Ismael Carrillo
The Lady Red swim team traveled to the Newton Invitational on Thursday, continuing to build experience and momentum as the season moves toward the postseason. Liberal finished 9th overall with 33 team points against a competitive field, but the biggest story of the day came from a historic performance in the record books.
Sophomore standout Jyzelle Juarez had a record-setting meet, breaking two Liberal High School school records. Jyzelle set a new school record in the 50-yard freestyle, surpassing the previous mark held by Ashlynn Brady. She also broke the school record in the 200-yard freestyle, previously held by Ava Maxwell. Those accomplishments add to the 100-yard freestyle school record Jyzelle broke earlier this season at the Hays meet, which had also been held by Ava.
Junior Nathalie Ortega also etched her name into school history by breaking two school records of her own. Nathalie set a new school record in the 200-yard individual medley, breaking the previous mark held by Ashlynn Brady. She later added another record in the 100-yard breaststroke, surpassing the previous school record held by Hazel Gandara.
Jyzelle also led the Lady Redskins in scoring during the meet, placing 7th in the 50-yard freestyle and 9th in the 200-yard freestyle while contributing to Liberal’s scoring relay efforts.
The Lady Redskins found success in the relay events throughout the meet. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Jyzelle Juarez, Yarah Martinez, Valeria Gandara, and Kaydence Shumaker earned points with a 9th-place finish. Liberal also scored in the 400-yard freestyle relay, where Alea Diaz, Marilyn Ochoa, Maryesme Diaz, and Yarah Martinez combined for an 8th-place finish.
Additional contributions came from across the roster as Liberal continued to showcase its growing depth and development. Marilyn Ochoa competed in the 100-yard backstroke, while Jordyn Myers added swims in the breaststroke and relay events. Several younger swimmers gained valuable varsity-level experience throughout the meet, continuing the program’s emphasis on long-term growth and improvement.
The Newton Invitational proved to be a milestone day for the Lady Redskins, highlighted not only by strong competition and relay performances, but by four new school records that continue to raise the standard for the Liberal swim program.
With athletes continuing to improve and rewrite the record books, the future remains bright for Lady Red swimming.
Event 2 — 200 Yard Freestyle
Total Swimmers: 20
9th Place: Jyzelle Juarez — 2:40.71
20th Naomi Lizarraga — 3:29.61
Event 3 — 200 Yard IM
Total Swimmers: 19
11th Place Nathalie Ortega: 3:06.55
Event 4 — 50 Yard Freestyle
Total Swimmers: 52
7th Place Jyzelle Juarez — 29.17
21st Place Yarah Martinez — 34.01
23rd Place Kaydence Shumaker — 35.21
Additional Liberal Exhibition Swimmers
Jordyn Myers
Valeria Gandara
Alea Diaz
Arselia Perea
Maryesme Diaz
Marisol Serrato
Kimberly Serrano
Event 7 — 100 Yard Freestyle
Total Swimmers: 37
21st Place — Maryesme Diaz — 1:39.33
22nd Place —Marisol Serrato — 1:48.48
23rd Place — Brooklyn Quint — 2:47.85
Event 8 — 500 Yard Freestyle
Total Swimmers: 16
LIBE Results
16th Place — Naomi Lizarraga — 9:58.40
Event 9 — 200 Yard Freestyle Relay
Total Teams: 14
LIBE A Relay
9th Place
Jyzelle Juarez
Yarah Martinez
Valeria Gandara
Kaydence Shumaker
LIBE B Relay (Exhibition)
Nathalie Ortega
Jordyn Myers
Ary Mendoza
Alea Diaz
Event 10 — 100 Yard Backstroke
Total Swimmers: 18
16th Place — Marilyn Ochoa — 1:38.01
Event 11 — 100 Yard Breaststroke
Total Swimmers: 24
15th Place — Nathalie Ortega — 1:34.32
16th Place — Jordyn Myers — 1:35.12
24th Place — Brooklyn Quint — 2:43.35
Event 12 — 400 Yard Freestyle Relay
Total Teams: 12
8th Place — 10 Points
Alea Diaz
Marilyn Ochoa
Ary Mendoza
Yarah Martinez