Gilmer County swimmers turned in 17 first-place times at the district meet.
Four teams made their way to the Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s District 5 Championships in Fort Oglethorpe last Saturday. Gilmer swimmers found success in nearly every age group across the boys and girls divisions.
For one of their top finishes, the Bobcats and Lady Cats teamed up. In the mixed 200-yard freestyle relay’s 15 to 18-age division, Gilmer’s Jacob Kucera, Cheyne Smith, Esther Bowman and Yana Jones clocked in at 1:53.70 for first. They swapped Jones for Elizabeth Kucera for second place in the 200 medley relay in 2:12.
Elizabeth Kucera was the champion in the 100 individual medley (1:28.21) and 50 fly (36.57) in the 13-14 age group. She was also a runner-up in the 100 free (1:15.69).
Lilly Jones was the fourth Lady Cat at the event and she scored a trio of top times. In the 9-10-year-old division, she led the way in the 25-yard free (22.09), 25 breaststroke (30.27) and 25 butterfly (34.40).
Bowman secured three runner-up placements in the 50 free (30.25), 50 breast (40.70) and 100 IM (1:22.08). Yana Jones went on to place third in both the 50 (36.05) and 100 free (1:30.01).
For the Bobcats, Kucera was a two-time individual champion. He won the 50 free (24.67) and 50 fly (27.34) and was second in the 100 IM (1:09.88).
Smith was also a two-time champ in the 100 free (56.84) and 100 IM (1:08.37) and took second in the 100 free (54.84).
The Bobcat quartet of Reece Smith, Rylee Fountain, Ryder Johnstone and Jacob Watson led the way in the 200 free relay (2:46.42) and 200 medley relay (4:04.12).
Reece Smith celebrated two more first-place times in the 100 free (1:22.96) and 100 IM (1:46.72), while he finished third in the 50 breast (52.44).
Grayson Patterson won three races in the 6-8 age division. He was No. 1 in the 25 free (34.33), 25 breast (46.84) and 25 back (33.59).
Johnstone finished second in the 25 fly at 37.85, was third in the 25 free (21.17) and fourth in the 25 back (31.62). Watson nabbed second in the 50 free (38.77), while he took third in the 50 back (54.51) and fourth in the 50 breast (1:17.94).
Also placing third was Fountain in both the 100 free (1:28.79) and 50 free (59.82). Fountain also finished the 50 back in 59.82 for fourth.
Emmett Patterson competed in three events in the 9-10 age division. He turned in third-place times in the 25 back (31.11) and 25 breast (47.58), and also secured fourth in the 25 free (26.72).
Calhoun slipped past Catoosa for first place in the boys standings, 500-467. Pickens edged Gilmer for third, 240-205. Catoosa (537) won the girls title over Calhoun (358), Pickens (252) and Gilmer (85).
Gilmer swimmers return to Cherokee Thursday for a 6 p.m. meet. The state meet will be July 20-21 in Tifton.