08/05/2026
Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team top gold medal count - again
On Thursday, July 23, 2026 the best of the MSL (Mountain Swim League) converged on Cullowhee, NC to compete in the 2026 MSL All Star meet. As they had done at the all comers Conference meet the week before the Hurricanes 🌀 came away with more gold medals than any other of the 5 teams with 15.
Leading the way for the 22 Hurricanes was Jr. Olympian Justin Powell with 28 pts and 4 gold medals. Jr. Olympians Bella Batista and Luca Maseko each scored 26 pts, winning 3 races and finishing 2nd in one. Over the course of the 2026 Lucas Maseko broke 2 MSL records; the 50 breast stroke and the 50 freestyle. Sister Zana Maseko had 24 pts winning 2 events and scoring 2nd in 2. Jr. Olympians Emma Denisoff and Jaycee Powell brought home 19 and 18 pts respectively, each with a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd. Helix Sharpe-Sutton scored 17 pts with 2 silvers and a bronze. Agatha Jestin had 13 pts with 2 bronze medals, while brother Max brought home 12 pts and a silver and bronze.
Ian Batista also had 12 pts, and a 2nd and 3rd place finish. Ivan Shchelgachov won a gold medal on his was to garnering 10 pts. Nehemiah Edwards had a 3rd place finish and 9 pts. Nikita Denisoff and Melanie Zabrian brought home 8 and 7 pts, Margot Thriffilley 6 and a bronze. Anna Shchelgachova 5 and a silver, Lucas Zabrian and Thompson Thriffilley 2 pts. Stella Kerr, Vic Nadzorau, and Ben Shchelgachov each scored 1 pt. Also swimming well for the Hurricanes was Hananiah Edwards.
Trophies were awarded at the end of the meet for outstanding swimmers (1st, 2nd and 3rd) in each age s*x group. Emma Dennisoff was 2nd in the 15-18 girls. Justin Powell 1st in 13-14 Boys. Bella Batista 1st 11-12 girls. Zana Maseko 2nd 11-12 girls.Luca Maseko 1st 9-10 boys. Jayce Powell 3rd 9-10 boys.
The Highlands Hurricanes 🌀 a Highlands Recreation Park team that practices mostly in the evenings at the Highlands Recreation Park Pool. The only requirement for a prospective swimmer is that they must be able to swim 25 yards (the length of the Rec Park Pool) unassisted. For further information please call Steve Hott, Head Coach, at 828.421.4121.
