The FPCA Swim team traveled to Madison on Dec. 2 for a state qualifying meet hosted by Loganville Christian Academy. The Highlanders had numerous swimmers qualify for multiple events and has earned the opportunity to participate in the GISA state tournament.
FPCA is the only school in Liberty County to offer swimming as a school sport. With a roster consisting mainly of elementary and middle school students, FPCA is looking to build the program through these students.
The only senior on the squad, Xavier McCartney, qualified in the 100 breast, 100 free, 50 free, 100 fly, 100 back, and 200 free. He earned 46 points himself towards the FPCA combined team score of 156. McCartney has been swimming for seven years competitively.
Ninth grader Mackenzie McCartney qualified in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, and the 100 back. Eighth grader Kaylee Stouder, qualified in the 500 free, 100 butterfly, 100 breast, 200 free, 200 IM, and the 50 free. Stouder has been swimming for six years. 8th grader, Sasha Hatfield, qualified in the 200 IM. Hatfield has been swimming for 5 years. Although there are not enough swimmers to participate in relays for team events, the Highlander varsity squad feels a real team bond, encouraging each other in their individual events and reminding one another of their team motto, “start unknown, but finish unforgettable.”
The JV team consists of one sixth grader and five fifth graders. Sixth grader Skyler Jenkins spoke of her first experience in a competitive school sport. “We have been practicing really hard. I came really close to qualifying for state at my first meet. I am going to try harder at our next meet to qualify. I really enjoy how my team supports and encourages me to do my best.”
Fifth graders Lily Floyd and Amiyah Durrence outswam swimmers three years older in the 50 free. The JV squad is rounded out by 5th graders Lettie Dye, Slayden Eleazer and Elizabeth Gaskin.
The Highlander Girls Varsity finished 4th out of 12 teams at the meet. The combined team score earned FPCA 6th place. Next up for the Highlanders is another qualifying meet where the swimmers hope to add to their list of qualifying events. The meet is being held at Georgia Tech on Jan. 7. Also, the annual FPCA Swim-A-Thon is a coming up. The FPCA Swim team is coached by Ruth Huber.