Posing for a photo at the state swim meet in Waco are, from left, Port Aransas Swim Team members Allison Hille, Maddie Garlough, Kylee Barwise, Wynne Parsons and Hailey Clark; and, at rear center, Jenna Ward. Coaches are Jim McClelland and Nana Ward. COURTESY PHOTO BY BRITT BARWISE Port Aransas has a new state bronze medal swimmer. Her name is Hannah Waters, and she’s 8 years old. Waters was one of sixteen Port Aransas Swim Team youth who traveled to Waco last weekend to compete in the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation State Games of Texas. She took the third place win in the 25-meter breaststroke, with a time of 22.21.

State qualifying swimmers had to have placed first or second in a regional competition held in early July.

Coach Nana Ward said this year more swimmers qualified for the state meet than has in previous years. She attributes the team’s success to the hard work of the swimmers, as well as an abundance of help from parents. She said Jim McClelland helped to coach the swimmers this year, also aiding in a successful year.

Port Aransas Swim Team member Ian McClelland chugs through a race at the state swim meet. COURTESY PHOTO The team is already making plans for next year by hosting a silent auction fundraiser at 6 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 4, at Trout Street Bar and Grill, 104 W. Cotter Ave. An awards ceremony also will be held at the event (see story Page 2A.)

Ward said she hopes to have a fall league to run September through December. She feels last year’s fall league was helpful in getting so many of the swimmers to the state meet. Those interested in participating should e-mail Ward at nanaward@centurytel.net.

Results from the state meet follows:

Girls 8 and Under

25 M Breaststroke, 3rd, Hannah Waters, 22.21.

Girls 10 and Under

Hannah Waters took a third place, the best showing by any Port Aransas team member in the state meet. COURTESY PHOTO 25 M Butterfly, 11th, Maddie Garlough, 17.88.

25 M Breaststroke, 19th, Wynne Parsons, 21.91.

25 M Backstroke, 9th, Allison Hille, 18.75.

25 M Freestyle, 9th, Allison Hille, 15.39.

50 M Freestyle, 13th, Allison Hille, , 34.20.

100 M Medley Relay, 9th, Team A (Hailey Clark, Parsons, Garlough, Kylee Barwise), 1:14.95.

Girls 15-17

50 M Freestyle, 11th, Jenna Ward, 28.14.

50 M Backstroke, 11th, Jenna Ward, 33.40.

50 M Butterfly, 13th, Jenna Ward, 31.82.

10th, Jenna Ward, 1:12.80.

Boys 8 and Under

25 M Backstroke, 17th, Ian McClelland, 23.37.

25 M Breaststroke, 5th, Conner Kreutziger, 24.58.

50 M Freestyle, 14th, Ian McClelland, 38.56.

Coach Jim McClelland instructs Port Aransas swimmers, from left, Maddie Garlough, Wynne Parsons and Kylee Barwise, at the state meet in Waco. COURTESY PHOTO BY BRITT BARWISE 100 M Medley Relay, 5th, Team A (Zach Parker, Miles Parsons, McClelland, Mason Barwise), 1:38.48.

Boys 10 and Under

25 M Backstroke, 15th, Ryan Brown, 19.72.

25 M Breaststroke,16th, Ryan Brown, 22.09.

25 M Butterfly, 28th, Cas Ward, 23.32.

50 M Freestyle, 24th, Forrest Garlough, 36.55.

Boys 13-14

50 M Breaststroke, 26th, Elliott Morris, 42.05.

200 M Freestyle, 15th, Elliott Morris, 2:30.93.

Arms thrust in the air, Port Aransas Swim Team member Zach Parker celebrates after learning that his relay ensemble took first place in its heat Saturday, July 30, at the state meet in Waco. The relay group ended up taking fifth place, overall, at the meet. COURTESY PHOTO

Members of the Port Aransas Swim Team perform a mock stretch for some of their camerawielding parents at the state swim meet held in Waco last weekend. From left: Zach Parker, Mason Barwise, Miles Parsons, Ian McClelland and Conner Kreutziger. STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER

Conner Kreutziger tells his father on the phone how he did. Conner took fifth place in an individual competition. COURTESY PHOTO

Kylee Barwise of the Port Aransas Swim Team swims freestyle in a race at the state meet. COURTESY PHOTO BY BRITT BARWISE