Sink or swim: Cowboys place second at swimming districts

BY KYLEIGH SPRIGLE

The entire season was in preparation for the district meet. That one meet determines whose season will be over and who will move on. The next step is regionals, and then few will make it all the way to states.

On Wednesday, October 30, Cooper City High School’s swim team went to the district meet held at South Broward. There were 24 events against 10 teams. The boys’ and girls’ teams placed second, but their biggest rival, Cypress Bay, won districts overall.

The Lady Cowboys placed second in all their relays: the 200-yard medley, the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay.

In the boys’ relays, they placed sixth in the 200-yard medley, second in the 200-yard freestyle and third in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

“Though we were put against harder competitors this year at districts, everyone still gave it their all in supporting each other in their races,” senior Mark Zhang said. “We were very satisfied to have come second place overall for boys and girls.”

“We were very satisfied to have come second place overall for boys and girls.”

Many of Cooper’s female swimmers did well at districts and are moving on to regionals. Mallory Schleicher placed first in both the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle. Molly Golding came in second in the 200-yard individual medley and first in the 100-yard breaststroke. Sally Golding placed third in the 200-yard individual medley. LeeAnn Ranalli placed second in the 100-yard backstroke. JennaMarie Brames got third in the 200-yard freestyle. Imriel Coughlin came in third in the 100-yard backstroke.

The boys’ team had many swimmers who qualified for regionals, even if they did not make it in the top three of their event. Robert Wilson placed first in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. Javier Roman placed third in the 100-yard breaststroke.

There are three divers at CCHS. Tyler Flowers is the only male diver at CCHS and in his district. Cara Barkey and Brianna Grave have two competitors in districts. Flowers and Barkey are moving on to regionals.

“Throughout the season, I am my biggest competition,” Flowers said. “My main focus is to perfect and clean my dives to have the smallest amount of deductions as possible. That way I’m prepared for states when there is actually competition and other good divers.”

There was a district roster, meaning not all swimmers qualified to even go to districts. The swimmers who go to districts are chosen by their times. 

“The people who I thought were going to do well, did well,” senior Ryley Edmunds said. “They met all my expectations.”

Photo by The Lariat Photography