Anderson’s Ben Jaggers makes group with two golds

As anticipated, Central Texans performed an enormous half on this yr’s UIL state swimming and diving championships final month on the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin. Led by Bowie swimmer Rowan Cox and LASA diver Elizabeth Bircher, there was no scarcity of gold, silver and bronze medals from the Austin space. A particular nod goes out to Anderson senior Ben Jaggers, an Arizona State signee who joined Cox with double golds.

This yr’s All-Central Texas Swimming and Diving Team, chosen by the American-Statesman’s highschool protection employees, honors 12 Austin-area opponents from eight totally different colleges. Anderson led the realm with three indivual athletes.

The Bowie senior dominated the pool within the Class 6A portion of the UIL state meet. He completed his profession by setting a state meet report with a time of 46.27 seconds within the 100-yard backstroke. He earned his second gold within the 100 butterfly in 45.47, almost three seconds forward of the silver medalist.

A senior at LASA, Bircher dominated her occasion, Class 5A 1-meter diving. She completed with an total whole of 456.10 factors, almost 30 factors higher than the state silver medalist.

Maddox Azuma-Hall, Georgetown: Azuma-Hall had a busy day on the Class 5A state meet, serving to the Eagles’ 200 relay group to a bronze medal. He additionally completed fifth within the 100 freestyle and helped Georgetown place fifth the 400 freestyle relay.

Rowan Cox, Bowie: A University of Texas signee, the Bulldogs senior gained three Class 6A state gold medals and a silver in his remaining two years of highschool.

Brandon Farrens, Anderson: The Trojans senior certified for state in Class 5A in three occasions — the 100 fly, the 50 fly and the 200-meter medley relay. He helped the relay group win gold.

Ben Jaggers, Anderson: Finishing his highschool profession in fashion, Jaggers earned a gold medal within the Class 5A 200 backstroke and was a part of a Trojans relay group that struck gold. He rounded out the day with a bronze within the 50 free.

Larson McKeon, Lake Travis: Only a freshman, McKeon completed in fifth place in Class 6A 1-meter diving.

Justin Shi, LASA: A senior, he positioned third at state within the Class 5A 100 backstroke.

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Abbey Amato, Anderson: After ending second in state within the 100 breastroke as a junior, Amato earned a bronze within the occasion final month. She was additionally a part of the 200 medley relay that gained district and positioned third in regionals.

Elizabeth Bircher, LASA: Winning diving gold was outstanding for Bircher, contemplating she had by no means earned a medal in her earlier three years at state. Our women diver of the yr will dive the following 4 years at Duke. 

Brooke Frushour, Leander: The Lions junior defended her state title within the Class 5A backstroke, successful in 54:17. She additionally earned bronze within the 100 butterfly one yr after incomes silver in the identical occasion.

Charissa Higgs, LASA: Making a splashing highschool debut, the freshman earned a silver medal within the Class 5A 100 freestyle and a bronze within the 200 free.

Eve Schrader, Gateway Prep: A senior, Schrader earned a silver medal within the Class 4A 1-meter diving occasion.

Alex Orris, Vandegrift: The anchor of the Vipers’ 400 freestyle relay helped her group earn silver. She additionally completed fifth place within the 100 freestyle.