Coach Jimmy Harris’ Bainbridge High School Bearcats and Lady Cats swim teams turned in solid efforts Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Tift County High School Blue Devil Invitational Meet at the Tifton YMCA.

The competition was strong, with 10 teams and more than 100 competitors.

In addition to Bainbridge and Tift County, high schools participating in the meet were Cairo, Coffee County, Perry, Americus-Sumter County, Colquitt County, Northside Warner Robins, Baldwin County and Houston County.

Top Bearcats performers in Tifton included Zach McConnell, who was second in the 100-meter breast stroke in a time of 1 minute and 10.21 seconds and 20th in the 50-meter freestyle in a time of 27.90 seconds; and Alex Hughes, who was third in the 50-meter freestyle in a time of 25.09 seconds and seventh in the 100 meter freestyle in a time of 58.38 seconds.

Lucas NeSmith was fourth in the 200-meter individual medley in a time of 2 minutes, 26.31 seconds and sixth in the 100-meter back stroke in a time of 1 minute, 10.10 seconds.

Strong Lady Cats efforts were turned in by Sarah Bush, who was 15th in the 100-meter back stroke in a time of 1 minute, 34.71 seconds and 31st in the 50-meter freestyle in a time of 37.29 seconds; and Laura Cerone, who was 19th in the 50-meter freestyle in a time of 35.10 seconds.

Taylor Harrison was 14th in the 50 meter freestyle in a time of 33.02 and 15th in the 100 meter freestyle in a time of 1 minute and 20.31 seconds.

Will Dozier was 18th in the 100-meter back stroke in a time of 1 minute, 57.60 seconds and 54th in the 50-meter freestyle in a time of 38.94 seconds.

Coach Harris said he was very proud of the Bearcats and Lady Cats efforts and performances in Tifton.

“Our swimmers have really worked hard in practice and have been very accepting of what I have asked them to do in terms of work ethic and team building,” Harris said.

“The weather was rather chilly early on, but the pool was quite warm,” Harris said. “Individually, Zach McConnell and Alex Hughes were very close to posting qualifying times in the 100 meter breast stroke and 50 meter freestyle.”

The Bearcats and Lady Cats are at Darton College in Albany today competing in the Colquitt County High School Packers Invitational Meet.