The Franklin Amateur Swim Team has earned their 21st straight league title.
One week after completing their 17th straight unbeaten regular season, on Saturday, July 12, the team returned to the Macon County Rec Park to host the Mountain Swim League Championships. There Franklin continued its two-decade streak of dominance ahead of the league All-Star meet in Sylva this weekend.
Malachi Norris led the way in the 6 & under age group, winning the boys 25-yard freestyle in 27.51 seconds. Hailey Janoe took third place on the girls side in 28.67.
Owen Baillio dominated the 8 & under boys events, claiming the 25 free (19.01), 25 breaststroke (23.34) and 100 individual medley (1:50.28). Sebastian Hernandez took home the 50 free (52.65), while both helped Emmett Marshall and Maverick Brabson win the 100 medley relay (1:48.37).
On the girls side Abigail Samuelson placed second in the 25 free (22.69), and third in the 25 breast (32.43) and 50 free (56.79). She also helped Emma Brabson, Ali Janoe and Aubrey Bean win the medley relay (1:59.72).
In the 9-10 age group Knox Strum took second in the 50 breast (51.46) and 100 IM (1:49.84), while Emerson Maddrey placed second in the 50 backstroke (53.58) and third in the 50 butterfly (1:03.29). Both helped Micah Fowler and Leonardo Miranda Rivera win the 200 free relay (3:21.97). On the girls side Bekah Shepherd, Hanna Samuelson, Nyla Rivera and Kendall Adams placed second in the medley relay (3:37.09).
Madelyn Kennedy led the way for the 11-12 girls, placing first in the 50 breast (47.00) and second in the 100 IM (1:32.25). Leila Pinkston took second in the 50 breast (47.39), while both helped win the 200 medley (2:52.07) and 200 free (2:35.64) relays. On the boys side Michael Canzone, Coleman Hodges and Flynn Fowler helped Nathan Jessup place second in the 200 free relay (2:40.31), and Wylie Hinton place second in the 200 medley relay (3:00.55).
Lana Walker dominated the 13-14 girls events, winning the 100 breast (1:30.01), 100 fly (1:17.11) and 200 IM (2:47.26). Emma Ballard placed second in the 100 free (1:10.37) and 100 fly (1:49.11), while both helped win the 200 medley (2:42.55) and 200 free (2:14.11) relays.
On the boys side Thatcher Daniels placed third in the 100 fly (1:08.85), 100 back (1:08.07) and 200 IM (2:28.59), and helped Jacob Rivera, Charlie Scruggs and Ethan Malan place second in the 200 free (2:06.55) and 200 medley (2:25.95) relays.
Zoi Walker and Kenna Keyworth led the way for the 15-18 girls, winning the 200 IM (2:33.40) and 100 fly (1:05.60), respectively. Walker placed second in the 50 free (26.42) and 100 fly (1:16.88), while Keyworth placed second in the 200 IM (2:34.83). Both helped Alyse Remery and Dalila Canzone win the 200 free (1:54.57) and 200 medley (2:09.14) relays.
On the boys side Jonah Brant took second in the 50 free (24.96) and 100 breast (1:14.36), and helped Gavin Rinker, Jackson Word and Gavin Alverson place second in the 200 free (1:41.93) and 200 medley (1:55.00) relays.
As a team FAST’s boys placed second overall, falling narrowly to Highlands 300.5-290. The Hurricanes avenged two previous losses this regular season: 385-373 June 5 and 308-267 July 3.
On the girls side Franklin cruised to an easy win, scoring 377 to second-place Waynesville’s 226. The girls’ score propelled the Fins to a combined total of 667, beating out Highlands (474.5), Waynesville (427), Jackson County (227.5) and Cherokee County (147).
Following the MSL Championships, FAST’s best swimmers prepared for the league All-Star meet, planning a trip to Sylva’s Roscoe Poteet Pool July 19. Swimmers qualify for All-Stars by meeting strict time standards in specific events throughout the season.