State championships on the line for Showalter and Oushalkas

A+few+Redhawk+athletes+get+the+opportunity+to+swim+for+a+regional+title+following+the+completion+of+the+district+meet.+With+Covid+spiking+and+rosters+continuously+changing%2C+the+athletes+are+hopeful+to+get+to+continue+through+their+season.

Michael Martin

A few Redhawk athletes get the opportunity to swim for a regional title following the completion of the district meet. With Covid spiking and rosters continuously changing, the athletes are hopeful to get to continue through their season.

Harley Classe, Assistant Sports Editor

After a delay of nearly two weeks due to the winter weather storm that swept across Texas, senior Mallory Showalter and sophomore Maria Oushalkas take on the UIL state swim meet Tuesday hoping to set records and swim their way to the top.

Although the season ends here for both athletes, sophomore Maria Oushalkas is proud of her ability to fight until the end.

“State was the final goal so I’m not too worried from here onward,” Oushalkas said via text. “I don’t doubt anything to be honest. I think my predictions are logical and as long as we give it our all that’s what matters.”

However, Oushalkas is not the only one confident for the meet as teammate senior Mallory Showalter believes she has the ability to perform her best.

“Doing well at regionals gave me confidence going into the state swim meet, especially since our region was one of the fastest in the state,” Showalter said via text.

Along with the added confidence, coach Nicholas Dion feels his athletes are fully prepared for the competition as they have a strong mentality.

“Our kids never seem intimidated by their opponent or what event they are in,” Dion said via email. “I think our team’s strength is our mental approach to racing.”