Swimmers worked tirelessly in preparation for the Regional meet, placing their full focus on executing workouts to improve form and cut down times. Each athlete performs with precision as they diligently cooperate with their coaches to advance further.
On Feb. 6, 2026, multiple swimmers qualified for state at the regional meet in New Caney, Texas, securing their places in the next championship.
“Congrats to our state qualifiers,” assistant coach Susan Likins said. “They are Fernando Alvarez, Jackson Adams, Caleb Lauterbach, Gunnar Taylor and Austin Cargile.”
As a first-year diver, Alvarez began pumped and prepared to give his all.
“I was very excited, [and] I was already placed second, but due to me stepping forward, I ended up getting a two-point deduction from every judge, bumping me down to third place,” Alvarez said. “For my relay, it was very close. I barely caught up to the guy to the right of me, which gave us enough [of a] chance for Caleb to go at the same time as the guy next to us.”
Though his experience is limited, he remains motivated throughout the season.
“What keeps [me] motivated is that it’s my senior year and making as big an impact as I can as a diver, so that more people feel more encouraged to join diving,” Alvarez said. “I feel like any other person, no matter what grade they are, could probably make it to state as well or do more than what they expected to do as a beginner.”
Techniques vary as the team prepares for each meet. Taylor pivots from enhancing distance to speed.
“We’re cutting down on distance and focusing more on spreading out our underwaters,” Taylor said. “I’m going to try to increase my underwater speed and focus more on my butterfly tempo so I can drive.”
Some swimmers have an emotional tie to the team and the competitions they have competed in throughout high school.
“I’ve been in this since the sixth grade, so I kind of always had a drive to swim,” Cargile said. “It was a pretty big step up from last year’s state competition.”
Though they experience wins and losses, the Tigersharks remain positive and focus on accomplishing their goals as they prepare for the state meet.
“I don’t think I’ll get so high up on the leaderboard, but I just want to at least get 300 points, or as close as I can,” Alvarez said. “I definitely think we can make it to the finals. I just really want to do as best as we can, [and] I want new best times from everybody.”
