Holcomb claims 2 bronze medals, Wilkens finishes 6th at state meet

NATALIE HOLCOMB

Senior Natalie Holcomb capped her swimming career at Whitehouse High School with two bronze medals in the 200 and 500 freestyle events. It was Holcomb's fourth straight trip to the 4A state swimming and diving championships.

Teammate Brittany Wilkens, junior, claimed sixth in the 100 breaststroke, improving on her 10th place finish last year.

The top three finishers in the 200 freestyle were Allison Arnold, Dallas Highland Park 1:51.74; Jenny Claydon, Friendswood 1:54.67; and Holcomb, 1:55.22.

Holcomb's time was slower than her best-ever 1:55.03 mark set at the regional meet in Nacogdoches.

Her time of 5:05.36 in the 500, however, surpassed her previous fastest swim of 5:05.67, also set at regionals.

The top two placements in the 500 went to Allison Arnold, Dallas Highland Park 4:56.58, and Kyra Jones, Katy Seven Lakes 5:04.36.

The top three finishers in the 100 breaststroke were Caroline Maxvill, Richardson Pearce 1:05.36; Stephanie Martin, Dallas Wilson 1:05.70; and Morgan McCleery, Celina 1:06.12.

Wilkens' time of 1:09.38 was also a personal best, improving on her regional mark of 1:09.97.

Both girls will now turn their attention to track, including the 800-meter run for Wilkens and the mile and two-mile events for Holcomb.