CHS Swim Team Qualifies 4 for State Meet

By Coach Osborne

The Central High School swim team completed an abbreviated regular season last weekend at the City Meet at LSU.  Despite the shortened season, the Wildcats competed with 23 swimmers on the team, the most since before 2000.

The Wildcats were led by its seniors Acacia Porch and Matthew Usher.  Matthew qualified for the State Meet in the 100 freestyle, 200 Individual Medley, and 100 backstroke.  Matthew made the City Finals in the 100 backstroke and 200 IM.

Tejah Scott, Rachel Raggio, and Ikaika Lee also qualified for the State Meet.  Ikaika, a sophomore, qualified in the 50 freestyle and made the finals in the City Meet in the same event.  Rachel Raggio, a junior, qualified in the 50 freestyle.  Meanwhile, junior Tejah Scott qualified in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle on the last day of the City Meet.

Returning swimmers Geremy Porch, Jaylon Francois, Olivia Will, Emily Shain, and Kaelyn Hollier all made significant strides and contributed to the team in relay events.  Josie Dinger was sidelined most of the year with injuries.

First year swimmers Sophie Gendron, Zoe Lorenzo, Grace Overhultz, Kinley Patterson, Margaret Smith, Kaitlyn Valenti, Abby Williams, and Jake Stubbs improved quickly over the shortened season and contributed at the City Meet.  Ashlyn Courts, Annie Barth, Evalyn Travasos, and Isaiah Andries were also first year swimmers that contributed over the course of the season. 

The swim team will complete their season at the State Meet in Sulphur, November 18-19.