Mexico nips Costa Rica in penalty kicks

 Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (memo) had a
great game in front of the net against Costa Rica.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyrightr 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 29, 2019) After 120 minutes of play and a tied score, Mexico had to rely on penalty kicks to record the win over Costa Rica to advance to the semi-finals of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup at NRG Stadium in Houston.

With the score tied after regulation, two additional 15-minute periods were played with the score remaining the same after the additional 30 minutes of play. Both teams went to penalty kicks to determine the outcome of the game, with Mexico coming out on top, five penalty kick goals to four. The game was unique in many ways, including a record 70,788 fans; the largest Gold Cup game in Houston. In addition, a total of 11 yellow cards were issued; six to Costa Rica and five to Mexico.

Mexico got on the scoreboard in the 44th minute with a Raul Jimenez goal. Costa Rica followed up with the equalizer by Bryan Ruiz in the 52nd minute.

Haiti edges Canada 3-2 to advance to semifinals of CONCACAF Gold Cup

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyrightr 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 29, 2019) Coming back from a 2-0 deficit at halftime, No. 101 Haiti (shown right) scored three unanswered goals in the second half to down No. 78 Canada by the score of 3-2 in the first of two quarterfinal matches of the CONCACAF Gold Cup at Houston's NRG Stadium. This win was the first in the quarterfinals for Los Catrachos, having dropped three previous quarterfinal matches in Gold Cup history.

The first goal for The Canuaks came in the 18th minute on a nice shot, off a free kick, by Jonathan David. The fleet-footed forward, who plays professionally for KAA Gant, took his shot from the top right corner of the penalty box; drilling it past Haitian goalkeeper Jhonu Placide. The goal gave David his sixth goal in four games in the 2019 Gold Cup. Ten minutes later, forward Lucas Cavallini tapped in the second Canadian goal, for his fifth goal in four games in the tournament.

Five minutes into the second half, Haiti forward Duckens Nazon found himself in the "right place at the right time" when Palcide tried to "finesse" the ball out of the penalty

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyrightr 2019 All Rights Reserved

area. A misstep left the ball unprotected; allowing Nazon to gently tap it into goal to cut Canada's lead to one. They evened the score twenty minutes later when forward Herve Bazile converted at penalty kick. Haiti took the lead, and secured the win, in the 76th minute on a phenomenal pass from Nazon to midfielder Wilde-Donald Guerrier (No. 10, shown above) for the final goal of the match

The match was the third time the two teams met in Gold Cup history. Canada won the previous two meetings by the score of 2-0. The first meeting was on January 18, 2002, with Kevin McKenna score twice secure the win at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.came on June 11, 2017. Dwayne DeRosario scored twice in their win, which occurred at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida.

Alyssa Naeher emerges as strong leader in USA triumph over Sweden

Aylssa Naeher
Photo coutsey of Leoboudv
via Wikipedia and Flickr

By Jennifer Edwards

Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

LE HAVRE, FRANCE (June 21, 2019) The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) took down their rival Sweden in a 2-0 victory to advance to the knockout rounds of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. This game was also the third straight shutout game for the United States.

While Sweden was the most formidable opponent that The Stars and Stripes has encountered during the tournament, the American defense had a chance to shine. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (shown right) had gone mostly untested by previous teams. During this match, Sweden shot at Naeher seven different times and no goal was scored.

Naeher has been largely overshadowed by successes of her predecessors, Hope Solo and Briana Scurry. Solo was released by the U.S. Soccer Federation after some unsportsmanlike comments she made about the Swedish players during the Rio Olympics. While Solo was good, many critics will say that Briana Scurry was even better. Highly decorated, Scurry was the U.S. goalkeeper for the 1995, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2004 and 2007 US Women’s National Teams and is currently the first assistant coach for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

While living in the shadows of these great goalkeepers, Naeher has made a name for herself in the NSWL. She is the starting goalkeeper for the Chicago Red Stars and received the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2014, as well as a “Best 11” award that year as well. Last season with the Red Stars, she played a total of 2,070 minutes and had seven clean sheets.

In 48 appearances internationally, Naeher has 27 clean sheets (shutouts). She is not flashy as Solo but is a strong consistent keeper like Scurry. The casual fan will not hear much about her because she is a strong and quiet leader of the backfield. Most fans will hear her name, but not know much about her.

She is best known for her quiet leadership. She isn’t flashy and doesn’t relish the limelight. She doesn’t push agendas; letting her play speak for itself. This is something that the USWNT has needed for quite some time. It will be interesting to see her in action on Monday, June 24, when they take on Spain at 11 a.m.

