By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Harlingen High Lady Cardinals sophomore Elise Hernandez and freshman Giovanna Pierami will be competing this weekend in the UIL state swimming & diving meet.
The pair is excited for the opportunity to swim in Austin against fierce competition.
“I really want to see where I stand in Texas,” Hernandez said. “I want to wish the best for everyone going out there. I am really excited to make it.”
Hernandez finished second in the 500-yard freestyle at the regional meet to book her spot at the University of Texas’ pool in Austin.
“This is the first year I am doing the 500,” Hernandez said. “This season, I have been training really hard to build up my endurance. I like it. I do feel like I am more of an endurance swimmer.”
Pierami swam a brilliant race at the regional meet to claim first place in the 200 freestyle.
“I still cannot believe that I am going as a freshman,” she said. “I just want to see what I can do and see where I am at with the other girls.”
One of Pierami’s inspirations is her father.
“He was a swimmer when he was younger,” Pierami said. “I just always wanted to be like him and still do.”
Pierami said her father introduced her to the college and professional swim scene. Watching top swimmers together marveled the then-sixth-grader.
“I have set my standards pretty high by making it to state,” Pierami said. “So, I just hope to keep breaking my personal records and keep doing what I am doing.”
The girls have been working hard, coach Daniel Euresti said.
“They do SEAL team, which is our USA swim team in the afternoons,” he said. “Then they come in the mornings, so they put in about four hours of practice every day.”
Euresti is impressed with how much time both of his state swimmers have dropped and the future that both swimmers have.
“Elise has dropped so much time in the 500,” he said. “Giovanna is a fighter, and as a freshman is only going to get better.”