Back On Top

After having their three-year streak of UIL state swimming championships interrupted by Richardson Pearce, Frisco’s boys swim team needed no motivation in training for their 2007-08 season. Their quest to return to the top of the Class 4A podium was realized when the Raccoons narrowly out-pointed Austin Johnson (223-220) for their fourth state title in five years.
Frisco’s 200 medley relay team clinched the championship. Sean Bray, Jared Nix, Barrett Mark and Colin Nix edged out Texarkana Texas with a time of 1:37.52.
“Last year, we simply had too much ground to make up. This year we felt like we had an outside shot although on paper, we were not the clear favorite,” Frisco coach Bruce Eubanks said. “Everybody knew their role and what had to be done in order to have a chance to win. I’ve been real fortunate to have had some great teams over the past few years.”
Mark and the Nix brothers scored big points for Frisco in individual events.
Colin Nix won another gold medal in the 100 freestyle with a time of 47.12. Jared Nix earned a gold medal in the 100 breaststroke in 58.99.
Mark 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.
Other Collin County Class 4A competitors included:
Frisco Centennial’s Colton Palmer finished fourth in the 200 freestyle and fourth in the 100 backstroke.
Frisco Wakeland’s Taylor Bassett came in fifth in the 100 butterfly.
The Frisco Centennial girls team placed eighth among Class 4A teams. They were led by Hannah Ellis finishing third in the 50 freestyle.
Emily Reames (Frisco Liberty) placed sixth and Megan Gay (Frisco Centennial) came in eighth in the diving competition.
In the 100 freestyle, Stephanie Wang of Frisco Liberty finished fourth and Alex Huff of Frisco Wakeland placed sixth.

Class 5A: Konicke Goes Out in Style
Plano sprinter Genny Konicke capped off her senior season by winning her second straight Class 5A state title in the 50 freestyle. She out swam Erica Dittmer of Klein with a time of 23.58. The senior barely missed out on a second sprint gold in the 100 freestyle finishing just behind Samantha Tucker of Austin Westlake. She also won a bronze teaming with Caitlin Rogers, Leanne Hill and Kristen Gilson in the 400 freestyle relay.
Plano’s girl’s team placed third behind Austin Westlake and The Woodlands.
Plano’s Steven Nelms came home with two silver medals, finishing second in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly. Teammate Timothy Juhn placed eighth in the 50.
Nelms also teamed with Scott Weeks, Kevin Yang and Stephen Russell for a fourth-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay. Randall Reams joined Nelms, Weeks and Yang for a sixth-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay.
Weeks placed fifth in the 100 backstroke.
Plano’s boys team placed seventh, just ahead of Plano West.
Other Collin County Class 4A competitors included:
In the 500 freestyle, Plano West’s Kyle McIntee finished fifth and brother Brendan came in seventh. Brendan also placed seventh in the 200 freestyle. The brothers teamed up with Timothy Juhn and Vadim Koenen for a seventh-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay.
Allen’s Ryan Bills finished fifth in the 200 medley.