Franklin Amateur Swim Team seeks 21st straight Mountain Swim League title
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team is back in action.
Having won their 20th straight Mountain Swim League Championship last year, on June 5 the FAST Fins opened their new summer season at the Macon County Rec Park. With a narrow win over Highlands, they took their first steps toward a 17th straight unbeaten campaign.
Owen Baillio impressed in the 8 & under age group for FAST, taking home the boys 25-yard freestyle (21.77 seconds), 25 breaststroke (26.46) and 25 butterfly (28.06). He also placed second in the 25 backstroke (31.54). On the girls side Emma Brabson won the 25-yard breaststroke (36.02), while Ali Janoe placed first in the 50 free (1:04.45), second in the 25 free (24.60) and third in the 25 breast (42.91).
In the 9-10 age group Bekah Shepherd also won multiple events, placing first in the 50 free (41.12), first in the 50 breast (1:04.85) and second in the 100 free (1:42.63). On the boys side Kai Fowler took home the 50 breast (57.72), while Knox Strum placed first in the 100 free (1:38.18) and second in both the 50 free (41.05) and 50 breast (58.24).
Nathan Jessup impressed in the 11-12 age group for FAST, winning the 50 breast (46.84) and 50 back (42.12), and placing second in the 50 free (34.47) and 100 free (1:24.35). Michael Canzone placed first in the 50 fly (50.50), second in the 100 individual medley (1:46.82) and third in the 50 free (39.46).
On the girls side Madelyn Kennedy swam the race of the night for Franklin, tying Highlands’ Elizabeth Burnette for first in the 50 breast (46.98). She also placed second in the 50 fly (43.17), 50 free (33.69) and 100 IM (1:33.20).
Lana Walker dominated the 13-14 age group, claiming the girls 50 free (29.13), 100 breast (1:32.39) and 200 IM (2:57.04). On the boys side Thatcher Daniels won the 100 fly (1:13.89), and placed second in the 100 back (1:10.01) and 200 IM (2:33.24).
Three different FAST girls earned wins in the 15-18 age group, including Zoi Walker in the 100 breast (1:25.99) and 200 IM (2:40.19), Kenna Keyworth in the 50 free (27.96) and 100 fly (1:10.83), and Dalila Canzone in the 100 back (1:18.36). Walker also placed second in the 100 fly (1:20.43), while Keyworth placed second in the 200 IM (2:47.82). On the boys side Gavin Alverson placed second in the 50 free (24.78), and third in the 100 free (57.22) and 100 back (1:09.69).
As a team the Franklin boys won a narrow dogfight with Highlands, outscoring the Hurricanes 385-373. Combined with a 498-337 win from the girls, FAST claimed the overall meet 883-710. The Fins will return to the Macon County Rec Park June 12 to face the Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club (Waynesville).