Record-smasher Josh McLean ‘22, Dylan Sandrock ‘22, and Carrick Brogan ‘22 closed out stellar careers with routine clutch performances to fuel Eagle Swimming to a strong second-place finish at the TAPPS Division I championships at the Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio.

The second consecutive runner-up result and third in five years for St. Thomas continues the program’s recent wave to elite status within the Texas ranks, paired with the Eagles’ breakthrough state crown in 2019 and the successful title defense in 2020. In the third season with head coach VanArthur Jones, Eagle Swimming coupled deep talent and depth to pile 313 team points, trailing only champion El Paso Cathedral (359) and easily outdistancing Plano Prestonwood Christian Academy (197), Plano John Paul II (177), and The Village School (174).

McLean was named the Bruce Rollins Award winner as the top male swimmer of the meet. He ignited early momentum for the Aqua Eagles, teaming with Sandrock, his brother Tyler ‘24, and Brogan to seize first place in the 200 medley relay in 1:39.01, then capturing the gold medal in the 200 freestyle in a blistering 1:44.04.

McLean answered the call when Eagle Swimming required a late charge to retain its championship hopes. He destroyed the field in the 500 free with a dominant 4:41.31 clocking. His final triumphant hurrah was the blazing lead leg in the 200 free relay, followed by the Sandrocks and Brogan, cashing gold in a torrid time of 1:28.82.

Dylan Standrock and Brogan flashed their invaluable versatility, racing for a fifth/seventh combination in the 100 backstroke, and sixth/third in the 50 free.

Notable Eagle performances also included:

  • Tyler Sandrock fourth in the 100 butterfly (53.83) and eighth in the 200 free (1:53.80)
  • Charlie Ramirez ‘22 sixth in the 200 free (1:53.20) and 10th in the 100 fly (57.50)
  • Benjamin Thoede ‘24 sixth in the 100 free (53.24) and 12th in the 50 free (24.15)
  • Ryan Bordas ‘25 eighth in the 200 individual medley (2:19.96)
  • Max Kaase ‘23 eighth in the 100 backstroke (1:00.92)

McLean solidified his legacy as one of the top performers in the history of Eagle Swimming. Weeks before his grand finale, he shattered three school records and contributed in two critical first-place relay results to power St. Thomas to a commanding East Regional championship at the University of Houston Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

At the 2021 state meet, McLean sizzled to third in the 200 individual medley with a school-record 2:00.49 and swam a critical backstroke leg in the winning 200 yard medley relay. As a sophomore in the Eagles’ championship repeat, McLean swam the lead leg in the third-place 200 medley relay (1:41.38), was part of the 200 free relay that took second (1:30.92), then captured fourth in the 200 individual medley and fifth in the 100 breaststroke.

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Eagle Fight Never Dies!