On Jan. 27, seven members of the Highlands Varsity Swim Team ended their regular season in an outstanding way.
Junior Finneaus Garner, sophomores Aniah McKim, Paolo McRae, and Jesus Mendoza, and freshmen Jack Sumner, and Chase Kenter finished second out of 16 teams in the boys meet, ending the regular season 25-5. The 1A Highlanders were swimming against a mix of larger teams including 4A and 3A teams from Western NC.
Sophomore Tate Wilson by herself finished 12th as a team in the girls meet.
Sophomore Conner Hughes was unavailable due to a scheduling conflict.
Garner Scored 46.5 points winning three events and claiming a 2nd place finish. Kenter scored 42 points with two firsts and two seconds. McRae and Sumner scored 38.5 points. McRae got a first, a second, and two thirds. Sumner got three firsts and a second. McKim Scored 35.5 points including two first and two seconds. Wilson scored 25 points with a second and a third place finish. Mendoza scored five points garnering and eighth place finish.
Garner, Kenter, McRae, Sumner, McKim, Hughes, and Wilson are Jr. Olympians.
McKim and Wilson are Academic All-American swimmers.
Each swimmer had at least one personal best time at regionals and the boys 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays will compete at States.
Out of 99 1A/2A schools in the Western Region of NC the boys finished 8th, and the one girl team of Tate Wilson finished 24th on Feb. 3. The meet was held at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center in Charlotte.
Garner qualified for states in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle, Chase Kenter qualified in the 200 yard IM, Jack Sumner qualified the 100 yard butterfly and Aniah McKim qualified in the 100 yard breaststroke. Co-captain Tate Wilson had a personal best in the 200 yard freestyle, Conner Hughes had personal bests in both the 100 yard butterfly and 200 yard freestyle and Paolo McRae had a personal best in the 100 yard freestyle. Jesus Mendoza also provided support as the team’s relay alternate.
Of special note Garner finished third in the 50 yard freestyle and was awarded a bronze medal.
The team will travel to Cary, NC and compete in the State Championship meet Friday at the Triangle Aquatic Center.