Franklin Swimming Dominates Manchester in Final HCAC Dual Meet

Franklin College Dominates Manchester in Final HCAC Dual Meet

The Franklin swimming and diving teams closed out their HCAC rivalry with Manchester in decisive fashion this past Friday evening. In a dual meet that served as the final HCAC showdown between the two programs, the Grizzlies secured comprehensive victories on both the men’s and women’s sides.

The Franklin women’s team set a fast pace early, finishing with a 161-39 victory. The men’s squad matched that intensity, posting a 151-46 win. The performance marked a conclusion to their shared time in the HCAC, as the Grizzlies didn’t waste any time getting sentimental.

Josie Blanchard Secures Two Individual Victories for Franklin

Josie Blanchard led the charge for the Franklin women, securing two individual victories. She finished first in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:21.37 and followed up with a win in the 100 backstroke at 1:04.87. Her performance was supported by a sweep of the relay events, as the Grizzlies claimed the top spots in both the 200 medley and freestyle relays.

The depth of the Franklin roster was evident throughout the evening, with multiple swimmers contributing individual wins:

Harley Morris: 1,000 freestyle (11:41.86)
Macie McQuinn: 200 freestyle (2:05.90)
Celeste Hollis: 50 free (26.02)
Annie Jackson: 100 butterfly (1:04.63)
Avery Crabtree: 500 free (5:45.84)
Avery Tomlinson: 100 breaststroke (1:13.84)
Alexis Fleming: 1-meter diving (212.75 points)

On the men’s side, the Grizzlies relied on strong multi-event performances to build their lead. Will Chambley dominated the distance and technical events, winning the 1,000 freestyle in 10:14.73 and the 100 back in 58.59 seconds. Zachary Jackson-Blaine provided similar versatility, clocking a 21.67 in the 50 freestyle and a 48.79 in the 100 free. Grayer Belaire rounded out the multi-win efforts with first-place finishes in the 200 IM (2:09.68) and the 100 breast in 1:02.85.

Grizzlies Continue Campaign on the Road at Centre

The dual meet victory provides momentum for Franklin as they shift their focus toward the remainder of their season. The men’s team also saw consistent scoring from Isaac Layton in the 100 fly (55.60), Bryson Howe in the 500 free (5:10.19), and Sargio Canarini, who took the 1-meter board with a score of 251.25.

With the HCAC rivalry now in the rearview mirror, the Grizzlies are scheduled to continue their campaign on the road this Saturday at Centre.