Ducktona 300 goes swimmingly
Published 1:00 pm Thursday, November 14, 2024
- Becky Taylor/The Tifton Gazette Raylee Walker and Kendall Sasser make sure no duck is left behind during the race from one end of the pool to the other.
TIFTON — Monday night saw the return of the Ducktona 300, the Tift County Schools swimming fundraiser that combines a duck race with a silent auction.
Duck No. 162 beat the other 299 to the finish line, earning Kelly Peele $10,000 as the big winner. Peele has long been an annual contributor to the silent auction.
Kendall Sasser and Raylee Walker helped guide the ducklings from one end of the pool to the other. The senior swimmers are experienced duck-wranglers.
The fundraiser appears to be the biggest ever for the Tift swim program. On Facebook, it was said that over 200 items were donated and the night had a “record turnout.”
“Thank you to our amazing community for your generosity and enthusiasm,” said the team on Facebook.
As the silent auction was underway, TCHS swim seniors were honored poolside. Each was presented with a blanket.
Ducktona had originally been scheduled for Nov. 7, but the possibility of rain pushed the meet back four days.
Becky Taylor/The Tifton Gazette
Raylee Walker and Kendall Sasser make sure no duck is left behind during the race from one end of the pool to the other.
TCHS swim head coach Ivey Vickers calls out the name and number of the winner of the 2024 Ducktona 300. No. 162 was the quickest, earning Kelly Peele $10,000.
