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Thursday, May 1, 2008
Gold Medals
Collin County, TX
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Photo(s) By: Robert Hughes
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Team-first believers Konicke and Marks lead talented group of All-Collin County swimmers.
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There are no words to describe it. I was happy to reclaim the title in the 50 and to leave high school swimming with a big accomplishment, Konicke said. Winning it as part of the Plano program means even more because it continued our tradition of meeting high standards and establishing ourselves as one of the top programs in the state.
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Swimmers may appear to be solitary athletes, churning through the water as individuals competing against the clock and their own personal best. But there’s something about high school swim teams that helps propel teammates to gold medal performances. Maybe that’s why this year’s All-Collin County Swimmers of the Year love to talk about the roles their teammates played in their race to the top of the medal stand.
Plano senior Genny Konicke has dominated the 50 freestyle event since relocating from Alaska two years ago. She said farewell to her high school career by winning the event at the Class 5A state meet.
“There are no words to describe it. I was happy to reclaim the title in the 50 and to leave high school swimming with a big accomplishment,” Konicke said. “Winning it as part of the Plano program means even more because it continued our tradition of meeting high standards and establishing ourselves as one of the top programs in the state.”
Like Konicke, Frisco junior Barrett Mark knows what it’s like to move into a dominant swim program. Mark moved to Frisco after swimming in Florida’s state meet as a sophomore.
Mark quickly found his place among a talented Raccoons squad that had won three state titles in four seasons. He helped his teammates put a close loss in last year’s state finals behind them – and adopted the Raccoons’ goal of another team title.
“It was a story that ran in [High School Sports-The Magazine] that got us going,” Mark said. “It was titled ‘Dynasty in the Making’. It got us thinking that we could really make a statement this year. We decided that another state title was within our grasp and we remained focused on that goal.”
Mark provided a boost to the Raccoons’ point total when he nipped Lake Travis’ Andy Hoffman by 0.21 seconds to win the 200 individual medley. He also won silver in the 500 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay. For Mark, the 200 IM win was an unexpected bonus.
“We figured that a second-place finish would get us where we wanted to be, so it was shocking to look up and see that I won the 200,” Mark said. “I could hear my teammates going wild. I just couldn’t believe it. It was the same when we won the team title. Just an unbelievable feeling.”
Mark will return to help Frisco defend its state title next season, but Konicke will move on to swim for the University of Arizona – not without precious memories of her senior season at Plano. At least she’ll leave sisters Kelsey and Marissa to contribute to Plano’s legacy.
“I have a lot of memories from the season, but the ones that stick out the most are from dual meets, my sisters and state,” Konicke said. “The dual meets are very team oriented and involve so much spirit. Everyone is out there encouraging teammates to step up and give it their all.
And having two younger sisters on the team my senior year and having them make it all the way to state, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. We made memories I will never forget.”
2007-2008 All-Collin County Swim Team
Girls Swimmer of the Year
Genny Konicke, Plano, Sr.
Won 50 freestyle and placed second in 100 freestyle at state meet. Also swam leg in third-place 400 freestyle team.
Girls Newcomer of the Year
Hannah Ellis, Frisco Centennial, Fr.
Placed third in 50 freestyle at Class 4A state meet.
Girls Relay Team of the Year
Plano 400 freestyle
Kristen Gilson, Leanne Hill, Genny Konicke and Caitlin Rogers placed third at Class 5A state meet.
All-Collin County Girls Swim Team
Stefi Flores, Plano, So.
Finished eighth in 100 backstroke at Class 5A state meet.
Maureen McLaine, Plano West, Jr.
Runner-up in 500 freestyle and placed sixth in 200 freestyle at Class 5A state meet.
Jaclin Rehring, Allen, Jr.
Runner-up in 200 individual medley and placed fourth in 100 butterfly at Class 5A state meet.
Caitlin Rogers, Plano, Sr.
Placed third in 100 butterfly and fifth in 500 freestyle at Class 5A state meet.
Shirley Wang, Plano, Fr.
Placed seventh in 100 backstroke at state meet.
Stephanie Wang, Frisco Liberty, Fr.
Finished fourth in 100 freestyle at Class 4A state meet.
Boys Swimmer of the Year
Barrett Marks, Frisco, Jr.
Boys Newcomer of the Year
Kyle McIntee, Plano West, Fr.
Finished fifth in 500 freestyle at Class 5A state meet.
Boys Relay Team of the Year
Frisco 200 medley
Sean Bray, Jared Nix, Barrett Mark and Colin Nix clinched Frisco’s Class 4A state title.
Coach of the Year
Bruce Eubanks, Frisco
Boys
Ryan Bills, Allen, Jr.
Placed fifth in 200 IM at Class 5A state meet
Timothy Juhn, Plano West, Sr.
Finished eighth in 50 freestyle and 12th in 100 breaststroke at Class 5A state meet.
Brendan McIntee, Plano, Jr.
Placed seventh in 200 freestyle and seventh in 500 freestyle at Class 5A state meet.
Steven Nelms, Plano, Sr.
Runner-up in 100 backstroke and fifth in 100 butterfly at Class 5A state meet.
Colin Nix, Frisco, Sr.
Won 100 freestyle and finished second in 50 freestyle at Class 4A state meet.
Jared Nix, Frisco, Jr.
Won 100 breaststroke and placed fourth in 100 butterfly at Class 4A state meet.
Scott Weeks, Plano, So.
Placed fifth in 100 backstroke at Class 5A state meet.
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