At the NAC-VI conference meet Jan. 26 the boys’ and girls’ swim teams were able to capture a handful of conference victories and placed several swimmers in the top five of events.

Freshman Tate Bacon and junior Gideon Bezuidenhout earned top spots as individuals. Bacon won the 100 butterfly (54.87) while Bezuidenhout won the 100 breaststroke (1:02.45).

“Tate is definitely one of the most talented swimmers as a freshman that I’ve had the opportunity to coach. He has an immediate impact to improve your team tremendously,” coach Justin Richards said. “He’s exactly the addition we needed. We are in the conversation to go to states because of him.”

The boys’ 200 free relay team, comprised of Bacon, Bezuidenhout and sophomore Ben Walton and junior Melvin McLawhorn also took the top spot with a time of 1:33.49.

The same swimmers took second in the 200 medley relay (1:44.36).

Other notables for the boys’ team included Bezuidenhout’s second place finish in the 200 IM (2:00.33) and Bacon’s second place finish in the 50 free (22.99). In that same event, McLawhorn took third (23.15).

Freshman David Quaresma nabbed third place in the 500 free (5:19.97) and took fourth in the 200 free (1:59.36)

Seniors Lindsay Madden and Olivia Rudolph led the way for the girls’ team, with junior Kaila Park also providing a strong showing.

“One of our best girls was injured Saturday. Everyone rallied around and stepped into relays and performed,” Richards said.

Madden took 2nd in the 500 free (5:43.84). Rudolph and Park took third (26.39) and fourth (27.64) in the 500 freestyle.

Richards said, “All you can ask is to get better. A lot of girls PR’d (earned personal records). Both Madden and Rudolph had outstanding careers. Both qualified for regionals all four years.”