Cougar Swim Team Dominates at Pineywoods Invitational

October 13, 2025 – The Grace Community School Cougar Swim Team delivered a powerful performance at the Pineywoods Invitational, held this past weekend at the Lufkin Swim Center. The meet brought together nine competitive teams from across East Texas, including Vidor, Beaumont, Nederland, Lumberton, Port Neches-Grove, Huntington, Lufkin, Arp, and Grace.

Despite nearly a quarter of the Cougar team being absent due to other school commitments, the team rose to the occasion. The Grace boys’ team took first place overall, while the girls secured an impressive second-place finish.

Sophomore Ella Buess led the girls’ team as high-point scorer, winning both of her individual events. On the boys’ side, freshman Isaac Stephenson earned high-point honors for the Cougars, capturing gold in the 500 freestyle and silver in the 200 freestyle.

Out of 30 total events swum by Grace athletes, 67% resulted in personal best times, signaling a clear trend of progress as the team enters a demanding training phase. The meet was a strong testament to the Cougars’ effort, resilience, and team spirit.

Next up, the Cougar swimmers will compete at the Nacogdoches Dragon Invitational on October 25 at the Lehmann Swim Center in Nacogdoches. The meet begins at 10:00 a.m., and the team welcomes all Grace fans to come cheer them on!

Girls Individual Results:

  • Georgia Atkinson (10): 2nd – 200 Freestyle; 3rd – 100 Breaststroke
  • Ella Buess (10): 1st – 200 Freestyle; 1st – 100 Backstroke
  • Audrey Green (10): 8th – 50 Freestyle; 8th – 100 Breaststroke
  • Laura Kate Green (11): 9th – 100 Backstroke
  • Natalie Jenks (10): 2nd – 50 Freestyle; 3rd – 100 Backstroke
  • Addie Lybrand (10): 4th – 200 Freestyle; 10th – 100 Backstroke

Girls Relay Results:

  • 200 Medley Relay: 1st (Jenks, Atkinson, Buess, Lybrand)
  • 200 Freestyle Relay: 2nd (Atkinson, Laura Kate Green, Audrey Green, Buess)
  • 400 Freestyle Relay: 1st (Jenks, LK Green, A. Green, Lybrand)

Boys Individual Results:

  • Matthew Agudelo (11): 2nd – 100 Freestyle; 3rd – 50 Freestyle
  • Sam Doyle (10): 3rd – 200 Freestyle; 9th – 50 Freestyle
  • Will Means (11): 2nd – 100 Breaststroke; 6th – 50 Freestyle
  • Eli Murphy (9): 9th – 100 Breaststroke; 12th – 100 Freestyle
  • Leonardo Rubio (12): 2nd – 100 Butterfly; 4th – 100 Backstroke
  • Isaac Stephenson (9): 1st – 500 Freestyle; 2nd – 200 Freestyle

Boys Relay Results:

400 Freestyle Relay: 1st (Rubio, Stephenson, Doyle, Murphy)

200 Medley Relay: 1st (Stephenson, Means, Rubio, Agudelo)

200 Freestyle Relay: 4th (Agudelo, Doyle, Means, Murphy)