Sixteen members of the Georgia Coastal Aquatic Team (GCAT) competed in Waycross at Laura S. Walker State Park in the 2024 Georgia Swimming Open Water Championship on May 4 and 5. 

Swimmers ranging from ages 8-17 worked together to bring home 3rd place for GCAT in the state of Georgia. 

The Team Pursuit race on Saturday was a group effort by age group, completing one lap around the course set up in Laura S. Walker Lake, totalling 1.25 km. 

Sunday brought individual races and multiple medals for GCAT swimmers. In the 10 and Under 1.25k, GCAT had two swimmers medal: Sienna Hermann in 2nd place for the Girls’ event, and Dom Brown in 1st in the Boys’ event. 

In the Boys’ 13 and over 5k, Wesley Hatala ranked 3rd in the 13-14 age group,  Alex Ilyasov ranked 3rd in the 15-16 age group, and Ahmed Omar ranked 1st in the 17 and up group.

This event was the final qualifier for swimmers to represent the state of Georgia in the Open Water Zones competition held in Lucas, Kentucky, set to happen from May 31 to June 2. 

Congratulations to GCAT swimmers Charlie Rice, Wilkes Sabogal, Clara Brown, Tess Leftwich, and Dardey Snipes in being selected for the Georgia Open Water Zones team. They will travel to Kentucky with GCAT coach Ben Umbreit, who has been selected as a Team Georgia Open Water Assistant Coach.