El Salvador, Jamaica battle to scoreless draw in CONCACAF Gold Cup

El Salvador midfielder Darwin Ceren (7), who
plays in the MLS for the Houston Dynamo,
moves the ball past Jamaican defender
Damion Lowe at BBVA Stadium.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyrightr 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 21, 2019) In front of a highly partisan El Salvador crowd, No. 69 La Selectra battled No. 54 Jamaica to a scoreless draw in Group D action of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup at BBVA Stadium in Houston. The draw gives both squad a 1-0-1 record, with four points in group standings.

The first half was evenly matched, with both squads pushing back-and-forth trying to locate a weakness in the others defense, without much success. Two events brought the El Salvador fans to their feet, in the 10th and 42nd minutes. Defender Roberto Dominguez was issued a yellow card early in the game. Just prior to the half, midfielder Darwin Ceren was also yellow carded. The first half ended with neither team able to get the ball into the goal.

The second half saw much of the same play, with four yellow cards being issued. The Reggae Boyz received three; with forwards Dever Orgill and Junior Flemmings being carded in the 48th and 60th minute, respectively. Defender Damoin Love added the third yellow card for Jamaica in the 85th minute. Defender Jonathan Jimenez received the final yellow card of the match, for El Salvador, in the 90th minute.

Previously, on June 17 at Kingston Jamaica's National Stadium, Jamaica downed Honduras 3-2 while Curacao fell to El Salvador 1-0. On Tuesday, June 25, at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, Jamaica will face Curacao with Honduras facing El Salvador to close out group action.

Haiti, Costa Rica win first games in CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B action

Logo courtsey of CONCACAF

By Chris Price
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA (June 16, 2019) No. 39 Costa Rica had an easy time, but Haiti had to come from behind to win their first round matches in Group B of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup at National Stadium of San Jose, on Sunday, June 16, 2019. In the first match, in front of a mostly emply stadium, No 174 Bermuda scored first, but No. 101 Haiti came from behind to take the first game of the double-header by the score of 2-1. In the nightcap, hometown favorite Los Ticos had little trouble dispatching No. 129 Nicaragua by the score of 4-0. The wins gave both Costa Rica and Haiti three points in group play, with all four teams meeting on Thursday, June 20 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

Defender Dante Leverock got Bermuda on the board in added time of the first half. Forward Frantzdy Perrot tallied a brace 12 minutes apart; scoring for Haiti in the 54th and 66th minute. In the second game, Costa Rica had three first half goals in their 4-0 won. Defender Bryan Oviedo sccored in the 7th minute, with midfielder Celso Brooks nailing the goal from the top of the arc, in the 19th minute. Midfielder Elias Aguilar scored from midfield off afree kick in first half added time. Midfielder Allan Cruz added an insurance goal in the 75th minute to secure the win. The match was the first meeting between Costa Rica and Nicaragua in Gold Cup play, and their 19th meeting going back to 1941. Los Ticos leads the all-time series 17-1-1.

Houston Dash, Orlando Pride battle to 2-2 draw at BBVA Stadium

Sophia Huerta (11) is congratulated by
Kealia Ohai (hugging) after Houston's first goal.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loco Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 15, 2019) Two second-half goals by the Houston Dash were sandwiched between two scores by the Orlando Pride, as both teams battled to a 2-2 draw in National Women's Soccer League action at BBVA Stadium in Houston. The draw pushes the Dash record to 3-2-3, 12 points for the season, while the Pride moves to 0-7-2 (2 points).

Midfielder Joanna Boyles got the Pride on the board in the 13th minute with an early goal from 19 yards out, off a free kick. Two minutes into the second half, Kealia Ohai beat the Pride defense to the goal line and fed a perfect low cross to Sofia Huerta for her third score of the season. Twenty minutes later, Kristie Mewis drilled a left-footer shot from outside the box to give Houston a 2-1 lead. It did not last long, as Danica Evens came off the bench to score the equalizer in the 71st minute for Orlando.

Mewis stated after the game:

“I think I’ve wanted it for a long time, and I felt pretty good tonight. I just felt on and struck it pretty well. Obviously, we had a great play before that but I think we just had so many chances and we just couldn’t put enough of them away. It was really fun to get my first goal but it doesn’t mean as much as it should, I guess.”

Houston is off to the best start in club history under head coach James Clarkson with 12 points in eight games played. He discussed the result of the game with the press in the post-match presser.

