Lady Spartan Swimming holds own at the City Meet this past weekend.
Andrea Shacklock will be the Spartans lone representative when she competes at the State Meet on February 13. photo by Kevin Fleming
It all comes down to this. The two-a-days and early morning practices, the extra effort, the extended season, all in preparation for the City Meet at the end of the season.
This past weekend, The Lady Spartan Swimming Squad traveled to Manual High School to face off against the rest of the ferocious Denver Prep League. The Spartans, under guidance from Head Coach Cindy Allen and Diving Coach Aimee Witulski, would have to compete against powerhouses George Washington and Denver East, along with worthy opponents Denver South, Montbello, and Denver West.
The results are as follows:
1st Denver East – 479
2nd George Washington – 358
3rd Thomas Jefferson – 173
4th Denver West – 77
5th Denver South – 59
6th Montbello – 58
TJ fared well against the Denver teams, and managed to come out in third place with a score of 173, behind the East Angels and George Washington Patriots. “I know the team was tired after a very long season, but they came here and swam really well. I am really proud,” said Allen.
There were some highlights in performance for the team as a whole, impressing everyone with their relay skills, which the team has worked on all season. In the 200 Meter Freestyle Relay the four woman team posted a third place time of 1:55.79, as well as a time of 4:36.54 in the 400 Meter Freestyle Relay.
State qualifier Andrea Shacklock wowed the crowd with her individual performances. Shacklock stole first place from all competitors in the 50 Meter Freestyle, with an impressive time of 0:26.45, as well as second place in the 100 Meter Backstroke, with a 1:10.14 time. “No one was expecting a 2nd place in the 100 [Meter Backstroke], but Andrea swam at her best and stole the limelight,” stated Allen.
Shacklock is the lone competitor from TJ who managed to achieve a state qualifying time throughout the regular season, and is ranked 26th in the state. “I have worked hard all year and I am excited that I could qualify for state, especially for my first time in an individual event,” exclaimed Shacklock. “Mrs. Allen has done a great job coaching this year, in her first year by herself, and has pushed me to do the best I can,” Shacklock added.
This Friday, February 3rd, Shacklock will compete in the State Swim Meet at Mountain View High School at 5 pm. “Andrea has pushed herself very hard this year,” stated Allen. “She has worked hard by herself and is very dedicated, and should perform well at State.”
