(ROCKWALL ISD-February 27, 2013) On Feb 22-23, Rockwall High School participated in the 2013 5A UIL Swimming and Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Swim Center at the University of Texas.
Haylie Harbin, the RHS record holder in the 500 Freestyle, placed 14th with a time of 5:06.16 in the event.
Raena Eldridge placed 2nd in her signature 50 Freestyle event. Her time of 23.43 earned Raena an automatic All-American recognition, Raena’s first such designation in swimming and RHS’s first ever All-American swimming award. Raquel Grays of San Antonio Johnson out touched Eldridge by just 0.06 seconds.
Raena also earned a surprise 2nd place finish in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 56.51. She finished 7 places better than her 9th place seeding coming into the state competition. She was defeated by Laura Norman of Keller High School.
After earning her two silver medals, Raena commented, “This may not have been the fastest meet I’ve competed in, but in terms of intensity and pressure, it was at the top of the list for me since I was representing my school and didn’t want to let them down. I wish I could have brought home gold, and falling short by 0.06 seconds is tough. But, overall I am pleased with both of my swims and know I can do even better next year.”
Said Coach Paul Wallace, “Sending two athletes to state in our first year as 5A was in itself a significant achievement considering we only sent one athlete last year in the smaller 4A division. But, bringing home two silver medals was attest to the rapidly emerging aquatics program in Rockwall and the hundreds of hours these girls have put into training.”
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Submitted by Eric Eldridge, RHS swim parent.
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