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Sturgis, Davis lead PCST in Sailfish

Erin Sturgis and Bryan Davis of the host Panama City Swim Club placed in three events as the Sailfish Invitational swim meet opened Friday evening at the Panama City Swim and Tennis Club.

Panama City Swim Team coach Jim Bucher was hoping his squad would place high the first day of the three-day meet because of the competition's strength.

Sturgis won the 1,650-yard freestyle, placed second in the 400-yard individual medley and fourth in the 50-yard freestyle to lead PCST.

In the senior boy's division, Davis finished second in the 400-yard individual medley, fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and fourth in the 500-yard freestyle.

``We needed to take a lead,'' Bucher explained. ``We try to do this every year and it usually gets whittled away on Saturday and Sunday. The majority of the teams arrive on Saturday and won't travel over on Friday night to compete.''

First-day team scores were unavailable at presstime Friday night.

Katie Higdan of the MaClay Aquatic Club won the 500 and 50-yard freestyle races.

Today's competition will include breaststroke, 200-yard individual medley, and a freestyle races.

``We had a lot of fast times turned in and I was really pleased with that. A lot of them turned in their personal best times. They looked real good in the water.

``Today, I look for us to lose points in the younger division, and gain them back in the second half in the senior division. They are a little bit stronger and there is not as much competition later in the meet. It will be really tough to score points in the morning session,'' Bucher said.

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+First-day results, on Page 2B.

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