A Seahorse send-off

Owen celebrates swim team as it heads to state championship meet

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
February 11, 2022

The Owen Searhorses and cheerleading team gather in the lobby of the school, Feb. 11, as the swim team prepares to compete in the NCHSAA 1A/2A State Championship in Cary. Photo by Fred McCormick

When the top 1A and 2A high school swimmers in the state gather, Saturday, Feb. 12, in the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary, the girls and boys Owen Seahorses teams will be among them.

But, before heading east out of the Swannanoa Valley, the students, faculty and administration at Owen High School sent them off with a strong show of support.

Owen students fill the hallway, Feb. 11, as they show support for the school’s swim team, which will compete in the state championship on Saturday. Photo by Fred McCormick

Seahorse swimmers and second-year head coach Beth Dalton Rathbone walked the halls of Owen, Feb. 11, greeted by an ovation from the entire school. The team, which placed 9th out of 30 in the Western Regional meet a week ago, gathered in the lobby, where they received words of encouragement from Owen Principal Meg Turner.

Owen Principal Meg Turner wishes the school’s Seahorse swim team luck, as the swimmers head east to Cary for the NCHSAA 1A/2A State Championship. Photo by Fred McCormick

The swimmers then strolled through the halls of the school in a single file line, as teachers and fellow students spilled out of their classrooms with a round of applause. Following the informal parade, the Seahorses were greeted by the Owen cheerleading team and gift bags, as they returned to the lobby.

Students and faculty at Owen High School show support for the Seahorses, who will be among 51 teams competing the 1A/2A state championship meet in Cary, Feb. 12. Photo by Fred McCormick

“I’m really excited, and so happy for these kids,” Rathbone said. “They’ve worked incredibly hard to earn this, and I want them to create memories that will stay with them long after they’re swimming competitively.”

The Western Highlands Conference Champion Seahorses will be one of 51 teams competing in the state championship meet, which begins tomorrow with a 9 a.m. preliminary round. Qualifying swimmers will compete in the finals, beginning at 4:45 p.m.

Owen cheerleaders great members of the school’s swim team, Feb. 11, as the Seahorses embark on a trip to the state championship meet. Photo by Fred McCormick

The Seahorses will compete in seven events at the championship meet, with the boys swimming in the 200 meter medley relay and the 400 meter freestyle relay. Junior Stephen Henson will compete in the 200 meter individual medley and the 100 meter butterfly. The girls will compete in the 200 meter freestyle relay and 400 meter freestyle relay, while senior Chloe Little and sophomore Elsa Quam will represent Owen in the 100 meter breaststroke.