Jenks Trojan Aquatic Center to host first state swim meet
BY JOSH HALEY World Correspondent
Friday, February 15, 2013
2/15/13 at 6:00 AM
It will be a historic weekend in Jenks as the high school state swimming championships visit the state-of-the-art Trojan Aquatic Center for the first time.
There are plenty of things that make the $19 million facility special, but the one that the swimmers benefit from is the air quality.
"The air at a pool is bad, and swimmers can get sick from it," said Jenks head coach John Turner. "The quality of air here will not allow that to happen."
An air handling system sweeps the chlorine from the building to provide the cleanest air possible, making the pool an easy choice to host big-stage events.
In two weeks, the aquatic center will host sectionals, an entry-level national meet in which more than 600 swimmers from seven states took part in a four-day event last year.
"This is the only pool in the state that can hold two meets at once," said Turner, whose girls team might be the only one capable of dethroning two-time defending champion Edmond North.
Last year's 6A boys title could have been the closest in history between four teams, as Union edged Bartlesville, Edmond North and Jenks, which had previously won five straight, by a total of 37 points.
Considering the state meet had been held in Oklahoma City every year in recent memory, many area coaches are excited for the geographic advantage.
"It's good that these kids will get to sleep in their own bed the night before," said Fort Gibson coach Connie Dean.
The Fort Gibson girls won their first state title in 2011 and repeated in 2012, making them the favorite in Class 5A this year.
"We've been tapering for the last three weeks," said Dean. "These kids are rested and focused on the task at hand."
The Fort Gibson girls are also focused on school, as they were named academic state champions for the third straight year.
The Bixby boys will be looking for a repeat in 5A, but will face a challenge from Harrah, Altus and Fort Gibson.
"There is always pressure when there are so many great teams to compete against," said Bixby coach Monika Meadows. "This year, the pressure not only stems from the desire to repeat, but that there are three teams we have to watch out for."
The Spartans' team unity was on display as they shaved their heads on Thursday to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as part of SPUDS (Spartans Doing Unselfish Deeds) week at Bixby.
Original Print Headline: New Jenks facility hosts 1st state meet
STATE SWIMMING
When: Friday-Saturday
Where: Jenks Trojan Aquatic Center, 205 E. "B" Street
Class 5A
Tickets: $5 for students and adults.
Defending champions: Boys, Bixby; Girls, Fort Gibson.
Teams to watch: Bixby is the favorite to repeat as the boys champion, but don't be surprised if Fort Gibson takes the Spartans' crown. The Fort Gibson girls edged Stillwater by 11 points last year, but if they swim anywhere close to the way they have all season, the Tigers will be celebrating a three-peat.
Schedule: 5 p.m. Friday; 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Class 6A
Tickets: $5 for students and adults.
Defending champions: Boys, Union; Girls, Edmond North.
Teams to watch: The Edmond North girls might be untouchable when swimming their best, but, if they stumble, don't count out Jenks to make it interesting. A non-factor in last year's meet, the Norman North boys are expected to take the crown this year. Bartlesville, who came up 24 points shy of Union for last year's title, could also be a factor.
Schedule: 10:30 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday.
