Smiles, hugs, and laughter were in abundance at the McCreary Community Pool Tuesday when the Perry Summer Swim Team hosted Guthrie County.
While two separate teams in the warm months, swimmers from Panora, Guthrie Center and the surrounding area make the trek to Perry to compete alongside local racers as teammates, with GC summer coach Dana Stein helping lead the winter squad.
That led to long-anticipated reunion of sorts and much story-telling and good times on the deck and in the MCB. GC won the meet, 352-274, but, aside from a natural competitive nature, the overall outcome seemed not to matter as much as the friendship, especially considering the removal of COVID restrictions.
A highlight for the hosts came in the girls 15-18 50 backstroke, where Sophia McDevitt put her name in both the Perry team and pool record books with a blistering 31.6 clocking. Her effort erased the former marks of 31.87, established by Janae Weiser, that had stood since 1996.
The win was one of five for McDevitt, with 15-18 teammates Jaylene Karolus and Quinn Mahler-Moreno also posting five wins apiece while Jenna Nelson won twice.
Zoe Hibbert had five wins for PSST in the girls 13-14 division, with Madeline McDevitt winning twice while Lilly Riley and Fiorella Oliver also posted victories.
Aleah Karolus (11-12) had five wins, Kilee Hughes (9-10) two and Lillian Luch (8U) two for the home team.
Renaud Deardorff was first in four races for the Perry 8U boys, with Dyson Deardorff winning twice and Dexter Moe, Guthrie Wilson, and Eli McCarty once each for the 9-10 unit while Townes Wilson (11-12) also recorded a victory.
Sam Ridnour had the lone win for Perry in the 15-18 boys competition.
Perry visits Carroll Tuesday before hosting Lake City Thursday. Meets begin at 6:30 p.m.
