ROY HESS | Staff Writer
The District 32-5A swimming & diving meet got off to a strong start Thursday for the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers, who are attempting to successfully defend their district title of one year ago.
The diving competition for boys took place Thursday at Brownsville’s Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center on the first day of the meet. Swimming competition for 32-5A teams is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. today.
Actually, the Brownsville Veterans boys and girls are both defending 32-5A team champions.
There was no district diving competition for girls Thursday due to a lack of participants.
On the boys side, though, the Chargers were dominant by taking the top three places in the 1-meter diving.
Brownsville Veterans’ Nico Alvarez captured first place with a score of 339.30, while teammate Carlo Pereira was second with a score of 277.90. Seth Heggie, yet another Charger diver, took third place with a 267.15 score. Fourth place went to PSJA Memorial’s Jose Vasquez with a 228.00 score.
“With our boys taking first through third place (in the diving), it is a nice little lead,” Brownsville Veterans coach Frank Sanchez said. “But having a young team of boys, they will have to fight for every place (for us to do well in the swimming).
“Two more schools (PSJA Memorial and PSJA Southwest) added to the district will definitely make it a battle on Friday,” Sanchez added. “It should be exciting. Lopez has a strong returning group, so it may be close. Either team (between Lopez and us) could make it close, or it could be a blowout (either way).”
Last year, there were only four Brownsville teams in the 32-5A meet, and Brownsville Veterans easily captured both district titles. The boys won with 218 points, Lopez was second with 135 and Porter third with 71. For the girls, the Lady Chargers triumphed with 198 points, Lopez was second with 96 and Porter was third with 87.
Sanchez has faith his girls can repeat this time around.
“We have a small girls team this year, but luckily, it is led by three very strong seniors,” he said. “Our girls team is led by Salma Mena, Daniela Santillana and Karen Rodriguez-Lua. If they all swim their best times, they should be OK. But once again, Porter, Lopez and Pace have strong girls teams, too.
“It is anyone’s district championship this year,” Sanchez added. “I think it comes down to who wants it more.”
The District 32-6A swimming & diving meet is taking place in Weslaco. The 32-6A swimming and diving is scheduled today.
The top finishers at the district level move on to regional competition Feb. 1-2.