Texas High Tigersharks travelled to Austin, Texas this weekend for the 5A Swim and Dive State Championships at University of Texas. The Tigersharks placed 30th in boys and 56th in girls.

The boys 400 yard freestyle team finished 12th out of 24 teams.

“We gave it our all, we definitely did better than prelims,” junior Robert Frost said. “I improved my times since yesterday I was hoping to do a bit better but overall I’m just really happy that I contributed.”

 Junior Jackson Shellogg was a bright spot for the Tigersharks at the meet. He advanced to the finals and placed 15th overall in the individual 100 yard freestyle event.

 “I started yelling I was like ‘yeah I made it’ then I just couldn’t stop yelling,” Shellogg said.  

 The boys 200 yard freestyle places 15th and the 200 yard  medley relay placed 16th in the finals.

 “I’m definitely not happy with my performance personally,” senior William Norton said. “I got my personal event to state and I got my relay to state with my boys. I’m always going to be proud of that.”

 The Tigersharks graduated a lot of their talent last year and the have spent most of this year rebuilding their relay teams. The girls 200 yard medley relay placed 16th in the finals.

“This year we got all new people on [the relay teams],” junior Kaylee Norton said. “I’m excited to see how we do next year preparing harder and training harder so we can get better.”

Texas High’s divers were also disappointed with their performance during the state meet as well.
Senior Courtney Lourens and Jacob Mitchmore both placed 17th in the one meter dive.

“I was doing really really well until my very last dive of the day and I don’t know stuff happens,” Lourens said. “All our scores were so close I definitely could’ve done better but it is what it is.”

 The Tigersharks did advance four relay teams to the finals. Head swim coach Eric Vogan believes that the team performance at the State Swim Meet will provide a foundation to build upon for next year.

“Right after spring break we’re going to start amping it up again,” Vogan said. “We’re going to do a lot of speed work and a lot of underwater work to prepare for next year.”