Warrior Swimmers Compete in Shootout
By Kelley Currin
Head Swim and Dive Coach
The Warrior swimmers were at work in Fort Worth over the weekend. The third annual Cowtown Shootout, hosted by Western Hills Swim Team, took place at the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center. The meet is unusual because all of the races are sprints, and the meet concludes with a head- to-head, dual-in-the-pool 50 freestyle race to determine the overall shootout champion.
The Warriors were short three swimmers due to illness, but fought hard all day and came away with outstanding swims. The team was led by junior Megan Perley, who started off the morning with a personal best time of 29.61 in the 50 freestyle, just missing the top 16 that would have allowed her to continue in the shootout. Junior Kenzie Middle followed with a fast 100 freestyle, touching the wall in 1:19.65. Freshmen Zach Merklein and Matthew Medlock both had great swims in the 50 freestyle with personal best times of 30.97 and 31.91. Freshman Christian Palmer also posted a best time in the 100 freestyle, finishing in 1:06.84. Freshman Allie Martin had an excellent swim in the 200 freestyle, finishing in 2:20.44. 
The girls 200 medley relay consisting of Martin, Perley, junior Marcy Morgan, and senior Taylor Gilstrap had a season best time of 2:30.96. The boys 200 free relay consisting of junior Steven Murphy, Medlock, Palmer, and Merklein finished ninth overall with a time of 2:02.66. Junior Caroline Walls had an excellent time in the 200 freestyle of 2:33.77, just off of her personal best time.
This meet was a good indicator of where we are in the season. This team is ready to swim fast in two weeks at the North Regional meet at the Mansfield ISD Natatorium on Friday, Jan. 28. We are excited to compete at a high level and represent Liberty well.