Southlake Carroll boys seek sixth straight UIL state swim title

The fastest race at the UIL State Swimming and Diving Meet — 50-yard freestyle — could come down to two local athletes.

Trophy Club Nelson’s Adam Koster (20.17 seconds) and Southlake Carroll’s Jack LeVant (20.48) are the top two seeds at the state meet and they had the two fastest times at their regional meets.

The possibility was not lost on Nelson coach Steve Melbourn, who anticipates an exciting race in the boys 50 free.

“Adam didn’t rest hardly at all for region,” Melbourn said. “He has trained well for this meet and is ready for some peak performances. Finals is always fast, and the 50 free, which is the shortest individual event we race, will be one that should have everyone on their feet.”

Carroll coach Kevin Murphy said that no extra pressure is being placed on LeVant to beat Koster, but he said he does believe the race will be one for the ages.

“We talk to Jack about how the goal is to go 20.1 in the 50 free,” Murphy said. “Whatever place he gets, that’s what he gets. There’s always a lot of pressure on everybody, but from our perspective, we’re not putting pressure on Jack to beat Adam Koster … but I’m sure it will be a big race. We’ll enjoy it.”

Koster (44.82) is the top seed in the boys 100 free, and LeVant (49.13) is the second seed in the 100 butterfly event.

The two-day meet begins Friday at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin.

Medal threats

Southlake Carroll teammates Colter Carman (4:28.50) in the boys 500 free, Natalie Whalen in the girls 500 free, and Even Kolde (57.25) in the boys 100 breaststroke are all seeded third in their events.

A state championship for the Carroll boys would be their sixth consecutive, but Murphy said that he really does not look at it that way.

“Each year is a different year, and we set goals,” Murphy said. “Our goal this year is to swim well. Some years you have some really great swimmers and some years you’re not as deep as you wish you were. What it means is that for each new set of kids, it’s something new to pursue.”

Keller ISD

The girls 1-meter diving event, features two Keller High divers, Taylor Ohlhauser (504.40 points) and Emily Grund (476.80), seeded first and third. Keller Central’s Carly Straight is the third seed in the girls 50 free, 0.57 seconds off the top time. Straight is also a favorite in the girls 100 freestyle.

Mansfield ISD

Mansfield’s Mike Thibert enters the boys 200 free as the second seed. In the 5A division, Mansfield Legacy’s Haley Yelle won the girls 200 free at regionals and finished second in the 500 free.

Legacy coach Nick Johnson said he is optimistic about Yelle’s chances heading into the state meet.

“Haley was second in both the 200 free and 500 free last year,” Johnson said. “Last year’s winner [Gabrielle Kopenski, Prosper] is also returning this year, so I’m expecting an exciting race.”

Legacy’s Jon Jameson could vie for a championship in the 500 free, along with Nirodha Sok in the 100 breaststroke.

Hunter Jaynes of Mansfield Lake Ridge is seeded second in the boys 1-meter diving, with a total score of 445.45 at regionals.

Fort Worth ISD

Fort Worth Arlington Heights junior Brandon Baron is 0.34 seconds off a medal time in the 200 free, and he’ll be joined by the Yellow Jackets’ boys 400 relay.

Fort Worth Western Hills junior Alexis Hackney will make her second consecutive trip to state in the 100 breaststroke.

“I hope that I swim my best race of the high school swim season this year by receiving my best time for the 100 breaststroke while making my two coaches, coach Jennifer Lipp and coach Nancy Wendell, proud of me,” Hackney said.

Grapevine ISD

Grapevine’s Madison Chao has the No. 3 time seed time (58.08) in the 100 backstroke.

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 9:42 PM with the headline "Southlake Carroll boys seek sixth straight UIL state swim title."