UPDATE: Elizabethton swimmers have made a significant splash at the 25th annual Dobyns-Bennett Pentathlon, showcasing their skills and determination in a highly competitive environment. The event took place on July 15, 2025, and saw both Elizabethton High School and T.A. Dugger Middle School deliver outstanding performances that are sure to resonate throughout the swim community.
The pentathlon format, which challenges athletes across five different events, tested the versatility and endurance of competitors. High school swimmers tackled the 200 individual medley, 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, and 100 butterfly, while middle school athletes swam shorter 50-yard versions along with the 100 IM.
Elizabethton High School shone particularly bright in the girls’ pentathlon. Trinity Hopwood secured a remarkable fourth place finish overall with a total time of 7:03.15. Her consistent performances in all strokes earned her a coveted spot at the state meet in the 200 IM. Following closely, Ell Nekvasil placed 13th in 7:24.51, while Adriana Steponavicius finished 18th at 7:40.26. The depth of talent was evident as five Elizabethton swimmers ranked in the top 30 among a competitive field.
On the boys’ side, Louis Trivette and Austin Davis put forth commendable efforts, finishing 19th in 8:07.56 and 21st in 8:38.10, respectively. Both completed all five events legally, showcasing their dedication to the sport.
Meanwhile, T.A. Dugger Middle School achieved one of its best pentathlon showings, claiming three spots in the top four of the girls’ division. Leading the charge was Evy Nekvasil, who finished second with a time of 3:22.14, just shy of the championship time. In an extraordinary display, she set new school records in the 50 breaststroke, 50 freestyle, and 100 IM. Her sister, Ema Nekvasil, followed with a third-place finish in 3:30.21, while Gracie Trivette placed fourth at 3:35.80, also breaking her own school record in the 50 backstroke.
The competition was fierce, but T.A. Dugger did not stop there. Aurora Darr made her mark with an eighth-place finish, bringing the total number of Jr. Cyclones in the top 10 to four. In the boys’ pentathlon, Ander Murray finished fifth in 4:11.04, while Dennis Hopwood took sixth in 4:16.58. Additionally, Thomas Hill achieved a notable milestone by breaking the TAD record in the 50 breaststroke, surpassing the previous mark held by Kody Broussard.
In total, Elizabethton swimmers from both schools combined for an impressive 24 personal-best times at this demanding meet. With records falling and state qualifications secured, the Cyclones and Jr. Cyclones are building vital momentum early in the 2025–26 swim season.
As excitement continues to build, fans and supporters are eager to see how these talented athletes will perform in upcoming competitions. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey!
