TJ finishes 3rd behind East, GW
As the school year comes to a close, so is the Thomas Jefferson Spartans’ Swimming and Diving Team; however not before they managed to have great success at the 2008 City Meet this last weekend.
Spectators, as well as athletes packed the pool at Manual High School to witness North, Kennedy, East, George Washington, and TJ battle it out for the city title. During the regular season, the Spartans defeated all but George Washington, and had high hopes of de-throning the Patriots and gaining supremecy as city champions. Although the swimming team performed very well, GW and East finished the day with a one, two, finish leaving the Spartans in a very respectable 3rd place with the bronze. The Angels from East barely edged out the Spartans for second place finishing only 4 points ahead of the TJ boys. "We had a good chance to finish second as everyone swam well, that didn’t happen… but we did have two more guys qualify for state," noted an optimistic Marc Houghton, who has already qualified for the state meet next weekend. "Almost everyone swam their best times of the year, so it was a very successful meet overall."
Along with Houghton, Tate Sheiman, Seth Perry, Taylor Hartman, Ryan Diaz, Daniel Smith, and Tim Mahoney will all be attending the State Meet. The meet will be this Friday and Saturday (5/16 – 5/17) at the EPIC pool in Fort Collins. "This is a great accomplishment for TJ Swimming because Marc (Houghton) was the only one to go to state last year," said head coach Cindy Allen. Houghton will have to be a work-horse at the state meet as he is scheduled to compete in four events that include the open 100 and 200-free, and the 200 and 400 free relays.
TJ accomplished many tasks and goals this season, but arguably their greatest accomplishment was qualifying all their relay teams to the State Championships. The 200 Medley (Sheiman, Perry, Hartman and Mahoney), the 200 Free (Perry, Diaz, Sheiman, and Houghton), and the 400 Free (Sheiman, Smith, Mahoney, and Houghton) will all represent TJ proudly in Fort Collins. Furthermore, Houghton isn’t the only member of the relay teams that is also competing in individual events. Seth Perry will participate in the 100 Butterfly, while Taylor Hartman will take on the competition in the 100 Breaststroke.
The Jim Hartman award was also presented at the league meet on Saturday. It recognizes the DPS senior with the best talent, outstanding academics, and positive influence for his team and his sport. The winner for 2008 was who else, but Marc Houghton, TJ’s own talented swimmer. TJ Athletic Director Lani Nobles summed it up best, "This is a great honor for Marc and we are all very proud of him. The Hartman award couldn’t have gone to a better person."
So after a very successful weekend the talented group of TJ swimmers will take their act to Fort Collins and the State Championships; and with some luck, look to make finals in several events. Houghton will go into the meet seated first in the 200 freestyle, and third in the 100 freestyle. Although senior teammate Joe Langlee did not qualify for the state meet, he wishes and believes that the Spartans will show well. "We wish them the best of luck! I know that we have a lot of talent going to State this year, and win or lose, they will represent TJ with the class and courage of Spartans."
