SMHS swimmers net first-ever district title

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/05/2013 - 4:02pm
The San Marcos High School boys and girls swim teams combined to win the overall title at the District 28-5A swimming championships last weekend in San Antonio. Four new school records were set at the meet (Photo by Holly Hess).
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The San Marcos High School swim team made history last weekend, claiming the program’s first-ever district title at the District 28-5A Swimming Championships held at Palo Alto Natatorium Saturday in San Antonio.

Both the boys and girls brought home team titles, as the combined score of 326 gave San Marcos the overall title, finishing 46 points ahead of second-place Cibolo Steele.

Individually, San Marcos had two swimmers claim dual district titles, as four school records were broken.

The team of Sage Richardson, Alyssa Long, Kelli Elliot and Monet Moreau lowed their own school record by winning the 200-meter freestyle relay, while the boys 200 freestyle relay team of Choon Lai, Adam Escamilla, Josh Vences and Forrest Hess also lowered their school record with a first-place finish in the event.

“The 200 freestyle relay is considered by most swimmers as the most difficult event in our sport as it tests your ability and endurance in all four strokes,” SMHS head swim coach Skip Gilkerson said. “It’s really impressive to win that race on both sides.”

Hess also set a school record in the 200-meter individual medley, as Dana Puddy set a school record n the 100-meter butterfly.

San Marcos placed swimmers on the podium in every event.

Other members of the girls district championship squad include Feun Robinson, Molly Hickson, Tory Hernandez, Kyla Wiggins, Brittan Castle, Jennifer Kuntz, Hannah McComb, Neomie Gutierez, Melanie Gonzales, Stephanie Corbitt and Celine Vasques.

Additional members of the boys’ district-winning team were Taryn Hisle, Josh Vences, Francisco Meza Medrono, David Martinez, Gabe Hernandez, Adam Escamilla, Jonathan Santillan, David Velasco Martinez, Casey Lash, Brandon Morales, Colin Donnelly and Dylan Santos.

The team will compete in the Region IV Championships this weekend, starting with prelims on Friday morning at the Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio. The finals are scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 a.m.