Tom C Clark High School - Witness Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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Q -K c - gtk.,-Q lci'l sw N. will s .xx dl' sf if N' CHAMP ' N il20'P0L0 The girls water polo team has proven for the fourth consecutive time this year who is number one in Texas. Even after a - loss to Alamo Heights in the beginn- ing of the season, the Cougars took the state title after playing Heights again in the final state game and winning 3-1. The most awsome and memorable moment throughout the whole season was beating Heights in the final state game. After that last point, I knew we had won and no one could touch us, recalls Helen Stehouwer. Another of the girl's greatest competitors this year was Marshall. Even though the Cougars didn't lose a game to Marshall this season, most of the girls agreed that games with the Rams are always very close and tense. One reason for this may be because the girls from both teams train together at the some pool and get to know each other very well. Then when the two teams play it is just a matter of who can play the mental game better. Being able to handle those tense moments is something that could be the difference between winning and losing to a team. Just by watching the Cougars during a game, it was obvious the great team spirit that each player felt. Before every big game, the girls would sit in a circle and talk about their goals as a team and as individuals. Then we'd say a quick prayer, followed by a good luck squeeze and we'd really get psyched! said Stehouwer. Six players from the team were named to the regional team. They were Laura Williams, Helen Stehouwer, and Mindy Weil, first team, Kristy Evans and Marlen Parchman, second, and Mary Ann Brunsvold, honorable mention. But, according to Coach Swanson, it was not the in- dividual players who achieved the success in the water. We function as a team, we win as a team and we fall as a team. That is what it is all about. Even when you are the best, many players agree that there were some things that could have been better. The thing I like least about water polo is that it is a very political game. I almost feel like we wanted to win so badly just to prove a point to many coaches and directors who didn't think we could do it, said one player. Then, of course, there were also the many hours of practice that took up so much of every players time and were so frustrating at times. But the year turned out to be possibly the best ever for the Cougars. They pulled themselves together like only champions could and showed everyone, once again, that they still had what it takes to be the best in Texas. And for the five seniors, Laura Williams, Helen Stehouwer, Marla Parchman, Morleen Parchman, and Mary Ann Brunsvold, who have won the state title four years in a row, it was an extra special year. Andrea Smith Very excited, the Cougars pose with Coach Swanson right after their victorious game with Alamo Heights that made them the champs ance again this year. if 7 5 Q N -.ll

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Marla Parchman hugs Helen Stehower, congratulating her on her successful goal against their opponent, Marshall at the state games. After every victorious game, Coach Swanson gets to be thrown in the pool by his team and, after beating Alamo Heights 4-1, the tradition was not broken. photo by unknown During a time out, the team gathers around Coach Swanson to discuss plays and strategies for the remainder of their game against Marshall. After winning the final ame at state, the entire team 'um s trium- 9 J P phantly into the pool while they enjoy being state champions for the fourth consecutive year. . . .... . . .I so C so . , wt f is i Taft 7-2 Taft 6-2 Jefferson 9-1 Marshall 4-4 Taft 12-4 Alamo Heights 11-1 Jefferson 9-4 Jefferson 13-1 I Marshall 4-3 Taft 7-0 Jay 7-4 Marshall 1-0 Alamo Heights 4-3 Alamo Heights 8-5 Marshall 3-1 Marshall 2-1 Jay 6-1 Alamo Heights 4-1 FIRST IN STATE ijfffjy ,,, , In ' . , 5 . 4 I , Zf J fl' i ' . 3' ee' V Q J 4 r JV f I L. I 5 1,7 -ii. fa if J ifwftfn, GIRLS WATER POLO. fFront Rowj: Adle VanErp, Marla Parchman, Mindy Weil, Tracy Price, Rebecca Rogeness, Joyce Bethancoun fMiddle Rowj: Helen Stehouwer, Cameron Weeks, Marlene Parchman, Sarah Halbert, Monica Williams flop Rowj: Coach Swanson, Laura Williams, Kristi Evans, Wendy Petty, Michelle Fuentes. Charlotte Marek. . , I s ---- 5 fb'-up wiv..

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SlhSlllYG L It was an outstanding year for the guy's swimming team. All their hard work, patience, and hours of practice paid off when they became co-district 30 champs on February 21. During the district meet the team won twelve medals all together, including five gold, two silver, and five bronze medals. By the end of the meet they had scored one hundred and forty-six points, six- ty points ahead of third place Jay, making them co- district champions with Marshall. Marshall gave us a lot of competition, but I think Churchill was our big- gest competitor, said junior Chris Doughton. They had a good team this year and we really worked hard getting ourselves geared for the meets. On March 7, the team advanced to the UIL Region VIII Swimming Championships. In total, the team came home with two gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, putting them in third place with eighty-nine points. Brent Caudill brought home the gold in the 50 freestyle with 21.92, as did Anthony Saenz in one-meter diving with a total of 459.45 points. Chris Doughton took the silver in the 100 but- terfly with 53.74, and the 400 freestyle relay team made up of Brent Caudill, Steve Alley, Scott Bell, and Doughton took the silver coming in at 3:13.14 I think we did our best at regional compared to any other meet. Our confidence was really high after the district meet and that is what helped us a Iot, said Caudill. Other swimmers placing in the meet included: i ' 'rss J LL Doughton, third in the 200 individual medley, Scott Bell, third in the 100 freestyle, Sebastian Ramirez, fourth in one meter diving, and the relay team, fourth in the 200 medley relay. With all those victories, it was not surprising that five swimmers, Steve Alley, Scott Bell, Caudill, Doughton, and Saenz, qualified for state. We had a relatively young team this year. It was mostlyjuniors which will be good for next year's team because they will have the experience from this year. But we still need a lot more swimmers to take the place of the seniors who are leaving, said diver Anthony Saenz. Another thing many members on the team would like to see more of is school support. Although stu- dent encouragement for the team has increased in the past few years, the swimming meets have not exactly been having packed stands. Our support has increased in the past couple of years, like last year when we won state, but we would still like to see more people come out to the meets at Nor- thside Stadium, said Doughton. -Andrea Smith During a practice before their Regional meet, the team takes time out to talk with Coach Swanson about this year's competitors and new strategies. Even when the swimming season ls over, swimmers and divers still have to stay In shape. Anthony Saenz practices one of his state qualifying dives after school at Northside Aquatics Center. in-gl, E Q il yr 0 i. 2' if 4 71' 4.,f,.,... ,.., . My .X