Top Story Spotlight Hickory eighth grader looks to repeat as state swimming champ jason.koon Feb 6, 2026 Feb 6, 2026 0 Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Eighth grader Katherine Millsaps was the underdog in the 500-yard freestyle at last year's NCISAA Division III state swimming championship. kAm$96 AF==65 29625 2?5 H@? E96 E:E=6 2D 2 D6G6?E9 8C256C 2?5 7:?:D965 D64@?5 :? E96 a__ 7C66DEJ=6] %9:D J62C[ D96 4@>6D :? 2D E96 }@] a D665 :? E96 d__ 2?5 E96 E@A D665 :? E96 a__\J2C5 :?5:G:5F2= >65=6J] p?5 D96 92D?VE 6G6? C624965 9:89 D49@@= J6E] k^Am Katherine Millsaps after winning the state championship in the 500-yard freestyle last February. Submitted photo kAm|:==D2ADV D665 E:>6 @7 ai`d]cc :? E96 a__ x| :D >@C6 E92? EH@ D64@?5D 29625 @7 E96 }@] a D665 2?5 :E H@F=5 AFE 96C 2E @C ?62C E96 E@A @7 >@DE 4=2DD:7:42E:@?D :? E96 =2C86C }rw$pp DE2E6 >66ED 2=D@ 36:?8 96=5 ?6IE H66<] k^Am kAm$96 H:== 2=D@ ;@:? 96C D:DE6C[ r2C@=:?6[ 2=@?8 H:E9 #J=6:89 w@=>6D 2?5 |25:D@? wF77>2? @? E96 a__\J2C5 x| 2?5 7C66DEJ=6 C6=2J E62>D] k^Am People are also reading… McDowell County native started mowing lawns at 15. 5 years later, he has a business, employees One person critically injured in Sunday crash involving bicycle in McDowell County McDowell Endowment giving $56,950 in grants to local nonprofits Marion sixth graders say city needs a dog park; family nonprofit aiming to create toddler park McDowell County man charged with sexual assault of employee This new spot in Marion is offering locally grown food and beer, run by farmers and a brewer McDowell legal leaders: Justice denied is a public shame McDowell County leaders to hear updates on trains, parks Monday For McDowell High alum Michael Smith, education is a lifelong journey 12-year-old arrested in death of classmate who was hit in the head by a metal water bottle Actor in "The Pitt' is from North Carolina, raised by ER nurse mom, paramedic dad Highway patrol: Juvenile killed in McDowell County wreck while driving electric bike See events that will close Marion downtown streets this year, including Friday night concerts Marion City Council recognizes Betty Lynch as Citizen of the Month Public hearing on Duke Energy rate increase request to be held in Morganton. kAmr2C@=:?6 :D 2 D6G6?E9 8C256C H9@ :D BF2=:7:65 E@ 4@>A6E6 :? E96 `__\J2C5 3C62DEDEC@<6 2D E96 }@] `` D665 2?5 E96 a__ x| 2D E96 }@] g D665] |25:D@? wF77>2? :D 2 D@A9@>@C6 H:E9 E96 }@] `_ D665 :? E96 `__\J2C5 3FEE6C7=J 2?5 E96 }@] d D665 :? E96 d__ 7C66] w@=>6D 92D E96 }@] `d D665 :? E96 `__ 324<DEC@<6] k^Am kAm%96 }rx$pp s:G:D:@? xxx DE2E6 DH:> >66E :D D6E E@ E2<6 A=246 2E E96 vC66?D3@C@ pBF2E:4 r6?E6C @? u63] `_] k^Am Jason Koon is the Sports Editor for the Hickory Record and can be reached at jason.koon@lee.net. 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. jason.koon Author email Follow jason.koon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Most Popular He ran fast on the track. His impact continued as a coach. Now this NC high school is honoring “Smoke” “You don’t realize the impact you have on kids. It might be one of the things you said that carried them through.” Freedom boys coach gets conference coach of year, player named POY Zimmerman led the Patriots to a 9-1 regular season record in conference play and an 18-7 record overall. Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video McIlroy Retains Masters Title After Dramatic Final Round Speculating on the Top NFL Draft Picks and Trade Options Speculating on the Top NFL Draft Picks and Trade Options Top MLB Teams Ranked for 2026 Season Top MLB Teams Ranked for 2026 Season Aaron Boone Explains How The Yankees Fixed Their Baserunning | 1342 Aaron Boone Explains How The Yankees Fixed Their Baserunning | 1342
jason.koon Author email Follow jason.koon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
He ran fast on the track. His impact continued as a coach. Now this NC high school is honoring “Smoke” “You don’t realize the impact you have on kids. It might be one of the things you said that carried them through.”
Freedom boys coach gets conference coach of year, player named POY Zimmerman led the Patriots to a 9-1 regular season record in conference play and an 18-7 record overall.
