Grace Swimmers Shine at Fun Meet Despite Cold Weather

November 17, 2025 – The Grace Community School swim team bundled up and braved the cold last week as they traveled to the TISD Aquatic Center for a uniquely designed meet filled with fun, energy, and a few surprises. Teams in attendance included Sunnyvale, Groveton, Whitehouse, Lufkin, Kings Academy, Arp, Longview, Tyler High, Tyler Legacy, and Grace Community.

Unlike traditional UIL competitions, this meet featured several non-standard events created for enjoyment and team bonding. Swimmers competed in a fast-paced 25-yard shoot-out – where Grace’s Mollie Mathis finished third, missing second place by just .02 seconds – as well as 75-yard backstroke and butterfly races performed with fins. Because of these specialty events, no team scores were recorded, keeping the emphasis on fun, sportsmanship, and trying something new.

The most challenging aspect of the day, however, was not the competition but the weather. With cold temperatures and strong winds sweeping across the outdoor pool, swimmers and families layered themselves in warm-ups, parkas, and blankets. One especially thoughtful parent even brought a portable heater, which quickly became a popular gathering spot beneath the bleachers between races.

Despite the conditions, the Grace swimmers demonstrated grit, enthusiasm, and unwavering positivity. They laughed, supported one another, and embraced every event from start to finish. The meet became a memorable display of not only their toughness in the face of difficult weather but also the spirit of community that characterizes the Grace swim program.

The coaching staff expressed pride in every swimmer who stepped onto the deck and into the freezing water, making the most of an unconventional and spirited meet.

Girls Individual Results

  • Georgia Atkinson: 100 Individual Medley—8th; 200 Freestyle—7th
  • Ella Buess: 75 Breaststroke—3rd
  • Cora Castle: 100 Individual Medley—5th; 75 Butterfly with fins—3rd
  • Audrey Green: 100 Freestyle—11th; 75 Breaststroke—11th
  • Ava Green: 100 Freestyle—5th; 75 Backstroke with fins—6th
  • Natalie Jenks: 75 Backstroke with fins—5th; 200 Freestyle—8th
  • Addie Lybrand: 100 Freestyle—7th; 200 Freestyle—11th
  • Mollie Mathis: 25-yard Shoot-Out—3rd; 50 Freestyle—1st

Mixed 200 Medley Relay Results

  • A Relay: 10th (Daniel Minick, Ella Buess, Leonardo Rubio, Mollie Mathis)
  • B Relay: 16th (Natalie Jenks, Georgia Atkinson, Cora Castle, Mateo Agudelo)
  • C Relay: 20th (Addie Lybrand, Audrey Green, Isaac Stephenson, Sam Doyle)

Boys Individual Results

  • Mateo Agudelo: 100 Freestyle—4th; 50 Freestyle—2nd
  • Sam Doyle: 100 Freestyle—13th; 50 Freestyle—7th
  • Daniel Minick: 75 Butterfly with fins—10th; 75 Backstroke with fins—11th
  • Eli Murphy: 50 Freestyle—13th; 75 Breaststroke—15th
  • Leonardo Rubio: 100 Individual Medley—9th; 75 Butterfly—13th
  • Isaac Stephenson: 100 Individual Medley—8th; 75 Backstroke with fins—7th

Upcoming Meets for Grace Swimmers

Private School St. Nick Swim Meet: 6 December at SMU

TISCA: 21–22 November at the Texarkana Aquatic Center (Texarkana College)