“I’m really disappointed. I didn’t think we played particularly well in the first half, but in the second half we came out and took it to them. We scored two good goals, created many other chances but unfortunately, we gave out another soft goal away. I think if we look at both their goals, they’re really poor from our standpoint. You can’t fault the player’s effort. They’ve really put everything into the game, but we’ve cost ourselves two points tonight. It’s really frustrating.”

The last time Houston played Orlando was on May 5, where they went on to take a 1-0 win. Ohai scored the game winning goal in the seventh minute; her first of the season.

Houston was playing without the services of seven players who are taking part in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. Lindsay Agnew, Allysha Chapman, Nichelle Prince, and Sophie Schmidt are representing Canada, while Rachel Daly is playing for England. In addition, Clare Polkinghorne is on the Australian roster and Kayla McCoy in playing for Jamaica.

Next up for the Dash is a Saturday, June 22 match against the Washington Spirit at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland. Houston's next home game will be on July 13, where they host the Chicago Red Stars with a 7:30 p.m. CDT start. The game will be broadcast on Yahoo Sports.

Canada, Mexico score early wins in Group A of CONCACAF Gold Cup

Logo courtsey of CONCACAF

By Chris Price
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA (June 15, 2019) The 2019 edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup kicked off on Saturday with two matches at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Also known as Spieker Field at the Rose Bowl, the 97-year-old venue hosted the kickoff double header in Group A action, with No. 78 Canada facing Martinique and No. 18 Mexico playing No. 175 Cuba. Due to the fact that Martinique is not a member of FIFA, they are not ranked, but as a member of CONCACAF, they are eligible for participation in the Gold Cup.

In the first match at the Rose Bowl, Canada blasted past Martinique 4-0, with Jonathan David getting a brace in the 33rd and 53rd minute. Junior Hoilett and Scott Arfield added insurance goals in the 63rd and 68th minute, respectively.

Match two gave Mexico an easy 7-0 win over Cuba off a hat trick by Uriel Antuna, scoring in the 2nd, 44th, and 80th minute. Raul Jimenez added a brace, in the 31st and 80th minute; with Diego Reyes scoring in the 38th minute. Alexia Vega added an insurance goal on the 74th minute.

Group A will continue on Wednesday, June 19 at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver. Cuba will face Martinique with a 7 p.m. MT start, while Mexico will play Cuba in the night cap.

Houston Dynamo advances to Round of 16 in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 11, 2019) Playing with a squad that was depleted due to international assignments, the Houston Dynamo got an early lead and held on to down Austin Bold FC 3-2 in fourth round action of the Lamar HuntU.S. Open Cup at BBVA Compass Stadium. Houston now moves to the Round of 16 for the fifth straight year. The draw for the Round of 16 is set for Thursday, June 13 at 10 a.m. CDT, with matches scheduled for June 18 or 19.

The Dynamo jumped on the scoreboard in the first half with three goals. Midfielder Tomas Martinez (shown above) struck first, in the 14th minute, followed by forward Renaldo Pena in the 31st minute and midfielder Matias Vera in the 40th minute. Martinez was credited with the assist for the Pena goal, with Pena receiving the assist for Vera's goal. For the Bold, midfielder Xaiver Baez cut the Dynamo's lead to two, with a goal in the 48th minute. Ten minutes later, forward Promise Issac got Austin within one of Houston.

The Dynamo won their first-ever Open Cup this past September, bringing the century-old trophy to the Bayou City, in downing the Philadelphia Union 3-2.

Thailand falls to the United States 13-0 in 2019 Women’s World Cup debut for both teams

By Jennifer Edwards
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

REIMS, FRANCE (June 11, 2019) Thailand fell to the United States, 13-0 in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup debut for both teams. Thailand created a very unique setup using one forward, five mid-fielders, four defenders and a goalkeeper throughout the game. In the end it proved to be a fruitless setup. The United States’ forward Alex Morgan had a record five goals in this match; breaking her scoreless streak in three international games. Rose Lavelle scored her first international goal in her international debut on the team. Samantha Mewis scored twice, while Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd added a goal each to the scoreboard. 

While the scoreboard shows a clear US victory over a team that values respect, the question begs itself, “When is the score too high?” A phrase that was continuously used by commentators in the match was “goal differential”. Throughout this lopsided game, the commentators kept using the phrase “goal differential”, so let’s break that phrase down. 

Each team receives a three points for a win and one point for a draw. Once group play is complete the goals for each team are tallied and used for advancement. In the event of a tie, the number of goals a team has is brought in to play to determine a winner. Therefore a team needs the maximum number of goals possible in each game to advance out of group play. 

