TIFTON — A large container of ducks in the Ducktona 300 set off at the north end of the Baldwin Drive Aquatics Center pool, bound and determined to make it to the other end. With help of a pair of Tift County Swim Devils, Kendall Sasser and Raylee Walker, they raced towards their destination, the south end.
One duck was speedier than the rest. That rubber duck, No. 222, was the first to reach the finish line, plucked out the water by swim coaches Ivey Vickers and Teresa Walker. The number was checked off against a list of tickets sold and its prize, $10,000, went to Chris Cromer.
The Nov. 2 event, combined with a silent auction, is the annual fundraiser for the Tift County Schools’ swim programs.
A large crowd perused the auction items at 6 p.m., then stayed for senior recognition of swimmers and the rubber duck race.
Seniors of the 2023-24 Swim Devils are Lily Bruce, Jude Hawsey, Gabby Montalvo, Aaron Patel, Ethan Stalnaker, Grace Walker, Raegin Walker and Ava Wilson.