High school sports: Here are Pueblo's top prep performers for the week of Jan. 17
The performers just keep on performing.
As the second half of the winter high school sports season winds down, a number of athletes are stepping up their performances.
Each week, the Pueblo Chieftain sports staff takes a look at the top prep performances and publishes them in print and online. To nominate your athletes, coaches are asked to email Jeff Letofsky at jletofsky@chieftain.com or Chris Abdelmalek at cabdelmalek@chieftain.com.
Here are this week's top prep performers in Pueblo:
More prep performers: Pueblo East's Sully DeHerrera strides to be the best on mat
Maurice Austin, Pueblo South boys basketball
Austin, a sophomore, poured in 31 points in the Colts' 120-38 South-Central League victory over Centennial on Jan. 18 at the Southwest Motors Events Center.
Among the top-10 scorer in the state, Austin had 16 points in the third quarter alone as South improved to 13-0.
His senior brother Tarrance Austin finished with 30 points and junior Ray J Aragon added 29 against the Bulldogs.
Maggie Jagger, Pueblo County girls swimming
Jagger had a first-place and second-place individual finish and swam on two second-place relays during the prestigious Pueblo County Hornet Invitational on Jan. 15.
Jagger won the 100 freestyle in a time of 55.32 and finished second in the 50 freestyle with a 25.21 time. She also was a member of the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams that placed second.
Hailey Garner, Pueblo West girls swimming
The senior captured the diving competition at the Pueblo County Hornet Invitational. She compiled 433.30 points in 11 dives to get to the top of the podium.
Jo Joe Essenburg, Pueblo County girls swimming
Essenburg had a pair of sixth-place finishes at the Hornet Invitational and also swam on the 400 freestyle relay team that placed second.
More prep performers: Pueblo East senior boys basketball player Nate Montour heating up from 3-point land
Bryce Garcia, Pueblo County boys wrestling
Garcia earned his 100th career victory this past week, and although it was a forfeit win for his opponent, Garcia still raised his hand for his team to earn the victory. Garcia is currently ranked No. 1 in Class 4A at 170 pounds in the state.
Weston Dalton, Pueblo East boys wrestling
Dalton earned a victory this week against his opponent from Pueblo Central and helped lead the Eagles to an impressive 72-3 win over the Wildcats. Dalton is currently the top wrestler in Class 4A at 145 pounds.
Gabby Louther, Pueblo West girls basketball
Louther put up big numbers against Pueblo East this past week. She dropped 23 points along with 4 rebounds and 7 assists to help lead the Cyclones to a 73-17 victory over the Eagles. The win also puts the Cyclones atop of the South-Central League along with Pueblo County.
Chieftain senior sports reporter Jeff Letofsky can be reached by email at jletofsky@chieftain.com or on Twitter @jeffletofsky
Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or on Twitter @chowebacca
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Sports stars: Pueblo's top prep performers for the week of Jan. 17