The United States will play Chile Sunday June 16 at 11 a.m. CDT and will play Sweden on Thursday June 20 at 2:00 p.m. CDT to complete their group stage of games

Understanding the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

By Jennifer Edwards
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 6, 2019) It’s bordering on 100 degrees in Texas and it is 53 degrees in France where elite Women’s National Teams are fighting to raise the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy and declare victory for another 4 years. This tournament is over a year in the making with qualifying matches happening last year within the respective soccer organizations. This tournament is sanctioned and governed by FIFA, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, in English it stands for International Federation of Association Football. FIFA governs both Men and Women’s international soccer matches and tournaments. 

Within this parent federation are the confederations. There are six confederations worldwide, with the United States playing in CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football). CONCACAF is the third most winning confederation in the FIFA organization. In order to qualify for the World Cup, national teams must play in the confederation’s tournament and win a certain number of games and score a certain number of goals to qualify for the World Cup tournament. Once the field is set with the winningest confederation teams, FIFA creates “groups” for group play in the World Cup. 

This year there are six groups of four teams playing each other in the first round. Once the dust settles on the group play, points for wins and goals are tallied and the team that has the most points wins the group. The top two teams from each group advance to bracket play. This narrows the field to the top 16 and they play a single game in knockout rounds until a champion is crowned. The United States has won the trophy three times in 1991, 1999 and in 2015 while Germany has won twice; in 2003 and again in 2007. These two teams are the teams that have won the trophy the most. Who will take the trophy this year? Watch the United States, as they are considered a powerhouse team. Yet, don’t count out some of the other formidable opponents such as Germany, Sweden and Norway. It will be interesting to see how this tournament unfolds in France.

Two fast goals by San Antonio FC secure 3-2 win over Reno 1868 FC

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (June 8, 2019) Two late goals, only one minute apart, gave San Antonio FC a 3-2 lead, and the eventual win over Reno 1868 FC at Toyota Field. The win pushes SAFC to 4-7-3 (15 points) and breaks a three-game losing streak dating back to May 25. In the five-game all-time series of the two teams, San Antonio raised their record to 2-3-0 and 2-1-0 at home.

Reno jumped on the scoreboard in the ninth minute, when forward Corey Hertzog booted the ball past SAFC goalkeeper Matthew Cardone for his sixth goal of the season. Eight minutes later, 15-year-old sensation Cade Cowell scored his first professional goal to put Reno up 2-0 in the 17th minute. From that point on, the match was all San Antonio.

Mexican forward Ever Guzman (No. 99, shown above right) got San Antonio on the board in the 44th minute, when he received the ball from defender Kai Greene and headed it into to goal to put the score at 2-1 at halftime. The score was Guzman's sixth of the season, with the assist the being the first of the season for the Seton Hall

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

product. San Antonio tied the game in the 61st minute and took the lead in the 62nd minute on goals by Ethan Bryant and Jose Gallegos (No. 27 left). Bryant's goal was the first of the season, for the 5-9 midfielder who was starting his second game for San Antonio. The game-clinching goal came one minute later when Gallegos put the ball past Cardone for his first goal of the season. SAFC took 18 total shots including 12 from inside the box to hold Reno at bay. They held the ball 60% of the game and conceded only 11 fouls to Reno's 15.

Next up for San Antonio is a Saturday, June 15 match up against OKC Eneregy FC (5-4-6, 21 points) who are currently sixth place the  Western Conference. Game time at 8 p.m. CDT at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City.

A photo slideshow of the game, by senior photographer Darla S. Tamulitis, can be viewed here.

Houston Dynamo, Sporting Kansas City battle to 1-1 draw

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyrightr 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 1, 2019) After a sluggish first half, the Houston Dynamo tied the score at  late in the second half to hold on for a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. After uninspired play in the first half, the Dynamo showed more intensity in the second half, but it was not enough to get the lead and the eventual win.

Sporting Kansas City dominated Houston in the first half, both tactically and mentally, to take control of the game and shut down any attempt by the Dynamo to advance the ball and get an advantage in a game that should have been "all Houston."  Houston head coach talked about the Dynamo's slow start in the post-game press conference.

