Tallulah Falls School started the competitive swim season hosting the Hawaiian luau-themed swim meet at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center November 7. Ten teams with more than 300 athletes from across the state came to Clarkesville to compete in the meet which had both middle school and high school events.
TFS mens’ swim team placed second overall, behind 6AAAAAA state champions Lambert High School. Junior Savva Ivakin of Russia won the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle events and qualified for the Georgia High School Association state championship meet in February in these two events. Freshman Nicholas Stelmack of Toccoa won the 100-butterfly. Senior John Luke Gallagher of Clarkesville placed second in the 200-yard freestyle and qualified for the state championship meet in the 50-yard freestyle.
The relay team of Gallagher, Stelmack, senior Aaryan Bhagwat of United Arab Emirates and Ivakin raced to a GHSA state qualifying time in the 200-yard freestyle relay, according to swim coach Susan Nichols.
The TFS womens’ high school team placed third. Junior Julia Nichols of Clarkesville led the team by winning the 50-yard freestyle and a third place finish in the 100-freestyle. Freshman Virginia Griswold of Clarkesville placed second in the 500-yard freestyle and fourth in the 100-yard backstroke.
“The relay teams struggled with their exchanges, costing the ladies some top placings in the relay events,” said Nichols.
The middle school boys’ team placed second at the meet behind Pinecrest Academy. Eighth grader John Nichols of Clarkesville won the 50-yard butterfly and 100-yard individual medley while teammate eighth grader Hunter Weyrich of Alto won the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard freestyle.
“Both Nichols and Weyrich set new middle school records in their respective events,” Nichols said. The 200-yard medley relay team of Timothy Brent, Chris Geiger, Nichols and Weyrich relay won their event.
The TFS middle school girls finished in fourth place. Seventh grader Jordan Seamon of Philadelphia led the team with a second place finish in 100-yard freestyle and a third place finish in the 100-yard individual medley. Eighth grader Sarah Edwards of Sautee-Nacoochee placed third in the 100-yard backstroke. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Edwards, Maggie Jackson, eighth grader Reid Kafsky of Clarkesville, and Seamon raced to a third place finish.
“The results the swimmers demonstrated at the first meet of the season are a reflection of the focused work these athletes put in at practice,” Nichols said. “They are motivated and race as competitors. The high school swimmers who have qualified for the state championship meet are a highlight of the meet. The coaching staff is looking forward to more athletes qualifying for state in addition to personal improvements.”
Additionally, according to Nichols, the meet was a great opportunity to showcase TFS athletics, hospitality, and character to hundreds of athletes, coaches, families, and the community.
“The TFS culinary arts department, led by Whitney Denham, prepared food for the coaches and officials, TFS students volunteered to help serve as back up timers, and the swim parents worked tirelessly to help prepare food, decorate, time, and make an event of this magnitude possible,” Nichols added.
Article submitted by Brian Boyd, Director of Communications TFS
