PASADENA AREA SWIMMERS WIN MEDALS, QUALIFY FOR GAMES OF TEXAS

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publlications

PASADENA, TEXAS (July 14, 2009)The South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team (SBAS) recently competed in the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation’s (TAAF) Region 1 Swimming Championships at Conroe ISD Natatorium and came home with numerous awards and honors.

Harrison Matherne, competing in the boys 11-12 year old division, won the gold medal in the 50-yard butterfly and silver medals in the 50-yard backstroke and 50-yard freestyle.

Erin Wilson, competing in the girls 11-12 year old division, took the bronze medal in the 100-yard=2 0individual medley. She also placed fourth in the 50-yard backstroke and ninth in the 50-yard butterfly.

As a result of their performances, Matherne and Wilson have qualified for the TAAF Games of Texas State Championships to be held July 24-26 at Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio. Matherne will compete in all three of his events while Wilson will compete in the 100-yard individual medley and the 50-yard backstroke.

The top four finishers in all 14 years old and under events qualified for the state championships.

This will be Matherne’s fourth trip to the Games of Texas, having competed previously in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Wilson will be making her first trip to the Games.

In addition to Matherne and Wilson, other SBAS swimmers placed at the regional championships.

Henry Huelskamp (9-10 year old division) finished 20th in the 25-yard breaststroke and 25th in the 25-yard freestyle

Sarah Taylor (11-12 year old division) placed 34th in the 50-yard breaststroke and 47th in the 50-yard freestyle.

Ian Burke (13-14 year old division) placed ninth in the 50-yard breaststroke, 13th in the 50-yard freestyle, and 14th in the 50-yard backstroke.

John Phil lip Seale (15-17 year old age group) placed 16th in the 50-yard butterfly and 19th in the 50-yard freestyle.

Matherne and Wilson will not be the only SBAS swimmers competing in the championships. They will be joined by a large contingent of SBAS masters (ages 18 and over) swimmers.

Former area high school swimmers Kasey Mauk, Kristine Kelly, Jenna Taylor, Brian Vestal and Derrick Mauk will hit the water again for the state championships. They will be joined by Landon Howard, Gwendolyn Seale, John Philip Seale, Ed Seale, Susan Matherne (Harrison’s mother) and SBAS coaches Robert Kelly and Darla Kelly.

This year will make the sixth appearance for SBAS swimmers in the Games of Texas.

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