Fort Mill, Nation Ford Place in Top Three at State Swim Meet

Fort Mill and Nation Ford secured top-three finishes and Catawba Ridge rounded out the top five at today’s SCHSL 5A D2 Girls Championships.

Fort Mill finished as the event runner-up, tallying $495.5$ points, narrowly behind champion Eastside ($524$). Nation Ford secured a third-place podium finish with $289$ points, while Catawba Ridge placed fifth with $262$ points.

Fort Mill Dominates Relays and Breaststroke

The Yellow Jackets relied on top-tier performances across relays and individual strokes to claim the second-place trophy. The team of Haruka Ono, Lila Hadley, Bella Corbi, and Cadyn Henson clinched the meet’s opening event, winning the 200 Yard Medley Relay with a time of $1:48.27$.

Hadley, a junior, had a stellar day, taking first place in the 100 Yard Breaststroke ($1:04.17$) and a second-place finish in the 200 Yard Individual Medley ($2:07.80$). Sophomore Bella Corbi joined Hadley on the podium, finishing third ($2:09.71$). Fort Mill capped the meet with another strong performance, placing second in the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay ($3:35.91$).

Nation Ford Claims Third with Depth

Nation Ford earned a solid third-place overall finish, anchored by strong performances in the sprint events and backstroke. The Falcons’ 200 Yard Medley Relay squad, featuring Kenna Zimmerly, Abby Garcia, Belle Kolatis, and Brittany Fink, started the meet with a third-place time of $1:48.66$.

Individually, senior Fink led the way, securing second place in the 100 Yard Backstroke ($57.83$) and fourth in the 100 Yard Freestyle ($54.59$). Avery Martin secured a critical second-place finish in the punishing 500 Yard Freestyle ($5:09.88$). Kolatis also delivered points with a third-place finish in the 100 Yard Butterfly ($57.26$).

Catawba Ridge Powered by Meehan

Catawba Ridge rounded out the local top five with a fifth-place finish. Freshman Amelia Meehan spearheaded the Copperheads’ success, claiming the title in the 100 Yard Backstroke ($56.81$). Meehan also grabbed a second-place finish in the 50 Yard Freestyle sprint ($23.91$).

Catawba Ridge’s relays proved fast, highlighted by the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay team of AG Marino, Meehan, Belle Gload, and McKayla Pampreen, which touched the wall in third place ($1:39.85$). Marino added a fifth-place finish in the 200 Yard Individual Medley and sixth in the 100 Yard Butterfly.