NATHANIEL MATA | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
Luciano Farias-Ramirez was disqualified from last year’s regional meet, negating his first-place finish in his signature event, the 100-yard backstroke. The Sharyland High junior is ready to get that taste out of his mouth.
“Last year was very, very tough, because that’s my main stroke,” he said, reminiscing on last season’s controversial ruling. “It was a stroke I was hoping to go in to make a big show at state. It was something I have to live and learn, and this year I have to hit it hard. I’ve been practicing my start, so I don’t think I’ll be disqualified this year.”
Last season, Farias-Ramirez was ruled to have made an illegal forward motion on the starting block. He and his coaches tried to use video to argue the call with meet officials, but the ruling was unchanged.
Still, Farias-Ramirez can draw on state experience from his freshman year. Now a junior, Farias-Ramirez has a return trip to the state meet on his mind.
He comes into district prepared to swim a 100 backstroke in less than 55 seconds, which may be enough for a spot in Austin for state.
The junior standout points to his freshman trip to state as a stress reliever, as well as motivation to keep working. The experience went a long way to drive him and mold his workouts.
“Going to state freshman year really opened my eyes to how much I have to train to actually do good at state,” Farias-Ramirez said. “And also to alleviate some of the pressure at regionals. To think, ‘I got this. I know what a big meet feels like. This is easier than that. I’ll be able to swim this one off.’”
That journey begins today at the District 31-5A meet in Mission’s Bannworth Park Aquatic Center, a short stroll from Sharyland’s campus.
This year, Farias-Ramirez will swim the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. He will also compete in two relays, but Sharyland coach Tina Jensen was holding her cards close to her chest, not wanting to reveal which ones.
Jensen has high expectations for Farias-Ramirez and her entire group. A season ago, both Sharyland Rattlers swim teams finished in the top three of the district — runner-up in boys and third in girls. This year, sights are set on improving those marks.
“I have an amazing group of athletes, and though anything can happen, they have worked hard and will shine because they’ve earned it,” Jensen said. “Their drive and work ethic is exceptional, and high expectations is all they know.”
Sharyland has a large group of seniors, adding more incentive to perform in the late part of the season.
Marco Rivera, a butterfly specialist, is one of those seniors. He’s been swimming for Jensen’s Rattlers for four years.
“Losing all these guys and girls is really rough, but they’ve been such an absolute dedicated group,” Jensen said. “[Marco’s] our captain, and he just is always one of those who motivates and stands behind all of his teammates.”
Rivera senses his high school career winding down, pushing him to leave it all in the pool.
“It’s going to be sad. I’ve made tremendous friendships that will last a lifetime,” Rivera said on the eve of district competition. “When I get into the pool, I just go to swim. Those emotions are great. I’ll probably shed a few tears when I get out of the pool at regionals, but really when you get into that pool, you just swim.”
Rivera said having a strong swimmer like Farias-Ramirez on the team is a benefit. The two use practice as an opportunity to challenge each other.
“When you have terrific swimmers like Luci that went to state his freshman year, it’s tremendous,” Rivera said. “When we work out, I also love to be in the lane next to him, just to try to keep up with him. Also to keep him humble. It’s tremendous. I love swimming with him. He pushes me to my limits. I love it.”
From this point of the season on, every meet will be the biggest of the year. Farias-Ramirez this year has a different approach to elimination meets: take it slow while swimming fast.
“This year, I feel like since I missed that meet last year, I’ve been able to humble myself a little more,” he said. “Just think, ‘It’s one meet at a time.’ Take it one meet at a time. Do my best at one meet. Don’t worry about the next one. Just keep moving forward.”