By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
Swimming is an important part of Adrian Fierro’s life.
If fact, it was one of the main factors that influenced his decision to transfer to Brownsville Veterans Memorial from St. Joseph Academy prior to his junior year.
Fierro, now a senior, wanted to see how he might fare against the UIL competition of Texas’ public schools. He wanted to find out if he had the swimming skills necessary to qualify for the UIL state meet in Austin.
“It was fine and everything (competing) in TAPPS (for SJA), and I went to the TAPPS state meet as a freshman and sophomore, but I wanted more competition (that’s available in the UIL ranks),” said Fierro, who in November signed to swim in college next school year at Nova Southeastern University, an NCAA Division II school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “My move (to Brownsville Veterans) was really a big deal for me because it helped me a lot. I’ve been able to train more and drop my times. I believe it’s also helped me (get an athletic scholarship) to go to college.”
The Brownsville Veterans standout is headed to the UIL state meet for the first time this weekend, thanks to his strong showing at the Region VIII-5A meet Feb. 3 in Corpus Christi, where he qualified for state in the 50 and 100 freestyles. The state meet begins today with prelims. The finals are Saturday. He’ll be competing in the Class 5A division.
“My goals coming into this (school) year were to drop my times, which I did, to break some Brownsville ISD records, which I’ve also done, and my third goal was to go to the UIL state meet, which I’m doing,” said Fierro, who also competes for the Great Whites Swim Club of Brownsville. “So I’m satisfied because I’ve reached my goals for this season. Now I want to do well at state.”
Fierro achieved personal-best and BISD-record times on Feb. 3 at the regional meet by winning the 100 freestyle in 46.88 seconds and taking second place in the 50 freestyle in 21.28 seconds. The top two finishers in swimming events at regionals qualified for state.
Brownsville Veterans coach Frank Sanchez believes Fierro has what it takes to do well in both events in Austin.
“Adrian has worked hard this year and he is very determined,” Sanchez said. “I think physically he has a chance to be a top three finalist in either the 50 free or the 100 free. Mentally, he just needs to be relaxed and focused.
“He should also have fun as this is his last high school swim,” the coach added. “Then he should be ready and anxious to swim at the collegiate level, which he will at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.”
Fierro follows a demanding training schedule, which has rewarded him with success. But it hasn’t been easy. He practices with his Brownsville Veterans teammates from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. weekdays and then from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the Great Whites. He practices at Brownsville’s Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center.
“Every, single day,” Fierro said of his commitment to swimming. “Since I came to Veterans, it’s been double training (daily). That’s been a big change for me.
“You get used to the discipline (it takes to follow such a time-consuming practice schedule),” he added. “It’s more like a lifestyle. You wake up, you go swim. It’s become a passion for me. It keeps you entertained being with the whole team and it keeps you fit. I like to train with the team rather than by myself.
“Going to state means a lot. It’s been the ultimate goal for my high school swimming (career). I hope I place well and drop my times. That’s the main thing. I just thank my coaches Frank Sanchez and Jose Luis Zarate, my teammates and my parents (Eduardo and Rocio Fierro) for pushing me and everything.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess