Lee’s Oliver, Lewis on track at Region III swim meet
Published 5:20 am Saturday, February 11, 2012
MANSFIELD — Robert E. Lee seniors Meredith Oliver and Sam Lewis are on track to win their third-straight Region III Swimmer of the Year titles.
The Lee teams also posted a strong performance on Day 1 of the Class 5A Region III meet at Mansfield ISD Natatorium.
“We wanted to finish in Top 3 on both the boys and girls and I think we did as good as we could considering the youth on the team,” Lee coach Matt Franks said. “Our boys medley relay got disqualified and we had a few minor glitches, but considering 85 percent of our team are underclassmen, they really surprised me.”
Oliver was seeded first in the 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle and cruised through Friday’s preliminaries while also helping Lee’s 200 and 400 freestyle relays reach today’s finals.
Lewis is also through to the final in two individual events, along with fellow senior Michael Quam. Lewis, like Oliver, also swam a leg on the 200 and 400 freestyle relays to reach the final.
Also reaching the finals in individual events for the girls were Lauren Lewis (200, 500 freestyle), Lexi LaMott (100 freestyle). Emily Stanford (100 breaststroke) and Samantha Michaelsen (100 backstroke)
Franks said LaMott and Michaelsen deserve extra praise for their unselfishness.
“Both Lexi and Samantha gave up an individual swim to make sure the medley made the finals,” Franks said.
The medley relay team of LaMott, Michaelsen, Stanford and Valerie Vargas did qualify for the finals, giving the Lee girls all three relays.
Reaching the finals in individual events for the boys were Jack Oliver (200 individual medley) and David Hudson (200 individual medley, 100 backstroke).
The finals get under way at 3:30 p.m. today with everyone aiming to punch their ticket to state.
“I see three possibly four making it to state,” Franks said. “Really want to try and get one of the girls relays out and both boys relays.
“Plus, Meredith and Sam are looking to repeat as regional swimmers of year and both are in great position to do that. So that will be awesome.”