Seven Wylie swimmers qualified for regionals in nine different events at the District 5-5A Swim Meet in January.
Justin Calamam and Declan Sauley led the Wylie squad, qualifying for regionals in four events each. Joshua Beeson qualified in three events, and Ashlee Kelsey and Ian Ramirez each qualified in two events. Nicholas Thornquist and Cameron Hamer rounded out the Wylie regional qualifiers.
Wylie swimmers must compete in Class 5A because of a lack of 4A schools with swim teams. Therefore, the Bulldogs went head-to-head with swimmers from crosstown rival Cooper High School as well as swimmers from Wichita Falls Rider, Wichita Falls High School, Wichita Falls Hirschi and Burkburnett High School.
The Wylie boys finished 3rd in the team standings, and the Wylie girls finished 4th.
The boys relay team of Declan Sauley, Ian Ramirez, Justin Calamlam and Joshua Beeson finished 2nd in the 200-yard Medley Relay and 3rd in the 200-yard Freestyle Relay.
Justin Calamlam also earned a bronze medal in the 200-yard Individual Medley, and a 5th place medal in the 100-yard Backstroke.
Ashlee Kelsey finished fourth in the 50-yard Freestyle, and 3rd in the 100-yard Backstroke.
The top six places in each event qualified for the UIL Region II-5A Swim Meet in Mansfield. Although none of the Wylie swimmers placed at regionals, the team’s district results were pretty impressive considering that Wylie started the season without a swim coach until Coach Caela Shinkle stepped up to take the job. Also, only three team members came into the season with competitive swim experience, and the team is all freshmen except for one sophomore, meaning the future is bright.
“The kids didn’t complain about the late start to the season or the early practices before school,” Coach Shinkle said. “ I’m proud of the entire team. We’re looking forward to next season.”
Members of the Wylie Swim Team are Harley Womack, Nick Thornqvist, Allie Clark, Ashlee Kelsey, Mikaela Olson, J.C. Beeson, Justin Calamlam, Decan Sauley, Ian Ramirez, Cameron Hamer and Austin Tucek.
District Results:
Boys:
Boys 200-yard Medley Relay: 2nd: Declan Sauley, Ian Ramirez, Justin Calamlam and Joshua Beeson.
Boys 200-yard Freestyle: 5th: Nicholas Thornqvist; 6th: Donald Hamer.
Boys 200-yard Individual Medley: 3rd: Justin Calamlam
Boys 200-yard Freestyle Relay: 3rd: Declan Sauley, Ian Ramirez, Joshua Beeson, Justin Calamlam.
Boys 50-yard Freestyle: 5th: Declan Sauley; 7th: Joshua Beeson; 8th: Austin Tucek; 10th: Ian Ramirez.
Boys 100-yard Freestyle: 5th: Joshua Beeson; 7th: Nicholas Thornqvist; 8th: Donald Hamer.
Boys 100-yard Breaststroke: 5th: Justin Calamam; 6th: Declan Sauley; 7th Ian Ramirez; 9th: Austin Tucek.
Girls:
Girls 50-yard Freestyle: 4th: Ashlee Kelsey; 11th: Allie Clark.
Girls 100-yard Freestyle: 8th: Allie Clark