Junior High Swim Closes Season With Strong Finishes in East Texas

April 27, 2026 – The Grace junior high swim team wrapped up its season with strong performances and continued improvement, competing in Lufkin and Nacogdoches against a competitive group of East Texas programs.

Grace faced Hudson Middle School, Huntington Youth Swim Club, Lufkin Junior High, Pineywoods Academy, McMichael Middle School and Mance Park Middle School, finishing the season with multiple top finishes across individual and relay events.

The Grace girls team secured a first-place finish, led by strong performances from Hannah Jenks, Lydia Martinez, Audrey Stephenson, Elizabeth Russell and Evy Buess. The boys team also delivered an impressive season-ending showing, earning a second-place overall finish behind standout performances from Christopher Allgaier and Ben Castle.

Coaches noted steady progress throughout the season, highlighted by strong meet results, personal records and consistent effort across the roster.

At the Lufkin meet, Buess placed first in the 50 backstroke and second in the 50 breaststroke. Russell earned first in the 100 freestyle and second in the 50 backstroke. Jenks won the 100 individual medley and the 50 breaststroke, while Martinez took first in the 50 butterfly and second in the 100 individual medley.

On the boys side, Allgaier placed first in the 50 breaststroke and second in the 100 individual medley. Castle won the 100 freestyle and finished second in the 50 butterfly.

Grace also swept the girls relays in Lufkin, winning the 100-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay with Buess, Jenks, Martinez and Russell. The boys relay teams earned second place in both the 100-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay with Castle, Daniel Lomax, Ethan Lawson and Allgaier.

In Nacogdoches, the Lady Cougars continued their strong finish. Martinez won both the 100 individual medley and 50 butterfly. Stephenson earned first in the 50 backstroke and placed second in the 100 individual medley. Jenks finished first in the 50 breaststroke and second in the 200 freestyle. Russell placed second in both the 50 backstroke and 100 freestyle, while Ona Foreman added a third-place finish in the 50 backstroke.

The boys were again led by Allgaier, who won both the 50 breaststroke and the 100 individual medley. Castle placed first in the 50 freestyle and second in the 50 butterfly.

The girls relay teams earned first place in both the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay with Stephenson, Jenks, Martinez and Russell.

Grace coaches praised the team’s dedication throughout the season, noting the effort shown in early practices, technical growth and consistent encouragement among teammates. The Cougars concluded the year with strong momentum and a promising foundation for the future.