Burnet swimmers advance to state meet

CAPTION: Burnet swimmer Jack Milliorn touches the wall to signal to Levi Kleen to dive in as Grant Roberts and Stellan Zollitsch are on deck during the boys 200-yard freestyle relay. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

Eight members of the Burnet High School swimming and diving team will make their way to the San Antonio North East Independent School District’s Josh Davis Natatorium Thursday-Friday, Feb. 15-16, for the Class 4A state meet.

Carline Lunsford advanced in the 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke, while Grant Roberts will swim in the 100-yard butterfly and Stellan Zollitsch will compete in the 100-yard freestyle. The Lady Dawgs relay team of Emma Collins, Brynlie Tappe, Graciela Lara Duran and Lunsford will swim in the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay. The boys 200-yard freestyle relay team of Levi Kleen, Jack Milliorn, Roberts and Zollitsch also will compete at the state meet.

Head coach Nolan Gerfers, who is in his first year leading the program, said he believes the way the swimmers interact with one another is a big reason why so many are competing against the best in the state.

“The team chemistry and atmosphere has been outstanding,” he said. “This year we fostered a good culture on the team. It takes one another to get to that level and get so many qualifiers for state.”

Gerfers said he has brought technique changes that he believes benefitted the Water Dawgs.

He appreciates how the swimmers and those close to the program have welcomed him, he said.

“How well the athletes have received me and my coaching and my ideas and how they absorb everything and lift each other up to be not only who I want them to be and become,” he said. “At the end of the day, I need them to believe it.”

That was evident as the Water Dawgs stepped onto the starting blocks at the Class 4A Region IV meet two weeks earlier. Gerfers was pleased to see they were mentally ready to swim their very best.

“At regionals each one said ‘I can do this,'” he said. “Our region is one of the hardest 4A regions in state. For us to get eight kids shows how hard they work.”

Gerfers believes the Burnet swimming program is honoring former Burnet resident and legendary University of Texas coach Julian “Tex” Robertson, who helped teach the sport to others when he and his family moved here.

“It’s fun to step in the dynasty and honor that dynasty,” he said. “We have eight moving forward. In the future I hope to take more. I’m stoked with how this season has gone. I’m doing things right and have the kids back me up who didn’t qualify for state. If they continue putting in the hard work, they’ll represent Burnet at a high level.”

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CAPTION: Burnet swimmers Emma Collins (left) and Brynlie Tappe carry Caroline Lunsford (left) and Graciela Lara-Duran. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography