Great Hearts Monte Vista swims to state titles at 4A and under state championships

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (February 16, 2024)  San Antonio Great Hearts Monte Vista showcased their swimming prowess at the UIL Class 4A and under Swimming & Diving State Championships, dominating the competition and leaving a trail of broken records in their wake. Led by standout performances from Averie Hager, Sawyer Stolarczyk, and Jaylee Hager, the Lions secured both the boys' and girls' team titles in impressive fashion.

Sophomore sensation Averie Hager stole the spotlight by setting a new 4A record in the girls 100-yard butterfly with a blistering time of 55.25, highlighting her exceptional talent in the pool. Not to be outdone, Sawyer Stolarczyk, also a sophomore, clinched four gold medals, including breaking meet records in the 200-yard and 100-yard freestyle races. Stolarczyk's electrifying performance in the anchor leg of the 400-yard freestyle relay secured the boys' team title for Great Hearts Monte Vista.

Meanwhile, Jaylee Hager, another sophomore standout, showcased her versatility by winning gold in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke, setting meet records in both events. The Hager twins' contributions were instrumental in the Lions' success, as they dominated the competition across various events and relays.

In addition to their individual achievements, both the boys' and girls' teams demonstrated remarkable teamwork by sweeping the relay events. The girls set an impressive seven meet records, while the boys broke three state records, solidifying their dominance in the pool.

With stellar performances from Averie Hager, Sawyer Stolarczyk, Jaylee Hager, and the rest of the Great Hearts Monte Vista team, the Lions have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Texas high school swimming. Their record-breaking achievements at the state championships serve as a testament to their talent, hard work, and unwavering determination in the pool.

The final results from the meet can be viewed here.

Photos from the meet, by TexSport Publications senior photographer Darla Tamulitis can be viewed here.

The Woodlands High School girls win 2023 6A swimming and diving state title

Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 18, 2023) San Antonio Johnson's Jada Scott and Mansfield's Elise Clift both claimed double gold with The Woodlands High School (shown above) claiming the overall team title at the 2023 UIL 6A Girls State Swimming and Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on Saturday.

Scott won the 50-yard freestyle with the time of :22.42. She followed that up about two hours later with a victory in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.59). The senior announced this past May that she will attend the University of Alabama and swim for the Crimson Tide in 2023. Clift, who is a junior, took top honors in the 200-yard freestyle (1:47.44) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:46.23). 

The Woodlands, who won just a single relay, claimed the team title with 300 points over second place Southlake Carroll (284) and third place Mansfield (163). The team champions based their team title on placing many swimmers in the finals to score vital points in route to the title. 

In fact, the Highlanders picked up 58 of their points in the 500-yard freestyle placing four girls in the championships finals and placing second, third, fifth, and eighth in the event. Their single victory in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.67), garnering 40 points. They also picked up 66 points with a second place finish in the 200-yard medley relays and third in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Southlake Carroll won the 200-yard medley relay (1:42.84) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:25.80) to lead them to their second place finish.

In the other individual events, three senior finished out their high school careers with state titles. Hannah O'Leary (Round Rock) won the 200-yard individual medley (2:00.52), with Vista Ridge's Paula Warren taking the gold in the 100-yard backstroke (:55.24). College Park's Chloe Sharpe topped the field in winning the 1-meter springboard diving event (335.05 pts).

Two sophomores made their way to the top of the medal stand; Marin Clem (Southlake Carroll) in the 100-yard freestyle (:49.07) and San Antonio Reagan's Montserrat Spielman in the 100-yard butterfly (:53.42).

Top seeds advanced in UIL 6A girls state swimming and diving championships

Story and Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February17, 2023) Southlake Carroll High School garnered the top seeds in all three relays and Mansfield High School gained top seeds in four individual events in the prelim session of the 2023 UIL 6A Girls Swimming and Diving Championships in Austin.

The fans in attendance saw the Dragons finish first in the 200-yard medley relay (1:42.84), 200-yard freestyle relay (1:25.67) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:25.73) to set them up as the top seed in all three events for Saturday's finals.

Mansfield earned to seed in the finals with junior Elise Clift in the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.10) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:49.33). They also had top qualifiers in the 200-yard individual medley when Gracie Walker posted the time of 2:00.45. She was join by Katie Walker in the 100-yard butterfly (:54.04).

Fort Bend Clements junior Kayla Fu was tops in the 100-yard freestyle (:49.84) awhile Cedar Park Vista Ridge was the top qualifier in the 100-yard backstroke (:55.24).

Diving Chloe Sharpe  12  Conroe Woodlands College Park 355.05, Senior Jada Scott of San Antonio Johnson finished first in the 50-yard freestyle (:22.51) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:01.41).

