Candace Blackman Stars at Texas 4A High School Champs

AUSTIN, Texas. CANDACE BLACKMAN, a freshman at Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas, was untouchable at the Texas 4A Girls High School State Championships in Austin, February 3-24, leading her school to the state title.

GIRLS' EVENTS
Blackman clocked a blistering 1:48.90, a state record, to win the 200 yards freestyle, then came back to take the 100 butterfly in 55.69, winning by almost four full seconds. The talented freshman also led off Highland Park's winning 200 yard medley relay(1:51.52), 200 yard free relay (1:38.73) and 400 yard free relay (3:32.65). Her leadoff times for the 50 free (23.24) and 100 free (50.24) were faster than the winning times in those individual events.

Blackman has a twin sister who also caused some serious damage on behalf of the Highland Park cause. Jennifer Blackman, also a freshman, won the 100 back in 59.11 and anchored the winning 200 free relay in 23.56. She was also a close second in the 100 free (51.83) behind Erica Tate of Grapevine.

Tate, a sophomore, was the only other double winner beside Candace Blackman, winning the 100 in 51.71 and the 50 free in 23.87.

Other winners: Erin Wehrmann, Southwest, 200 IM, 2:09.07; Ashley Bouland, Montgomery, diving, 403.00 points; Celeste Rogers, San Alamo Heights, 500 free, 4:56.1; Amber Schmitt, Austin Johnson, 100 breast, 1:06.08.

BOYS' EVENTS
In contrast with the girls, where no senior won an individual event, the boys' meet featured seniors-only appearances on the victory stand.

John Nabors–to be distinguished from Olympic great John Naber and actor Jim Nabors–won two for Conroe Oak Ridge, taking the 200 free (1:40.23) and 500 free (4:30.38). His margin of victory in the longer race was an impressive 16 seconds.

Scott McCure, of Richardson Pearce, was also a double winner, taking the 200 IM in 1:52.01 and the 100 fly in 51.02 (50.86p). McCure also swam of Pearce's winning 400 free relay (3:15.07).

Rick Yang also picked up valuable points for Pearce, winning the 100 free in 46.57 and anchoring his school's victorious 400 free relay.

David Frigell, of Cedar Park High, turned in one of the most outstanding performances of the meet, winning the 100 breast in 57.44.

The only exception to the seniors' dominance came in the diving, where Grapevine freshman Ryan Shields bounced to victory with 355.15 points.

Other winners: Austin Ayres, Houston King, 50 free, 21.43 (21.30p); 200 medley relay, Conroe; 200 free relay, Cedar Park, 1:28.41; Brett McMillian, Austin Anderson, 100 back, 52.70 (52.57p).

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