Tigersharks roll to another district title
TEXARKANA, Texas — Texas High’s Tigersharks swimming and diving boys team has nothing short of awesome in Northeast Texas in the last two decades. They’ve been more like a dynasty. Try these figures on for size:
• Texas High boys have never lost a district championship (going back 20-plus years);
• Texas High boys have won 65 district titles;
• Texas High has won 41 regional titles, including the last 26 regional championships (and they’ve competed in more than one region);
• Texas High boys have won a state title;
• Texas High boys have placed second in state 8 times;
• Texas High boys have placed third in state;
• Texas High boys have placed fourth in state twice.
“We’ve kinda dominated our competition in district and regional meets,” said Tigersharks coach Eric Vogan, who has coached the THS swimming and diving program the last 20 years. He doubles as aquatic director for the TISD pool that was formerly owned by Texarkana College. TISD renovated the Olympic-size pool for $4 million and took over control.
“We’ve never lost a district championship in 20-plus years, and that speaks for itself,” Vogan said.
The Tigersharks notched another district title by rolling up 222.5 points in the boys bracket in the TISD Aquatic Center last weekend. Whitehouse was a distant second with 111.5 points.
Texas High’s girls, who had only five competitors, finished third with 95 points. Whitehouse won the 109.
The Tigersharks will defend their Region II title next week at New Caney near Houston.
To qualify for regional, you have to place in the top sixth in district. And to qualify for the Class 5A state meet at the University of Texas in Austin, you have to finish first or second in the regional.
“It’s quite an accomplishment to reach the state in Texas, because they’re are so many strong swimmers and divers, especially in the 5A and 6A divisions,”
Vogan said. “We’ve got some talented swimmer and divers back this year, so we hope to contend for another district crown.”
Coach Vogan has earned his share of honors, too. He’s been district coach of the year 12 times.
Here are some highlights from Texas High in the District 15-5A swim meet.
GIRLS
Maya Olson was first in the 200 IM (2:35.36); second in 100 fly (1:10.79);
Lilian Lefors was second in the 200 free (2:21.47); first in 100 breast (1:18.42);
Kiersten Malone was second in the 50 free (29.96); third in 100 free (1:07.21).
BOYS
Eli Likins was first in 200 free (1:41.71); first in 100 back (52.30);
Max Likins was second in 200 free (1:49.37); was first in 500 free (5:04.72);
Gyle Orena was first in 200 IM (2:08.83);
Caleb Lauterbach tied for second in 50 free (24.25);
Dayton Whiseant tied for second in 50 free (24.25);
Zachary Love was second in 100 fly (58.34); Jackson Adams was second in 100 free (52.75);
Cade Cunningham won first in 1-meter diving
(361.12 points on 11 dives).