Swimmers from Tallulah Falls School continued the season’s winning momentum at a meet hosted on Jan. 14 at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center in Clarkesville.
TFS men’s and women’s teams each outpaced the competition to win against six other teams from classifications ranging from 6A to 1A including Douglas County, Habersham Central High School, Hebron Christian, White County High School, Hayesville [NC] High School and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School.
According to coach Susan Nichols, both state-bound relay teams dominated the competition and won both the medley relay and the freestyle relays.
Indian swimmers won four of the eight individual races and had five second or third place finishes. The Lady Indians won three of the individual races and placed second or third in five of the eight. “These top three placings reflect the depth of the men’s and women’s teams, Nichols sadi.
Highlights include freshman John Nichols of Clarkesville winning both the 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard backstroke individual events. Freshman Hunter Weyrich of Alto won the 500-yard freestyle and placed second in the 50-yard freestyle.
Freshman Nick Stelmack of Toccoa won the 200-yard freestyle and achieved another Georgia High School Association state-qualifying time. He was second in an exciting 100-yard freestyle race.
Freshman Samuel Dunlap of Lakemont placed third in the 500-yard freestyle in his first attempt at the distance race. Senior Shyam Shukla of Quincy, MA swam a personal best in the 200-yard individual medley placing third, while teammate freshman Riley Barron of Roswell improved his previous best in the 100-yard backstroke and placed third.
Lady Indian senior Julia Nichols of Clarkesville won the 50-yard freestyle and second place in the 100-yard butterfly. Sophomore Norah Griswold of Clarkesville won the 100-yard backstroke and placed second in the 100-yard freestyle. Sophomore Virginia Griswold of Clarkesville won the 200-yard freestyle and took third in the 100-yard breaststroke. Sophomore Abby Mullins of Demorest raced the 500-yard freestyle for the first time and captured second place. Freshman Reid Kafsky of Clarkesville rounded out the top three finishes with third place in the 100-yard freestyle.
A special recognition ceremony took place during a break in the meet to honor all graduating seniors. Visiting athletes received a small gift from the TFS swim team, then the TFS swimmers were recognized and they swam a ceremonial lap in the pool.
“It was an emotional moment for the seniors, their teammates, and coaches,” Nichols said. “Many of the seniors have been with the swim program since its inception six years ago.” Recognized were Anne Edwards of Sautee-Nacoochee, Nichols, manager Rachel Richardson of Clarkesville, Shukla, Tianqi Zhang of China and Yuting Zhang of China.
Regular season swimming will wrap up this week with a make-up meet on January 17 at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center and select swim team members will compete at the UGA Gabrielson Natatorium in Athens on Jan. 21.
Tallulah Falls Indians Sports Information (Photos by Lane Gresham)
