News Summary

The Wellington High School swim team, made up of five talented girls, has made history by qualifying for the state championships in Topeka. This marks the first time a relay team from Wellington has achieved such a milestone, showcasing the dedication and teamwork of Abby, Ellie, Alara, Georgia, and Sophie. They will be celebrated with pizza for their accomplishments, as they prepare to represent their school and community on a larger stage. The boys’ and girls’ teams have also excelled in recent competitions, marking a promising season ahead as the athletes continue to strive for success.

Wellington High School Swim Team Makes Waves by Qualifying for State Championships!

Wellington is buzzing with excitement as the local high school swim team, composed of five talented girls, has made history by qualifying for the state championships! With the big event unfolding in Topeka this Friday, it’s an exhilarating time for these young athletes who have proudly represented Wellington while officially swimming for Winfield.

A Historic Achievement

Meet the stars of the show: Abby Ybarra, Ellie McComb, Alara Wilson, Georgia Shinliver, and Sophie Cornejo. These remarkable young ladies are not only friends but have also formed a tight-knit team that has made it into the record books as the first high school 400-yard relay team from Wellington to qualify for the state championships. Isn’t that something? This monumental achievement means that for the first time ever, a team wearing the “Wellington” name will be showcased at the high school swim championships.

Celebrating Their Success

As if qualifying for state championships wasn’t exciting enough, all five girls are being rewarded for their hard work with delicious surprises! They will be treated to a large Big Cheese Pizza from a local favorite, 324 N. Washington in Wellington. Always great to celebrate with pizza, right?

A Look at Recent Performances

But the achievements don’t stop there! The boys’ and girls’ swim teams from Wellington High School have also performed admirably at the recent FHSAA Class 4A swimming and diving championships held on November 9 in Ocala. Under the leadership of their dedicated coach, Richard Whalen, the teams showcased the talents of nine swimmers and divers.

Standout Swimmers

Seniors and juniors alike showed off their skills. Senior Leorah Rotchin made waves in the girls’ 200-yard freestyle, while junior Dillon Metz dived into both the boys’ 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle events. Freshman Veronica Metz also proved her talent, competing in the girls’ 200-yard individual medley and 500-yard freestyle! Talk about a promising future for this sport!

With swimmers from both classes—sophomore Julian Granison and junior Andreas Da Silva competing in the boys’ 50 and 100-yard freestyle—the excitement was palpable, especially when many of the WHS swimmers and relay teams advanced to the finals in the evening session.

On an individual level, Rotchin’s preliminary time of 1:55.4 in the 200-yard freestyle ranked her 14th- fastest, while Dillon Metz secured a similar honor with a 1:44.51 finish in the boys’ 200-yard freestyle. You have to admire the tenacity and perseverance of these young athletes!

Relay Races and Team Spirit

The relay teams didn’t disappoint either! The girls’ 200-yard freestyle relay clocked in at 1:40.06, finishing in 11th place, while the boys’ 200-yard freestyle relay team achieved a remarkable second place with a time of 1:23.89, even earning an Automatic All-American time. Team spirit was high, and watching these young athletes work together brought the crowd to their feet!

Overall Team Performance

The girls scored 37 points and finished 16th overall in the meet, while the boys scored a notable 117 points to finish 7th. With Coach Whalen’s over 40 years of experience coaching high school swimming, he emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and perseverance in achieving these milestones.

The Wellington swim team has truly made waves this season, setting a benchmark for future swimmers. As they gear up for the state championships, there’s no doubt the community will be cheering them on every stroke of the way!

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