By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
BROWNSVILLE — The Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center will play host to the BISD City Meet today.
Brownsville Hanna and Brownsville Veterans have stood out in other meets this season at the aquatic center. At the Brownsville centric Fall Festival, one month ago, Hanna’s boys and BVM’s girls came in first. Hanna won the close boys race, beating BVM by 21 points, and the Lady Chargers easily outpaced the field.
Hanna and Brownsville Veterans have a solid amount of good boys swimmers. Hanna’s Ricardo Rodriguez is one to watch in the freestyle races. Last weekend at the Pre-Regional SnowCase, Rodriguez finished a close second in a crowded field, but won first in the 50 and 100 at the Fall Festival. Brownsville Veterans’ Daniel Fierro also has had good times in the same events, and if they race it should be good.
Brownsville Veterans’ Diego Gonzalez and David Perez both picked up individual and relays wins on the weekend. Cristobal Osuna jumped in with Fierro in the two relay wins. The BVM boys finished second on the weekend.
“This is a really fun meet, Brownsville swimming talent is showcased, we are excited to compete,” Hanna coach Sam Perez said. “Veterans Memorial have some good competition. They are really talented. The good competition pushes us more as this season goes along and will help measure where we are at as we get closer to district and regionals.”
The Brownsville Veterans girls were great at the Fall Festival. Ivanna Rodriguez, Frida Munoz, Carolina Meza, Mia Marin-Mera, Dariela Munoz and Sofia Ramirez all picked up podiums. Diver Makayla Schaelchlin is a constant presence at the top of the standings this season, too.
At the Fall Festival, Brownsville Rivera, Brownsville Lopez and Brownsville St. Joseph fought it out for second and third. They could give the Brownsville Veterans girls some trouble in the relays, but at the Pre-Regional SnowCase, Brownsville Veterans outpaced Rivera by 16 seconds in the 200 medley relay.
Rivera’s Shea Madison won the 200 IM at the Fall Festival, barely beating Lopez’s Lesly Rodriguez. Marin-Mera also was close in that race, so it should be an exciting race to watch.
The City Meet not only will reward the top athletes in the city, but help nurture talent. Younger athletes need time in the pool and the ability to see what it is like at competitions.
“COVID hit swimming hard, swimming is not like other sports,” Perez said. “For a lot of sports you can do a lot of training to supplement missing out on competition. In swimming you need the pool. You cannot be a better swimmer if you do not swim. For all programs, these meets are important for the longevity of our programs.”