Panther swim and dive is through to the state meet.
On Jan. 31, Franklin’s best swimmers traveled to Charlotte for the 3A West Regionals, racing foes from nearly three dozen other schools. There, four individuals and four relay teams placed among the top 10 in their events, punching their tickets to Raleigh Feb. 6.
Franklin’s girls relay team were its most valuable swimmers Saturday, turning in five of the team’s eight state-qualifying finishes. Comprised of Zoi Walker, Kate Phillips, Dalila Canzone and Kenna Keyworth, the team placed fifth in the 200-yard medley (2:03.82), sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:49.75) and sixth in the 400 freestyle (4:07.26).
In addition to their relay times, Keyworth and Walker also qualified as individuals, placing sixth (1:04.58) and eighth (1:05.98), respectively in the girls 100-yard butterfly. Canzone narrowly missed another qualification with a 14th-place finish in the 100 free (1:02.84). As athletes are limited to four events at regionals, Franklin’s relay team members made the most of their opportunities.
As the only Panther to swim in two individual events, junior Alyse Remery also had a busy day, placing 14th in the 500 free (6:15.66) and 16th in the 200 medley (2:41.51). Sophomore Eleanor Kessler also competed in the 500 free, completing 20 laps in 6:50.15.
As a team the Panther girls finished as one of the best region-wide, placing seventh out of 35 with 111 points. Having placed second to West Henderson at the Mountain Seven Conference meet, the Panthers outscored the Falcons in Charlotte, who tied with J.M. Robinson (Concord) and Central Academy (Monroe) with 93 points.
On the boys side junior Jonah Brant earned Franklin’s only regional title, taking home the 1-meter dive with a score of 289.70. In the 500 free Gavin Rinker also punched his ticket to state, placing eighth in 5:32.33. Brant and Rinker also contributed to strong finishes in the relays, helping Malik Walker and Jack Hyatt qualify in the 200 medley with a 10th-place finish (1:53.62). In the free relays, Brant, Rinker, Walker and Thatcher Daniels narrowly missed, placing 12th in the 200 (1:42.06) and 13th in the 400 (3:50.76).
Daniels placed 15th as a freshman in the 200 medley (2:20.30), while Hyatt finished 20th in the 100 back (1:07.04). As a team the Panther boys placed 12th out of 35 with 65 points.
After regionals, Brant had less than a week to prepare for the 3A state meet, traveling to the Pullen Aquatic Center Thursday for the 1-meter dive. Swimming events are scheduled for Friday morning at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary.