Both local teams were mired well down in the team standings after the first day of action. The Aqua Tigers were in 10th place with 268 points, while the Waterdogs were two spots down in 12th place with 157.5 points.
Coaches Danielle Debusk of the Aqua Tigers and Kristy Snider of the Waterdogs felt their teams would fare much better on Saturday. “Our best events are scheduled Saturday,” said Snider during Friday afternoon’s competition.
In aggregate totals of individual placement Friday, only Cleveland’s Adam Foster placed among the top four finishers. Foster took a third place in the 11-12 boys’ 50-meter breaststroke and followed with a fourth-place finish in the 100-meter individual medley.
The Cleveland team picked up points with a second-place in the 13-14 boys’ 200 medley relay.
After the first day of competition, it appears to be a two-team race for the championship. That could all change on Saturday.
Signal Mountain’s Green Giants and the Dalton (Ga.) Dolphins collected more than 1,000 points to set the pace on the first day. Signal Mountain was in front with 1,038 points, while Dalton was a step back with 1,005.
Stuart Heights was third (791.5), Fairyland (Ga.) fourth (700) and Ooltewah fifth (512.5). Rounding out the top 10 in the team standings were Red Bank (368), (tie) Hamilton Club and Country Club (297), Ringgold, Ga., (287) and the Aqua Tigers (268).
Several swimmers from the two local teams had impressive performance in Friday’s event.
Bella Plate and John Bryant had credible efforts for the Waterdogs, while twins Meredith and Loren Borst performed well in the 13-14 girls’ 100 intermediate medley for the Aqua Tigers. Meredith Borst won her heat in this event.
The Aqua Tigers also got a strong performance from its 11-12 girls 200 medley relay team of Erin Stutzman, Paris Buckner, Regan Fuller and Suzanna Liner.
The hot weather was frustrating Friday for more than 1,000 swimmers, and a like number of coaches, friends, parents and grandparents.
Signal Mountain trailed after the afternoon session, but came back strong in the evening to take the lead in the team standings.
Joby Nash of Ooltewah was the only swimmer to win three events on Friday, recording top times in the 100 intermediate medley, 50 free and 50 breast.
Six swimmers won two events, but neither the Waterdogs or Aqua Tigers had a double champion.
A number of Friday’s winners posted their own best times in the City competition.
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Team scores after Friday’s competition: 1. Signal Mountain 1,038; 2. Dalton 1,005; 3. Stuart Heights 791.5; 4. Fairyland 700; 5. Ooltewah 512.5; 6. Red Bank 368; 7 (tie) Hamilton Club and Country Club 297; 9. Ringgold 287; 10. Cleveland 268; 11. Ridgeside 203; 12. Mosby Park 157.5; 13. Fort Oglethorpe 138; 14. Cumberland 14.5; 15. Big Ridge 9.
