Grace Swim Captures Overall Championship at 9th Annual Cougar Invitational

October 6, 2025 – The Grace Community School swim team hosted the 9th Annual Grace Cougar Invitational at East Texas Aquatics, welcoming 11 teams from across East Texas for a full day of exciting and competitive racing.

This year’s meet held special meaning as senior swimmers Mollie Mathis and Leonardo Rubio were honored for their seven years of commitment to the Grace swim program. Both athletes received special recognition for their leadership, dedication, and positive impact on their teammates.

In the pool, Grace swimmers delivered a series of strong performances, with 23 of 35 swims resulting in season-best times. On the girls’ side, Senior Captain Mollie Mathis and Sophomore Ella Buess led with first-place finishes in both of their individual events. For the boys, Senior Captain Leonardo Rubio also posted top results, including a first-place finish in the 100 butterfly.

The Grace girls team won first place overall, while the boys team earned second, just behind Whitehouse. When combined, Grace claimed the overall team championship, finishing ahead of Whitehouse with a final score of 231 to 192.

Congratulations to all Cougar swimmers for their continued improvement, sportsmanship, and success.

The team returns to action on October 11 at the Pineywoods Community School Invitational, held at the Nacogdoches Boys and Girls Club.

Girls Individual Results:

  • Ella Buess (10): 1st – 200 Individual Medley; 1st – 100 Breaststroke
  • Cora Castle (10): 2nd – 200 Individual Medley; 6th – 100 Freestyle
  • Natalie Jenks (10): 2nd – 200 Freestyle; 4th – 100 Freestyle
  • Addie Lybrand (10): 4th – 200 Freestyle; 11th – 100 Backstroke
  • Ava Green (10): 4th – 50 Freestyle; 5th – 100 Backstroke
  • Laura Kate Green (11): 8th – 50 Freestyle; 6th – 100 Backstroke
  • Mollie Mathis (12): 1st – 50 Freestyle; 1st – 100 Freestyle

Girls Relay Results:

  • 200 Medley Relay: 2nd – Jenks, Buess, Mathis, Castle
  • 200 Freestyle Relay: 1st – Castle, Atkinson, Lybrand, A. Green
  • 400 Freestyle Relay: 2nd – Jenks, Buess, Atkinson, Mathis

Boys Individual Results:

  • Mateo Agudelo (11): 4th – 100 Freestyle; 10th – 50 Freestyle
  • Sam Doyle (10): 5th – 500 Freestyle; 8th – 50 Freestyle
  • Will Means (11): 2nd – 100 Breaststroke; 5th – 100 Freestyle
  • Daniel Minick (11): 2nd – 100 Butterfly; 4th – 50 Freestyle
  • Eli Murphy (9): 7th – 200 Freestyle; 12th – 100 Breaststroke
  • Leonardo Rubio (12): 1st – 100 Butterfly; 3rd – 100 Freestyle
  • Isaac Stephenson (9): 3rd – 100 Breaststroke; 4th – 100 Backstroke

Boys Relay Results:

  • 200 Medley Relay: 2nd – Minick, Means, Rubio, Agudelo
  • 200 Freestyle Relay: 2nd – Agudelo, Doyle, Stephenson, Murphy
  • 400 Freestyle Relay: 3rd – Minick, Means, Doyle, Rubio