The Candy Cane Invitational was the latest destination for Gilmer High swimmers.
GHS was in Murphy, N.C., last Saturday, and Bobcat Jacob Kucera qualified for the state meet.
Kucera solidified his state spot when he achieved a qualifying time in the 50-yard freestyle of 23.31. The time gave Kucera a runner-up finish, and he went on to win the 100-yard butterfly in 1:03.17.
Gilmer’s Cheyne Smith clocked in at 1:18.29 for third in the 100-yard breaststroke, and he placed fourth in the 50 free (25.35). Also swimming the 50 free were Conner Defoor (25th place, 43.95) and Clifford Defoor (26th, 52.62).
In the 200-yard freestyle relay, the Defoors, Kucera and Smith teamed up for fifth place (2:26.95). They took sixth in the 200 medley relay at 2:26.95. Clifford Defoor was 13th in the 100 free at 2:10.56.
Evan May was the top Lady Cat at the meet. She finished fourth in the 100 breast in 1:26.07. In the 200 free relay, Elizabeth Kucera, Dalilah Jennings, Rosalie Ballew and Lana Ginger placed sixth (3:18.85).
Three Lady Cats competed in the 100 free. Behind Yana Jones (eighth, 1:17.94) were Kucera (ninth, 1:18.14) and Ginger (14th, 1:33.86).
In the 50 free, Kucera (ninth, 33.03) was the No. 1 Lady Cat, and remaining placements and times were recorded by May (10th, 33.12), Jones (12th, 33.35), Ginger (20th, 37.49), Jennings (28th, 44.83) and Ballew (31st, 58.18).
The Lady Cats placed sixth in the girls standings with 85 points. Franklin (573) ran away with first ahead of Pickens (223) and Union (210).
The Bobcats were sixth as well (126), and Franklin (416) was the No. 1 boys team. Highlands clipped Union for second place, 221-205.
Gilmer will head back to Adiarsville Saturday to wrap up the regular season.