Fayette Area Swim Team Competes at Regionals; Several Earn State Berths

Fayette County swimmers proudly represented the SALT League (Smallest Aquatic League of Texas) at the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF) Region 5 Championship on Saturday, July 12, in Bryan.

Swimmers from La Grange and Schulenburg competed against strong teams from Hamilton, College Station, and Bryan, all hoping to qualify for the prestigious Games of Texas state meet later this month. As the final qualifying event of the summer, the regional meet was packed with competitive spirit, personal bests, and tremendous growth.

The swimmers showcased skill, determination, and team unity in individual and relay events. Many earned top finishes and punched their tickets to the state championship.

Individual Results 15–17 Girls

Adysen Janacek – 1st in 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, and 50-yard breaststroke; 2nd in 200-yard freestyle Victoria Sherwood – 2nd in 50-yard backstroke; 3rd in 50-yard butterfly; 4th in 50yard freestyle

13–14 Girls

Hannah Garza – 4th in 200-yard and 100-yard freestyle; 8th in 50-yard breaststroke Makenna Emmel – 1st in 50-yard backstroke and butterfly; 4th in 50-yard freestyle Mallie Toombs – 1st in 100-yard freestyle; 3rd in 100yard IM; 6th in 50-yard backstroke Kalla Billeck – 2nd in 50yard butterfly; 3rd in 50-yard freestyle; 4th in 100-yard IM; 5th in 50-yard backstroke

13–14 Boys

Van Huette – 4th in 100yard and 50-yard freestyle;

5th in 50-yard breaststroke and 100-yard IM

11–12 Girls

Adalyn Emmel – 3rd in 50-yard backstroke; 4th in butterfly; 7th in 50-yard freestyle Adeline Patterson – 4th in 50-yard backstroke; 6th in 50yard butterfly and freestyle Reagan Zapalac – 9th in 50-yard breaststroke; 13th in 50-yard backstroke; 16th in 50-yard freestyle

11–12 Boys

Garrison Ulrich – 1st in 50-yard freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly; 3rd in 50-yard breaststroke Andy Wyatt – 1st in 50yard breaststroke and 100yard IM; 2nd in 50-yard butterfly Everett Kubenka – 4th in 50-yard butterfly; 8th in 50yard backstroke; 9th in 50yard breaststroke Curtis Toombs – 6th in 50yard backstroke; 10th in 50yard freestyle

9–10 Girls

Penny Bartek – 1st in 25yard breaststroke; 8th in 25yard backstroke Emily Herzik – 6th in 25yard backstroke; 8th in 25yard freestyle

9–10 Boys

Daniel Hromadka – 3rd in 25-yard backstroke; 5th in 25yard freestyle David Collins – 6th in 25-yard backstroke; 9th in 25yard freestyle Lawson Zapalac – 7th in 25-yard backstroke; 14th in 25-yard freestyle Tyler Wyatt – 6th in 25yard breaststroke

7–8 Girls

Lilah Huette – 2nd in 25-yard freestyle; 4th in 25yard backstroke and 25-yard breaststroke See Cora Prichard-Jones – 1st in 25-yard backstroke; 2nd in 25-yard breaststroke; 3rd in 25-yard butterfly

7–8 Boys

Brysen Ulrich – 7th in 25yard freestyle; 16th in 25-yard backstroke Finlay Prichard-Jones – 10th in both 25-yard freestyle and backstroke

6 & Under Boys

Grayson Gartman – 1st in 25-yard backstroke; 2nd in 25yard freestyle Rhett Zapalac – 5th in 25yard freestyle and backstroke Everett Bounds – 6th in 25yard freestyle and backstroke

Relay Results 11–12 200-Yard Medley Relay

1st – Savannah DeMers, Brook Yearwood, Adalyn Emmel, Adeline Patterson 1st – Garrison Ulrich, Andy Wyatt, Stratton Masek, Harlo Mankin 2nd – Parker Basco, Braxton Ingram, Everett Kubenka, Curtis Toombs

13–14 200-Yard Medley Relay

2nd – Makenna Emmel, Hannah Garza, Kalla Billeck, Mallie Toombs 15–17 Mixed 200-Yard Medley Relay

2nd – Nora Blackwell, Ben Hayner, Victoria Sherwood, Alex Rester

15–17 Mixed Freestyle Relays

1st (100-Yard) – Alex Rester, Ben Hayner, Nora Blackwell, Victoria Sherwood 1st (200-Yard) – Alex Rester, Ben Hayner, Nora Blackwell, Victoria Sherwood

9–10 100-Yard Freestyle Relay

1st – Emily Herzik, Penny Bartek, Emmerson Masek, Olive Vasquez 1st – David Collins, Victor Hancock, Tyler Wyatt, Daniel Hromadka

11–12 200-Yard Freestyle Relay

1st – Savannah DeMers, Adeline Patterson, AO Gowers, Adalyn Emmel 1st – Andy Wyatt, Harlo Mankin, Stratton Masek, Garrison Ulrich 2nd – Curtis Toombs, Parker Basco, Braxton Ingram, Everett Kubenka

13–14 200-Yard Freestyle Relay

1st – Kalla Billeck, Hannah Garza, Mallie Toombs, Makenna Emmel

Advancing to the Games of Texas

The swimmers advancing to the Games of Texas are: Adysen Janacek, Grayson Gartman, Mallie Toombs, Cora Prichard-Jones, Daniel Hromadka, Adalyn Emmel, Adeline Patterson, Garrison Ulrich, Makenna Emmel, Hannah Garza, Victoria Sherwood, Penny Bartek, Andy Wyatt, Tyler Wyatt, David Collins, Kalla Billeck, Emily Herzik, Curtis Toombs and Everett Kubenka.

Coach’s Perspective

Coach Gretchen and Coach Sequoya could not be prouder of their swimmers.

“You have to remember these kids are competing against athletes who have access to a pool seven days a week, nearly year-round. Our swimmers only practice for two months in the summer and then had to travel to Brenham and Columbus just to get pool time to prepare for the regional meet. Their commitment, heart, and success this weekend are nothing short of incredible.”

With numerous athletes advancing, the team looks forward to representing the SALT League at the upcoming Games of Texas in Bryan on July 31-August 3rd.