Season Preview: Swimming

Defending State Champions TFS aim to repeat

November 4, 2025

Gold for TFS (girls and boys) was the result when the final ripples calmed on the surface of the pool at Georgia Tech. Tallulah Falls swept the GIAA State Championships, winning several individual and relay state titles.

Recent graduate Madison Dampier, an 8-time state champion who is the most decorated Tallulah Falls athlete in history, is now swimming DI at the University of Cincinnati. A couple of the top boys swimmers also graduated in Grayson Penland and Clay Kafsky.

However, both teams return several standouts, while some up-and-coming new faces will continue to make TFS a team to beat.

The girls roster consists of seniors Alentina Arias Carmargo, Carsyn Grifis, Mattie Patterson, Molly Rickman, Lucia Roser de Hoyos, and Selah Wiltshire; junior Jovanna Petrovic; sophomore Cassidy Coles, Catherine Harris, Derartu Kohler, Ida Patterson, Stella Radford, Elizabeth Stafford, and Veronica VerBerkmoes; freshman Juliana Nail.

The Indians lineup includes seniors Charlie Harris, Caden Polley, and Martin Raybon; juniors Waldon McIntosh and Teagan Penland; sophomores Alex Barbosa Delgado, Brody Irvin, Steven Jackson, and Gonzalo Martinez Alfaro; freshman Javier Rodriguez Manrique.

Coach Chris Kafsky takes over the program after having served as an assistant for several years. The boys have finished in the top-15 at state five times in the past six years. The Lady Indians have come in the top-10 in four straight seasons. Within the several standouts returning, the girls 200 Medley Relay that won the state title and set a GIAA record, still has two members active in Griffis and Wiltshire. The 200 Free Relay for the girls also won gold, and Wiltshire and de Hoyos were part of that team. Roser de Hoyos won the 100 Free individually also, and Wiltshire was runner-up in that event.

Mattie Patterson has six career top-10 finishes at state, and Griffis has a pair of top-5 individual swims. Polley is the leading boys returning swimmer after recording three top-5 swims at state (200 IM, 100 Breast, 100 Fly). Tallulah Falls officially kicked off the season at home on October 24 in the Masquerade Meet, but the season ramps up on November 8 at the North Hall Invite at Frances Meadow Aquatic Center in Gainesville.

TFS is set to host several meets, including the Veteran's Luau Invitational (NOV 15), TFS Holiday Invitational (DEC 5), Shiver Me Timbers (JAN 10), and the Light in the Mountains Invitational (JAN 17). The GIAA State Championship meet is slated for January 31.