Area swimmers on the Highlands Hurricanes swim team competed in the Clemson Aquatics Team Invitational for the second straight year and did quite well, according to their coach.
The swim meet, hosted by Clemson University’s aquatics tam on Jan. 17, was a productive day for the team, posting 52 personal best times with each of the 13 competing swimming notching at least one personal record, according to Coach Steve Hott.
“This is a mid-season meet, and we came in tired, deliberately, as we are preparing for other end of season championship meets,” he said.
The maximum number of events could enter in the CAT Invitational was seven, Hott said, with some swimmers taking the utmost advantage of the opportunity.
“Both Blake Kenter and Justin Powell had seven PRs,” he said. “Chase Kenter had little competition and won seven events and set one PR. Mark Gross had six PRs. Elias McKim and Timmy McDowell had five PRs.”
Other swimmers who posted personal best times in the meet include Jelehna and Aniah McKim, Peyton Kaylor, and Max Jestin, each posting four PRs. Layla Babac had three in six swims. Zander Coward had two in six swims. Elise Remery had two PRs in three swims.
Hott added that with so many personal records, it was difficult to choose the most impressive swimmer.
“There were so many outstanding swims in those 52 personal records it is hard to pick the most outstanding, but here are five that stand out,” Hott said. “Max Jestin dropped 14 seconds off of his 50-yard free time and 22 seconds off of his 100-yard free time. Peyton Kaylor dropped 22 seconds off of his 100-yard breastroke time and 42 seconds off of his 200-yard freestyle time. Timmy McDowell dropped 40 seconds off of his 500-yard free time.”
Assistant coach Jordan Kenter said that the Hurricanes are working hard and doing well in all aspects of larger competitions like this one at Clemson.
“There are lots of different ways to define success in a meet; it’s not just about first place ribbons,” Kenter said. “Having swimmers who cut time, achieve a new time standard, complete a race for a first time, or do not get disqualified in a difficult race could all be defined as evidence of success. That being said, the Hurricanes performed very well across the entire spectrum in elevated USA Swimming competition in Clemson. Every swimmer had at least one best time, and several swimmers achieved new time standards and qualified for bigger events.”
Mark Gross had four time standard improvements. Peyton Kaylor completed the difficult 100-yard butterfly for the first time and Max Jestin dropped 14 seconds in his 50-yard freestyle, 22 seconds in his 100-yard freestyle and seven seconds in his 50-yard breaststroke.
“Peyton also had the biggest single race improvement when he dropped over 42 seconds in his 200-yard freestyle race,” Kenter said. “Timmy McDowell also dropped over 40 seconds off of his 500-yard free style time.”
Kenter added the Hurricanes are really working hard and this meet is proof of that work.
“Overall the team did very well, everyone’s hard work is really paying off,” Kenter said.
Hott said it was fun to take HHST to compete in Clemson.
“I was one of the head assistant coaches/assistant coaches for CAT in the late 70´s and early 80´s while I was a student at Clemson University,” he said. This was when CAT had just started. The Fike Recreation Center pool is one of the four pools that I have spent more time at than any others.”
The Hurricanes will be participating in the N.C. State Championships in Greensboro Feb. 15-16. At this time, only Chase Kenter has qualified for the state championships. The Hurricanes’ top swimmers will travel to Charlotte for the Tar Heel State meet in March. The Hurricanes plan to host a home invitational meet in April before taking most of May off.
Summer season will begin the Tuesday after Memorial Day.