Belton, TX - October 12, 2024 — The Dragons took on a new role this weekend as they co-hosted the highly anticipated Belton ISD Fall Invite, bringing together some of the region’s top swim teams for an exciting day of competition. With a well-organized event and a competitive spirit in the air, the Dragons not only showcased their swimming skills but also their ability to step up as leaders in the community. The invite featured a range of intense races, from sprints to distance events, and highlighted the talents of athletes from across the district. For the Dragons, it was a chance to shine both in the pool and as gracious hosts, making the Fall Invite a memorable kickoff to a season of strong swimming.
Record Breaking Performances:
-Niylah Nett (09) picked up a 3rd place finish in the Girls’ 100 Yard Breaststroke and grabbed a new team record while she was at it with a final time of 1:20.03. She finished the day leading off the Girls’ 400 Yard Freestyle where she broke the team record in the 100 Yard Freestyle with a time of 1:02.15.
-Jayden Stilley (10) started his morning off with the Boys’ 50 Yard Freestyle where he placed 23rd and picked up a new team record with a final time of 26.32.
-Zayne Williford (10) placed 5th in the Boys’ 200 Yard Individual Medley with a new team record and final time of 2:19.98. He went on to claim a second team record in the Boys’ 100 Yard Freestyle with a 13th place finish and final time of 56.23.
-Girls’ 400 Freestyle Relay: Nett, Benavente, Epperson, and Thomas came together to finish the day with a 7th place finish and a new team record of 4:35.98.
Notable Performances:
-Alexa Benavente (11) started her morning off with the Girls' 50 Yard Freestyle where she tied her personal best and placed 45th with a final time of 34.98. She finished 15th in the Girls' 100 Yard Breaststroke with a final time of 1:41.42.
-Miller Epperson (09) finished 13th in the Girls’ 100 Yard Freestyle with a final time of 1:05.74. She finished her day with the Girls’ 100 Yard Backstroke where she placed 20th with a final time of 1:19.70 which was just tenths off of her record that she set earlier this week.
-Beauregard Hermann (09) placed 25th in the Boys’ 100 Yard Freestyle with a new best time of 1:01.87. He finished his day with a 17th place finish in the Boys’ 100 Yard Backstroke with a final time of 1:09.79.
-Deion Johnston (11) placed 39th in the Boys' 100 Yard Freestyle with a new best time of 1:08.84. He went on to finish 24th in the Boys' 100 Yard Backstroke with a final time of 1:23.25.
-Jayden Stilley (10) placed 12th in the Boys’ 500 Yard Freestyle with a 49 second drop and final time of 5:58.75.
-Claire Thomas (11) picked up a 6th place finish in the Girls’ 200 Yard Freestyle with a final time of 2:14.57. She finished the day with a 4th place finish in the Girls’ 500 Yard Freestyle and a final time of 5:57.68.
-Caleb Tort-Negron (11) placed 11th in the Boys' 200 Yard Freestyle with a 5 second drop and new best time of 2:09.17. He finished his day with the Boys’ 500 Yard Freestyle where he finished 11th with a new best time of 5:54.93.
-Girls’ 200 Yard Medley Relay: Epperson, Benavente, Thomas, and Nett came together and placed 8th with a final time of 2:23.15.
-Boys’ 200 Medley Relay: Johnston, Williford, Tort-Negron, and Stilley came together and secured a 7th place finish with a final time of 2:00.55.
As the Belton ISD Fall Invite came to a close, the Dragons reflected on a successful event both in and out of the water. The competition was fierce, with swimmers from all teams giving their best performances, however the sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship truly defined the day. The Dragons would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the athletes, coaches, families, and supporters who attended and contributed to making the invite such a success. It was a day filled with fast swims, lasting memories, and a strong sense of community. The Dragons are excited to carry that energy forward into the rest of their season.
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, this team is known for their outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork, and commitment to personal growth. With the guidance of their coach and the New Tech community, they continue to make their mark in the world of competitive swimming, consistently achieving remarkable results at meets.
For more information about the New Tech Dragons Swim Team and their upcoming events, please visit the Team’s Homepage.
The Dragons return to the pool on October 26th when they travel to Burnet for the Annual Hoot’n’Holler.