Central's Reel Sets School Record, Reaches Finals at State Swimming Meet

San Angelo Central swimmer Elsa Reel qualifies for finals in two events at UIL Class 6A State Meet

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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San Angelo Central's Elsa Reel qualified for the finals in both the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke events at the UIL Swimming & Diving Class 6A State Meet, setting a new school record in the 200 IM in the process.

Why it matters

Reel's performance at the state meet is a significant achievement for San Angelo Central's swim program, as she set a new school record and advanced to the finals in two events against the top swimmers in Texas's largest high school classification.

The details

Reel swam the 200-yard individual medley in 2:02.3, finishing third in the prelims and setting a new school record. She entered the state meet with the ninth-best time in the 24-girl field but turned in the best time of her life by more than two seconds, finishing just 0.75 seconds behind the first-place time. Reel was also third in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:02.84, 1.59 seconds behind the winning time, after entering the event with the fourth-best time.

  • Reel swam the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke events on Friday, February 20, 2026 at the UIL Swimming & Diving Class 6A State Meet in Austin, Texas.
  • Reel will compete in the finals of both events on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

The players

Elsa Reel

A senior swimmer at San Angelo Central High School who qualified for the finals in two events at the UIL Class 6A State Meet, setting a new school record in the 200-yard individual medley.

Katelynn Zhou

A swimmer from Allen High School who had the fastest time in the 200-yard individual medley prelims, 0.75 seconds ahead of Reel.

Ella McWhorter

A swimmer from Keller High School who had the fastest time in the 100-yard breaststroke prelims, 1.59 seconds ahead of Reel.

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What they’re saying

“Reel's performance at the state meet is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport. She's proven herself to be one of the top swimmers in Texas.”

— Paul Harris, Sports Reporter (sanangelolive.com)

What’s next

Reel will compete in the finals of the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke events on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the UIL Swimming & Diving Class 6A State Meet in Austin, Texas.

The takeaway

Elsa Reel's impressive performance at the state swimming meet, including setting a new school record, has put San Angelo Central's swim program on the map and demonstrated the talent and potential of this standout senior swimmer.