Girls and Boys Swim & Dive Wins State Together For the First Time in 28 Years

On+Saturday+Feb.+26+the+Southwest+Swim+%26+Dive+girls+and+boys+teams+won+State+at+the+Devaney+Sports+Center.+

Lillian Bittle

On Saturday Feb. 26 the Southwest Swim & Dive girls and boys teams won State at the Devaney Sports Center.

Lillian Bittle, Writer

On Saturday Feb. 26, the Southwest Swim & Dive girls and boys teams won State at the Devaney Sports Center.

 

This is the first time since 1994 that a boys and girls team from the same school has won both championships at State. The boys team finished with 394.5 points and the girls team finished with 294 points. 

 

“This year, we’ve been through a lot emotionally with my whole team,” senior Isabella Morales said, “Being able to see our hard work pay off was the best feeling.”

 

Both Southwest boys relay teams won first place, and the 200-freestyle finished with one of the fastest times, 1:23.73, almost beating the state record.  

 

“It’s just different when you jump in the water for a relay,” sophomore Aidin Kolb said, “There’s no better feeling when you hear that your relay wins state.”

 

Southwest had several swimmers win individual events.

200-medley relay:  Mason Schroeder, Kael Mlinek, Thomas Neil, and Tommy Palmer 1:29.37

50-freestyle: Tommy Palmer :20.10

100-freestyle: Kael Mlinek :44.71

200-freestyle relay: Tyler Reida, Aidin Kolb, Tommy Palmer, and Mason Schroeder 1:23.73

100-breaststroke: Kael Mlinek :53.35

400-freestyle relay: Michael Fraley, Tyler Reida, Aidin Kolb, Kael Mlinek 3:04.94

50-freestyle: Bella Livingston :23.72

 

“I’ve been coaching some of them since I started coaching 11 years ago,” coach Tiffany Hale said. “It’s crazy to see how they progressed and how each of them have grown into their own person. They excel at everything they want to do; be at a new best time, performing just for the team or hitting a record.”