Following one of their toughest tests in years, the F.A.S.T. Fins have capped their 15th-straight unbeaten regular season.
After handily winning their first four meets of the summer, the Franklin Amateur Swim Team saved their biggest challenge for last, welcoming the Highlands Hurricanes to the Macon County Rec Park. In a hard-fought win over their cross-county rivals, Dwain and Dina Picou’s team extended their incredible streak ahead of the Mountain Swim League Conference Meet July 15.
Abigail Samuelson led the way for F.A.S.T. in the 6 & under age group, winning the girls 25-yard freestyle by nearly 15 seconds with a 32.11. Weston Sanders took second on the boys side in 28.43.
In the 8 & under age group, Avery Dockery dominated the boys events, winning the 50 freestyle (51.38) and 25 butterfly (30.22) and placing second in the 100 individual medley (2:33.19) and 25 backstroke (25.63). On the girls side, Bailey Dockery won the 50 freestyle (55.89), Nyla Rivera claimed the 25 freestyle (21.97) and Hanna Samuelson took home the 100 IM (2:12.88).
Two F.A.S.T. Fins won events in the 9-10s, with Matthew Espinozzi claiming the boys 50 backstroke (48.39) and Leila Pinkston taking home the girls 50 breaststroke (49.54).
Thatcher Daniels turned in a stellar night for the 11-12 boys, winning the 100 IM (1:18.34), 50 breaststroke (39.79) and 50 butterfly (33.30), and placing second in the 50 freestyle (28.74). On the girls side, Lana Walker took the 50 butterfly (37.77) and placed second in both the 50 freestyle (31.08) and 50 breaststroke (43.88).
Colby Tyler continued her strong season in the 13-14s, claiming the 100 butterfly (1:30.01), 200 IM (2:51.53) and 100 backstroke (1:16.54).
In the 15-18s, Claire Ballard also earned three event wins, taking home the 100 breaststroke (1:16.62), 100 butterfly (1.11.97) and 50 freestyle (25.81). On the boys side, Luke Borgmann won the 100 backstroke (59.43) and 100 freestyle (50.95), and placed second in the 50 freestyle (22.98). Jose Gomez won the 200 IM (2:21.38) and placed third in both the 50 freestyle (24.11) and 100 freestyle (54.08).
Overall, the Fins escaped with their hardest-fought regular-season win in years, outscoring the Hurricanes narrowly 791-609. The victory was driven by a 427-268 advantage in women’s scoring, as F.A.S.T.’s boys barely outswam the Hurricanes 364-341.
Following the last meet of the regular season, F.A.S.T. began preparations for the MSL Conference Meet, which they’ll host this Saturday at the Macon County Rec Park. Beginning at 9 a.m., the team will attempt to capture an incredible 19th-straight MSL title.