The New Tech Dragons delivered an outstanding performance at the District 13-4A Championship, earning top team finishes and individual accolades as they set their sights on Regionals next week. The Girls’ team made a strong statement by securing an impressive 2nd place, while the boys put up a determined effort to claim 4th place in a highly competitive field. Leading the charge were standout swimmers Niylah Nett, who earned two individual invites to Regionals and set a new team record, and Caleb Tort-Negron, who also secured two individual invites and a team record for the boys. With both individual and team triumphs, the Dragons are proving they have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Advancing to the Region IV-4A Championship Meet:
-Miller Epperson (09) finished 1st in the Girls’ 500 Yard Freestyle and secured her individual Invite with a best time of 6:18.67.
-Niylah Nett (09) secured her first Invite in the Girls’ 200 Yard Individual Medley with a 3rd place finish and new team record of 2:32.28. She picked up her second individual Invite in the Girls’ 100 Yard Butterfly with another 3rd place finish and final time of 1:08.69.
-Jayden Stilley (10) grabbed his Region Invite in the Boys’ 100 Yard Backstroke with a 2nd place finish and new team record of 1:05.09.
-Claire Thomas (11) secured her first individual Invite with a 4th place finish in the Girls’ 200 Yard Freestyle with a time of 2:13.07. She went on to claim her second Invite with a 2nd place finish in the Girls’ 500 Yard Freestyle with a time of 6:20.11.
-Caleb Tort-Negron (11) claimed his first Invite in the Boys' 100 Yard Butterfly with a 3rd place finish and new team record of 1:00.88. He finished his day with the Boys’ 100 Yard Backstroke where he secured his second Invite with a 4th place finish and final time of 1:07.23.
-Zayne Williford (10) claimed his first individual Invite with a 3rd place in the Boys’ 200 Yard Freestyle with a time of 1:59.19. He went on to grab another Invite in the Boys’ 500 Yard Freestyle with a 4th place finish and new team record of 5:31.80.
-Girls’ 200 Yard Medley Relay: Epperson (35.55), Benavente (43.85), Nett (31.23), and Thomas (30.22) claimed 2nd place and secured their Region Invite with a final time of 2:20.85.
-Girls’ 200 Yard Freestyle Relay: Nett (28.57), Thomas (28.63), Epperson (29.87), and Benavente (33.00) picked up another Region Invite with a 3rd place finish and final time of 2:00.07.
-Boys’ 200 Yard Freestyle Relay: Stilley (25.61), Tort-Negron (25.70), Williford (28.83), and Wright (25.65) grabbed their first Region Invite with a 4th place finish and final time of 1:45.79.
-Boys’ 400 Yard Freestyle Relay: Wright (1:15.28), Williford (58.36), Tort-Negron (57.43), and Stilley (56.45) picked up a second Invite with a final time of 4:07.52.
Notable Performances:
-Alexa Benavente (11) finished 10th in the Girls’ 50 Yard Freestyle with a new best time of 33.57. She went on to place 5th in the Girls’ 100 Yard Breaststroke with a final time of 1:39.56.
-Miller Epperson (09) finished 5th in the Girls’ 200 Yard Freestyle with a final time of 2:27.36.
-Deion Johnston (11) placed 9th in the Boys' 100 Yard Freestyle with a time of 1:06.55. He went on to finish 8th in the Boys' 100 Yard Backstroke with a time of 1:20.14.
-Jayden Stilley (10) finished 5th in the Boys’ 200 Yard Freestyle with a final time of 2:04.11.
-Tristen Wright (11) placed 9th in the Boys’ 50 Yard Freestyle with a best time of 28.75. He went on to place 8th in the Boys’ 100 Yard Breaststroke with a new best time of 1:28.20.
As the meet came to a close, the Dragons celebrated their remarkable achievements, highlighted by the girls’ 2nd place finish. The meet showcased the team’s growth and determination, with record-breaking swims from Niylah Nett and Caleb Tort-Negron setting the stage for an exciting run at Regionals. The Dragons extend their appreciation to their coaches, teammates, and supporters for their unwavering encouragement. With momentum on their side, the team is eager to take on the next challenge and continue striving for excellence in the postseason.
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 January 31st when they travel to San Antonio to compete in the Region IV-4A Championships.
