The Franklin Amateur Swim Team is in search of its 20th-straight conference title.
For the past two decades FAST has dominated the Mountain Swim League, boasting undefeated records for the past 15 years. On June 6 the FAST Fins opened their summer season at the Macon County Rec Park, keeping their incredible streak alive with a win over Highlands.
Gatlin Harlfinger led the way for FAST in the 6 & under age group, winning the boys 25-yard freestyle with a time of 39.34. Estella Hoover placed second on the girls’ side with a 40.95.
Franklin won 10 of 12 individual events in the 8 & under age group, including three from Tatham Peters in the boys 25 free (17.88), 100 individual medley (2:07.03) and 25 backstroke (25.70). On the girls side two FAST Fins also won multiple events, with Bailey Dockery claiming the 25 free (20.95) and 25 backstroke (25.45), and Nyla Rivera winning the 50 free (51.33) and 25 breaststroke (34.79). Rivera also placed second in the 25 free (24.58). Three more 8 & unders also won events, including Kendall Adams in the girls 100 IM (3:10.57), Kai Fowler in the 25 breaststroke (31.53) and Hannah Griffith in the 25 butterfly (38.72).
Four FAST Fins won events in the 9-10 age group, including Braxton Dezarn in the boys 50 free (36.64), Nyah Rivera in the girls 50 backstroke (1:03.34), Larken Lynch in the girls 50 breaststroke (1:00.61) and Nathan Jessup in the boys 100 free (1:41.52). Highlands gained the advantage in the 11-12 age group, with only Abby Hodges (girls 50 backstroke, 47.27) and MaryElla Sinclair (girls 100 free, 1:45.27) earning wins for Franklin.
Kenna Keyworth and Dalila Canzone led the way in the 13-14 age group, with Canzone winning the girls 100 breaststroke (1:30.47) and 100 free (1:11.22), and Keyworth winning the girls 100 fly (1:20.59) and 200 IM (2:50.51). Keyworth also placed second in the 50 free (29.17), while Canzone finished fourth in the 50 free (30.18). Eleanor Kessler rounded out an excellent night for the 13-14 girls, winning the 100 backstroke in 1:27.69.
Gavin Alverson and Gabriel Ostojic led the way for the 13-14 boys, with Alverson winning the 200 IM (2:59.39) and Ostojic winning the 100 breaststroke (1:25.39). Ostojic also took third in the 50 free (28.85), while Alverson placed third in the 100 backstroke (1:23.56), third in the 100 free (1:05.42) and fourth in the 50 free (29.02).
In the 15-18 age group, Claire Ballard joined Peters as the only FAST Fins with three event wins, claiming the girls 100 breaststroke (1:17.82), 100 fly (1:18.10) and 50 free (26.62). Three more 15-18 girls also earned wins, including Zoi Walker in the 200 IM (2:48.14), Olivia Rinker in the 100 backstroke (1:28.06) and Alyse Remery in the 100 free (1:13.19). Remery placed second in the 100 breaststroke (1:32.90) and 200 IM (2:48.67), while Walker placed second in the 50 free (27.09). On the boys side Jose Gomez earned Franklin’s only event win, taking home the 200 IM (2:22.89) and placing second in the 50 free (24.52).
As a team Franklin’s boys suffered a rare overall loss, being outscored by the Hurricanes 358-308. Franklin’s girls routed their opponents 420-173 however, carrying the Fins to a 728-531 win. FAST will return to the Macon County Rec Park June 13 for a three-team meet with the Jackson County Swim Team and the Cherokee County Aquatic Club.
In addition to the win over Highlands, Thursday’s meet had other implications, with several swimmers qualifying for this year’s Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics. The national meet will be held in Greensboro July 23-28.