Tuesday, April 23, 2024
JASON PULLANO
After leading Granbury High School swimming teams to eight consecutive district titles, coach Jason Pullano is leaving for Highland Park High School at the end of the current school year.
Pullano arrived in Granbury in 2014, and the former team captain of the Ouachita Baptist University swim team carried a "swimmer's culture" mentality with him. The all-conference swimmer and diver has roots back into Trinity High School's programs and was the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD swimmer of the year in 2010 and received the district's Hero Award in 2009.
At Highland Park, Pullano will be overseeing the swimming and diving programs, and the position is one of the premier jobs in the state.
During his initial interviews, Granbury ISD Athletic Director Dwight Butler recognized something unique about Pullano, a new graduate with a degree in secondary education and biology.
"I knew he was something special when I hired him right out of college," Butler. "He improved the swim program immensely and took it to heights I never anticipated. He will be greatly missed, but he has an incredible opportunity for himself and his family."
Pullano turned Granbury's focus from winning district titles to winning regional championships. The Lady Pirates won back-to-back regional titles in 2019-20 and were runner-up in 2021-22. The Pirates have been the regional runner-up for the last four straight years.
Upon his arrival, Granbury had only one Lady Pirate (Kaylee Brawner) qualify for state in six years. But Pullano changed that and, in eight seasons, has had 27 athletes qualify for state –15 boys and 12 girls.
In addition to his coaching duties, Pullano most recently served as a district instructional technology specialist. He previously taught science at GHS and Crossland Ninth Grade Center.
"I have spent the entirety of my career in Granbury. I am grateful to have students I love so much that it hurt to say goodbye," Pullano said. "I have bled purple for eight years, and I will always be a Pirate."
Pullano's state qualifiers include Anthony Castillo, Jaxon Castillo, Sean Atchue, Brock Holmgreen, Daniel D'Souza, Jonah Delaney, Cutter Willmeth, Nick Rodriguez, Matthew Walters, Jaden Couto, Jaden Bradshaw, Brady Willmeth, Braxton Heffernan, Tyler Guidry, Jordan Buchanan, Kaylee Brawner, Sarah Spradlin, Jessica Gryder, Kori Brawner, Trisha Gryder, Raegan Brown, Caroline Rezsofi, Mary Power, Trinity Belott, Kori Brawner, and Ashley Loveless.
Russell@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066 ext. 231
