Tigersharks keep getting stronger

For the Texas High Tigersharks, Saturday's meet against Magnolia High School wasn't just about winning-it was about building strength for the postseason in February.

"Our meet this past weekend went very well; some of our swimmers swam events they don't normally swim so that we can take a look to see what will be their best chance of doing well at regionals and possibly the state meet," Tigershark coach Eric Vogan said.

Both the boys and girls won against the Panther teams. The real battles occurred within the team as top teammates were pitted against each other in an effort to push their level of competition. Max Young was moved from the 200 freestyle to the 50 freestyle. This set up a showdown with 50 specialist Robert Frost. Young took the swim by less than two-tenths of a second.

Owen Likins, who is just getting his swim legs under him after a successful state qualifying cross country season, took over in the 200 freestyle and also brought home a win in the 500 freestyle.

Frost took the 100 freestyle, followed by Cameron Alcorn. Dylan Rosser, Trent Foster and Jackson Shellogg went 1-2-3 in the 100-yard backstroke. The 100 breaststroke saw another 1-2-3 finish with Logan Diggs, Joshua Oldham and Nathaniel Morris doing the honors.

"The Arkansas team swam well, but our kids were so strong, they overpowered the other team," Vogan said.

Texas High claimed victory in all of the relays on the day. Robert Bland scored 306.55 points to take the diving competition.

Throughout the day the girls were busy duplicating the efforts of their male counterparts. Individually, Avery Morrill started the winning taking the 200 freestyle with a personal best time of 2:13:97. Coming in second and third in the 200 were Katelin Seidenschwarz and Hannah Klein. Morrill also won the 500 freestyle, followed by Tabitha McAfee and Allyson Smith.

Fezeka Barnes and Kaylee Norton finished 1-2 in the 50 freestyle. The pair also went 1-2 in the 100 butterfly with Norton taking the top spot and Kaitlyn Rogers coming in third. Hunter Sizemore and Ashlyn Winters went 1-2 in the 200 yard IM.

Emma Seidenschwarz touched first in the 100-yard freestyle. Her sister, Katelin, finished first in the 100 backstroke, followed by Rogers and McAfee.

Like the boys, the girls also won all of the relays.

"We had many fast swims and some best times, which is great this time of year," Vogan said. "Our kids are expected to swim very well. They are ready to go fast."

The next meet for the Tigersharks in the Northeast TISCA Invitational, which begins Thursday and runs through Saturday, at the Texarkana College Natatorium. The meet will feature 23 teams and more than 430 swimmers and divers.

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