Gilmer High Senior Grant Koudelka placed second in both the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle in the regional swim meet at Magnolia Friday and Saturday.

Koudelka will finish his Gilmer swimming career with a final trip to Austin in two weeks. For the meet at the Lee and Joe Mamail Aquatic Center Feb. 24-25, Koudelka will trim down his practices and shave his body in order to maximize his speed.

The following week, he will contend in sectionals in his bid to make the Olympic swim team.

At Magnolia, Koudelka swam the 100-yard free in 0:47,34 and was beaten by Brendan Costello of West Magnolia (who had shaved and tapered).

It was Matt Cox of Texarkana who took the gold in Magnolia in 1:41.84, while Koudelka was 0.24 seconds slower at 1:42.08.

In the girls’ division, Daniele Bridges of Union Grove made it through the preliminares by qualifying for the B heat. This placed her outside of medal contention, which goes to the A heat.

Bridges finished 11th in the 200-yard Individual Medley in 2;30.73, and 10th in the 100-yard freestyle in 1:07.80.