Congratulations to Clayton Bobo for being chosen as this year's Houston Area Male Swimmer of the year. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/highschool/article/Stratford-s-Clayton-Bobo-area-s-boys-swimmer-of-7305796.php?t=3987ace1f7 Stratford's Clayton Bobo area's boys swimmer of the yearApril 23, 2016 Updated: April 24, 2016 11:59am![]() Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Stratford High School sophomore Clayton Bobo is the All-Greater Houston Boys Swimmer of the Year, photographed on Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle ) Sophomore Clayton Bobo buckled down and medaled up at the Class 5A state meet this season, winning gold in the 50-yard freestyle and 200 medley relay and silver in the 100 free and 400 free relay, giving him seven medals (four gold, three silver) in two years at Stratford. Q: How long have you been swimming? A: I started swimming competitively when I was around 11 years old, and I started because I broke a record in summer league, and I was like, 'Oh, I might be good at this.' That's where it all started. Q: You won three medals as a freshman. Did you expect to have success right away? A: I was pretty sure I could do OK. I wasn't expecting a medal. I was just going in there for the experience the first year, but I was happy. I had a good team to lead me in the right direction last year. Q: What did it mean to you to go from silver in the 50 freestyle last year to gold? A: It felt great to win it, just to get points for the team. And the thing that got me over the hump was just training harder and putting a commitment into practice coming into this year. Q: You also won two relay medals, giving you four in two years. How does team success compare to individual accomplishments? A: Winning the medley (relay) was a lot more fun than winning the 50 free, for sure. Without a doubt. Just being able to celebrate with the other guys, and step up on the podium with them and joke around, made it more fun. Q: How do you push the bar higher in high school? A: We're going up to 6A (next season), so I'd love to try to get some medals and do well as a team in 6A. What Spartans coach Mike Hoskovec says: "Aside from being a physical phenomenon, he's just a positive, happy guy. He always has a smile on his face. And then he really figured out how to work hard this year. That was his big breakthrough, and it helped him take a big step forward." Jason McDanielHouston Chronicle Correspondent |
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