CHS swimmers compete at Andrews

ANDREWS, Texas – Coming off what co-coach Vincent de Maio called "strenuous winter training," Clovis High's swim teams returned to meet competition from the holiday break on Friday and Saturday in the Andrews Invitational.

The CHS girls were second out of 19 teams with 573 ½ points, trailing only El Paso High (865). The boys finished sixth out of 20 squads at 309, with El Paso High also winning that division with 828 points to 442 ½ for Andrews.

The Wildcats and Lady Wildcats had the second-best combined team score (882 ½), behind El Paso High (1692).

"We had a great day on Saturday (in the finals)," de Maio said. "Friday, we were a little flat, (but) I was really pleased with this meet. I always say if you don't swim your best, swim what's required, and that's what we did."

Senior Porter Kidd for the boys and junior Julia Sparks for the girls led the way for their teams.

Kidd posted the Cats' only two wins in the 200 freestyle (1 minute, 48.11 seconds) and 500 freestyle (a meet record 4:57.55), and also swam anchor on the 400 freestyle relay (3:32.92), which trailed only El Paso High (3:22.78). Meantime, senior Kriday Andiboina earned a third-place finish in the 100 backstroke (1:02.28).

Clovis' only new state qualifier was senior David Reeb, who was fifth in the 200 individual medley in 2:11.15.

Spears posted the Lady Cats' lone win, swimming 5:32.53 to take the girls' 500 freestyle by nearly 30 seconds. She was also third in the 200 IM (2:22.75), and swam a leg on the 200 freestyle relay (second in 1:49.56) and third in the 400 freestyle relay (third in 4:09.01).

Sophomore Claire Palla was second for CHS in the girls' 50 freestyle (26.68).

CHS swimmers are back in action on Saturday in the Artesia Invitational.