Ladycat, Bearcat swimmers second in district

For University Interscholastic League Class 5A swimming, the road to Austin runs through Mansfield, and 17 Aledo swimmers will be making the first journey in that trek thank to their performances in the District 5-5A Meet Jan. 24-25.

The Ladycats and Bearcats each finished second as a team behind Granbury in the league meet at the Justin Northwest ISD Natatorium. In doing so, nine girls and eight boys qualified to compete at the 5A Region II Meet at the Mansfield ISD Natatorium on Feb. 7-8.

From there, the top two swimmers in each event qualify for state, along with the next eight fastest in each event from across all eight regions.

Three Aledo swimmers, all Ladycats, will seek a return to state. Seniors Haley Roberson and Victoria Crews, in fact, are vying for a fourth straight appearance, while junior Julia Gordy is looking for a second consecutive trip.

Roberson was named the Female Swimmer of the Meet at district this season after winning a pair of gold medals individually, along with swimming on a gold medal and silver medal relay. She won one of her races by a whopping 49 seconds.

“Haley is an incredibly hard working athlete - this award was earned with sometimes up to 20 hours a week in the pool,” Aledo coach Meghan Roberson said. “She loves this sport and this team. She’s an excellent leader and role model for our underclassmen.”

One of those underclassmen, freshman Sydney Kellam, won the other individual gold medal for the Ladycats.

Brayden DeBoer also won two gold medals individually for the Bearcats, as well as swimming on two gold medal relays.

“He was our high point contributor - the only one to win all of his events,” coach Roberson said.

Ian Perez and Kale Roberson won the other individual gold medals for Aledo and each also swam on both relays.

Haley Roberson of the Ladycats was named the Female Swimmer of the Meet after winning three gold medals and a silver.

Avery Faulkner

“We had  a remarkable swim today from sophomore Ian Perez in the 100 butterfly, he’s one to watch the rest of this season. He was seeded third going into the race,” coach Roberson said. “Freshman Sydni Kellam also put together a great come-from-behind win in the 100 breaststroke. She was the only freshman to top the podium in an individual event.

“Sophomore Kale Roberson’s 100 freestyle is a tough race to come out on top, and he took a commanding win there.

“While we look to graduate out seven seniors this season, our underclassmen are proving they can contribute too.”

The coach also praised the marked improvement from last season to this one.

“I’m incredibly proud of this team and how they’re doing. Last year both boys and girls took third so we’re happy to move to runners up,” she said. “They’re working hard to improve with their eye on regionals. I’m excited to see how we do.”

District 5-5A Swim Meet at Northwest ISD Natatorium

Sydney Kellam was the lone freshman to win a gold medal for the Ladycats at the District 5-5A Swim Meet.

Avery Faulkner

Girls Team - Second in district behind Granbury

Haley Roberson was named Female Swimmer of the Meet
200 Yard Freestyle: 3.Julia Gordy, 2:14.56; 8. Natalie North, 3:14.75 (1.51 second drop in time).
200 Yard Individual Medley: 1. Haley Roberson, 2:08.56 (won by 13 seconds).
50 Yard Freestyle: 7. Brooklynn Wilson, 30.71 (0.92 second drop); 8. Hannah Peckham, 30.75 (0.61 second drop).
100 Yard Butterfly: 3. Victoria Crews, 1:03.52; 6. Aurora Dingman, 1:26.28.
100 Yard Freestyle: 2. Mackenzie Oligschlaeger, 59.55; 3. Julia Gordy, 1:00.90.
500 Yard Freestyle: 1. Haley Roberson, 5:09.36 (won by 49 seconds); 4. Molly Garrison, 5:59.47 (2.63 second drop); 7. Hannah Peckham, 7:04.15.
200 Yard Freestyle Relay: 2. Crews, Gordy, Oligschlaeger, Roberson, 1:46.45.
100 Yard Backstroke: 2. Oligschlaeger, 1:10.16; 4. Ava Curnutt, 1:14.53 (3.59 second drop); 5. Brooklynn Wilson, 1:23.06 (3.36 second drop); 7. North, 1:29.85 (5.47 second drop)
100 Yard Breaststroke: 1. Sydni Kellam, 1:14.99 (0.22 second drop); 2. Crews, 1:16.03; 4. Molly Garrison, 1:21.56 (2.13 second drop); 7. Aurora Dingman, 1:29.78.
400 Yard Freestyle Relay: 1. Crews, Gordy, Oligschlaeger, Roberson, 3:56.34
(won by 13 seconds).

Sophomore Brayden DeBoer won all four of the events in which he competed, the only Aledo swimmer to do so at the District 5-5A Meet.

Avery Faulkner

Boys Team - Second in district behind Granbury

200 Yard Medley Relay: 1. Jaxon Robinson (backstroke), Ian Perez (breaststroke), Brayden DeBoer (butterfly), Kale Roberson (freestyle), 1:47.21 (3.86 second drop).
200 Yard Freestyle: 4. Robinson, 2:01.85; 5. Evan Bradley, 2:04.62.
200 Yard Individual Medley: 1. DeBoer, 2:11.17 (1.49 second drop, won by 17 seconds).
50 Yard Freestyle: 3. Roberson, 23.36 (0.24 second drop); 11. Lucas Todd, 28.32 (1.02 second drop)
100 Yard Butterfly: 1. Perez, 55.74 (0.38 second drop); 5. Bradley, 1:01.19; 6. Bradyn Baughman, 1:04.26 (2.49 second drop).
100 Yard Freestyle: 1. Roberson, 50.42 (1.53 second drop); 8. Michael Spillers, 1:00.47; 11. Todd, 1:05.69.
500 Yard Freestyle: 1. DeBoer, 5:24.76 (8.10 second drop, won by 11 seconds).
200 Yard Freestyle Relay: 5. Bradley, Todd (12), Spillers, Bradyn Baughman, 1:49.59.
100 Yard Backstroke: 3. Robinson, 1:03.53; 4. Spillers, 1:08.52.
100 Yard Breaststroke: 2. Perez, 1:05.97; 4. Baughman, 1:16.17 (3.45 second drop).
400 Yard Freestyle Relay: 1. Roberson, DeBoer, Robinson, Perez, 3:28.11 (4.49 second drop, won by four seconds).