District dominance

The boys and girls Tigersharks team win district to advance to regionals

Story by Parker Allison, staff writer

February 3, 2025

Junior Gunnar Taylor raises the boy’s swim team district trophy after winning the entire meet on Feb. 3, 2025. Both boys and girls teams won their district meet with 24 out of the 26 swimmers advancing to regionals.

The TigerSharks spend countless of hours throughout each year to prepare for their championship season and this year is no different. Every swimmer has put forth incredible effort to accomplish their goals and show what it really means to be a Texas High TigerShark.

To qualify for the district team swimmers must be one of the top four on the team in their respective event. Then they must place in the top 6 at districts to move onto regionals. Because of their hard work and excellent guidance from head Coach Eric Vogan and Assistant coach Susan Likins, the TigerSharks have succeeded in sending 24 of their 26 district swimmers to regionals and maintaining their title of district champs.

“The TigerSharks have trained very hard this year,” Vogan said. “We did nothing special to get ready for the district meet because I knew how fast we were and that we would be able to move on without any rest.”

Last year the TigerShark girls lost their title of district champs. Despite still being outnumbered the girls managed to win the district meet by having each swimmer place top in their events.

“I was so incredibly excited to hear that we won and that all of our hard work paid off in the end,” Junior Maya Olson said. “The girls team as a whole did really great and the atmosphere was amazing”

The district meet does more for swimmers than just advance them to the next meet. District prepares everyone for a new mindset going into regionals and to perform their best.

“I use the district meet as really just a preparatory meet for regionals, so I know what I need to practice before then,” Junior David Carlton said. “It also helps me get into the mindset of needing to go fast because if I don’t I won’t advance”

With the closing of the district meet the TigerSharks set their sights on a new challenge. Competing in one of the fastest regions in the state, Each swimmer must put everything they have into their races at the regional meet and place in the top 2 to advance to state.

“At our regional meet there are going to be a couple of really fast teams there. I would like to finish in the top two,” Vogan said. “Our boys should be able to finish in the top two, but we don’t have enough girls to be able to finish top two, hopefully they will be able to finish in the top five”

About the Contributors

Parker Allison, business mamger

Parker Allison is a two-year yearbook member, now serving as the publications Business Manager. Parker enjoys swimming and spending time with friends and family. Allison is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Science Club, Student council and the Texas High Swim Team. After high school he plans to go to college for business.

Zoey McIntosh, visual journalist

Zoey McIntosh is a second year staff photographer for Tiger Times. She focuses most of her time running for cross country. Despite how dreadful it may sound, she actually really loves it, so much so that she runs themed 5ks or half marathons outside of practice. While running sounds like McIntosh’s only hobby, it actually isn’t, she also enjoys reading any time she possibly can. She is involved in science club (mostly for the doughnuts). McIntosh is so excited for this year in publications.