Coach Keith Midler’s Bainbridge High School Lady Cats and Bearcats swim teams turned in strong second- and third-place performances at the Region 1AAAA swim meet on Jan. 27 in Americus.

The Lady Cats, who finished second, were led by Sunnie Chason, who qualified for today’s state Class AAAA finals at Westminister High School in Atlanta in the 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke.

Pacing the Bearcats to their third-place Region 1AAAA finish was Zach McConell, who qualified for today’s state Class AAAA meet in the 100-yard breast stroke.

Midler said he was very proud of all his swimmers because they lowered their times at the Region 1AAAA meet.

Chason won the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 7.84 seconds and the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 1 minute, 7.29 seconds, while McConnell won the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:10.60.

Lucas NeSmith was first in the 200-yard individual medley and second in the 500-yard freestyle in times of 2:20.00 and 5:36.76. Jessica Allen was second in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 200-yard freestyle in times of 1:17.72 and 2:25.55.

Alex Hughes swam home second in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle in times of 25.32 and 56.31.

Aubrie Provence was fifth in the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 1:12.22.

Dane Culverson, was fifth in the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 1:14.23.

The Bearcats 200-yard medley relay A team of Lucas NeSmith, McConnell, Dane Culverson and Alex Hughes finished second in a time of 1:56.19.

The Lady Cats 200-yard medley relay A team of Chason, Hillary Barfield, Jessica Allen and Provence finished second in a time of 2:17.04.

Third places went to the Lady Cats’ 200-yard freestyle A relay team of Barfield, Provence, Allen and Chason; and the Bearcats 400-yard freestyle A relay team of Chad White, Chad Sellars, McConnell and Culverson in times of 2:03.04 and 4:19.79.

The Bearcats 200-yard freestyle A relay team of Hughes, McConnell, Culverson and NeSmith finished fourth in a time of 1:46.26.