BY NATE KOTISSO | THE MONITOR
PHARR — A day like Friday is exactly what PSJA ISD aquatics coordinator Jonathan Landero dreams about: a clean sweep at the district meet by PSJA High’s girls and PSJA Southwest’s boys at the Pharr Aquatic Center.
“We knew we were stronger on the boys side, and it looked like we would take it,” Landero said. “The girls, we weren’t so sure about. We thought Edinburg High was really strong and weren’t sure if we were going to take that one. It was a great team effort on the girls side.”
“It feels really good. All the hard work in the early mornings and late nights have finally paid off,” PSJA High coach Ben Waddell said. “The kids that didn’t think they could do something? Now they’re on a district championship team.”
The Bears won gold medals in seven events, including the 200-yard medley and 400 freestyle relays. Isela Ruiz earned four golds, including the 100 butterfly and the 200 freestyle.
“Everyone gets along, and we know what each other’s strengths and weaknesses are,” Ruiz said. “We connect well, and we build each other up. They make you want to push yourself.”
Ruiz and Carina Campos were the lone Bears freshmen competing in their first district meet.
“Knowing you’re one of the youngest ones before the races is real scary,” Ruiz said. “You’re going against all these girls who have been swimming longer than you and it’s nerve-wracking. But when you’re swimming and you’re in that first-place spot, you’re trying your best to hold on to it and not pull back. You don’t want to lose it or mess up for your other teammates.”
“It is uncommon for a freshman to do something like that,” Waddell said. “Luckily, we’ve been working with kids like Isela in an after-school program since she was in the sixth grade, and that kind of feeds into our program. She was a little prodigy, a little stud. You could kind of see it right away if they’re naturally good at swimming. Hard work always trumps talent but she’s talented and she works hard.”
The PSJA Southwest boys locked up its third district championship in four years in dominating fashion. The team’s score of 132 was 38 more than second-place PSJA High’s score of 94.
The Javelinas are blessed with seasoned performers like junior Zack Garza and seniors Juan Mejia and Joseph Velasquez. Garza, Mejia and Velasquez captured two gold medals apiece in individual events.
“Those three (Garza, Mejia and Velasquez) are particularly unique,” PSJA Southwest coach Mackenna Krohn said. “They push each other. They have created a family and support system for each other. They’re never satisfied. They always have that hunger to be better tomorrow than they were the day before. I’ve never seen athletes so committed. Never taking a day off, never messing around outside of school. They’re truly dedicated, all three of them.”
Velasquez is one of six Javelinas swimmers, and all six will compete at the upcoming regional meet in Brownsville.
“I’m just happy I’ve dropped a lot of time this year, especially since we’re so close to regionals,” Velasquez said. “You got to go really hard and do the best for your team, yourself and those who are willing to watch.”
Waddell and Landero were on the same coaching staff at PSJA Southwest before Landero was promoted to the district’s aquatics coordinator prior to the start of the season. Waddell then took the PSJA High job when it came open, and Krohn assumed Landero’s post at PSJA Southwest.
“It’s always great to share district championships,” Landero said. “I don’t see it as anyone being separate. Whether it’s Bears, Southwest, Raiders or Wolverines, PSJA is PSJA to me.”