The state meet is up next for Gilmer swimmers.
The Pickens Sea Dragons joined the Bobcats and Lady Cats at the Gilmer County pool June 24 for the Georgia Park and Recreation Association’s District 5 meet. With only two teams in attendance, both secured dozens of spots for state.
Gilmer qualified for state in nine relays. In the 18-under division, Bobcats Ronald Sturgis, Cheyne Smith, Jacob Kucera and Conner Defoor won the 200-yard medley (2:09.97) and 200-yard freestyle (1:51.75).
Lady Cats Yana Jones, Lilly Jones, Addison Potter and Sophia DeMarco were the top girls teams as well in the 200 medley (3:09.17) and 200 free (2:47.75).
In the 14U relays, Bobcats Rylee Fountain, Jacob Watson, Reece Smith and Ryder Johnstone were runners-up in the 200 medley in (3:01.44) and 200 free (3:20.44).
When it came to the 12U mixed medley relay, Gilmer’s Silas Wilson, Kaley Best, Emmett Patterson, Saylor Cinard qualified for state with a time of 4:06.25. They posted a time of 3:20.33 in the 200 free.
The 10U team of Theo Gabriel, Grayson Patterson, Kathryn Edelson and Harper Hoover landed in second in the 100 mixed medley (2:17.21). The Bobcat quartet of Grayson Patterson, Asher Faulk, Ryland Homan and Theo Gabriel qualified in the 100 free relay with a time of (2:01.87).
Jacob Kucera went on to win the 100 free (56.08), 50 free (24.67) and 50-yard butterfly (26.44). Sturgis was also the top swimmer in the 50-yard breaststroke (32.90), 100-yard individual medley (1:09.09) and 50-yard backstroke (31.34).
Cheyne Smith competed and qualified for state and was a runner-up in the 100 free (58.19), 50 free (38.19) and 50 breast (36.28). Defoor was third in the 200 free (1:17.88).
Elizabeth Kucera qualified for in state in the 50 fly (38.81). Yana Jones placed third in the 50 free (34.17) and second in the 50 back (44.06).
Individually in the 13-14 age division, Reece Smith won the 100 free (1:11.41), 50 free (32.88) and was third in the 50 breast (44.85). Fountain placed third in the 50 free (1:19.09) and 50 back (50.65). Watson was a runner-up in the 50 back (50.65). Potter was a runner-up in the 50 back (53.14).
Bobcats Emmett Patterson and Wilson will continue their seasons at state. Wilson finished the 50 breast in 52.67 and was a runner-up in the 50 free (45.22) and 50 back (55.28). Patterson turned in a time of 1:58.31 in the 100 free and was third in the 50 free (55.09) and 50 back (1:09.09).
DeMarco led the way in the 50 back (38.06), 50 breast (38.48) and 50 fly (37.69). Best was first in the 100 free (1:32.65) followed by teammates Lilly Jones (1:37.64) and Cinard (1:41.22). In the 50 free, Jones won in 42.09, Cinard was a runner-up (44.90) and Best placed third (45.88). Best also competed in the 50 back (third, 55.20) and Jones was second in the 50 breast (57.03).
Among 9-10 year olds, Gabriel won the 25 breast (32.25) and was third in the 25 backstroke (30.75). Grayson Patterson took second in the 25 breast (35.84). Johnstone was a runner-up in the 25 back (26.13) and 25 fly (26.79) and 50 free (42.27).
Kathryn Edelson had the best time in the 25 breast (26.53) and placed third in the 25 fly (31.18). Burney was a runner-up in the 25 fly (22.92) and third in the 25 back (25.62).
The youngest participants at district swam in the 6-8 age group. Harper Hoover was the winner of the 25 back (33.63) and 25 free (27.67) and also advance in the 50 free (1:05.97). Scarlett Edelson placed third in the 25 free (49.53). Faulk was first in the 25 back (33.25) and 25 free (31.83).
Gilmer hosted a home meet Monday evening and will attend the state swim meet July 20 in Appling.