Local swimmers put a cap on the 2021 summer season.
The Gilmer Swim Team made its way to Fort Oglethorpe’s Gilbert-Stephenson Park last Friday and Saturday for the Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s Class C state meet.
Six Gilmer swimmers advanced to the finals across 10 events to tally 145 team points for ninth place.
The number of competitors varied between age groups and events, and Ryder Johnstone (8-under) secured a runner-up finish for Gilmer in the 25-yard butterfly (38.88).
Cadence Mohon (15-18 age group) placed in three events. She finished fourth in the 50-yard breaststroke (42.17) and was eighth in both the 100-yard individual medley (1:30.77) and 50-yard butterfly (40.94).
Jacob Kucera (15-18) also returned home with three medals. He claimed fourth in 50-yard butterfly (31.02), sixth in the 100-yard IM (1:19.38) and eighth in the 50-yard freestyle (28.89).
Ty Cox (15-18) finished sixth in the 100-yard freestyle (1:10.64), while Kady Dennis (12U) placed eighth in 50-yard breaststroke (53.73).
In the 15-18 200-yard freestyle mixed relay, the squad of Cox, Mohon, Elizabeth Kucera and Jacob Kucera finished fifth (2:13.88).
Three Gilmer swimmers fell just shy of qualifying for the finals. Jacob Watson (10U) had preliminary times of 20.40 in the 25-yard freestyle and 29.84 in the 25-yard backstroke.
Elizabeth Kucera (12U) clocked in at 1:23.76 in the 100- freestyle, was timed at 39.34 in the 50- freestyle and 46.90 in the 50-yard backstroke. Dennis posted times of 40.64 in the 50- freestyle and 50.57 in the 50-yard backstroke.
Appling County (2,489 points) claimed the Class C state title as Pickens (1,477) and Commerce (1,420) rounded out the top three in the standings.