By Duncan Nixon
CORRESPONDENT
On Feb. 2, the Fluco swim and dive team looked to secure final Region 3C qualifying times ahead of the Feb. 10 meet. Coach Michael DiFazio noted that swimmers and divers who had already posted Region-qualifying times or diving scores during the season did not compete in the qualifier.
The Flucos delivered a strong showing. Nine swimmers qualified across 12 events. In diving, three athletes had already surpassed the higher standard required for state qualification, automatically clearing the bar for Region competition.
At the qualifier, Riley Eubanks earned spots in the 100 free and 100 back. James Johnson qualified in the 200 IM and 100 breast, while Levi Rensch secured Region times in the 200 free and 500 free.
Single-event qualifiers included Madison Clark (200 free), Maya Hernandez (200 IM), Lexie Grey (500 free), Annika Potter (200 free), Reese Yowell (50 free), and Sean Brown (100 breast).
Clark and Potter had previously qualified in the 500 free and 100 free, respectively. Three Fluco swimmers qualified in two or more events during the season: Sophie Pace (50 free, 100 free), Josie Causo (100 breast, 500 free), and standout Abby Caruso, who posted Region times in six events — 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 100 fly, and 200 IM.
In diving, state-qualified athletes are Kayleigh Herring, Cash Johnson, and James Johnson.
As a team, the Flucos did not post top overall scores at the Feb. 10 Region meet, which featured 16 schools, including several perennial powerhouses. Still, the sheer number of qualifiers underscored the program’s depth and steady progress this season.
