Youth highlights MHS, Legacy in District 2-6A meet

Prime six performers in swimming occasions and prime three finishers in diving occasions qualify for the Area I-6A Swimming & Diving Championships, Feb. 3-4 on the identical COM Aquatics venue. Regionals was beforehand held in Mansfield earlier than being moved to the Tall Metropolis this yr.

The District 2-6A diving occasions start at 8:30 a.m. at COM’s Abell-Hanger Pool adopted by the swimming occasions at 11:30 a.m. on the FMH Basis Natatorium.

Midland ISD head swim & dive coach Steve Flato stated each the MHS and Legacy swim groups don’t have the upperclassmen depth of earlier years, however they’ve youth that’s anticipated to make an influence for seasons to come back.

“They’ve been coaching very well,” Flato stated of his swimmers. “We simply must hold them wholesome, they usually had an important Christmas coaching. They swam fairly nicely final week in Lubbock. We’re excited. It’s a younger group although. It’s quite a bit youthful than we’ve had prior to now, in order that they’re going to be round for awhile.”

Main the way in which among the many younger swimmers is Midland Excessive freshman Hannah Krueger, who’s the highest seed in each the women 100-yard backstroke (58.06 seconds) and the 100 freestyle (54.16).

“Hannah is a extremely motivated younger athlete,” Flato stated. “She expects quite a bit out of herself. She’s positively desirous to attempt to make it to the state meet this yr. We are going to begin with district first, see if we are able to get by that spherical and after that, focus in on regionals together with her.”

The Woman Rebels additionally have an effect freshman as Lainey Gloden is the meet’s No. 1 seed within the 200 freestyle (2:00.97) and the five hundred freestyle (5:20.55).

“She likes to compete,” Flato stated of Gloden. “You place her in opposition to any person who is quicker than she is, and she is going to give all of them they’ll deal with. Perhaps not win each race, however she positively likes to compete.”

The Legacy boys swim group additionally has a shiny future, as its core group all consists of sophomore swimmers.

The Insurgent boys have two sophomore swimmers which are prime seeds with Gavin Rochelle within the 200 particular person medley (2:01.30) and 100 backstroke (56.03) and Sawyer Austin within the 500 freestyle (4:56.92).

Legacy additionally has the highest seeded group within the 400 freestyle relay.

The Rebels completed third behind runner-up Midland Excessive and district champion San Angelo Central in final yr’s boys group standings on the 2-6A meet, however Flato believes the Legacy boys have since surpassed the MHS boys by way of depth.

“There’s been a altering within the guard in Midland highschool swimming,” Flato stated. “It’s going to be that approach for the subsequent three or 4 years not less than with what I can see arising.”

The Bulldog boys nonetheless have succesful swimmers although, as junior Jake Shelton is a contender for the District 2-6A Boys Swimmer of the Meet award as the highest seed in each the 200 freestyle (1:44.33) and 100 freestyle (48.56).

After MHS graduated two Division I divers with Nick Stone (Tennessee) and Averi McQuitty (East Carolina), the Aquadawgs nonetheless boast the meet’s prime two divers as sophomore Allyse Abbott is the highest seed within the ladies 1-meter diving occasion and Barrett Jacoby is the No. 1 seed within the boys 1-meter diving.

Two ladies senior swimmers to look at will probably be Midland Excessive’s Meisi Holmes and Legacy’s Elizabeth Websites.

Holmes has been a member of three Woman Bulldog relay groups which have reached the UIL state meet, whereas Websites has signed with the Division I Valparaiso swim program. Holmes is the second seed within the 50 freestyle and Websites is the No. 2 seed within the 500 freestyle. 

The Central boys will probably be capturing for his or her 13^th consecutive district title, whereas the Woman Bobcats are going for his or her second straight league championship after the MHS ladies beforehand gained the meet in each 2020 and 2021.

Observe Christopher on Twitter: @chris_MRTsports

DISTRICT 2-6A SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

When/the place: 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Metropolis of Midland Aquatics

Groups competing: Legacy, Midland Excessive, Odessa Excessive, Odessa Permian, San Angelo Central

Schedule of occasions

8:30 a.m. – Women 1-meter diving

8:42 a.m. – Boys 1-meter diving

11:30 a.m. – Women 200-yard medley relay

11:34 a.m. – Boys 200 medley relay

11:41 a.m. – Women 200 freestyle

11:48 a.m. – Boys 200 freestyle

11:54 a.m. – Women 200 IM

Midday – Boys 200 IM