San Antonio, TX - February 2 - 3, 2024 — The Dragons Varsity Swim Team made waves and left an indelible mark at the Region IV-4A Championship Meet held in San Antonio on February 2nd through 3rd. Displaying unparalleled skill, determination, and teamwork, the team demonstrated their prowess in the pool and emerged with remarkable achievements. Notably, Team Captain Claire Thomas not only secured her individual spot in the 4A State Championship Meet to be held later this month in San Antonio, but also set impressive team records.
Prelims, February 2nd:
Claire Thomas (10), secured her spot in the A final for the Girls' 200 Freestyle with a new team record of 2:12.46. She went on to gain another team record and A final position in the Girls' 500 Freestyle with a time of 5:51.02.
Caleb Tort-Negron (10), picked up a spot in the B final for the Boys' 100 Backstroke, finishing with a new team record 1:07.80.
Boys’ 200 Freestyle Relay. The relay, composed of Tort-Negron, Johnston, Wright, and Stilley dropped 3.5 seconds, setting a new team record of 1:51.30 and secured themselves a spot in the B final. Tort led the relay off with a new best time of 25.79.
Boys’ 400 Freestyle Relay. Stilley, Johnston, Wright, and Tort-Negron came together and secured another B final swim with a new team record of 4:19.54.
Finals, February 3rd:
Claire Thomas (10), placed 7th in the Girls' 200 Freestyle, lowering the team record she set the previous day to a brisk 2:11.73. She went on to place 4th in the Girls' 500 Freestyle with a new best time of 5:48.99.
Caleb Tort-Negron (10), won the B final by a staggering 2 seconds, securing his 9th place finish in the Boys' 100 Backstroke with a new team record of 1:06.65.
Boys’ 200 Freestyle Relay. Stilley, Johnston, Wright, and Tort-Negron finished 14th with a final time of 1:53.74.
Boys’ 400 Freestyle Relay. Tort-Negron, Johnston, Wright, and Stilley finished the meet off with another 4 second drop. Lowering their new team record to 4:15.22. Caleb Tort-Negron led the relay off with an impressive 59.17, marking his first time breaking the minute barrier from a flat start. Anchorman Jayden Stilley brought the relay home with the fastest split on the team, dropping a 57.85 split to secure their 12th place finish.
Claire Thomas’ exceptional performance not only contributed to the team's success but also earned her a well-deserved spot in the upcoming 4A State Championship Meet in San Antonio. As the Dragons prepare to face formidable competition, they are poised to continue making waves and further elevate their standing in the swimming community.
The Dragons Varsity Swim Team's success at the Region IV-4A Championship Meet is a testament to their tireless efforts, both in and out of the pool. As they celebrate their achievements, the team remains focused on their journey, with an eye toward future competitions and the prospect of further triumphs.
The Dragons Varsity Swim Team expresses gratitude to their families, school, and community for their unwavering support. Their success is a collective effort, and the team looks forward to making their supporters proud in the upcoming challenges.
About Belton New Tech Dragons Swim Team:
The BNT@W Dragons Swim Team is a dynamic and competitive group of student-athletes dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the sport of swimming. Representing New Tech with pride, the team is known for their outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork, and commitment to personal growth. With the guidance of their coach and New Tech community, they continue to make their mark in the world of competitive swimming, consistently achieving remarkable results at meets.
The Dragons return to the pool on February 15th when they travel to San Antonio to compete in the 2024 State 4A Championship Meet.
