Moore Leads Blue Wave to Regional Title
Nick Moore made history for Highland Park over the weekend by leading a wave of accomplishments for the school’s swimming team.
The Blue Wave won the boys team title on Saturday at the Class 4A Region III meet in Frisco, while Moore broke a 33-year-old school record in the 100-yard butterfly.
The junior’s time of 51.56 seconds set a new regional mark and also shattered school record previously held by Olympic gold medalist Mike Heath since 1981.
Moore also won a silver medal in the 100 backstroke. Mason Kelly was second in the 100 freestyle and third in the 200 freestyle, and Jasper Van Cauwelaert placed third in the 200 individual medley and fourth in the 100 breaststroke. Tommy King had a fourth-place finish in the 500 freestyle.
The top four finishers in each event, including relays, qualify for the UIL state meet on Feb. 21-22 in Austin.
On the girls side, the Blue Wave placed second in the team standings behind Frisco. Kate Boyer won regional titles in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, Lauren Murski took first in the 200 freestyle and second in the 500 freestyle, and Morgan King was third in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in the 200 IM.
HP also won the girls 400 freestyle relay with the quartet of Boyer, King, Murski, and Michelle Wessman.
Actually, it’s not as simple as the top four places qualifying for state, but yes all of those people did indeed qualify anyways.
Sixteen swimmers make it to the state championships. The eight (8) regional winners and the next 8 fastest times in the state advance to Austin. Highland Park and the Frisco school are in Region 3.
Frisco Wakeland is the seed favorite to be the state champion on the boys side. San Antonio Alamo Heights and Frisco are equally favored on the girls side with the HP girls seeded third.
There are 255 teams in the 4A Division. Qualifying for the “Sweet 16” is solid. Good luck to all the swimmers.
Congratulations to Nick. Hope he can bring home a medal and break some more records.