Senior Jeff Jameson slaps on his swim cap to go warm up before his event. He jumps into the pool and keeps his eye on the clock.
After swimmers and divers competed in the regional meet Feb. 3-4, the boys’ team finished in second place while the girls placed sixth. The team received a total of 15 medals: ten gold, three silver and two bronze. Swimmers broke nine school records. Senior Haley Yelle broke two pool records and was named Female Swimmer of the Meet.
“It’s always nice to get publicly awarded for my accomplishments like that, but my favorite thing about receiving swimmer of the meet is when Jeff Jameson and I get it together,” Yelle said. “We put so much time into our training. Jeff and I are very similar athletes, so I’ve always felt most proud to receive that award when I’m standing next to him.”
On Feb. 17-18 in Austin, Yelle will compete in her fourth state meet competing in the 200 and 500 freestyle alongside Jameson and many others. For nine swimmers, this may be their last meet as they near graduation. However, freshmen Vincent Sok and Eric Stelmar will attend the state meet for the first time along with junior Dalton Mix for diving. Coach Nicholas Johnson believes the team has a strong senior class this year, but the returning swimmers and divers are ready to continue to compete at a higher level.
“I expect the kids going to state will have a great meet,” Coach Johnson said. “[They] have put in a lot of hard work this year, and I looking forward to seeing them compete.”
Several swimmers will continue their swimming journey past high school like Yelle. In the fall, she plans to attend Texas A&M University. In the summer of 2016, Yelle competed in the Olympic Trials placing 33rd in the 400 freestyle and 34th in the 800 freestyle. She will continue swimming in college to continue working on her dream of making it to the 2020 Olympics.
“I have high hopes of finishing in the top 16 at the NCAA’s freshman year and then bettering myself from there,” Yelle said. “Another big goal I have is making that national team. It’s been a dream of mine to represent our country and in the swim world. Team USA is a big deal, we’re a powerhouse, and I want to be part of that. I want to make my country proud.”
