Goodson qualifies for state swimming championship meet

Anna Kate Goodson, 10, qualified this past weekend for the Texas Age Group Swimming (TAGS) Championship meet in two backstroke events.

She and Antonio Martinez, 13, were the two members of the Heart of Texas (HOT) Swim Team who qualified and competed in the South Texas Age Group Swimmers (STAGS) Championship meet this past weekend, July 15-17, at The University of Texas in Austin.

The pair were among 700 of the fastest swimmers in the South Texas region, competing within their respective age groups for the honor of advancing to the state meet.

The TAGS Championship is slated Friday through Sunday, July 28-31, at the Northside Independent School District Olympic pool complex in San Antonio.

“Swimming, like most ‘individual’ sports, is all about the individuals’ work ethic,” said HOT swim coach, Al Carr.

“Anna Kate and Antonio epitomize the swimmer’s dedication and drive required to reach the highest levels in our sport.  They are just two of many HOT team members whose personal work ethic has propelled them to the top.”

Goodson gained six personal best times in her six events, cutting significant times from her previous best 50-meter butterfly, freestyle and backstroke, as well as her 100-meter freestyle and backstroke and 200-meter freestyle events.

She shaved five seconds in her 200-meter freestyle and chopped six total seconds off her 100-meter backstroke to jump from 17th fastest in the preliminary 100-meter backstroke heat to second best female at the finals, qualifying her for the state berth and a new ‘AAA’ personal best time.

She later qualified for state again and received another ‘AAA’ personal best time in her 50-meter backstroke Sunday night.

Her backstroke events at state are scheduled for Friday evening, July 29.

Martinez competed in four events at the South Texas regional championship, including the 50-meter, 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter freestyle races.

Although missing a chance to advance, he posted personal best times in each of his swims and earned his first ‘AA’ time standard for the 13- to 14-year-old males in the 50-meter freestyle sprint.

 “It is always good to go to a high level championship meet to get a healthy dose of reality when competing against some of the state’s fastest athletes,” Carr said.

 “Our summer season is quickly coming to the conclusion with the state championship, but the short-course season begins on Sept. 6 as the team moves indoors to the Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center pool,” he said.