The New Tech Dragons made waves at the Region IV-4A Championship this weekend, delivering standout performances and earning multiple state qualifications in a thrilling display of skill and determination. Competing against the best swimmers in the region, the Dragons rose to the occasion, showcasing their speed, endurance, and unwavering team spirit. With record-breaking swims, personal bests, and hard-fought finishes, the team proved they belong among Texas’ top competitors. As they celebrate their success at Regionals, the Dragons now set their sights on the ultimate stage–the UIL 4A State Championship.

How State Qualification Works:
Earning a spot at the UIL 4A State Championship is no easy feat. Swimmers can qualify for State in two ways: an automatic qualification is awarded to the top two finishers in each event at Regionals. Beyond that, eight additional swimmers from across the four regions’ A Finals receive a call-up, based on having one of the next fastest times in the state (excluding the top two finishers in each region). This highly competitive system ensures that only the fastest swimmers in Texas-4A advance to the championship meet, making every race at Regionals a battle for both podium finishes and crucial time drops.

Prelims, January 31st:
-Miller Epperson (09) finished 9th in the Girls’ 500 Yard Freestyle, securing the top spot in the B Final with a personal best time of 6:12.68.
-Niylah Nett (09) finished 9th in both the Girls’ 200 Yard Individual Medley, setting a new team record of 2:29.12, and the Girls’ 100 Yard Butterfly with a time of 1:08.62, securing the top spot in the B Final for both events.
-Jayden Stilley (10) placed 6th in the Boys’ 100 Yard Backstroke, earning a spot in the A Final with a new team record of 1:02.75.
-Claire Thomas (11) earned two A Final spots, first securing a 3rd-place finish in the Girls’ 200 Yard Freestyle with a new team record of 2:05.47. She then went on to claim 2nd place in the Girls’ 500 Yard Freestyle, setting another team record with a time of 5:46.58.
-Caleb Tort-Negron (11) secured an A Final spot in the Boys' 100 Yard Butterfly, placing 7th with a new team record of 58.15. He also claimed a B Final spot in the Boys’ 100 Yard Backstroke, finishing 10th with a personal best time of 1:06.93.
-Zayne Williford (10) earned two A Final spots, first securing a 5th place finish in the Boys’ 200 Yard Freestyle with a new team record of 1:52.94. He then went on to place 5th in the Boys’ 500 Yard Freestyle, setting another new team record of 5:11.77.
-Girls’ 200 Yard Medley Relay: Epperson (33.98), Benavente (43.71), Nett (30.87), and Thomas (26.87) claimed 8th place, securing a spot in the A Final with a new team record of 2:15.43.
-Girls’ 200 Yard Freestyle Relay: Nett (27.93), Thomas (27.59), Epperson (29.55), and Benavente (33.09) finished 10th, earning a spot in the B Final with another team record of 1:58.16.
-Boys’ 200 Yard Freestyle Relay: Stilley (25.65), Tort-Negron (24.58), Williford (24.21), and Wright (30.26) finished in 9th place, securing the top spot in the B Final with a time of 1:45.70.
-Boys’ 400 Yard Freestyle Relay: Wright (1:06.26), Williford (54.25), Tort-Negron (56.79), and Stilley (56.38) finished 12th, securing a spot in the B Final with a new team record of 3:53.68.

Finals, February 1st:
-Miller Epperson (09) won the B Final in the Girls’ 500 Yard Freestyle, securing a 9th place finish and lowering her personal best time to 6:09.83.
-Niylah Nett (09) won the B Final in both the Girls’ 200 Yard Individual Medley, lowering her team record to a 2:26.72, and the Girls’ 100 Yard Butterfly, setting a new team record of 1:06.45. She secured a 9th place finish in both events.
-Jayden Stilley (10) placed 6th in the Boys’ 100 Yard Backstroke, lowering his team record to 1:01.29.
-Claire Thomas (11) finished 4th in the Girls’ 200 Yard Freestyle, lowering her team record to 2:04.91. She then went on to WIN the Girls’ 500 Yard Freestyle, securing her automatic qualification to State and setting a new team record of 5:37.66.
-Caleb Tort-Negron (11) finished 6th in the Boys' 100 Yard Butterfly with a final time of 58.44. He then went on to win the B Final in the Boys’ 100 Yard Backstroke, securing his 9th place finish with a personal best time of 1:06.42.
-Zayne Williford (10) finished 4th in the Boys’ 200 Yard Freestyle, lowering his team record to 1:51.24. He then placed 6th in the Boys’ 500 Yard Freestyle, setting another team record of 5:11.14.
-Girls’ 200 Yard Medley Relay: Epperson (34.35), Benavente (44.38), Nett (29.45), and Thomas (26.94) finished 8th place, lowering their team record to 2:15.12.
-Girls’ 200 Yard Freestyle Relay: Nett (27.79), Thomas (27.93), Epperson (30.48), and Benavente (33.99) finished 11th with a final time of 1:58.16.
-Boys’ 200 Yard Freestyle Relay: Stilley (24.83), Tort-Negron (24.50), Williford (23.92), and Wright (28.34) won the B Final, securing a 9th place finish with a new team record of 1:41.59.
-Boys’ 400 Yard Freestyle Relay: Wright (1:06.52), Williford (53.02), Tort-Negron (56.74), and Stilley (54.83) won the B Final, securing another 9th place finish and lowering their team record to 3:51.14.

State Qualifiers:
Claire Thomas’ exceptional leadership and performance were pivotal to the team's success, earning her two well-deserved spots in the upcoming 4A State Championship Meet in San Antonio–the 200 and 500 Freestyle. Zayne Williford also contributed greatly to the team’s performance, securing his own call-ups to State for both the 200 and 500 Freestyle events. Caleb Tort-Negron earned an individual call-up to State for his impressive performance in the 100 Butterfly.

With the State Championship Meet on the horizon, the Dragons have proven their strength, skill, and resilience. As they head to San Antonio, the team is poised to leave a lasting impact, showcasing their hard work and determination. Whether it’s Claire’s leadership, Zayne’s versatility, or Caleb’s grit, the Dragons are ready to make their mark on the state stage. The journey to State is just the beginning–this team has set the bar high, and they’re ready to continue pushing boundaries in the swimming community.


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 February 13th when they travel to San Antonio to compete in the 2024 State 4A Championship Meet.