The Salem High swimmers were heading to Christiansburg Wednesday to compete in the Region 4D swim meet. Results were too late for publication.
The top four individuals in each event qualify for states and the top three relays qualify. Salem will also be taking a diver for the first time, Emma LaFountain. She competed in her first and only dive competition last Friday night and placed third in the region to qualify for the state dive meet on February 9 in Christiansburg. The state Class 4 swimming meet, also in Christiansburg, is February 13.
“Pretty amazing,” said Salem coach Marianne Fleenor. “We are so excited!”
Salem warmed up for the regional with a meet against Patrick Henry at the Kirk YMCA last week. The boys won, 92-62, but the girls lost, 128-39.
“We had some great swims with lots of best times achieved,” said Fleenor.
Some stand out swims were by Rafe Scaggs in the 200 Free, taking second overall and dropping a second and a half with a best time of 2:00.53. Kaylee Shifflett was third overall in the 200 IM and achieved a best time, dropping 7 seconds.
The SHS boys in the 50 free all achieved best times, Zach Easter was third, Colin Michael was fifth and Blake Perez was sixth overall. Regan Repasky dropped a full second in her 50 free and was third overall. Laci Barnes and Kai Bowen also dropped over a second in their 50 free swims to achieve best times .
Also, the Joren Poush (1st), Andrew Desse (2nd) and Cole Bowen(3rd) took the top three places in the boys’ 100 Free. Hunter King (1st) and Blake Perez took first and second in the 100 Breast and both achieved best times.