Aqua Ads 2nd by a mile in ‘City Meet’
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Members of the 2020-21 Farragut High School Swimming & Diving team, which easily finished second at the Knox-area Interscholastic Swim League “City Meet” Saturday, April 17, in Kingsport. - Photos submitted
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FHS Lady Ads competing at the KISL championships, from left, were Emma LaCharite, Reagan Horn, Taylor Webster and Raina Desai. - Photos submitted
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This Farragut girls swim team foursome, from left, are Bailey Jeffrey, Kennedy Byars, Kayti Gleckler and Mekenzie Herring. - Photos submitted
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This FHS 200-yard free relay team took third at “City Meet.” From left are Alex King, Cade Austin, Camden Gerchar and Sawyer Beckman. - Photos submitted
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Farragut boys 400-yard free relay finished third. From left are Troy Gleckler, Camden Gerchar and George Hu. Not pictured is Cade Austin. - Photos submitted
KINGSPORT — Among a 26-team East Tennessee field, it was a strong second-place showing for the Farragut High School swim team, racking up 523 points to finish 224 points ahead of third-place Oak Ridge during the 2021 Knox-area Interscholastic Swim League “City Meet” Championship in Kingsport Aquatic Center Saturday, April 17.
“I am so proud of our athletes at the city championship meet today,” FHS head coach Betsy Hondorf said. “It was an exceptional meet in a year that has been very unusual and often challenging.”
In overcoming obstacles brought about by the pandemic, “Due to COVID restrictions many (swimmers) have not been able to participate with our team in over a year,” she added. “However, today they walked in and were fully integrated into the team.”
The Aqua Admirals’ top finishers were second-place efforts from Camden Gerchar in 200-yard freestyle and Katelyn Kramer in 200 individual medley. Third-place showings came from Cade Austin in the 200 free, George Hu in the 200 IM, Alex King in the 100 breaststroke and Allison Pye in the 200 IM.
Top Farragut relay finishers were second-place efforts in the 200 medley relay from Iris Chen, Grace LaCharite, Pye, and Sarah-Morgan Godbold, and second in the 400 free relay (Kramer, Sophie Thompson, Chen and LaCharite).
Finishing third was the 200 free foursome of Austin, Sawyer Beckman, Alex King and Gerchar), and the 400 free foursome of Troy Gleckler, Austin, Hu and Gerchar)
“We had outstanding performances from our more experienced swimmers, such as Cade Austin, who qualified for the state meet in two events,” Hondorf said. “But I was also impressed with the performances of many of our newer swimmers.
“For example, Kennedy Byars dropped significant time in both of her individual events today,” she added. “In addition, I am thankful for the contribution of many of our swimmers who train with local USA swimming clubs.”
The coach also said “divers across the state competed today at Ensworth High School (Nashville). We’re proud of our diver, Cam Croy, who finished in fourth place.”
Overall, “We had a great day, not just in terms of our performance in the pool, but also in terms of sportsmanship and teamwork,” Hondorf said.
Farragut assistant coach is Chris Franklin. Laura Austin and Marlee Sanders are FHS faculty sponsors.
Other local results
While Maryville won the KISL crown with 794 points, Knoxville Catholic finished fourth (274), followed by Webb School of Knoxville (273) fifth.
Hardin Valley Academy took seventh place (261), followed locally by Lenoir City in eighth (210), Bearden ninth (192.50), Concord Christian School 13th (158.50) and Christian Academy of Knoxville 14th (97).
