Hudson Swim Advances to Regionals
By: Kristina Johnson
The Hudson Hornets Swim team made a fantastic showing at the District swim meet held January 23, at the Boys and Girls Club Aquatics Center in Lufkin. They will be taking the girls and boys relays along with individuals Holly Ratcliff (senior), Emily Baker (junior), Nolan Craft (sophomore), Sylvie Gowin (sophomore), and Jay Lopez (sophomore) to the Regional meet, which will be held in Lewisville on February 4-6th.
“I’m really excited for regionals this week,” says Holly Ratcliff. “We had a great showing at district, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we do at regionals!” The Hornet’s “great showing” includes a second place finish in the 200 meter medley relay (losing to Nacogdoches by only 0.02 seconds) and a second place finish in the 400 meter freestyle relay. Ratcliff herself placed 1st in both the 200 meter freestyle and the 100 meter backstroke and was named the Girl Athlete of the Meet.
The members of the swim team, coached by Ms. Tonya Rigby, have worked long and hard for their recent successes. Ratcliff says enthusiastically, “Throughout the season everyone on the team, including Coach, has spent a lot of time in the pool and a lot of effort improving! Our team has progressed fantastically; the new members have really caught on fast and work hard, and the old members continue to push everyday.”
On top of their hard work, our Hudson swimmers are very encouraging towards each other. Team member Emily Baker, who placed 4th in the 100 meter backstroke, 7th in the 100 meter freestyle, 2nd in the 200 meter medley relay, and 2nd in the 400 meter free relay says, “Everyone on the team is really supportive of each other and we always have a good time together.” Ratcliff adds on by saying, “This team is like a family (we spend so much time together), and I love them all so much! We’ve had so much fun already this season; I don’t know what we’re going to do when it ends!”
Like Ratcliff, Baker is also “very excited for regionals, but also very nervous.” Hudson will be competing in the Region IV- AAAAA division against schools from the Dallas, Longview, and East Texas areas. Notable competition includes Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Hallsville, Marshall, North Dallas, and Longview. The 200 meter medley relay is currently at 3rd in the region with their district times. “I just want to see everyone race to their potential and just have fun,” says Ratcliff.
The Hudson swim team has had its most successful season yet, and Baker concludes by saying, “It’s been a great experience this year and I can’t wait to do it again next year!”
Good luck at regionals Hudson Swim!!
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