The finals of the 6A division will kickoff on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

Record falls in prelims of UIL 6A swimming and diving championships in Austin

Story and photo by  Robert H Kelly    
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 17, 2023) Fort Bend Clements senior Logan Brown swam his way to a new state record at the UIL 6A State Swimming and Diving Championships on Friday afternoon. In the third heat of the boys 100-yard breaststroke, Brown blasted past the competition; posting the time of  53.03 seconds, earning him the top seed in Saturday's finals at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.

The previous 6A and overall state record of :53.39 was established by Brown at the 2022 state meet, and lasted for 364 days. He also captured the top seed for the finals in the 200-yard individual medley with the time of 1:45.09.

Also gaining the top seed in two events for the finals was Keller High School's Cooper Lucas. The junior qualified first in the 200-yard freestyle  (1:36.76) and 500-yard freestyle (4:24.53). Keller also earned the top seed in all three relays; 200-yard medley relay (1:30.75), 200-yard freestyle relay  (1:22.28), and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:00.33).

Seniors Hayden Bellotti (Fort Bend Clements), Sonny Wong (Round Rock Westwood) and Logan Pack (Katy Taylor) all qualified first in the 50-yard freestyle (:19.95), 100-yard freestyle (:43.52), and 100-yard backstroke (:48.23), respectively,

Junior Jacob Wimberly (Prosper) earned the top seed in the 100-yard butterfly (:46.99) with Prosper Rock Hill's Luke Sitz leading all divers with the score of 412.65 after the semi-finals.

The 6A finals will kickoff at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Lubbock three-peets in winning girls UIL 5A state title.

Photo by
Darla S.Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

By Robert Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 19, 2022) The Lubbock Westerners girls swimming and diving team successfully defended their UIL swimming and diving 5A title in winning the 2022 state championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin.

Not only did the Westerners defend their stated title, they made it a three-peet in winning the 2020 championships, winning by the score of 163 points over second place Prosper Rock Hill (144.5 points).

Almost half of Lubbock's points came from the relays. In winning in 200-yard medley relay with the time of 1:46.80, the Westerners tallied 40 points, along with 34 points for taking the silver medal in the 400-yard freestyle relay.  The foursome of Ellis Fox (back), Emma Brady (breast), Scatlett McCloud (fly), and Amrita Ramesh (free). combined to take the top honors in the medley relay. In the free relay, Kennedi Classen, who swam the second leg, combined with Fox, McCloud, and Brady, who filled the first, third, and anchor legs, respectively.

In the individual events, Fox led the charged, ascending the medal platform twice, taking the silver medal in both the 100-yard butterfly (:54.61) and the 100-yard backstroke (:55.18).

Brady also earned a trip to the medal stand with her silver medal performance in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:03.52). The senior also placed seventh in the 200-yard individual medley.

In one-meter diving competition, senior Alyssa Britt (shown above) place fifth with the score of 403.15 points. In addition, McCloud added to Lubbock’s point total with a ninth place finished in the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.29) and 14^th in the 500-yard freestyle (5:16.49).

Second place finisher Prosper Rock Hill had Jenna Kerkman earn medals in the 50-yard freestyle (third) along with Kiara Xanthos; third in the 100-yard breaststroke. Their relays all scored in the top eight, with the 200-yard medley relay placing fourth, 200-yard freestyle relay finishing sixth, and the 400-yard freestyle taking fifth.

Rounding out the team scoring in the 5A girls division was Friendswood in third place with 138 points, followed by Boerne Champion (121), Lamar Fulshear (118), and Magnolia (108).

Pasadena Eagles swim team competes in Beaumont Sprint Invitational

By Chris Price

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

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(Shown left to right in the submitted photo by Darla Kelly, Pasadena ISD; Jael Medrano, Alan Ramirez, Ana Mercado, Jose Estrada, Alexa Montanez) 

BEAUMONT, TEXAS (November 13, 2021) The Pasadena High School Eagles Swimming Team competed in the in the Christopher McClain Beaumont ISD Sprint Invitational at the Beaumont ISD Natatorium on Saturday, November 13. 

Five Eagle swimmers made the trip with all five showing improvement in their times against some of the top  high school swimmers from the southeast Texas area.

Senior Ana Mercado was the top performer for the Eagles, placing ninth in the 100-yard individual medley and 12th in the 100-yard freestyle. Sophomore Alexa Montanez, who is in her second year in the program, finished in 27th place in the 100-yard freestyle and 37th in the 50-yard freestyle. Fellow second-year swimmer Jose Estrada placed 25th in the 100-yard freestyle and 30th in the 50-yard freestyle.

First year swimmers Jael Medrano and Alan Ramirez also competed in the invitational, with Medrano taking 25th in the 50-yard backstroke and 30th in the 100-yard freestyle. Ramirez contributed with a 27th place in the 100-yard freestyle and a 37th finish in the 50-yard freestyle.

Next up for the AquaEagles is the 19-team Texas City Turkey Bowl Swimming and Diving Invitational on November 18-19 at Matthew T Doyle Natatorium in Texas City.

