Magnolia’s swimming program made history earlier this week when the Panthers and Lady Panthers captured state titles.
“For the first time in Magnolia swimming and dive history, both the girl’s and boy’s teams won the Class 1A-4A State Championship Meet,” said swim coach Kathleen Dingman. The event took place Monday, March 1, in Texarkana at the TISA Aquatic Center where 20 19 teams from across the state competed.
The Panthers scored 385 points, ahead of state runner-up Pulaski Academy (173). It was the Panthers’ fifth title seven years, having “three-peated” at point. The Lady Panthers scored 415 overall points, ahead of state runner-up Clarksville (395).
The Panthers won state swim titles in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2021. The Lady Panthers are now back-to-back state champions, winning titles in 2020 and 2021.
Following is how the relay teams fared at the meet:
• Panther 200m medley relay consisted of Logan Riley (backstroke), Harrison McWilliams (breaststroke), Isaiah Williams (butterfly) and Riley McCook (freestyle).
• Panther 200m freestyle relay team consisted of Hunter Manuel leading off leg, followed by Carson Waters, Logan Riley and Drew Mickey as anchor.
• Panther 400m freestyle relay team include Isaiah Williams leading off with a 54.85 second. Following were Drew Mickey (55.65), Riley McCook (51.77) and Harrison McWilliams (52.41). The team’s final time of 3:34.68 broke the school record from 2016.
• Lady Panther 200m medley relay team placed first with a best and school record of 2:00.19. Team members were Talynn Watson, backstroke (31.73) Oliva Ferguson, breaststroke (33.50); Cecily Sanchez, butterfly (27.99); Elizabeth Wilson, freestyle (26.97).
• Lady Panther 200m freestyle relay team placed second with a best time and school record of 1:48.94. Natalie Boyd (27.74) led off, followed by Talynn Watson (28.11), Elizabeth Wilson (26.64) and anchor Cecily Sanchez (26.45).
All members of the relay teams were also recognized as all-state performers.
Individually accomplishments included the following:
• Tanner Edwards – Scored 315.22 points diving, placing first. All-State diver.
• Riley McCook – Second in the 200m freestyle with a personal best time of 1:54.54, All-State.
• Isaiah Williams – Second in the 500m freestyle with a personal best time of 5:30.84, All-State.
• Harrison McWilliams – Second in the 50m freestyle with a personal best time of 23.90; second in the 100m breaststroke with a personal best time of 1:03.87; All-State.
Individually, Cecily Sanchez placed second in the 200m freestyle with a time of 2:09.00, her an All-State swimmer.