GAMES
RANKINGS
The TWHS Girls Swim team pose with their newly acquired UIL State Title
FIRST-PLACE PLUNGE: TWHS Swim takes home UIL State Title
The TWHS Boys Swim team finished as the UIL State Runner-UpsPhoto acquired via Highlander Aquatics Twitter: @Highlander_H20
“The girls' main focus, now, is picking out the perfect State Championship ring to remember this historic season," said Head Coach Jeremy Wade. "There will be many congratulations and recognition at upcoming pep rallies. It's also worth noting that our boys' team is arguably the best we have ever had. It's all been well deserved for the team, as a whole."
After the preliminary round, it didn’t take long for TWHS to start racking up points, with first-place finishes in the Girls’ 200 Free Relay and Boys’ 200 Medley Relay.
Furthermore, the Highlanders earned silver in the Girls' 200 Medley Relay, Girls’ 500 Freestyle (Zoe Nordmann), Girls’ and Boys’ 100 Breaststroke (Evlin Riederer & Roberto Bonilla), 1m Diving (Jacob Jones), as well as bronze finishes in both the Girls’ and Boys’ 400 Free Relay, Boys’ 200 Free Relay, Boys’ 200 IM (Roberto Bonilla), Girls’ 500 Freestyle (Abigail Pope), and the Boys’ 100 Breaststroke (Tyler Tannenberger).
“So many emotions are involved in a State meet," Wade said. "It's a roller coaster. We would have things go our way, then some things would not go exactly how we wanted. But every step of the way the girls trusted each other, were there for each other, and came away with the team victory! Once the meet was over the girls were overwhelmed with joy and for me, a feeling of relief."
Following their State Title win, Coach Wade along with the Highlander Aquatic staff, and even TWHS Principal, Dr. Ted Landry, took a triumphant plunge into the pool with the team to celebrate the culmination of a spectacular season.
Photo acquired via Highlander Aquatics Twitter: @Highlander_H20
“It [jumping in the pool] is a tradition to celebrate with the team by taking the cold plunge," said Wade. "It's like having Gatorade dumped on your head for football coaches. But we willingly go into the cold pool to celebrate with our athletes."
Considering the success that the program has enjoyed over the years, including its most recent victory, it should come as no surprise that Coach Wade and The Woodlands will expect more of the same in the future.
"I think the team has a really bright future," he said. "We graduate some talented girls and their leadership will be missed. We had some underclassmen improve a lot this season and this year's juniors will be ready to lead this team to the State meet next year to defend the title."
The 2022-23 LSA Swim Team after their victory in the Regional Finals
ALL BUSINESS: LSA Swim returns to TAPPS State Meet
The 2022 TAPPS-D2 Swim Champions: Lutheran South Academy
Despite LSA having fewer swimmers than most, coach Jamie Mueller emphasizes quality over quality in her confidence that both the boys' and girls’ teams can bring home some medals this week.
“Our high school team, it might be small, and we’re always looked at as the underdogs,” said Mueller. “But, our skill set and perseverance always show through at State. A State Title isn’t out of the question for us. We’re definitely going to be contending and for sure bringing home some medals, individually.”
Said individuals who are sure to stand out on the boys’ side include senior swimmers Kai Beckum and Elliott Miles, who already have two titles under their belts. They’ve been among the leaders on the young Pioneers' team.
“Sometimes it’s a little tricky to set an example for the younger athletes, the kids are kind of rowdy,” laughed Beckum. “So, our coaches need a little more help than usual and I’m glad to do that. But we all know when it comes to State, we won’t have time to mess around, so we’ll get business done.”
Miles shares the same sentiment.
“I’m hoping to inspire the freshman and younger crowd during my time here,” said Miles. “It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to reach the level of success we have with such a small team. But we thrive in that.”
The girls’ team, despite not having the recent success of the boys, has performed exceptionally well this season. Sophomore Lauren Ferguson, younger sister of LSA swim star Chase Ferguson, is aiming to lead the girls to their first State Title while carrying the Ferguson torch.
LSA's Lauren Ferguson and her older brother, ChasePhoto from Ferguson's Instagram: @lauren.ferguson06
“It’s so cool to be a part of a team that’s been built up so much,” Ferguson said. “Really having that strong backbone with my teammates behind me, that’s really what can make our success happen. The positivity that everyone creates at all the meets, it wouldn’t be what it is without them.”
Coach Mueller will look to her leaders to push the rest of Pioneer Swim during Tuesday’s State meet, with the goal of bringing home another TAPPS State Championship.
“Everyone on the team has a winning mentality, especially the older kids,” Mueller said. “With them, the attitude is always not screwing around at practice, taking it seriously, and cheering everybody else on. They know how to be a part of the team and when it’s a meet day, attention will be on high alert and it will be all business for us.”