GPAC’s first home meet of the long course season was a massive success for the 86 GPAC swimmers who attended.  Although some had already experienced long course racing this year with meets in April, many were crushing times from last summer.  Naturally, GPAC claimed the team victory at the meet, but also boasted four high-point winners: Brooke Ferrara, 15, William Henderson, 10, Renee Henderson, 10, and Walker Parra, 11.  GPAC went on to set 40 new SES qualifying times, and 84% overall best times!

“This was a great turn out for our team, and for the meet,” said Head Coach Phil Kraus. “It is very encouraging to see so many GPAC swimmers competing long course at this meet, and training with the team this time of year.”

Brooke Ferrara won the 15-and-over high-point award again, keeping her streak of home-meet wins alive.  Proving to be a tough competitor by swimming a 10-event program, Brooke won seven of her individual events, and placed second in the other three. 

Enjoying their last few weeks as 10-year olds, twins William and Renee Henderson, once again, claimed the high-point award for their age group, and Renee took the opportunity to set a new team record in the 100m Breaststroke.  William won seven out of eight of his events, setting personal best times in seven, and setting two new ‘AAAA’ times (100 Br, 200 IM).  Renee won all eight of her individual events, setting best times in six of them.  Her new team record in the 100m Br eclipsed the mark set in 2001, and almost set the 50m Breaststroke as well, missing it by a mere .19 seconds!  She also posted a new SES cut in the 50 fly.

Walker Parra emerged as the 11-12 boys’ high-point winner after tackling a Ferraraian meet schedule with 10 events.  After swimming a tremendous 1500m free (posting a new ‘AA’ time), Walker went on to win eight of ten individual events, and setting six new personal best times.

GPAC had 20 individual swimmers account for 40 new Southeastern Swimming Championship qualifying times: Alex Atherton, 10 (50, 100 Fr), Caitlin Bridges, 12 (50 fly, 200 Fr, 100 Bk, 200 IM, 50 Br), Paige Bridges, 9 (100 Fr), Lexi DeJesus, 11 (50, 100 Br), Sophia Diagne, 14 (200 Fly), Meghan Doyle, 12 (50, 100 Fly), Renee Henderson (50 Fly), Izzy Kent, 10 (50, 100 Bk, 100 Fly), Maren Mackey, 9 (100 Fr), Grace Matthews, 12 (50, 100 Bk, 100 Fr, 100 Fly), Brianna Mount, 17 (200 Fr), Steffen Mount, 16 (200 Fr, 200 Bk, 200 Fly), Tatiana Oberley, 15 (100, 200 Fr, 200 IM), Noah Scoggins, 9 (100 Fr, 100 Br), Seth Scoggins, 11 (200 IM, 100 Br), Nate Thomas, 17 (200 Fr), James Tracey, 11 (100 Bk), Taitem Turbyfill, 10 (100 Br), Kathryn Turner, 9 (50, 100 Bk), Charles Warren, 12 (50, 100 Bk).

In addition, GPAC boasted several individual event winners: Braden Barkley, 10 (50 Fly), Lexi DeJesus (800 Fr), Sophia Diagne (800 Fr, 200 Fly), James Henderson, 12 (200 Fr, 400 IM, 800 Fr, 200 Br, 200 Fly), Cameron Jones, 12 (50 Fr), Izzy Kent, 10 (200 IM), Nicholas Petruska, 14 (800 Fr), Paulina Szydlo, 21 (200 IM, 200 Br, 100 Br),and  Cameron Walton, 17 (50 Bk).

Congratulation to the GPAC swimmers who posted all life-best times at the meet: Coulson Barfield, 13, Abby Barr, 14, Kareem Bataineh, 13, Grant Bridges, 16, Ashley Burroughs, 12, Lexi DeJesus, Connor Devanney, 7, Trinity Devanney, 9, Meghan Doyle, 12, Josh Gardner, 12, Scot Griffith, 14, Rebecca Holliman, 15, Cannon Hutchens, 11, Kristina Jacques, 15, Brantly Keiek, 16, Austin Lee, 13, Bryson Lee, 10, Justin Liu, 12, Kyle Longley, 9, Ryan Longley, 15, AJ Luth, 13, Maren Mackey, 9, Geza Maruschak, 15, Grace McNally, 8, Logan Mead, 15, Grace Menzies, 14, Jack Menzies, 11, Steffen Mount, 16, Tatiana Oberley, 15, Dimitri Pahountis, 15, Nicholas Petruska, 14, Chase Pisciotta, 16, Molly Power, 14, Adriana Rivera, 9, Matthew Rodgerson, 11, Mimi Sherrill, 12, Katherine Summers, 11, Bailie Tate, 18, and Thomas Young, 13.