Fayette Area Swim Team Opens Season With Record-Breaking Performances
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Swimmers dive into the water at the beginning of their first home meet Saturday at Camp Lone Star. Photo by Brittany Dawson -
Will Janda on the final turn of the Individual Medley. Photo by Brittany Dawson -
Sisters Adalyn and MaKenna Emmel broke a trio of team records. Photo by Brittany Dawson -
Swimmers with an army of timers and officials in the background Saturday. Photo by Brittany Dawson
The Fayette Area Swim Team (FAST) kicked off its 2026 summer season in impressive fashion as they hosted the Schulenburg Sharks and Rockdale Aquatics. FAST, which consists of 116 swimmers ranging in age from 4 to 18 years old, wasted no time making a statement in their first meet of the summer.
The team’s hard work during early-season practices was evident throughout the day, with 67% of FAST swimmers recording improved times. Even more impressive, FAST athletes combined to break 17 team records, making it one of the most successful opening meets in team history.
Record-breaking relay performances came from across multiple age groups. New team records were established by the Girls 11-12 Freestyle Relay, Girls 13-14 Freestyle Relay, Boys 13-14 Freestyle Relay, Women’s 1518 Freestyle Relay, and Men’s 15-18 Freestyle Relay teams. FAST swimmers also set new standards in the Girls 11-12 Medley Relay, Boys 11-12 Medley Relay, and Boys 1314 Medley Relay events.
Several individual swimmers delivered outstanding performances as well. Senior Eleanor Carey continued her record-setting career by breaking two FAST team records. Joining her with three new team records each were sisters Adalyn Emmel and Makenna Emmel, whose strong swims helped lead FAST to an outstanding start to the season.
Competing in the 15-18 age group for the first time this summer, Gracie Taylor made an immediate impact by breaking a FAST team record, proving she is ready to compete among the team’s oldest and fastest swimmers.
The coaching staff also highlighted several exceptional performances from swimmers who made tremendous improvements from previous seasons. Will Janda delivered one of the most exciting races of the meet, mounting a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the Individual Medley to capture first place. Additionally, Layla Patterson, Julia Wied, Ella Zapalac, Sadie Zapalac, Danielle Schmidt, Holden Hartley, Nolan Repka, Elli Riojas, Makena McMullin, Tucker Denham, Beau O’Neal, Sutton McKee, Penny Bartek, Sarah Ruth Herbrich, Will Janda, and James Ball each dropped more than 10 seconds from one or more of their events, showcasing the dedication and hard work put in during the offseason.
“Our swimmers have been working incredibly hard, and it was exciting to see that work pay off,” said the FAST coaching staff. “To see so many swimmers improve their times and break 17 team records in the first meet of the season is a testament to their dedication and commitment.”
With a successful opening meet behind them, FASTlooks to build on that momentum as they continue their summer season. If the first meet is any indication, the team is poised for another memorable year in the pool.