SC swimming championships: Fort Mill girls finish 2nd, plus all Rock Hill-area results

The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets turned in the top performance among the eight area schools that participated in the 2021 Swimming State Championships in North Charleston.

The Yellow Jackets finished as the state runner-up in the girls’ division and were fifth in the boys’ division. They had a total of 20 individuals and relay teams finish in the top-10 in their respective events.

“When I had an opportunity to reflect on the season, I realized how dedicated our swimmers were,” Fort Mill head coach Cindy Van Buskirk said. “They all stepped up, improved as the year went along and accepted the challenge. I am so very proud of all of them.”

5A girls swimming state championship results

In the girls division, the Yellow Jackets finished second behind Wando in the 5A ranks. The Nation Ford Falcons also had a strong showing as they finished third, while the Clover Blue Eagles were 18th.

“I thought that we would do well, but this was somewhat unexpected,” said Van Buskirk of her team. “I think that the key for our good finish was depth. We had multiple swimmers in nearly every event, and they all did well.”

Fort Mill finished second in the 400 Free Relay (3:38.32) and third in the 200 Free Relay (1:40.49).

Olivia Corbi won the 200 Free (1:54.22) and was fourth in the 500 Free (5:12.28). Anna Kate Halligan was third in the 200 IM (2:08.50) and ninth in the 100 Butterfly (1:00.48). Cadyn Henson finished fourth in the 100 Breaststroke (1:05.77) and fifth in the 200 IM (2:09.18). Ava Corbi was ninth in the 50 Free (25.11), while Jadyn Nelson was fifth in the 500 Free (5:16.97). Kyndall Brown was eighth in the 100 Free (55.44).

Nation Ford was in the top-10 in all three relays: The Falcons won the 200 Free Relay (1:39.39) and were second in the 200 Medley Relay (1:48.91). They claimed the eighth spot in the 400 Free Relay (3:47.97), too.

Nation Ford’s Emily Eaton was third in the 100 Free (53.17) and fifth in the 50 Free (24.57). Mackenzie Riga came home seventh in the 100 Butterfly (59.32) and eighth in the 200 IM (2:13.31). Sophia Bujoreau was third in the 100 Backstroke (58.82), while Julia Pou finished fourth in the 100 Backstroke (58.86).

5A boys swimming state championship results

Following Fort Mill in the 5A boys was the Northwestern Trojans in the 20th spot. Nation Ford was 23rd and Clover finished 24th.

All three Fort Mill relay teams placed in the top-10. The Yellow Jackets were second in the 400 Free Relay (3:17.47), eighth in the 200 Free Relay (1:32.19) and ninth in the 200 Medley Relay (1:43.96).

Zachery Nelson was sixth in the 100 Free (48.97) and eighth in the 100 Breaststroke (1:01.22). Jack Dollyhigh finished eighth in the 200 Free (1:49.21) and ninth in the 500 Free (4:58.71). Max Reichert was eighth in the 100 Butterfly (53.54) and ninth in the 50 Free (22.53). Owen Fey finished ninth in the 200 Free (1:49.48).

“I was very proud of the boys’ effort,” Van Buskirk added. “They really stepped up. A lot of them had personal bests.”

Northwestern’s Martin Mason was fifth in the 100 Breaststroke (1:00.18) and eighth in the 200 IM (1:59.70). Christian Smrekar was ninth in the 100 Backstroke (57.29).

4A girls swimming state championship results

In the 4A ranks on the girls’ side, five area teams were in the competition. The South Pointe Stallions and the Indian Land Warriors led the way as they tied for 12th place. The Lancaster Bruins were 14th, and the Catawba Ridge Copperheads were 19th. The York Cougars finished 24th.

Indian Land was ninth in the 200 Free Relay (1:49.17) and 10th in the 200 Medley Relay (1:58.00).

Lancaster was 10th in the 200 Free Relay (1:50.24). Isabella Thorpe was seventh in both the 200 IM (2:15.38) and the 100 Breaststroke (1:11.50). Tamara Tipton was fifth in the 100 Butterfly (59.59).

Kyra Burton of South Pointe was sixth in the 500 Free (5:24.22) and ninth in the 200 Free (2:02.04).

4A boys results

On the boys’ side, Catawba Ridge was ninth. South Pointe came home 10th, and Indian Land was 19th. Lancaster finished 21st, while York was 22nd.

Catawba Ridge finished sixth in the 200 Free Relay (1:35.54) and eighth in the 200 Medley Relay (1:47.23). Alexander Ritz was fifth in both the 100 Free (49.12) and the 100 Breaststroke (1:01.49). Ethan Curtis finished 10th in the 100 Butterfly (57.35).

South Pointe was seventh in the 400 Free Relay (3:40.48). Jack McCrae was third in the 500 Free (4:46.50) and fifth in the 200 Free (1:46.53). Tyler Ayer was fifth in the 50 Free (22.82) and eighth in the 100 Free (50.56).

This story was originally published October 13, 2021 at 10:14 AM.