State Meet Article from Houston CHRONICLE

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courtesy Houston Chronicle, full story HERE

Pope John girls second at state

By Jason McDaniel

Chronicle correspondent

Pope John XXIII was second in the Division III girls swimming and diving team standings, finishing just behind St. Thomas Episcopal. The Lady Lions scored 61 points to beat out third-place Colleyville Covenant Christian (53).

Freshman Courtney Connelly led the way, winning silver medals in two relays and gold medals in two individual events — both of which she set Division III state records in.

Connelly won the 50 free in 24.78 seconds, breaking the old mark of 25.69 set by Dallas Cambridge’s Jennifer Penley in 2003.

She also set a new mark in the 100 breast en route to gold, finishing in 1:06.64. The previous best of 1:11.09 was set by Kingwood Northeast Christian’s Jennifer Kornfield in 2002.

Connelly teamed with junior Misty Pabalan and freshmen Gabi Duhon and Isabel McCormick to finish second in the 200 medley relay (2:05.34) and 400 free relay (4:12.64).

The Lions came in fourth among Division III boys teams with 44.5 points. Junior Tom Dante won a bronze medal in the 100 free (57.17).

What does a state record victory swim look like?

TAPPS 2010 State Meet Results

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First of all... WHAT A GREAT MEET!!!

I won't make you read through all this first, so here's the important data you want:

State Meet Results click HERE

Team Scores HERE

Outstanding State Meet!

The girls squad (2009-9th) improved to RUNNER-UP 2nd place, with excellent individual performances from:

C Connelly (50 free champion and STATE RECORD, and 100 breaststroke champion and STATE RECORD, as well as being personal bests -PB-, and school records in both events)

I McCormick (100 free, 4th place, PB)

M Pabalan (100 back, 7th place, PB)

G Duhon (100 fly, 5th place, PB; 500 free, 5th place, PB)

200 medley relay (2nd place, school record)
400 free relay (2nd place, school record).


Much improved from last year, the boys (2009-6th) finished 4th with super efforts from:

T Dante (100 free, 3rd place, PB; 200 free, 4th place)

M DeBolt (200 IM, 8th place)

D Lese (100 fly, 5th place, PB in prelims; 200 IM, 4th place, PB)

S Maclam (100 free, 8th place, PB) in individual events

Relay swims from these four young men along with B Hermes, B Bucey, and P Dante:

200 medley relay (5th place, school record)
200 free relay(5th place, school record in prelims)
400 free relay (6th place).

I'm expecting photos soon from some parents, will post them when I get them.

Thanks also to parents who have not only volunteered (or were drafted) to time at meets, but also special thanks for year-long support from Moms Magaldi, Hodges, and Duhon, Pops DeBolt, and everyone else who has helped make this maybe the most memorable season so far!