Liberal Swimmers Take 5th at Hays Meet, Show Depth and Relay Strength
The Liberal High School girls swim team delivered a strong performance Tuesday at the Hays Invitational, finishing 5th overall out of 7 with 104 points while showcasing both depth and continued improvement across the lineup.
The Lady Redskins were led by a standout effort in the 400-yard freestyle relay, where the team of Alexis Ugalde, Lyla Anderson, Nathalie Ortega, and Jyzelle Juarez placed 4th with a time of 5:04.13, marking Liberal’s top finish of the meet.
Liberal also opened the meet with a solid relay showing in the 200-yard medley relay, as Nathalie Ortega, Jordyn Myers, Jyzelle Juarez, and Alexis Ugalde combined for a 7th-place finish in 2:30.02.
Individually, Jyzelle Juarez led the way with a pair of top finishes. She placed 5th in the 50-yard freestyle (29.73) and added a 6th-place finish in the 100 freestyle (1:09.18), continuing to be one of Liberal’s most consistent contributors.
Alexis Ugalde also scored valuable points, finishing 8th in the 50 freestyle (31.43) and 9th in the 100 freestyle (1:12.97), while swimming on both of Liberal’s top relays.
Nathalie Ortega added a strong performance in the 200 individual medley, placing 7th in 3:04.92, and also contributed to multiple relay teams. Valeria Mera provided additional scoring with a 9th-place finish in the 100 backstroke (1:43.51) and a 15th-place finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:46.93).
The 200-yard freestyle relay teams also contributed, with Liberal finishing 9th (2:21.72) and 10th (2:32.24), highlighting the team’s depth and ability to field multiple competitive relay groups.
In addition to the scoring performances, Liberal brought a large roster to the meet, with many swimmers competing in exhibition heats. The high participation, especially in sprint events like the 50 and 100 freestyle, demonstrated the program’s continued growth and development.
With a mix of experienced leaders and developing swimmers gaining valuable race experience, Liberal continues to build momentum as the season progresses.
The Lady Redskins will look to carry that momentum into their upcoming meets with a small group going to Great Bend on Thursday, and bigger squad on Saturday to Maize.
Event 1 – 200 Medley Relay (14 teams)
- 7th – 2:30.02
Nathalie Ortega, Jordyn Myers, Jyzelle Juarez, Alexis Ugalde - Exhibition – 3:26.10
Arselia Perea, Ana Chitic, Ary Mendoza, Alea Diaz
Event 2 – 200 Freestyle (21 swimmers)
- 11th – 2:59.75 – Lyla Anderson
- 13th – 3:09.04 – Daniyelle Mendoza
- 16th – 3:24.59 – Elizabeth Dominguez
- Exhibition:
Kayla Cordova (3:33.94), Naomi Lizarraga (3:46.75)
Event 3 – 200 IM (14 swimmers including DQ)
- 7th – 3:04.92 – Nathalie Ortega
Event 4 – 50 Freestyle (75+ swimmers)
- 5th – 29.73 – Jyzelle Juarez
- 8th – 31.43 – Alexis Ugalde
- 15th – 35.49 – Yarah Martinez
- Extensive LIBE participation in exhibition heats (large developmental group)
Event 7 – 100 Freestyle (60+ swimmers)
- 6th – 1:09.18 – Jyzelle Juarez
- 9th – 1:12.97 – Alexis Ugalde
- 12th – 1:15.33 – Nathalie Ortega
- Additional exhibition swims by multiple LIBE athletes
Event 8 – 500 Freestyle (15 swimmers)
- 12th – 9:18.00 – Elizabeth Dominguez
- 14th – 9:51.87 – Kayla Cordova
- 15th – 10:52.04 – Naomi Lizarraga
Event 9 – 200 Freestyle Relay (20 teams)
- 9th – 2:21.72
Lyla Anderson, Valeria Mera, Layla Piedra, Yarah Martinez - 10th – 2:32.24
Jordyn Myers, Aaliyah Cadena, Valeria Gandara, Daniyelle Mendoza - Additional exhibition relay entries for depth
Event 10 – 100 Backstroke (14 swimmers)
- 9th – 1:43.51 – Valeria Mera
- 10th – 1:46.63 – Marilyn Ochoa
- 14th – 2:06.82 – Yaretzi Rosas
Event 11 – 100 Breaststroke (21 swimmers)
- 15th – 1:46.93 – Valeria Mera
- 18th – 2:49.67 – Brooklyn Quint
- DQ – Jordyn Myers
Event 12 – 400 Freestyle Relay (13 teams)
- 4th – 5:04.13
Alexis Ugalde, Lyla Anderson, Nathalie Ortega, Jyzelle Juarez - 9th – 5:36.31
Layla Piedra, Daniyelle Mendoza, Jordyn Myers, Yarah Martinez