Seahorses celebrate seniors

Owen swim team hosts Franklin in regular season home finale

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
January 10, 2022

A trio of seniors were recognized poolside, Jan. 8, as the Owen swim team hosted its final regularly scheduled home meet of the season.

While the Seahorses would fall to the Franklin Panthers, Olivia Hale, Chloe Little and Dennis Luchinin each posted memorable performances on Senior Night, at the Buncombe County Schools Aquatic Center.

Little was one of three swimmers on the girls team to record a personal best in the meet, posting a time of 2:34.35 while finishing first in the 200 meter individual medley. She would add another personal best and first place finish with a time of 1:16.67 in the 100 meter breast stroke.

Hale, whose time of 31.10 secured her a second place finish in the 50 meter freestyle, helped lead her team to a first place finish in the 200 meter freestyle relay.

Sophomore Isabella White posted a personal best time of 2:30.26 in the 200 meter freestyle, while freshman Grace Vale’s time of 1:16.46 in the 100 meter backstroke clinched a first place finish and represented her best time in the event.

Luchinin, the sole senior on the boys swim team, helped lead the Seahorses to a team best time of 4:06.20 in the 400 meter relay. He was one of four swimmers from the Owen boys team who recorded personal best times in the meet.

The Seahorses will conclude the 2021-22 regular season at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 15, when they host the Asheville Trailblazers.

A gallery featuring photos of the Jan. 8 meet between Owen and Franklin can be viewed at the top of the page.