Regional Championship Victory for Young Women’s Leadership Academy

In just two years, the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) swim and dive team has made a significant mark on the regional swimming scene by claiming a regional championship trophy. At the Region I-4A Swimming and Diving Championship held at Andrews’ Mustang Natatorium, YWLA secured the top spot with 432 points, narrowly defeating the defending regional champion, Andrews, which finished with 415 points.

The Game Changers dominated the competition by winning eight out of 12 events and securing four second-place finishes. This performance earned them 12 automatic qualifiers to the UIL Class 4A state meet, scheduled for February 12-13 in San Antonio. YWLA aims to build on its impressive second-place finish from the previous year at the state level.

Andrews also had a strong showing, capturing the boys regional title with 473 points, while Monahans came in second with 442 points.

Standout Performances

The success of YWLA was largely driven by freshman Kate Bitnerowska, who was named Girls Swimmer of the Meet after contributing to four record-breaking performances. Bitnerowska claimed victory in the girls 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 58.24 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 53.55 seconds. She also played a key role in the 200 medley relay (1:52.21) and the 400 free relay (3:42.74).

Other notable victories for YWLA included:

• Emily Phillips winning the 500 free (5:07.29) and the 100 breast (1:10.33)
• Olivia Muscroft taking first in the 200 free (2:01.37)
• Katelynn Gomez winning the 50 free (25.50)

The team also received runner-up finishes from:

• Harper Diaz in the 200 IM (2:19.87)
• Elizabeth Biternowska in the 100 butterfly (1:02.84)
• Gomez in the 100 back (1:02.02)
• The 200 free relay (1:44.33)

Andrews’ Strong Showing

On the girls side, Andrews secured victories through Hannah Montoya, who won the 100 fly (1:00.99) and the 200 free relay (1:42.70). For the boys, Colbrin Middlebrooks and Asthon Cook were standout performers, with Middlebrooks winning the 200 free (1:51.11) and 100 back (56.57), and Cook taking first in the 200 IM (2:04.41) and the 100 breast (1:00.00).

Andrews’ Mike Waldmann was honored as Girls Swim Coach of the Meet.

State Qualifiers and Other Highlights

Stanton’s Brynn Burch qualified for the state meet in the girls 1-meter diving event with a second-place finish (297.30 points) on Thursday.

Key Results and Standings

Boys Team Standings (Top 10)

1. Andrews – 473
2. Monahans – 442
3. Decatur – 206
4. Pecos – 174
5. El Paso Austin – 133
6. Seminole – 126
7. Lubbock-Cooper – 89
8. Eagle Mountain – 84
9. Fort Stockton – 78
10. El Paso Ysleta – 58

Girls Team Standings (Top 10)

1. YWLA – 432
2. Andrews – 415
3. Decatur – 258
4. Monahans – 175
5. Lubbock Talkington – 147
6. Pecos – 121
7. El Paso YWLA – 113
8. Eagle Mountain – 70
9. Pampa – 60
10. Lubbock-Cooper – 50

Event Highlights

Boys Events

• 200 Medley Relay: 2nd place – Andrews (1:41.54)
• 200 Free: 1st – Colbrin Middlebrooks (1:51.11), 3rd – Hayden Jennings (1:54.61)
• 200 IM: 1st – Asthon Cook (2:04.41)
• 50 Free: 2nd – Ashton Athur (23.04), 3rd – Tristan Anderson (23.73)
• 1-Meter Diving: 2nd – Adrian De Luna (250.65 points)
• 100 Free: 3rd – Tristan Anderson (51.95)
• 500 Free: 2nd – Konnor Ehrenberg (5:19.94), 3rd – Brycen Ferguson (5:21.54)
• 200 Free Relay: 2nd – Andrews (1:32.93)
• 100 Back: 1st – Colbrin Middlebrooks (56.67)
• 100 Breast: 1st – Asthon Cook (1:00.00)
• 400 Free Relay: 2nd – Andrews (3:33.99)

Girls Events

• 200 Medley Relay: 1st – YWLA (1:52.21), 2nd – Andrews (1:54.83)
• 200 Free: 1st – Olivia Muscroft (2:01.37), 2nd – Kaylee Brus (2:03.06), 3rd – Tatum Holley (2:03.31)
• 200 IM: 1st – Hannah Montoya (2:19.19), 2nd – Harper Diaz (2:19.87)
• 50 Free: 1st – Katelynn Gomez (25.50), 2nd – Rebecca Jays (25.74), 3rd – Cora Retzer (26.06)
• 1-Meter Diving: 2nd – Brynn Burch (297.30 points)
• 100 Butterfly: 1st – Hannah Montoya (1:00.99), 2nd – Elizabeth Bitnerowska (1:02.84), 3rd – Olivia Muscroft (1:03.17)
• 100 Free: 1st – Kate Bitnerowska (53.55), 2nd – Rebecca Jays (56.83), 3rd – Cora Retzer (58.56)
• 500 Free: 1st – Emily Phillips (5:07.29), 2nd – Kaylee Brus (5:31.79), 3rd – Harper Diaz (5:38.91)
• 200 Free Relay: 1st – Andrews (1:42.70), 2nd – YWLA (1:44.33)
• 100 Back: 1st – Kate Bitnerowska (58.24), 2nd – Katelynn Gomez (1:02.02), 3rd – Tatum Holley (1:03.12)
• 100 Breast: 1st – Emily Phillips (1:10.33), 2nd – Kyra O’Connor (1:11.54)
• 400 Free Relay: 1st – YWLA (3:42.74), 3rd – Andrews (3:57.61)