The swim team, after winning the district championship, competed in Andrews, Texas in the regional championships Feb. 5 and 6, making it the second year in a row to go to region.

The girls team took seventh place at region, after placing 12th last year. The boys team placed 18th after not placing last year. The girls team took top honors in eight out of 11 varsity events at district, the boys team earning runner-up champion. Sophomore Ethan Conner took 20th place in the 50 yard freestyle and in the 100 yard breaststroke, setting personal best times in both events.

“District got a little bit harder this year,” Conner said. “It was a really neat experience to go to regional two years in a row, especially since I’m an underclassman on a new team. I really want to make it to state next year.”

The team lacks the ability to practice diving because of the absence of diving boards at the pool.

“The 100 back is awful, and we aren’t able to practice diving, so that slows you down,” Gurk said.  “I really just wanted to get the event done. I need a good flip turn, which got me behind in the 50 free.”

Senior Anna-Lena Gurk competed in the 100 backstroke, placing fifth, also competing in the medley and freestyle relays, placing sixth in the in the medley and seventh in the freestyle relay. Gurk also took top honors for Best All Around Girl’s Swimmer at district.

“I wanted to go to state, but I realized that they were better,” Gurk said. “I told my coach that I did everything I could, and I’m okay with that. We worked so hard for state. We did our best.”