For the first time in district history, two Garland ISD students are headed to the UIL Swimming & Diving State Meet Feb. 18-19 at the University of Texas at Austin.
State-bound Rowlett High School freshman, Preston Rose, has only been diving for six months. His natural ability and determination led to Rose becoming one of just 24 divers—of which he is one of just two freshmen in the competition—vying for a chance to win the state title.
Senior Kyle Scritchfield is the first swimmer in Sachse High School’s 20-year history to qualify for the state meet. Scritchfield joined the Mustang swim team just one year ago and with the encouragement of district coaches, he was able to drop his total time by two seconds—an impressive amount of time for the 50 freestyle.
Both athletes were cheered on by peers at their respective campuses as they hopped onto vehicles headed to Austin today, Feb. 17.
Garland ISD opened its state-of-the-art natatorium in late December 2020. This facility now allows every district high school to have swimming and diving teams and serves as a home for GISD’s water safety program for second-grade students.