First Presbyterian Christian Academy continues to expand its athletic program. This year the Highlanders feature their first junior varsity and varsity swim teams.
Junior varsity swimmers are Chandler Zabel, Brittany Jackson and Allyson Johnson. The lone varsity swimmer is 11th grader Bryson Johnson, who also serves as the teams’ assistant coach. The swimmers are under the leadership of head coach Andrea Chacon.
Zabel and Jackson are new to competitive swimming, but with three meets already behind them they continue to prove that hard work and practice leads to consistent improvements.
They were both able to shave time off their 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard backstroke and 50-yard breaststroke. At the Augusta Prep meet last weekend. Allyson Johnson cut 3.46 seconds off her 50-yard backstroke and set a new personal best time at 50.55. Zabel was able to shave 5.13 seconds off her 50-yard freestyle.
Bryson Johnson does not  let the fact that he is the lone varsity swimmer deter his efforts or stride. He enjoys competing in the distant swim and the sprint. He gave the Highlanders their first team points at Augusta’s meet by placing third place in the 500-yard freestyle.
He said he is proud of his small yet enthusiastic team.
The swimming Highlanders travel to Macon for their next meet on Dec. 15.