Gilmer swimmers are one step closer to the state meet.
The Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s District 5 Class C meet was held last Saturday at the Calhoun Aquatic Center, and 10 Gilmer swimmers made the trip. A top-three placement was needed to qualify for state, and all Gilmer swimmers achieved that feat.
Bobcat Law Lykins had a strong showing and secured three individual first-place finishes in the 15-18-year-old age group. Lykins led the way in the 50-yard freestyle (23.88), 50-yard butterfly (26.15) and 100-yard individual medley (1:04.53).
He teamed up with Elizabeth Kucera, Esther Bowman and Jacob Kucera for second place in the mixed 200-yard medley relay (2:15.52).
Ty Cox also competed in the 15-18 age bracket and won the 100-yard backstroke (40.62) and took second in the 50 free (31.03). In the mixed 200 free relay he was joined by Alyson Guidry, Bowman and Jacob Kucera for second in 2:05.97.
Jacob Kucera nabbed three more runner-up placements in the 50 free (24.68), 50 fly (27.40) and 100 individual medley (1:07.72).
Bobcat Ryder Johnstone claimed second in both the 25 free (22.28) and 25-yard backstroke (28.03) in the 7-8 year old division.
Parker Settel competed against 11-12-year-old swimmers and was second in the 50-yard breaststroke (59.83) and third in the 50 free (42.75). Jacob Watson swam in the same age group and was a runner up in the 50 free (42.53) and 50 back (1:02.34).
Aside from her relay placements, Bowman also secured first in both the 50 free (31.72) and 50 breast (42.62) and was second in the 100 free (1:13.27).
Elizabeth Kucera finished first in the 50 fly (42.12), second in the 50 back (44.31) and third in the 50 free (34.66). Guidry was a runner-up in both the 50 free (38.34) and 50 back (47.00).
Kady Dennis competed against 11-12-year-olds and took second in the 50 breast in 1:00.10.
The GRPA Class C state meet will be held July 22-23 in Tifton.