Braeden Fergason won the 200-yard freestyle in 2:15.11 Thursday at the COC West meet at Foster Natatorium in Springfield, becoming the first freshman boy in Republic history to win an individual-event conference championship.
Fergason’s time was 3.90 seconds faster than his previous best. He also finished third in the 100-yard butterfly in 1:17.06.
“I feel really proud,” Fergason said. “I feel like my hard work has really paid off and I feel like my team has really pushed me far. They motivate me a lot and I feel like that might be the biggest reason I am here today.”
Blake Allen finished third in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:26.92, 1.54 seconds faster than his previous best. He was also sixth in the 200-yard freestyle in 2:41.40, an improvement of 4.55 seconds.
Fergason, Allen, Jonathan Noell and Tytus Dorsey swam on the 400-yard freestyle relay that finished second in 4:52.14, an improvement of 3.34 seconds. The four of them were also on the 200-yard medley relay, which finished fourth in 2:35.34.
Dorsey dropped time in both of his individual events. He finished seventh in the 100-yard freestyle in 1:14.14, 5.70 seconds faster than his previous time, and eighth in the 50-yard freestyle in 30.96, an improvement of 2.80 seconds.
Noell finished eighth in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:41.47, 8.07 seconds faster than before. He was also eighth in the 200-yard freestyle in 3:14.23.
Fergason said he’s met his goals for this season, but he’s already looking ahead for bigger accomplishments. “Next season I want some school records,” he said.
Get every story delivered.
Tiger Wire — Republic sports news, free every morning.