The boys of Eastside High moved up a class to win the 2016 4A state title in South Carolina, while the girls of South Aiken took home their 4A trophy.
Boys Meet
Last year’s 3A champs, Eastside moved up to the next class and still pulled off a win despite taking just one event title.
That came courtesy of sophomore Joseph Brooks in the 200 IM. Brooks was 2:02.11, and teammate Dylan Muse was 2:02.20 as the duo went 1-2 in a huge points haul for Eastside.
Individually, Jason Kekacs of Aiken and Isaiah Ivey out of Myrtle Beach were the leaders, each doubling up on individual titles. Kekacs took the 200 free (1:45.34) and 500 free (4:46.42), while Ivey won the 50 free (21.69) and 100 free (48.39).
South Aiken finished second on a sweep of the free relays courtesy of Reid Chafin, Javin Williams, Jacob Buck and Ethan Hircsh in the 200 and Buck, Michael Robinson, Hirsch and Chafin in the 400.
Other event winners:
- Emerson Edwards won the 100 breaststroke in 1:01.16 for AC Flora.
- He also swam breaststroke on the winning 200 medley relay, which went 1:42.64. He was joined by Tanner Edwards, Cole Teas and Will Higgins.
- Hilton Head’s Kevin Geist took the 100 fly in 53.20.
- Ethan Culler of Daniel went 54.33 to win the 100 back in a touchout.
Top 5 Teams:
- Eastside – 484
- South Aiken – 392.5
- Myrtle Beach – 252
- Hilton Head Island – 210
- North Augusta – 202
Girls Meet
South Aiken took the girls title on a three-win day from senior Audrey Robinson. Robinson doubled up on either end of the diving break, taking the 50 free in 24.44 and the 100 fly in 57.17. That 50 free win came by just .04 seconds.
Robinson also anchored the winning 400 free relay, joining Kyra Allison, Emily Chafin and Jordan Foster to go 3:41.04.
The other double winners were Dreher’s Hayley Mason and Greenville’s Anna Havens Rice. Mason took the 200 free in 1:51.96 and the 500 with a 5:01.30, while Rice won the 200 IM with a 2:06.98 and the 100 breast in 1:06.61.
Mason’s wins came by almost 5 seconds (in the 200 free) and 9 seconds (in the 500). Rice was similarly dominating, taking the IM by more than 3 seconds and the breaststroke by about one and a half.
Mason also came off that 500 free to help Dreher win the 200 free relay in 1:40.52, joining teammates Vinez Lyde, Eleanor Wachtel and Eliza Cate.
Other event winners:
- AC Flora took the 200 medley relay in 1:51.83 with the team of Lucy McCardle, Katherine Loggins, Riley Ammons and Frazier Reynolds.
- Wren freshman Kate Beckish earned a 100 free title in 54.02, winning by just over a tenth.
- Myrtle Beach’s Olivia McGonigal went 1:00.07 to win the 100 back by about two tenths.
Top 5 Teams:
- South Aiken – 366
- Eastside – 291
- Hilton Head Island – 278
- AC Flora – 257
- Myrtle Beach – 238.5