Area swimmers finish season strong at state championship meet.
Cary – Despite the flood-causing downpours that closed schools in Cherokee County on Thursday, a trio of local swimmers braved the elements and headed to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A State Championships.
Andrews junior Gage Gillespie was the highest finisher of the trio, taking home 11th place in the boys 50-yard freestyle.
Swimming coach Frank Bachteler said if Gillespie had been able to practice more throughout the season, the junior would have been able to trim some time off of his race.
“He could have easily,” Bachteler said of Gillespie. “We’re talking hundredths of a second. “That could’ve been on a start or a turn that he could’ve ironed out in
practice.”
Gillespie also competed in the 100-yard freestyle race, finishing in 18th place at the championships.
The Tri-County duo of seniors Mitzy Rivas and Sage Sorenson also turned in impressive performances at the championships.
Rivas swam to a 21st-place finish in the 200-yard intermediate medley, while Sorenson finished in 19th place to the 500-yard freestyle and 21st in the 200-yard freestyle for the Jaguars.
Despite the constantly changing situation with their practice pools this season, Bachteler said that he’s plenty proud of his swimmer’s performances at the state meet.
“We had one full week of practice in our home pool since the start if Christmas break,” Bachteler said. “The kids did well in spite of that. Yes, they didn’t beat their times or reach their goals, but you can’t fault them for lack of desire or committment. They’re good kids.”
Bachteler added that the teams want to thank the HVRF Board Chaired by Dr. Brian Mitchell, Moog Industries, and Ingles for their donations and support of this years teams.
“Although we might not have reached our individual goals, I tip my hat to the committment that the kids had,” Bachteler said of the season as a whole. “They’re great kids to work with.”