By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Stephanie Castillo’s high school swimming career is coming to an end.
The Rivera senior standout in the pool is finishing it the best way possible by competing this weekend at the UIL state meet in Austin. The prelims are Friday with the finals on Saturday.
Castillo is advancing to state for the second straight year in the 100 freestyle after placing second at the Region VIII-6A meet on Feb. 4 in Brownsville. Also joining Castillo at state is Rivera diver Italy Garcia, a junior who finished third in her event at the regional meet.
“It’s a cool story (about Italy),” Rivera swimming coach Ryan Shea said. “She’s an ex-gymnast who barely started diving this (school) year. She got her dives down bit by bit and became good enough to qualify for state. It’s pretty exciting.”
Other swimmers from the Metro-area who are headed to Austin include Los Fresnos’ Luis Osuna along with Hanna’s Natalia Davila, Maya Athena Imperial, Gloria Orta and Nadia Gutierrez.
This year, the top two swimmers in every event at regionals qualified for state along with the top three divers. The format has changed from a year ago when only the top swimmer in each event and the top two divers advanced to state.
“I actually feel quite excited (and relatively calm) to be going back,” Castillo said. “It has changed. Before, I was nervous (when I went to state the first time). Since I’ve been training, I feel fine. Everyone is positive about it.
“They’ve given an extra opportunity (to qualify for state to swimmers who finished second at regionals), so that’s even better for me,” Castillo added. “I just feel like it’s a great opportunity.
“I believe this is the best year that I’ve had (swimming for Rivera). Being with this team that has come together and having my coaches with me, everyone is positive and there have been no negatives. Everybody has been there to push everyone else (to do well).”
At regionals, Castillo swam her event in 55.88 seconds. McAllen Rowe’s Ina Te won the competition in 55.38.
Shea said the focus for Castillo at state is to try to drop her time below 55 seconds in the 100 freestyle.
“We have goals going up there (to Austin),” said Shea, who is assisted by Julie Puckett. “Stephanie has been a joy to coach. She’s a very talented athlete and she’s awesome to have on the team. We’re just trying to achieve her goals.
“Stephanie works as hard in the classroom as she does in the pool, so she’s a good student academically as well,” Shea added. “We’re glad to be going back to state. We’re excited.”
Castillo said swimming for Rivera all four years in high school has meant a lot to her.
“I feel grateful,” she said. “I’m grateful for my coaches. To me, they’re the reason that I’m going to state. If I didn’t have them, I don’t think I would have made it. I’m happy.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess