Gilmer swimmers received a final tune-up ahead of the state meet.
Four teams gathered at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center last Thursday. Ten Gilmer swimmers made the trip as they continued to improve on seasonal times.
Lady Cat Esther Bowman was five for five at the meet, winning each event in the 15-18-age group. In the mixed 200-yard medley relay, she was joined by Yana Jones and Bobcats Cheyne Smith and Jacob Kucera. They clocked in at 2:19.90 for first and also won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:58.07.
Bowman led the way in the 50-yard free (30.17), 50 breaststroke (41.97) and 100 individual medley (1:18.53). Jones was a runner-up in the 50 backstroke (43.16) and sixth in the 50 free (34.33).
Elizabeth Kucera was a member of two top mixed relay squads in the 13-14 age bracket. Along with Bobcats Jacob Watson and Reece Smith and Pickens’ Valenna Matos, they won the 200 medley in 2:48.64. Their No. 1 time in the 200 free was 2:26.93.
Kucera also won the girls 50 free (34.33), came in third in the 100 free (1:16.04) and placed fourth in the 100 IM (1:25.44).
In the 9-10-age group, Lady Cat Lilly Jones and Bobcats Emmett Patterson and Grayson Patterson were on the winning mixed 100 medley (2:21.49) and 100 free (1:55.23) relay teams.
Jacob Kucera was a two-time winner in the 50 butterfly (27.22) and 100 IM (1:10.25). He recorded a runner-up time of 24:05 in the 50 free. Cheyne Smith’s remaining top placement came in the 50 breast (35.34), while he was a runner-up in the 100 free (57.75) and 100 IM (1:11.28).
Grayson Patterson took second in the 25 free (31.63), 25 breast (46.17) and 25 back (33.00). Emmett Patterson’s remaining placements came in the 25 back (fourth place, 34.58), 25 breast (fifth, 38.17) and 25 free (sixth, 27.58).
Reece Smith was a runner-up in the 100 free (1:24.23), placed third in the 100 IM (1:49.38) and finished fourth in the 50 breast (50.68). Watson’s results also included third place in the 50 free (37.85), fourth in the 50 back (56.45) and fifth in the 50 breast (1:04.17).
The state meet will be July 20-21 in Tifton.