Meet Recaps
Capital Classic
113 YOTA athletes qualified for the 31st Annual YOTA x Arena Capital Classic which was held at the Triangle Aquatic Center over the weekend of December 5-8. Of our many team traditions, this weekend is always a standout. From the outstanding sea of volunteers to the phenomenal races in the pool, this meet showcased the power or purple in action on a national level once again. The weekend was full of team spirit, great races and countless new best times and Age Group Champs, YMCA Nationals, and Futures cuts. At the end of the weekend, our YOTA Men placed first, our YOTA Women came in fourth and YOTA as a full team placed second! Way to go, YOTA!
QCD Holiday Invite
138 YOTA athletes made their way to the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center on the weekend of December 13-15. This meet was a great opportunity for swimmers who did not compete at Capital Classic to race swimmers from outside of the Triangle Area and to compete in some of their best events before we start to move into championship season. Many of our 13&Over athletes took advantage of the opportunity to race in prelims and finals while our 12&Under athletes raced their hearts out in their timed finals sessions. It was a great weekend full of outstanding swims and awesome memories!
US Paralympic National Championship
Casey Freeman attended her 3rd straight US Paralympic National Championship in Orlando, Florida in December- She was coming in having been the National Champion in the 200 Bk the last 2 years. Sickness kept her from the 3-peat but after running a fever, barely eating, and battling all weekend, Casey was still able to swim at a very elite level swimming 6 events and making Finals in 4 of them. She was able to pull 3 best times and bettered her prelim time in EVERY RACE she made finals in. Great Job Casey! This will be one of the last times she is able to represent YOTA on the National Para level as she will be dawning a Tulane Cap after her Senior year. We are so proud of Casey and thank her for her many years representing the YOTA Swim Team.
Speedo Winter Junior Nationals
Evan Hepburn proudly represented the YOTA Swim Team at Winter Jr’s at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. He competed in the 100 & 200 breaststroke events. In the 100 breaststroke Evan moved up 9 spots from his seed placement to finish in 40th place with a time of 55.83. Evan also moved up 9 spots in the 200 breaststroke as he swam his fastest ever prelims 200. He finished in 43rd place with a time of 2:01.86. Well done, Evan!
