SWIMMERS WIN MEDALS, SET RECORDS AT GAMES OF TEXAS

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (July 25, 2009) Derrick Mauk and Susan Matherne combined for six gold medals and three state records to lead the South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team (SBAS) at the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation’s Games of Texas. The swimming competition was held at Josh Davis Natatorium in the Northeast Independent School District in San Antonio.

Matherne, competing in the women’s 45-49 year old age group won three gold medals and set new state records in all three events.

The former LSU swimmer’s gold medals were in the 50-yard freestyle (:25.53), 100-yard freestyle (:55.05) and the 50-yard butterfly (:28.57). All three performances set new TAAF state records.

Mauk won his state titles in the men’s 30-34 year old 50-yard backstroke, 50-yard butterfly, and the 100-yard individual medley.

Matherne’s son Harrison, competing in the boys 11-12 year old age group took the bronze medal in the 50-yard backstroke.

SBAS also scored two relay medals. Susan Matherne and Mauk combined with former Pasadena High School swimmer Kristine Kelly and Landon Howard to take the silver medal in the 18 and over mixed 200-yard freestyle relay. Their time of 1:43.09 was the third fastest in games history.

Howard also combined with Gendalyn Seale and former Sam Rayburn High School swimmers Jenna Taylor and Brian Vestal to take the bronze medal in the 18 and over mixed 100-yard freestyle relay.

Harrison Matherne also placed fourth in the 50-yard butterfly and seventh in the 50-yard freestyle.

SBAS has two swimmers competing in the men’s 18-24 year old division. Howard finished fourth in the 50-yard freestyle, 10th in the 50-yard butterfly and 11th in the 50-yard freestyle. Vestal placed 17th in the 100-yard individual medley and 23rd in the 50-yard butterfly.

In the men’s 40 and over age group, SBAS co-head coach Robert Kelly placed 11th in the 50-yard breaststroke and 17th in the 50-yard freestyle. Ed Seale placed 19th in the 50-yard freestyle.

In the boys 15-17 year old age group, John-Philip Seale placed 48th in the 50-yard butterfly, 53rd in the 50-yard freestyle, and 56th in the 100-yard freestyle.

On the female side, Erin Wilson placed 12th in the 50-yard backstroke and 13th in the 100-yard individual medley. She was competing in the girls 11-12 year old age group.

In the women’s 18-24 age group, Taylor placed 9th in the 50-yard breaststroke and 17th in the 100-yard freestyle. Kristine Kelly finished 8th in the 50-yard backstroke and 12th in the 50-yard butterfly. Gwendalyn Seale placed 12th in the 50-yard breaststroke and 21st in the 50-yard freestyle.

In the women’s 40 and over age group, SBAS co-head coach Darla Kelly placed 9th in the 50-yard breaststroke ands 14th in the 50-yard freestyle.

Over 1500 swimmers competed in the three day competition, which contested 130 events.

The South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team is a select swimming team consisting of elite swimmers from the Pasadena, Deer Park, Pearland, Friendswood, Clear Lake and Houston South Belt areas.