After the varsity boys and girls swim teams competed at the regional tournament this past Wednesday, Nov. 4, the full list of state qualifiers released Sunday, Nov. 8, naming a total of 11 Patriots to States as follows:
Girls
Senior Olivia Mason – 50 and 100 Freestyle, 200 and 400 Free Relay
Junior Eva Pierre-Antoine – 50 and 100 Freestyle, 200 and 400 Free Relay
Senior Felicia Taylor – 200 and 400 Free Relay
Sophomore Amari Porter – 400 Free Relay
Sophomore Wynona Brinkmann – 200 Free Relay
Boys
Senior Benjamin Gomez del Campo – 200 Freestyle, 200 and 400 Free Relay
Senior Daniel Watson – 200 Individual Medley, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Free Relay
Senior Jiehoon Lee – 100 Butterfly, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Free Relay
Sophomore Kirill Prikhodko – 50 and 100 Freestyle, 200 and 400 Free Relay
Senior Nicolas Rossi – 200 and 400 Free Relay
Freshman Rithvik Marri – 400 Free Relay
As a team, the girls finished fifth overall and the boys placed fourth overall. Watson, who won Districts a week prior, took home the title of Regional Champion as well on his way to advance to States.
“Being the District and Regional champ shows that all my hard work is paying off,” Watson said. “I had faith I could do it, and I thought it was my time to do it, so I went for it. I let my instinct take over and just raced. I have a somewhat similar mindset heading into States. I have to have the confidence in my ability and my race strategy and just go blank. I have no time to be nervous. These States will be my last dance, but that’s the beauty of it. I have to stay in the moment and do what I know I can do.”
Those qualified for States will prepare to compete in the final tournament next Saturday, Nov. 14, for a chance to bring home a title.