“Well I think we went out the first half a little bit flat. A little bit not well coordinated to do our pressure and sadly the players from Kansas City started to manage the game and delay and it was too much for the referee. Today was really embarrassing how the players noticed that they could waste time—dive, delay, everything and the referee didn’t care. It was embarrassing because the fans, they come to watch a good game of soccer, but the referee Kevin Stott today wasn’t up to the level. He allowed them to waste a lot of time and in this sport, you can win, you can tie, you can lose but the referee needs to do the right things and today, I don’t think he was up to the level for this game. The players noticed right there in the first minute, second minute, tenth minute, the goalkeeper noticed that he didn’t care. He just was comfortable doing whatever he wanted, and they stared to dive. They started to get on the ground and he just—for him, it was fine and that’s not good for the game. Listen, if they go and win and they are better than us they have to get the three points but the referee needs to create a good environment for the game of soccer and he didn’t do it and the people, the fans, they were getting really upset and we all. Of course, for them it was good, but we wanted to play and if they are better than us that’s fine, but it has to be a better situation because he wasn’t up to this game and it’s embarrassing what happened today. It was embarrassing for the fans how they wasted time and he didn’t care.”

A Houston mistake in the 62nd minute allowed Sporting KC to score the first goal of the game by midfielder Yohan Croizet; his first of the season. Houston scored the equalizer seven minutes later off a volley to forward Alberth Elis to even the score and save the Dynamo from defeat. He stated:

“This was a tough game. It was very humid out there today and it was to play with that type of weather. I am grateful to God that we could secure the draw and we have to keep working so we can improve on today’s performance. We have to win at home. We cannot let points go at home and now we shift our focus to the next game.”

The draw earned one point for both squads; pushing Houston to a 7-3-4 record (24 points) with Sporting KC moving to 3-5-6 (15 points). The draw extended Houston's unbeaten record at BBVA Compass Stadium to 7-0-3 and take their record against Kansas City to 11-7-13 all-time and 7-4-6 in Houston. The draw also snapped a two-game losing streak to Kansas City in league play.

Next up for Houston is a Saturday, June 22 meeting with Portland Timbers FC at Providence Park in Portland with a scheduled kickoff of 10 p.m. CDT.

FBCA Swimmers receive post-season honors

Story and photo Tracy Brown

Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (June 1, 2019) May brought the swimmers from First Baptist Christian Academy out of the pool and on to the stage as these "Warriors in the Water "celebrated their third season of TAPPS competition.

The Lone Star Academic and Aquatics Federation (LSAAF)  recognized five swimmers from FBCA.  These swimmers have been named to the Academic All-State Lone Star Swim Team. The requirements are that the athletes must have competed in the TAPPS regional swim championship meet and have a minimum of 3.75 overall grade point average. This honor is bestowed on swimmers from their freshman to senior year.   Congratulations to Christopher Brown, Annalyn Henry, Stephen Lawson, Makenzee McComb, and Keeleigh Wilbanks.

Every member of this team improved, or in swimming, “dropped time”. This year, the Hustle Award goes to Annalyn Henry for her outstanding effort at practice and for serving as our team manager at the state championships.  Through the course of the season she worked hard to “knock the rust off” her strokes at practice.  According to head coach Scott Brown, her dedication to the swim team was evident and he is thrilled to be a part of her high school swim career.

The Coach’s Choice Award was presented to Sela Stokes for her hard work in the pool and to recognize the incredible seconds she dropped as she perfected her freestyle strokes throughout the season.  By the end of the season, her progress from marginally able to make it 25 yards to swimming a competitive 100-yard freestyle race was a joy to watch. Sela was also named to the Texas Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association's Academic All-State Award.  This award is limited to Juniors and Seniors who have a 4.0 or above and have a TISCA coaches’ recommendation.

This year’s FBCA Women’s Swim Team MVP was Makenzee McComb.  She is a tough competitor and really took on the backstroke as “her event”.  From her infectious smile during the Wacky Relays at the Big Kahuna Meet at Chavez High School through her push to the wall in the University of Houston Natatorium at regionals, she was FBCA’s women’s high point earner in every meet.

In the Men’s division the Hustle award goes to Timothy Henry for his outstanding effort at practice.  He set a goal at the beginning of the season to reach the state level meet and he did so as an individual in the 100-yard backstroke as well as a member of both the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay.

The Coach’s Choice Award was awarded to the Most Improved swimmer, Harrison Brown, for his hard work in the pool and to recognize him for dropping the most time per 100 yards of any member of the swim team.  His signature event was the 100-yard backstroke and he dropped six seconds to break the FBCA record.  He dropped 20 seconds in the 200-yard freestyle from the Big Kahuna in December to the Regional Meet in January.  That kind of swim deserved a trip to state; where he competed in both the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard freestyle,  as well as a member of both  the 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay.

This year’s MVP and high point earner is Christopher Brown.  He led the team in most points scored at every meet he competed in and as high point earner overall.  He took his third trip to the state championships where he competed in the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay and individually where he finished seventh in the 200-yard individual medley and fifth place with a new personal best and school record in the 500-yard freestyle.