina Hernández, Bella Batista, and Jr. Olympian Finneaus Garner, all of whom won all 3 of their individual events and were on 2 winning relays. Garner broke team records in all 3 of his individual events (the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke).
Nikita Denisoff, Jr. Olympic qualifier Aleks Petric-Sakonjic, and Jr. Olympian Ben Halldin all scored 22 pts., by winning 2 individual events and being on 2 winning relays. Wylie Hinton, brothers Jayce and Jr. Olympian Justin Powell all brought home 21 pts. Justin Powell qualified for the 2024 Jr. Olympics in the 50 freestyle.
A Highlands Hurricane checks out her time after a race.
Dodo Zhang, AnnMarie Hinton, Ivan Shchelgachov, Jr. Olympic qualifier Alex Lopez, and Jr. Olympian Conner Hughes scored 20 pts. Of special interest, while qualifying (again) for Jr. Olympics in 3 events and helping to win a relay Hughes broke the team record in the 100 butterfly, while Alex Lopez won an individual event, helped win 2 relays and qualified for his 1st ever Jr. Olympics in the 50 freestyle.
Nicole Shchelgachova and Stefan Halldin each won an event and scored 19 pts. Emma Denisoff and Jr. Olympian Aniah McKim each won an individual event and scored 18 pts. Denisoff qualified for her 1st Jr. Olympics in the 50 yd freestyle.
The start of a race at a meet in Franklin.
Ian Batista and Max Jestin each scored 13 pts. Charlie Hinton, Maxwell Basil, Valerie Nadzorau, Agatha Jestin and Jr. Olympian Chase Kenter brought home 12 pts. Margaret Cole and Ben Shchelgachov won 11 pts, while Ellie Bysura and Asa Garner scored 10. Rocco Basil brought home 8 pts. and Jr. Olympians Jack Sumner and Dasha Halldin 7. Newcomer Senna Sherrill scored 3, Hayden Bysura 2, Briella McKim 1. Harrison McKim, and visitors Cade Cundiff, Grayson and Annabelle Banks also swam well.
The Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team is a Highlands Recreation Park Team that practices mostly in the evenings at the Highlands Recreation Park Pool. The only requirement for a prospective swimmer is that they must be able to swim 25 yards (the length of the recreation park pool) unassisted.
For further information call Steve Hott, Head Coach at 828.421.4121.
More scenes from the Highlands Hurricanes swim meet in Franklin on June 6, courtesy of Stanton Englander:
