By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Brownsville’s high school swimmers and divers come together at 10 a.m. today for the annual City Meet at Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center.
Warmups for the participants are scheduled at 9 a.m., with the meet’s swimming events to start at 10 a.m. The diving competition will take place soon after the swimming starts.
The city’s six public high schools again will be involved this year, but not swimmers from St. Joseph Academy and Brownsville First Baptist School due to midterm finals, Clark Aquatic Center director Monica Rosales said.
With the most important meets of the UIL season, which include district and regional competition, coming up during the next two months, the city meet offers a chance for the participants to compete under less stressful circumstances and contend for city bragging rights.
Many of the participants know each other well and have grown up together through their involvement in local youth swimming programs. As high schoolers, they practice at the same facility on a daily basis and now look forward to seeing which ones among them will be best in the city before the holiday break starts.
“Some of our girls know girls from Rivera (well), so it’s more than a rivalry, it’s more like a camaraderie,” Hanna coach Sam Perez said.
“The city meet sometimes creates a problem with finals and vacations (happening at the same time), but we do it hoping as many students as possible can participate,” Perez added. “Yes, we’re excited, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
In particular, the Hanna girls have high aspirations for the new year and want to make sure they stay on course by doing well at the city meet.
“Since it’s barely a few months into the season, I think we’re going to get a lot better, we’re going to work hard and get faster (as district and regionals draw closer),” said Hanna junior Tahliya Martinez, who usually swims the 50 and 100 freestyles along with relays.
Just like last year, the field Friday will comprise of six schools in each of the boys and girls divisions.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s boys and girls are defending team champions.
One year ago, the Brownsville Veterans boys won with 424.5 points, with Rivera second at 311.5 and Hanna third at 213.5.
The Lady Chargers won with 328 points as Hanna was second at 316 and Rivera was third at 286.
Brownsville Veterans is expected to be led by Jonathan Ashford, who won the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke at last weekend’s Brownsville ISD Pre-Regional Showcase at Clark Aquatic Center.
Other swimmers who could post strong showings at the city meet include Hanna’s Natalia Davila and Maya Athena Imperial, along with Rivera’s Adrian Flores and Stephanie Castillo.
Thadey Diaz is a standout diver for Lopez.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.
By ROY HESS
Staff Writer
Brownsville’s high school swimmers and divers come together at 10 a.m. Friday for the annual City Meet at Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center.
Warmups for the participants are scheduled at 9 a.m., with the meet’s swimming events to start at 10 a.m. The diving competition will take place soon after the swimming starts.
The city’s six public high schools again will be involved this year, but not swimmers from St. Joseph Academy and Brownsville First Baptist School due to midterm finals, Clark Aquatic Center director Monica Rosales said.
With the most important meets of the UIL season, which include district and regional competition, coming up during the next two months, the city meet offers a chance for the participants to compete under less stressful circumstances and contend for city bragging rights.
Many of the participants know each other well and have grown up together through their involvement in local youth swimming programs. As high schoolers, they practice at the same facility on a daily basis and now look forward to seeing which ones among them will be best in the city before the holiday break starts.
“Some of our girls know girls from Rivera (well), so it’s more than a rivalry, it’s more like a camaraderie,” Hanna coach Sam Perez said.
“The city meet sometimes creates a problem with finals and vacations (happening at the same time), but we do it hoping as many students as possible can participate,” Perez added. “Yes, we’re excited, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
In particular, the Hanna girls have high aspirations for the new year and want to make sure they stay on course by doing well at the city meet.
“Since it’s barely a few months into the season, I think we’re going to get a lot better, we’re going to work hard and get faster (as district and regionals draw closer),” said Hanna junior Tahliya Martinez, who usually swims the 50 and 100 freestyles along with relays.
Just like last year, the field Friday will comprise of six schools in each of the boys and girls divisions.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s boys and girls are defending team champions.
One year ago, the Brownsville Veterans boys won with 424.5 points, with Rivera second at 311.5 and Hanna third at 213.5. The Lady Chargers won with 328 points as Hanna was second at 316 and Rivera was third at 286.
Brownsville Veterans is expected to be led by Jonathan Ashford, who won the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke at last weekend’s Brownsville ISD Pre-Regional Showcase at Clark Aquatic Center.
Other swimmers who could post strong showings at the city meet include Hanna’s Natalia Davila and Maya Athena Imperial, along with Rivera’s Adrian Flores and Stephanie Castillo.
Thadey Diaz is a standout diver for Lopez.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.