The Aqua Tribe will compete in Fort Stockton on Nov. 18. The swimmers competed at the Lubbock meet on Nov. 3-4 with the Indians in 15th and the Maidens in 20th in the large field.

After eight seniors graduated, the Aqua Tribe began to rebuild. There are 18 freshmen on the team, most of whom are female.

“This is very much a growth year,” Coach Danielle Sims said. “We are heavy on the learning, but we’ve gotten a good start. The freshmen are doing very well; they’re surprising themselves, as well as me.”

Junior Kaitlin Harrison said the swimmers have been focusing on cutting their times for district.

“My times have definitely gotten better,” Harrison said. “Everything was going right for me at the Lubbock meet. From Friday to Saturday, I cut six seconds off of my 100 fly.”

Sims set goals for her team this season.

“My goal is that everyone always just does their best,” Sims said. “Personal bests are always my goal.”

Junior Gatlin Jones is working toward his personal best in more than one way.

“My goal for this season is to beat both of my records and to possibly make it to state,” Jones said. “I’m trying to do my workouts faster to get me to where I need to be. I went on a protein diet recently, and I’m trying to do my sprints faster.”

Sims has added new practice sets to the workouts, which include weights on deck and resistance bands incorporated into the training.

Harrison said she looks forward to the next meet.

“I will approach the upcoming meet just like all of the others–with patience,” Harrison said.

Results from Lubbock Meet

Maidens–20th overall

Women’s 100 butterfly (Kaitlin Harrison)–18th (1:18.23)

Indians–15th overall

Men’s 50 freestyle (Gatlin Jones)–sixth (23.69)

Men’s 100 freestyle (Jones)–sixth (53.31)

Men’s 400 freestyle relay (Andrew Proffer, Brendan Thiessen, Joey Neudorf, Jones)–18th