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? ? ?It?s not usual for a high school to be represented by a sole competitor. It can happen when that one track runner makes it to state or a powerlifter makes that lift that sends him on alone in competition. But, that one competitor always had a team behind him. A team he had trained with and shared victories and defeats with. But a team of one ? is that possible??? ? ?Meet Blake Bunnel, he is Kennedale High School?s swim team for the second year. {{more}}Blake, a KHS sophomore, says he has lived in Kennedale since he was five and has been swimming forever. He now swims pretty much year around on a ?select? team. So where is Kennedale’s swimming pool – no, not Lake Arlington. As you already know, there is not one. How unusual is this? Blake says he has not seen another school with only one member on the swim team. With large school districts, swim teams are common. Athletic Director Richard Barrett said that Argyle, another 3A school, had called him to find out how Kennedale was handling it. They also had one swimmer. Coach Barrett said that he is not aware of any others around the area.?? ? ?Bunnell gets P.E. credit, his entrant fees are covered and last year he earned a letter jacket from the district. Since there are no other 3A schools in the area who have swim teams, Kennedale?s swim team of one competes in a district of 4A schools. District 8 is composed of Arlington Seguin, Burleson, Burleson Centennial, Cleburne, Crowley, Mansfield Lake Ridge, Mansfield Legacy and Mansfield Summit. There is not enough of him to win a district title for Kennedale but that does not stop him from winning. This year at the district meet, he took first place in the 100 backstroke and the 500 freesyle. At Regionals, held at Mansfield ISD?s Natatorium, he placed 2nd in the 100 back and won the 500. This was enough to send him back to Austin once again. You see, he was there last year for Kennedale.?? ? ?Blake said that he will leave this Thursday for the state meet with his trainer and coach, his mom and dad. The state swim meet is this Friday and Saturday in Austin at Texas Swim Center, University of Texas. Prelims for 4A teams will start at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday finals will begin at 3:30 p.m.
