More than a dozen local swimmers qualify for state championships
By Robert Morgan | Published Thursday, July 24, 2008
It's sure to be a wet and wild weekend in San Antonio as hundreds of pool sharks will be invading the Palo Alto College Natatorium searching for gold. Wise County will be a part of the action as 13 members of the AquaRACERS competitive swim team will be on hand for the 2008 Texas Amateur Athletic Federation's swimming state championships.
The event is part of the State Games of Texas, an Olympic-style event with state championships in a variety of sports. Swimming, however, will be the focal point for local swimmers who hope to return home with a souvenir around their necks.
A record 13 swimmers from Wise County will compete in the state finals. The most to ever move on to state for the AquaRACERS was eight before this season,
This year's large group earned the right to take on the state's best by finishing in the top four places at regionals last week in all divisions under the age of 15. All older swimmers are allowed to complete at state regardless of their regional finish.
The Wise County standouts making the trip south by qualification include Casey Holson, Tyler Tamplen, Katey Rowden, Haley Dennard, Gabe Gillespie, Jake Bryans, Hayley Raasch, Lizey Rowden, Caycee Holson and Taylor Rector. Also attending the state finals in the 15 and up action will be LeeAnn Wendell, James Baird and James Pittman.
"It's was a great year for the AquaRACERS," said Fit N Wise aquatics manager Kim Emery. "All the swimmers have done an awesome job this year and deserve some special recognition for their hard work and dedication."
This year's team also featured Anthony August, Emily August, Patrick August, Sam Bowker, Karl Davila, Robert Davila, Scott Echeverria, Ryan Edwards, Charity Eggers, Jennifer Endsley, Cody Everton, Ethan Gindt, Kate Grant, Cameron Harrison, Leslieann Hoyl, Grady Ivie, Riley Keller, Marissa Ledford, Guirnalda Lopez, Jennifer Morehart, Dominique Pishotta, Alex Raasch, Colby Raasch, Hannah Rainey, Haley Rector, Lauren Richardson, Katey Rowden, Jack Sherman, Ethan Sykes, Chloe Wallen, LeeAnn Wendell and Colby Williamson.
The AquaRACERS won six regional championships, and they were all earned in the girls' action. Katey Rowen and Hayley Raasch accounted for four of them as they took home two each.
Raasch was golden in both the 100-meter individual medley and 50 backstroke, while Rowden was the best in the 25 butterfly and the 25 backstroke. Casey Holson took first in the 25 backstroke and Haley Dennard was the fastest in the 100 individual medley. Dennard, Rowden and Raasch each qualified for state in three events.
