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Sports
FIGHTING OFF FATIGUE, HOSCH CLAIMS BREASTSTROKE GOLD
HP junior wins two medals, narrowly misses record at busy state swim meet
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By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
Lindsey Hosch’s eye-opening regional time suggested she’s the best Class 5A breaststroke swimmer in Texas. Her breathtaking performance at the state meet proved it.
The Highland Park junior earned a 5A state championship on March 2 in San Antonio, dominating her race in a time of 1 minute, 1.76 seconds. As the top seed in the race, she missed the Class 5A state record by only 0.02 seconds.
“I was excited that I won the event, but I didn’t meet my goals for that race. I wanted to go a lot faster,” Hosch said. “Next year, I can defend my title and go even faster.”
Still, Hosch improved her time by more than two seconds from the 2020 state meet, when she won a silver medal in the 100 breaststroke. And she did so under extenuating circumstances.
The meet was pushed back more than a week because of winter weather throughout the state, which interrupted training and preparation. In addition, COVID-19 restrictions condensed a two-day meet to a single day, with preliminaries in the morning and finals in the evening.
The unprecedented switch was especially arduous for busy swimmers such as Hosch, who had to race eight times in one day — double her usual workload. The 100 breaststroke final was her eighth and final swim.
“It was a lot of swimming in one day,” Hosch said. “By finals, everyone was already super tired.”
Earlier in the day, Hosch claimed a silver medal in the 100 butterfly, falling short by just 0.13 seconds to Lubbock’s Ellis Fox.
“I was pretty surprised and happy with my 100 fly,” Hosch said. “I was just going in and hoping for the best, trying to get through it so I could focus on the breaststroke.”
The stellar individual performances more than atoned for a miscue in the day’s first event, the 200 medley relay. The Blue Wave posted a second-place preliminary time but suffered a disqualification in the finals when Hosch left the starting block early for her leg.
Hosch has verbally committed to swim collegiately at Texas, following in the footsteps of her mother, grandfather, and uncle. Her older brother Turner, who won multiple state titles for HP in golf, now plays at Oklahoma.
“I knew that I wanted to go to Texas if I was able to,” Hosch said. “I really like the girls on the team.”
Lindsey Hosch won a gold medal in the 100 breaststroke and a silver
medal in the 100 butterfly at the 5A state meet in San Antonio. (PODIUM IMAGE:
COURTESY PHOTO; ACTION IMAGE: CHENGLIE PAN)
Sooner-Born Weibel Has Unfinished Business at State
Scots senior seeking another Texas 5A golf title before heading to Oklahoma
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
Hudson Weibel has been a golfer since he was 3, but he’s been an Oklahoma Sooners fan for longer than that.
So when the Highland Park senior signed to play golf for perennial powerhouse OU in the fall, it seemed inevitable. Both of his parents went there, along with several other relatives.
“I was raised as an OU kid,” said Weibel, who verbally committed to the Sooners as an eighth-grader at Highland Park Middle School. “That’s all I wanted to do, was go play golf there.”
Weibel will have that chance later this year. But first, he wants to lead the Scots to a fourth consecutive Class 5A state title this spring.
HP is expected to make a return trip in May to White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown, where Weibel tied for 10th place individually as a freshman and placed 17th as a sophomore. The COVID-19 pandemic eliminated another repeat opportunity last year. Highland Park senior Hudson Weibel will try PCP_Apr2021x10Banner-FINAL-Revised.pdf 1 3/11/2021 3:24:31 PM
Weibel was the newcomer on that to lead the Scots to their fourth consecutive powerhouse 2018 squad, but this year is 5A state championship in May. (COURTESY PHOTO) the experienced veteran tasked with help- Lanny Wadkins Challenge in Arlington. ing his younger teammates. He surged to the top with a final-round
“Both years I played [at score of 65, capped by an state], I was the youngest I was raised eagle on the last hole. guy on the team,” he said. “I’ve played there so many as an OU kid. That flair for the dramatic could come in times now. It’s big for me That’s all I handy when he — along to be able to show them how I’ve done it at state.” wanted to do, with fellow seniors Pierce Johnson and Thompson
Weibel won a couple was go play golf Huthnance, among others of junior tournaments in eighth grade, then qualthere. — look to continue their legacy of state championified for the Texas State Hudson Weibel ships. Amateur as a 15-year-old “This team came up toin 2018, becoming the youngest player in gether,” he said. “This year, we’ll be pretty the field at Whispering Pines Golf Club tough to beat.” near San Antonio. Since then, he has added distance to his drive and worked exten- PUTTING PROWESS sively on his mental game.
“Hudson is very process-oriented. A bad Highland Park has won the past three day doesn’t really affect him in a dramatic Class 5A boys golf championships, way like it does some kids,” said HP head and will be among the favorites again coach Erik Henson. “He’s played high-lev- this year. el golf for a long time. At this point, he’s Year Score Victory not ever intimidated by anything. He’s very confident in the way he carries himself.” This season, Weibel won the season-opening event for the Scots at the 2017 2018 2019 591 564 581 13 strokes 33 strokes 7 strokes
36 April 2021 | parkcitiespeople.com HP Gymnast Showing Maturity, Potential Beyond Her Years Ana Simpson has shined for youthful Lady Scots during freshman season
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
Although she’s been a highly decorated club gymnast for years, Ana Simpson wasn’t sure what to expect when she transitioned to the high school ranks.
Yet the Highland Park freshman has thrived in the team-first environment, where routines come with a dissimilar type of pressure — and also support.
“The team atmosphere is very different. Everybody cheers you on, and you’re not just by yourself,” said Simpson, who competes year-round for Ridgewood Gymnastics. “I just want to get the best score I possibly can to lift the team score up.”
Simpson has lifted the Lady Scots several times this season. She finished second in the all-around standings during the final Highland Park freshman Ana Simpson has made a successful transition from club gymnastics to team-oriented high school meets. (PHOTOS: CHRIS MCGATHEY) meet of the regular season against Garland Lakeview Centennial. head coach Brandi Wren uncertain wheth- has benefited from competing alongside on the podium at the state champion-
Her favorite event is uneven bars, but er she would join the Lady Scots at all this more seasoned teammates such as Lin- ships,” Wren said. “She doesn’t really her season-high scores have come in the season. da Tran and Kennedy Downing. Tran have a weak event.” three other disciplines — vault, floor exer- “We weren’t sure if she was going to was the all-around champion during a cise, and balance beam — with a 9.7. do [both] club and high school,” Wren January meet against Saginaw Chisholm POSTSEASON CALENDAR
Simpson, born in said. “She’s been a Trail. San Antonio, started She doesn’t really great addition to the “I’m able to relax more when [there District meet: March 31-April 1, competitive gymnastics when she was 6 as have a weak event. team. I was pleasantly surprised that she are] older girls who can help out,” Simpson said. “They have more experience in Garland a faster-paced alter- Brandi Wren scores so well.” competitions.” Regional meet: April 13-14, native to dance. She As they head to Wren said the precocious youngster’s Rockwall comes from an athletic family, and her twin district and regional meets this spring, versatility and development mean the fubrother, Tommy, also is a gymnast at HP. Yet injuries caused Simpson to miss much of her eighth-grade year, leaving HP the Lady Scots have a roster that includes five all-arounders, none of which are seniors. However, Simpson said she ture is bright, both individually and as a team. “I would expect her to eventually be State meet: April 30-May 1, Euless Trinity
