Jackets, Falcons dominate Region meet

For the Fort Mill boys’ and girls’ swim teams, it was seventh heaven officially as they won their seventh consecutive Region title.

Both Fort Mill and rivals Nation Ford combined to dominate the Region III-4A meet at the Rock Hill Aquatics Center Saturday winning 20 of the 22 events. Only Gaffney’s Taylor Covington spoiled the sweep by winning two events for the Lady Indians.

Fort Mill won 15 of the 22 events, including five of the six relay events with Nation Ford winning the other relay event as part of the five events they won.

Individual winners for Fort Mill were:

Jenna Pehowski – girls’ 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle

Ben Fenwick – boys’ 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle

Erynn Black – girls’ 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard backstroke

Aubrey Chandler – girls’ 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle

Kasparas Zilinskas – boys’ 50-yard freestyle

Owen Corkery – boys’ 100-yard backstroke

Winners for Nation Ford were:

Daniel Martin – boys’ 200-yard individual medley

Isaiah Fitzgerald – boys’ 100-yard butterfly

Samuel Fitzgerald – boys’ 100-yard freestyle

Ryan Williams – boys’ 100-yard breaststroke

Fort Mill will be taking nearly two dozen swimmers to the state finals this Saturday at the USC Natatorium in Columbia. Nation Ford will be taking about 10 swimmers as well.

Fort Mill head coach Cindy Van Buskirk said she feels like her team has a shot at a state title.

“We had a banner day,” she said.

“I am beyond thrilled with our automatic times. Our chances are better for a state championship, but Riverside will still be tough.”

Nation Ford head coach Kristin Martin said she was happy who how her team did and feels one of her swimmers could come back with a state title.

“I am very proud,” she said.

The 4A state swim meet is slated to start in the afternoon around 5 p.m. after the 3A meet is swam in the morning.

This story was originally published October 5, 2015 at 5:34 PM with the headline "Jackets, Falcons dominate Region meet."