In a sport that measures success by speed, Varsity Swim used Regionals to shave seconds and send 13 swimmers to the State Championship on Saturday. During the competition, all six relays and four individuals qualified, earning them all a trip to San Antonio to compete in the State finals.
“Qualifying for State in those events was a great accomplishment for the team, but competing well at State is our real goal,” said Junior qualifier Isaac Lee.
The Varsity Swim team travels to San Antonio for the State Championship meet.
The top individual finish came from Sophomore Samantha Rosal who broke her own school record in the 100 Fly while finishing third overall. “I was really happy to qualify and even more happy to place third. I hope to do even better at State,” said Samantha.
Isaac qualified in two individual events, the 100 Back and the 100 Free. Junior Taylor Lunsford improved by 4.5 seconds and will swim the 100 Back at State, and Freshman Lorelei Glover smashed the school record in the 500 Free by eight seconds, 15 seconds faster than her own personal best, to also qualify.
The 4×200 Girls Medley of Samantha, Taylor, Junior Shelby Geist and Senior Mariah Host will head to State by finishing 10 seconds faster than their fastest time. The 4×200 Boys Medley also qualified for State, with Isaac, Sophomore Jonathan Young, Sophomore Daniel Hsia and Senior Alex Ellington shaving nine seconds from their time.
The 4×200 Girls Free of Lorelei, Mariah, Senior Meagan Host and Junior Susan Robison took eight seconds off their time to advance, and the 4×200 Boys Free of Isaac, Daniel, Freshman Drake Stathatos and Senior Josh Dhawale will also move on to State.
Finally, the 4×400 Girls and Boys Free will both swim at State after they dropped a combined 17 seconds off of their seedtimes.
“It is such a blessing to represent PCA at State,” said Taylor. The State competition takes things to a whole different level. She said, “Right before I race I’m overwhelmed with stress. But once I race and finish, I always feel better because I know I tried my best.”
Mariah said, “Everyone is more encouraging at State because we want to come together to do our very best.”
The team will compete all day Saturday, February 11, at the Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio, Texas in the TAPPS Division 1 State Championship.
