The Carroll boys and girls swimming and diving teams are at it again.
After making a sweep of last year’s state swimming and diving championships, they seem poised to make a rare repeat in both divisions.Coming off the 5A Region II Championships at the Keller ISD Natatorium last week, the Dragons again swept both the boys and girls division titles.And, although the UIL was not to formally announce the full slate of call-ups to round out the state tournament qualifiers Tuesday, prior to the print deadline, the probable lineup of the next-fastest times show Carroll will supply 25 swimmers and six divers which include the three relays each for boys and girls.“Most of what we placed at the meet was what we worked and hoped for,” said Carroll head coach Kevin Murphy.“The great competition may not have been indicative in the point totals,” Murphy said, as the relays were all hotly contested and exciting races. “It was a pressure-packed meet.”The Dragon boys totaled 563 points to win the title, with second-place Flower Mound at 287 and third-place Mansfield at 200.The Dragons girls had 585 points with second place Flower Mound at 266.5 and third place Keller Central at 229.Murphy added that every Carroll swimmer and diver was able to contribute to the total team score.With only the winner of event getting the automatic qualification for the state meet in Austin on Feb. 21-23, the next eight fastest times from all eight regionals will fill the remaining lanes.Carroll’s Jonathon Roberts was named Boys Regional Swimmer of the Year.In diving, Carroll also was dominant, as Bryce Klein and Lauren Crown each won first and were the respective region’s Diver of the Year.Nathaniel Hernandez was third in the diving competition.Just as dominant were the Dragons relays – the boys and girls 200 Medley, 200 Free and 400 Free, all qualified, with first-place finishes for the boys 200 Medley and 400 Free, and the girls 200 Free and 400 Free.The number of girls and boys qualifiers are similar to last year’s state championship tour, but Carroll isn’t resting on that formula for this year.“Our numbers don’t mean we’ll win,” Murphy said. “We still have to go and perform.“We’ll come away with some happy, some relieved and some sad,” Murphy said. “I tell the kids that’s why they call it ‘competitive swimming.’”In addition to the ample Carroll qualifiers, Colleyville Heritage was expecting a call-up of Bridget Pacilio in both the 200 IM and the 200 Breast, said head coach Daniel Jau.Carroll qualifiers and expected call-ups: Relays:Girl's 200 Medley: Emily Gibson, MacKenzie Leonard, Sydney Wheeler and Casey RoseBoy's 200 Medley: Jonathan Roberts, John Remetta, Jake Tovey, Jacob EliesonGirl's 200 Free: Lindsay Schultz, Emily Zapinski, Ashlin Anderson and Emily GibsonBoy's 200 Free: Jacob Elieson, Grayson Magruder, Austin Nguyenphu and Taylor WillenbringGirl's 400 Free: Lindsay Schultz, Emily Zapinski, Alexa Baran and Rebecca UptonBoy's 400 Free: Jonathan Roberts, John Remetta, Jake Tovey and Austin Nguyenphu Individual events:Bryce Klein, Nathaniel Hernandez: DivingLauren Crown, Larkin Papa: DivingEmily Zapinski: 200 Free, 500 FreeRebecca Upton: 200 Free; 500Jonathan Roberts: 200 Free, 500Connor Dobbs: 200 Free, 500John Remetta; 200 IM, 100 BreastAustin Nguyenphu: 200 IM, 100 BreastEmily Gibson: 50 Free, 100 FlyGrayson Magruder: 50 Free, 100 FreeSydney Wheeler: 100 FlyJake Tovey: 100 Fly, 100 BackLindsay Schultz: 100 FreeMacKenzie Leonard: 100 BreastCarson Klein: 500 Free Jennie Hall: 200 IM Lindsay Schultz: 50 FreeHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
