By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
Adrian Fierro, a senior from Brownsville Veterans Memorial, was the only swimmer from Brownsville to advance to state from Saturday’s Region VIII-5A meet at the Corpus Christi ISD Natatorium.
The top two boys and girls swimmers in individual events and relays, along with the top three divers qualified for the UIL state meet, Feb. 16-17 in Austin.
Fierro, who already has signed a scholarship agreement to swim in college, set personal bests in winning the 100 freestyle and placing second in the 50 freestyle. He won the 100 freestyle in 46.66 seconds and took second in the 50 freestyle in 21.28 seconds.
“Our athletes did well,” Brownsville Veterans coach Frank Sanchez said. “The competition was pretty stiff.
“We have basically a young group (of swimmers and divers),” Sanchez added. “Even though they might not make it to state, getting the exposure to a meet like this helps us a lot. It’s really beneficial.”
Also for the Brownsville Veterans boys, diver Nico Alvarez finished fifth in his event.
For the Brownsville Veterans girls, Daniela Chapa, a freshman, set personal-best times by finishing fifth in the 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle.
“I think Daniela had a 5:51 in the 500,” Sanchez said. “She dropped 14 seconds or so off her previous personal best, so that was a pretty dramatic improvement.”