McALLEN — The McAllen High swim team might have to take two buses when it heads to the Class 5A state meet in Austin, where they will compete Friday and Saturday.
No team from the Rio Grande Valley is sending as many athletes to Austin as McAllen High — 19 to be exact. Only four are alternates, meaning 15 are slated to compete.
“This year, everybody was at the top of their game,” McAllen High swim coach Juan Gutierrez said. “I can make all of the relays as strong as possible. Last year, we were getting sixth or seventh at regionals; this year, we were getting first or second. So, the kids really stepped up. This is probably my strongest team I have had in my five years as a whole.”
It has been a long season for the swimmers because the school did not compete in water polo this season. The swimmers have been competing since early August.
“This year was a little tough here and there,” Gutierrez said. “But the kids stuck it through, and we are ending the season stronger than ever together. I love these kids. Even if I have a bad day, I can come here and these kids make it better.”
The girls and boys both took second place at the regional meet behind perennial regional power Corpus Christi Flour Bluff.
| Members of the McAllen High swimming team that qualified for state are joined by head coach Juan Gutierrez and assistant coach Christina Gutierrez. McAllen High swimmers headed to state: Carolyn Townsend, Evelyn Garfield, Lexie Bzibziak, Valeria Garza, Natalie Gamboa, Kimberly Bazan, Karla Gamboa, Aleah Saenz, Audrina Garza, Caleb Valdivia, Amani Singh, Allan Gonzalez, Julian McNamara, Nyles Dos Santos, Reagan Edwards, Ethan Lizzotte, Aaron Estrada, Rohan Bhakta, Adric Saldana Edward Severn |
“Last year, we did not have as much go, especially with the girls,” boys captain Caleb Valdivia said. “We are going to try and do our best out there.”
No girls made it to state last year from McAllen High. This year, plenty are going to have lanes Friday, including junior captain Carolyn Townsend.
“We get to take all three relays,” Townsend said. “So it is just a new opportunity for the team to see where they are and motivation to get better in the future.”
Joining Townsend are Evelyn Garfield, Valeria Garza, Natalie Gamboa, Kimberly Bazan, Karla Gamboa, Aleah Saenz and Audrina Garza.
Junior Lexie Bzibziak and sophomore Reagan Edwards won individual races at the regional meet. Bzibziak took first in the 50 freestyle and second in the 100 butterfly.
“It feels good to see my hard work pay off,” Bzibziak said. “All season was leading up to that moment. Getting first showed my accomplishments.”
Edwards won gold in the 500 freestyle, took second in the 200 freestyle and was on the boys 400 freestyle relay team along with Aaron Estrada, Ethan Lizzotte and Nyles Dos Santos that also took home first place. Edwards was not swimming on varsity last season, and was happy about the progress he made.
| Left: McAllen High’s Julian McNamara; Right: McAllen High’s Natalie Gamoa both qualified for state |
“I am wanting to make finals,” he said. “I definitely think I can make finals. I mainly just want to (set a personal record), though.”
McAllen High is going to graduate some good swimmers, Gutierrez said. But plenty of talented swimmers are set to return, including sophomore Amani Singh, who is one of — if not the — fastest swimmers on the team, Gutierrez said. Singh combined with Julian McNamara, Dos Santos and Lizzotte to win in the boys 200 freestyle relay at the the regional.
McAllen High’s Adric Saldana, Rohan Bhakta and Allan Gonzalez are set to make the trip to Austin, too.
The Upper Valley is sending other athletes to state. PSJA North senior Braulio Gonzalez qualified in diving. Sharyland Pioneer’s Emilo Guajardo is set to compete in the 50 freestyle. Sharyland High’s Hailey Garcia-Rivas finished second in the 100 backstroke for a lane in state.