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2022-23 Legacy Prep Christian Academy Girls Swim
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The girls' team further cemented the Legacy Prep name into history books by taking home their second-consecutive TAPPS-D3 State Championship.
The Lions traveled to San Antonio last week with a target on their backs, given their title acquisition a year ago. However, they were clearly up to the challenge with several of the swimmers racking up the points to ultimately immortalize the school’s legacy (pardon the pun).
“We were very excited and pleased with our performances,” said coach Billy Gerwick. “The entire varsity team pushed hard at practice all year and the girls really bonded together, pushing each other to challenge. Legacy Prep is so proud of our swim team and the girls have now made a name for themselves. The exposure to another championship gets students excited and encourages our athletes to be a part of or consider joining next year’s swim team.”
LPCA's Emily TomlinsonBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Legacy Prep excelled in nearly all events in the pool this year particularly in team races. This was especially the case during the State Meet as the girls finished first in both the 200 & 400-Freestyle Relay, as well as the 200-Medley Relay. Individually, LPCA’s Emily Tomlinson and Janey Leiker placed highly in their respective races, with Tomlinson claiming silver in the 100-Breaststroke and 50-Freestyle, and Leiker also ending up with the No. 2 spot in the 100-Butterfly.
LPCA's Janey LeikerBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“We did have some wonderful individual performances, however, we focused on being a ‘team’ all season,” Gerwick said. “These girls swam for each other. They poured into their relays and peaked at State with all three relays breaking the school records.”
Throughout Gerwick’s tenure at Legacy Prep, he has propelled the Lions to another level of competition. Adding another impressive victory to his storied career is certainly worth celebrating, however, the coach gives all the credit to his athletes.
“I would just I’m very blessed with a very solid, humble and great group of kids on my team,” he said. “I strive to make sure they are enjoying the sport. I truly want them to have fun and not put too much pressure on themselves. We believe if you don’t love what you’re doing, you will never truly excel in the water. If my team is having fun and smiling, so am I.”
2022-23 LPCA Lions SwimBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Now that the Lions are back-to-back champs, the future of the LPCA swim program looks even brighter, as they’ll now be seen as a perennial power in the pool for years to come.
“We have a solid group of girls returning next year, so I anticipate we will still be very competitive,” said Gerwick. “We’ll be losing five seniors, which will make our team dynamics shift in regards to specialty strokes. It’ll change up our relays and we will certainly have to make some adjustments. Looking at our freshmen class, I’m expecting some of our younger swimmers to step up into some stronger roles next season.”
Congratulations to Legacy Prep swim, we’ll expect to see more of the same this time next year.
2022-23 Houston Christian High School Men's Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Mustangs’ regular season embodied near perfection, going 28-4 with an undefeated district record (7-0) prior to advancing through the playoffs, leading to Saturday’s Championship matchup.
“We [Houston Christian] established that rebounding was going to be our greatest asset because of the length and athleticism we have on our team,” said sophomore PG Montana Wheeler, “I feel we were so successful this season because we loved each other. I’ve never been a part of a brotherhood like we experienced this season. We trust each other and that’s what ultimately puts us on top.”
The Houston Christian team, post-Championship victory
The SPC 4A Championship against district rival, Espicopal was as close as it gets, ending in a double-overtime thriller that saw Houston Christian conclude the season finale victorious by a score of 81-78.
Episcopal’s Justin Begg went off for 38 points, but the overall effort by the Mustangs' Wheeler (24 pts/9 assists) and junior forward Carter Seeliger (15 pts/20 rebounds), was too much to handle in the end.
“Competing in close games, like the championship game, brings out the best of everyone,” said Seeliger. “We were all locked in and only focused on what was happening between the lines, making the game what it was. What it took for Houston Christian to win the game was sheer determination. We played our roles the right way, made the right reads and believed in one another to walk away State Champions.”
Houston Christian's Carter SeeligerBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Wheeler felt a surge of emotion after the final buzzer sounded. He and his team had won a State Title, just as his older brother, Sahvir Wheeler who currently plays for Kentucky, did for the Mustangs in 2018.
“This means so much to the Houston Christian community and the basketball program,” Wheeler said. “Coach Crandall, my Dad and Coach Morris have worked extremely hard to make the program what it is today. For us to solidify another amazing year is an absolute blessing. To be completely honest, I was in tears. I had dreamed of this moment since I watched Sahvir win his first one, and I was very emotional because we worked hard. For us to see it pay off, meant everything to me.”
Houston Christian's Montana WheelerBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
On a roster that features a slew of playmakers, Wheeler and Seeliger have propelled the team to another level as the team’s leaders despite being fairly young. Considering the majority of the stars of this Mustangs team are returning next season, it’s safe to say the future of the program remains in good hands.
“The future of Houston Christian basketball is bright,” Seeliger said. “We’re bringing back guys that had a big impact this year, and we’ll only get better from here. Furthermore, we’ll have guys who didn’t get to play as much who will develop in the offseason and find a role to play next year. Our goal is to win another State Championship, and I don’t see any reason we can’t run it back.”
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