The 2023 UIL State Swim Meet for Class 5A schools was held February 17 & 18 on the University of Texas campus at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin.

The Nacogdoches Dragon swim team was one of the lone representatives from Deep East Texas in the Class 5A ranks, and they definitely made their presence known.

In the boy's competition, Nacogdoches senior Alister Jackson set school records in several freestyle events. He also placed 4th in the 100 yard freestyle. The boy's team finished in the top 30 Class 5A swim teams in the state.

Meanwhile, on the girl's side, it was the Ava Whitaker show. The Nacogdoches senior took home second in the 200 yard individual medley with a school record time. Whitaker then claimed the gold medal in the 100 yard butterfly with a time that was good for the UIL State 5A record.

With her outstanding performances, Whitaker was named the Class 5A Female Athlete of the State Meet. She accounted for 37 team points in her two swimming events.

Here's a look at the state meet results in which Nacogdoches swimmers competed:

Girls 200 Yard Individual Medley

  • Silver - Ava Whitaker - 2:00.15
  • She took more than 5 seconds off her seed time and set another school record in the Individual Medley

Girls 100 Yard Butterfly

  • Gold - Ava Whitaker - 52.36
  • She set a new school record PLUS SET THE ALL-TIME 5A STATE RECORD

Boys 100 Yard Freestyle

  • 4th - Alister Jackson - 45.75
  • He owns the school records in the freestyle for the 50, 100, 200, 200 free relay, and 400 free relay

Boys 200 Yard Freestyle Relay

  • 16th - Jackson Stafford, Clayton Coffee, Alister Jackson, Garrett Schmid - 1:31.17

Nacogdoches High School Swimmers at 2023 Regional Meet

Swimmers from Nacogdoches High School excelled at the Regional Meet in New Caney.

Hudson, PCA Qualifiers for 2023 UIL State Swim Meet

Numerous athletes from Hudson and Pineywoods Community Academy High Schools are heading to the UIL Conference 4A State Swim Meet in San Antonio

 

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