Keller Central Trio sign Division I NLI’s

In the history of Central’s (Keller, TX) swim program, only one athlete has swam at the division one level in college, but three more are now on their way for the Fall of 2014.  On the first day of the early signing period, Madison Straight (Kansas), Lauren Williams (Missouri State) and Georgia Brown (New Mexico State) signed national letter of intents for their respective universities during a group celebration at the Texas 5A high school.

Joining fellow students, teammates, teachers and family at the festivities were Central head coach Ann Tracewell-Wang as well as club coach Jason Walter from Lakeside Aquatics (Straight, Williams).  When asked at the signing to reflect on what the trio has meant to Central HS and Central swimming, Coach Wang said, “They set the bar for what we want the Central swimming program to be.  Not only are these ladies great leaders for the team, they are awesome students in the classroom and members of the Keller community.  The fact that they have tremendous talent and speed was a bonus which allowed Central girl’s swimming to do things no other CHS swim team had done.  Their speed will be missed next year but the impact they have had on our program and the examples they have set, will continue to be a part of the CHS team for years to come.”

The 2012/2013 season was particularly productive for the trio who, along with just two underclassmen, scored well in various events to earn the team a 2^nd place finish in District 5-5A (District includes KISD and Southlake Carroll) and followed with a 3^rd at Region 2-5A.  Best times in that regional earned Straight and Brown NISCA/Speedo All-America cuts in the 200IM (Straight -2:03.36) and 100 Back (Brown – 56.47), respectively.  Those two also teamed with Williams to grab an All-America cut in the 200 Medley Relay (1:46.10).  Williams and Brown were also participants in the 200 Free Relay (1:36.74) which established another auto-qualifying cut as well.

Central’s season culminated at 5A State in Austin,TX with an impressive 6^th place finish out of the 64 women’s teams who scored.  Individually, Straight earned Central’s first ever medal at the 5A competition with a silver in the 200IM.  Along with Straight, Georgia Brown was a finalist in the 100 Back while Lauren Williams qualified in the 100 Fly.

This story and photo courtesy of Todd Straight.