Pasadena Memorial swimming team find success at Beaumont Sprint Invitational

By Chris Price

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

BEAUMONT, TEXAS (November 13, 2021) The Pasadena Memorial High School swimming team travelled to Beaumont on Saturday to compete in the Christopher McClain Beaumont ISD Sprint Invitational. The competition was held at the Beaumont ISD Natatorium and included 17 of the top 5A and 6A teams from the southeast Texas region.

The meet saw four swimmers assent the victory platform in six events in route to a fourth place finished in the girls team standing and seventh in the boys standings. Rachel Del Angel continued her record-setting senior season with two victories; in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard breaststroke. Freshman Levi Del Angel captured gold in the 100-yard freestyle and silver in the 100-yard butterfly. Also securing top-three finishes were Alexis Rodriguez; third in the 100-yard backstroke and Samara Olvera; third in 200-yard freestyle. Rodriguez also placed ninth in the 100-yard freestyle and with Olvera taking 28th in the 50-yard freestyle. 

Also placing in the meet were Noe Gutierrez (7th in 200-yard freestyle and 13th in the 50-yard freestyle), Mikayla Williams (17th in the 100-yard freestyle and 22nd in the 50-yard freestyle), Cinthea Martinez (18th in the 50-yard backstroke), and Christina Guzman (25th in the 50-yard freestyle). In the relay events, Del Angel, Rodriguez, Martinez, and Olvera teamed up to take fourth place in the 200-yard medley relay and fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Next up for the AquaMavericks is the 19-team Texas City Turkey Bowl Swimming and Diving Invitational on November 18-19 at Matthew T Doyle Natatorium in Texas City. 

Sam Rayburn HS swimmers pick up three top-eight finishes at Beaumont Invitational

Submitted photo by
Darla Kelly, Pasadena ISD

By Chris Price
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

BEAUMONT, TEXAS (November 13, 2021) Select members of the Sam Rayburn High School Swimming Team travelled to Beaumont on Saturday to compete in the Christopher McClain Beaumont ISD Sprint Invitational. The meet was held at the Beaumont ISD Natatorium and saw 17 of the top high school teams from southeast Texas invited to compete in the annual classic.

The Texans were represented by four athletes in eight events, with three swims finishing in the top eight in their events. Senior and four-year team member Mitzy Gonzalez-Perez (shown second from left) carried the banner for Sam Rayburn, placing second in the 200-yard freestyle and seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke. Also breaking into the top eight was freshman Zachariah Flores (shown third from left) who took fifth in the 200-yard freestyle. He also placed 13th in the highly contested 100-yard freestyle.'

Senior Jason Arismendez (shown far left), who is also a four-year member of the Texan program, finished 11th in the 200-yard freestyle and 39th in the 50-yard freestyle. Freshman Darianna Rodriguez (shown far right) contributed with a 15th place in the 100-yard freestyle and 18th in the 50-yard freestyle.

As a result of the individual performances, the Texans placed 10th in the girls division, 12th in the boys division and 13th in combined scoring. Next up for the AquaTexans is the 19-team Texas City Turkey Bowl Swimming and Diving Invitational on November 18-19 at Matthew T Doyle Natatorium in Texas City. 

UIL changes location of 2021 state swimming meet

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 11, 2021) The University Interscholastic League (UIL) has announced changes to the 2021 state swimming and diving championships. See the information below for final details.

First Baptist Christian Academy competes in first meet of 2021

Story and Photos by Tracy Brown
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

DEER PARK, TEXAS (January 7, 2021) The First Baptist Christian Academy Warriors competed in their first swimming meet of 2021 against the Deer Park Deer at Deer Park High School on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The Warriors top performers of the meet were Harrison Brown (shown right, pictured left), in the boy's division and and Keeleigh Wilbanks (shown below) on the women's side.. 

When the Warriors stepped to the blocks in the individual events, they shined despite their lack of access to consistent practice pools over the break. Timothy Henry (shown right, pictured right) swam a personal best in the 200-yard freestyle dropping almost two seconds, to touch the wall with a time of 2:32.40. Wilbanks swam a new personal best in the 50-yard freestyle when she finished with the time of 35.91 seconds.

When the boy's team took to the blocks to swim the 50-yard freestyle the, Warriors finished in record time once again. Owen Lambert set a new personal best of 31.25 seconds with George Gutierrez clocking 32.13 seconds.  Ayden Moore finished right in the thick of things with his time of 31.68.

Competing in the 100-yard butterfly, Brown swam a new personal best time of 1:05.93, breaking his previous school record by seven seconds. In the 100-yard freestyle the Warriors finished in order Lambert (1:16.78), Gutierrez (1:16.79), and Moore (1:23.83) to round out the field of 12. Brown also set a new personal best and a new school record with his fourth place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke with the time of 1:15.88. Henry finished seventh with his time of 1:34.09.

The Warriors next meet will be Monday, January 11, at Cypress Christian Academy.  Due to current restrictions, spectators are not allowed, but the meet will be livestreamed.