Darryl G. Gaona II, Reagan H.S. varsity swimmer, has committed to continue his academic and swimming career at Oklahoma Christian University, an NCAA Division II university located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Alongside his father Darryl, his mother Delia, his brother Isaiah and RRHS head coach Michael Rourke (not pictured), Torres signed a national letter of intent to swim at OCU during a signing day ceremony Feb. 5 at Reagan High School.
A four-year varsity swim letterman, and a varsity water polo letterman, Gaona was recruited by OCU’s swim coach, five-time Olympian Josh Davis, who he has known since the age of 10 through club swim. Davis has been the OCU swim coach since 2016 and was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s men’s co-coach of the year in 2020.
Gaona has worked hard to earn many accomplishments and accolades during his tenure at Reagan to include being a District, Regional and State swim qualifier his freshman year and water polo captain his senior year.
“Darryl has stepped into a huge leadership role this year as a water polo captain,” Rourke said. “Not only was he a crucial part of our water polo team, but he is one of the foundational pieces of our men’s swim team. Darryl is going to help push this team to the next level as we head further into championship season.”
In individual swims, Gaona earned 3rd place in the 100 freestyle at TISCA, and was a men’s 100 freestyle runner-up at the 26-6A District Championships. Also an integral part on the Reagan men’s 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay teams, Gaona’s relay made it to Districts his sophomore, junior and senior year. He also helped propel the relay to Regions his junior and senior year, and all the way to the State Championships his junior year; final results for his senior year are yet to be determined. Gaona is also successful academically and stays busy supporting many extracurricular and community activities, earning him a host of awards and accolades: 2023 Swim Committee’s Service Award, 2023 High Point Award for Rogers Ranch Rapids, 2022 High Point Award for Rogers Ranch Rapids, 2021-2022 High School Region and State Band competition, 2021-2023 Elf Louise project participant, and a 2021 Altar Server for Saint Francis of Assisi presenter.
Gaona credits Coach Rourke and his club swim coach Trevor Loomis with helping him achieve all that he has in the last four years. He is ready to bring his energy and talent to Oklahoma so he can soar with the Oklahoma Christian University Eagles and Coach Davis upon his graduation from Reagan in May.
“I have known and respected Coach Davis my entire swim career,” said Gaona, whose high school and swim club teams both practice at the natatorium named after Davis. “I am excited to continue my swim education at OCU.”
Follow his progress through @OC_eagles on Instagram.
Strike ‘em Rattlers! Talon’s Up!