Four Redhawks will be swimming for a championship Feb. 14-15 in Austin after qualifying for state at the 5A Region III meet at the Bruce Eubanks Natatorium.

“These girls have continued to impress me with their work ethic and ability to step up and race in their relays and individual events,” swimming head coach Chesley Kilgore said via email. “The state atmosphere is unlike anything else in our regular season, and I’m excited for them to take it all in and compete next week in Austin!”

The relay team of senior Hannah Nguyen, juniors Mallory Showalter and Rachel Easton, and freshman Maria Oushalkas, qualified in both the 200 yard medley relay, and the 200 yard freestyle.

“To be returning to state again means that we have kept up and actually improved our times from previous years,” Nguyen said. “We’ve been able to complete and place well enough to qualify for state.”

Both Oushalkas (100 fly, 200 freestyle) and Showalter, also qualified in individual events. 

“I qualified in both the 50 free and 100 back, which was very exciting and also the two relays,” Showalter said. “It was one of my goals to medal in all four of my events so I’m very excited I accomplished that and that I’m going to state in them.” 

Getting to state has been the goal all year for the swimmers, but Nguyen is looking forward to something else as well.

“Honestly I’m looking forward to the bus ride and hotel memories,” she said. “It’s always so much fun on the trip down to Austin. Especially since it’s my last time going, I’m excited to spend time with the other girls on the relay.”

This story was updated on Feb. 4 to include a quote from head coach Chesley Kilgore